tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31642307518359575812023-11-16T03:38:19.643-08:00Adventures in MotherhoodMotherhood is full of adventures... join me as I navigate my way through day to day life as a stay-at-home Mommy!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-34924591730991639662012-04-04T13:16:00.000-07:002012-04-04T13:16:47.105-07:00Without My Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Without my kids my house would be clean (or at least cleaner than it is).</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>There would be peace and quiet and no SpongeBob marathons.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I'd need to set an alarm clock again and wear makeup more than once or twice a week.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>No one (except maybe Hubby) would expect their meals to be made, </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>their laundry to done, </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>and butts to be wiped!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Without my kids I'd have time to workout more, </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>read more books</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>and spend time w/ friends.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I'd get to listen to the radio in the car and not have to explain death every time we pass a cemetery! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Shopping would be enjoyable again and there would be no reason to buy fruit snacks.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>But...</i></span></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/AVvXsEjS06LOeqWVABmxtxTDwYvg33AC7uajBi6WbwVS-aGOoOHdXRwqgL-1TxQQvP1Plea0_B0TxTRhouaVMj7LKj6POye8eAm65w_lvmcHdILeaMKyZ3U2VkgyFPs0o7zJ0BwrkXAv-B4W_aLf/s1600/432264_338609366190377_869595745_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS06LOeqWVABmxtxTDwYvg33AC7uajBi6WbwVS-aGOoOHdXRwqgL-1TxQQvP1Plea0_B0TxTRhouaVMj7LKj6POye8eAm65w_lvmcHdILeaMKyZ3U2VkgyFPs0o7zJ0BwrkXAv-B4W_aLf/s400/432264_338609366190377_869595745_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thought this was cute and oh so true!!!</span></i></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-51666120210246039572012-04-02T20:20:00.000-07:002012-04-02T20:20:40.350-07:00Comments From the Backseat<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We went on our monthly grocery run yesterday. Let's be honest, shopping with kids <b>SUCKS</b>!!! The <i>Easter Bunny</i> was attempting to do some last minute shopping... <i>pretty sure I about blew his cover numerous times w/ the help of Daddy</i> but he managed to grab a few things. After a somewhat drama free day we were on our way back to the homestead when Max had had enough of the car riding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When Max was really little <i>(and spent most of every trip in the car in a blood curdling scream)</i>, I'd crawl in the backseat w/ him while Daddy was driving, it's been awhile since that was required...<i> thank God!</i> But after two days in a row of road tripping more than 10 miles down the road, <i>Max had had enough!</i> In an effort to keep the last 30 minutes of our drive home somewhat quiet we pulled off the side of the road, grabbed a box of <b>Cheese It's</b> from the trunk and took off... <i>that quieted things down for about 5 minutes. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the snack idea failed we decided it'd be in everyone's best interest for me to crawl to the back. But just as I was getting ready to break the law, Max grew silent. Jaxon on the other hand did not! So I did as I normally do, avoid eye contact w/ Max in the rear view while making small talk w/ his older brother. So what if the only thing that came to mind at the time was, <b><i>"Look Bubba, a cemetery!"</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jaxon: <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Wow Mom, there's a lot of dead people in there!" </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Me: <b><i>"Yep Buddy, there sure are!"</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daddy: No comment loud enough for Jaxon to hear followed by snickering and a <b><i>"Good one Mommy!"</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The conversation only got better from there! Jaxon began asking about coffins, why we put people in the ground and finally, <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Does Jesus have to dig all those people up to take them to heaven?" </i>Let's just say, I nearly died myself when he asked this! I explained that coffins are magical boxes that basically teleport our loved ones to Heaven to avoid a bunch of gaping holes in the ground. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Daddy got a big kick outta that explanation, but ya know what, it worked! And when we went by yet another cemetery on our way to Kindergarten Round-Up tonight, instead of being grilled about coffins and getting to Heaven, he merely commented from the backseat, </i><b><i>"Look Mom, a cemetery!"</i></b></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-20420000030996312012012-03-29T11:43:00.000-07:002012-03-29T11:43:27.749-07:00Pet Cemetary<div style="color: #363636; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been away from the blog for awhile. It's not that I've been needing new material... <i>with these kids there's always something to share w/ a little personality.</i> It's just that life's gotten in the way and my time's been stretched too thin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I felt pretty crummy yesterday when I opened an email informing me that my blog had been selected as one of <a href="http://onlineschools.com/">OnlineSchools.com</a>, top 50 Midwest parenting blogs. Not crummy that I'd been selected, <i>that I was honored about.</i> I felt bad that it'd been about 2 months since my last post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>So as I sit here at my laptop today, I vow to get back to the writing and make it up to my Midwestern audience! I'll start by sharing some good old fashioned advice on how to care (or not to care), for your children's pets!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spring has sprung as they say and with it comes the desire to build a bonfire in the backyard, roast some weenies, a few marshmallows and enjoy some cold beverages with friends. Last weekend was the perfect weather for doing such things so the kids and I talked Daddy into spending some quality time around the fire pit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our oldest has a fondness for fire that's been passed down from my brothers, his Grandpa and his Grandpa the Great (or great Grandpa as most people would call him)! Where there's a fire, the boy will find something to throw on it! Now I know what you're thinking, and <i>yes </i>we try our best to teach fire safety! And if you're thinking this tale goes on to tell of how our son cremated a pet...<i> luckily, you're wrong! </i>I'm merely setting the mood for the rest of the story!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we're sitting around the fire eating our charred food, youngest Son decides he needs a drink. And while what he really wanted was a sip of Momma's homemade wine, I decided it'd be better for him to have a juice cup instead. When we came back out I could have sworn I heard a cat meowing but that couldn't be right, our cat had just gone "missing" the week before! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I knew Hubby had heard it too and it wasn't just my imagination when I got back up to my lawn chair, the look on his face said it all. We silently made a pact not to say a word unless small ears heard what we had... <i>it only took a few minutes for that to happen!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 weeks ago we had a week of the most perfect weather. Everyday was an outside day of play. The windows in the house were all open, the sandbox toys brought out of the barn and shoes were optional all week long. Jaxon's cat Patch had caught Spring fever right along with the rest of us. He managed to pop out the screen on one of our front windows and escape to the front porch. Jaxon thought this was great! After explaining to him that Patch wasn't safe outside w/ the dogs, Jaxon still continued to beg me to let Patch out to play. <i><b>"I'll watch him Mom, PLEASE?!" </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I finally decided to just let Jaxon prove to me that he could do as he said and watch him. After all, the dogs weren't really bothering him anyway! As the day went on Patch stayed out and Jaxon had done as he promised. Just before dark we made our way in for bedtime baths and guess who forgot to let Patch in?! <b><i>ME! </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I was draining the tub and getting the boys in their PJ's I heard a horrible sound coming from outside... <i>that's when I remembered the cat had gotten left behind! I ran out the back door Jaxon questioning what I was doing all the way out to the driveway, where the dogs (who were all bloody) had Patch cornered. Patch was holding his own, that blood all over the dogs was their own! </i>I chased the dogs off and corralled the cat back up to the porch where Jaxon by this time was hysterical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After calming him down I simply explained that Patch would have to stay outdoors now but that he'd be fine and asked him to go in after his food and water dishes, which he did. When Daddy arrived home later that night, Patch was still hanging out on the porch so Jaxon was content. After the boys went to bed Daddy & I decided it'd be in Patch's best interest to take him for a little ride up the road! We both knew he'd probably not make it through the night and didn't want Jaxon stumbling across his dead body the next morning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't even want to get out of bed the next morning. I felt terrible about our decision and even worse about having to lie to our son about where his kitty had gone. Normally lying to him (especially to protect him) doesn't bother me so but this time was different. I knew it'd be the first thing out of his mouth upon waking and I still didn't have a story prepared. I let him sleep later than normal to avoid the conversation that ended up not taking place!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He went to school and didn't say a thing, came home not asking about Patch at all, in fact a week went by before he said anything at all about that cat! <i>The night of the bonfire, you know the night the prodigal cat returned?! </i>That was the first time we heard him say anything about his kitty! He ran up to Patch asking, <b><i>"Where have you been?" "I've been so worried!"</i></b> And that was that! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hubby and I joke about how it's a little like <b>Pet Cemetery</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you liked this story, check out the link below for the list of all top 50 Midwest parenting blogs chosen by <a href="http://onlineschools.com/">OnlineSchools.com</a>! And thanks for reading!!!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.onlineschools.com/blog/50-top-parenting-blogs-in-the-midwest.html">http://www.onlineschools.com/blog/50-top-parenting-blogs-in-the-midwest.html</a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-75926368135312179322012-02-08T09:11:00.001-08:002012-02-08T09:11:38.493-08:00Tide Story<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I ran out of laundry detergent the other day. Having 2 messy lil' boys & 1 very messy Hubby makes this a not so good thing. Not to mention the fact that it's been a muddy mess outside, the eldest child wet his bed the other night and Mommy had to walk through the calf pen in her running shoes! The laundry had piled up as it always does and since we were running out of clothes, bed sheets and shoes... off to town we went for some soap. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We live in a rual area. Normally I'm all for buying locally unless it's laundry soap! <i>Seriously... $25.00 for <b>Tide</b>, really?!</i> So <b>Wal-Mart</b> is my spot for cleaning supplies. I was at <b>Wal-Mart </b>last week and forgot the soap... <i>this is BAD!</i> Now normally since we've had children <b>Tide </b>doesn't fit the budget so I buy <b>Gain</b>. I wash the clothes never paying any attention to what they smell like as long as they come out clean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Tide </b>was what I brought home yesterday since it was by far the best buy. After the first of 7 loads I knew I had something special. <i>The coveralls and poop covered shoes smelled of Mountain Fresh Air as did the laundry room! The freshly washed and dried towels smelled like Grandma according to the Eldest Son. Even the cat seemed to be enjoying the new scent, rolling happily in the loads of unwashed clothes piled on the floor!</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEEBCvLMqW0fIXO4ph4S2zvvTnKHBIFMuyMqEcM7-6hD70GXGa7iGqO1h3b6huNUi42hOFQzCmgfqf5UKIZMZdCMLCwS29RBtiiZug50NW_ODqgnLktvYVYFAjylmcpqa9448s9og1dX4/s1600/2011-05-26-Tide-053-550x366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEEBCvLMqW0fIXO4ph4S2zvvTnKHBIFMuyMqEcM7-6hD70GXGa7iGqO1h3b6huNUi42hOFQzCmgfqf5UKIZMZdCMLCwS29RBtiiZug50NW_ODqgnLktvYVYFAjylmcpqa9448s9og1dX4/s320/2011-05-26-Tide-053-550x366.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He must love <b>Tide </b>too!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I'm hooked! That's my <i>Tide Story... what's yours?!</i></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-30985721623562551002012-01-17T19:09:00.000-08:002012-01-17T19:09:07.538-08:00Snow?! I Thought it Was Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning! Weird considering the warm temps we've been seeing over the past several weeks. Max was the first to spot it since he was up making sure Daddy got out to do the calf chores right away at 6. Jaxon slept in till 6:15, that's late for him!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We spent our morning digging out the playroom so I treated the boys to an afternoon of sledding in the 1/2 inch of snow we got! <i>(Who knows, this may be the only snow we see this winter!) </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yOqIUhYpeXtz5txveBuU0ZfxF68NAHagLUHOrAWuOpSGFi1DyLvQNTE57GEhBDkMNvPws1MTj7Y6rKG7wamF_qkojMtEoXdHi0EVDEpCcdFGLfBmGnltX4DvvKb_SiSdS_22hxalhFO7/s1600/DSCN4359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yOqIUhYpeXtz5txveBuU0ZfxF68NAHagLUHOrAWuOpSGFi1DyLvQNTE57GEhBDkMNvPws1MTj7Y6rKG7wamF_qkojMtEoXdHi0EVDEpCcdFGLfBmGnltX4DvvKb_SiSdS_22hxalhFO7/s320/DSCN4359.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was Max's 1st sled ride. Jaxon was not too happy about having to ride in the back! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3ZjermRiaex9IqcXVEBx7zxoNjh1GA3nBcFOeGEmqPXpUkZnygqhiwdZfJc_w94vOWpzg-6a3K8ypqIuK3opT2_1otJTIBfXvVRIxQFhllyhAcscLeE5hSeEPhUDjJWpbxnTVAnsiH4G/s1600/DSCN4360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3ZjermRiaex9IqcXVEBx7zxoNjh1GA3nBcFOeGEmqPXpUkZnygqhiwdZfJc_w94vOWpzg-6a3K8ypqIuK3opT2_1otJTIBfXvVRIxQFhllyhAcscLeE5hSeEPhUDjJWpbxnTVAnsiH4G/s320/DSCN4360.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This became a fun game... that and bailing out while flying down the slopes! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKqVFQUlBBHOZeKgF1fSu33hye8hUGs0y4uVTp7soa07QwFshfckLdFez0KeISaRhyphenhyphencWTm56HK81dFRghM9BOgZW7Ikhw2TsX4RteE_jgLfq9LAYJfsde_OcBZ8UcL__pA2y_2fN8navR/s1600/DSCN4361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKqVFQUlBBHOZeKgF1fSu33hye8hUGs0y4uVTp7soa07QwFshfckLdFez0KeISaRhyphenhyphencWTm56HK81dFRghM9BOgZW7Ikhw2TsX4RteE_jgLfq9LAYJfsde_OcBZ8UcL__pA2y_2fN8navR/s320/DSCN4361.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Max was making a snow angel! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKaGj9bgkLaMwOMNp0z4fh2jY-I0cKXJqPqdakpXAKOTmLanN7JBM_E1UANavebkpj3_joGEFvrK4HuzOrhlTt05xucdj9FnecqNvcKvjVaZJ-HkmoOQt2kjvUonAeQMjW1WIQbhvO-Pw/s1600/DSCN4362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKaGj9bgkLaMwOMNp0z4fh2jY-I0cKXJqPqdakpXAKOTmLanN7JBM_E1UANavebkpj3_joGEFvrK4HuzOrhlTt05xucdj9FnecqNvcKvjVaZJ-HkmoOQt2kjvUonAeQMjW1WIQbhvO-Pw/s320/DSCN4362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's Jaxon making his snow angel!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvKmaJASMsugFlfkb_xo2vxgNIQPZmwDjCCC7k-EEDbYxLCW84RmJEPfKEXFrEs2qRMpafJONXgVZM08i_vzTKzgLEu7LGCRLK_k0luKVO9J0r5jdeWIi2m2xLRvQwuVyAfpx9uZKsw12/s1600/DSCN4363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvKmaJASMsugFlfkb_xo2vxgNIQPZmwDjCCC7k-EEDbYxLCW84RmJEPfKEXFrEs2qRMpafJONXgVZM08i_vzTKzgLEu7LGCRLK_k0luKVO9J0r5jdeWIi2m2xLRvQwuVyAfpx9uZKsw12/s320/DSCN4363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course they both had to taste it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEg29Aqw8-3WjJUk2jPncpuQTeE2CVYrio0brIt5pdK25EkYFjNH2q9t69EfLa1UdKaY1c0pLKNGEw85FFJmjZqrJNzIOLNTB4eQa9MnXxb7fOaO6aax8VeOd4Ip2PAM42CwMSO0J_-r7WkK/s1600/DSCN4364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Aqw8-3WjJUk2jPncpuQTeE2CVYrio0brIt5pdK25EkYFjNH2q9t69EfLa1UdKaY1c0pLKNGEw85FFJmjZqrJNzIOLNTB4eQa9MnXxb7fOaO6aax8VeOd4Ip2PAM42CwMSO0J_-r7WkK/s320/DSCN4364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yummy! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEjDQt-G6thEBX-flyf8xiOhFCkATTeCZVJkM59kig98RHIjAw8hOs9W6F1C8zZzpuDrxgZ_KAHRAQP-7i5pzqiT0hir_HQxHMEoOhtCaeeNtjvcjeQyrxmURT1FkGXBuGtxiDzOElrGvEr8/s1600/DSCN4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQt-G6thEBX-flyf8xiOhFCkATTeCZVJkM59kig98RHIjAw8hOs9W6F1C8zZzpuDrxgZ_KAHRAQP-7i5pzqiT0hir_HQxHMEoOhtCaeeNtjvcjeQyrxmURT1FkGXBuGtxiDzOElrGvEr8/s320/DSCN4365.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not sure if he's trying to be an abominable snow man or what?! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmej7YqpXpRmwkrnOWW-fF9rcbv0P2QE-MX2PZY0Ntgn39gDAv4PNHFfDyrkOS0aq4OVIdRwsOCJOIFfCz-mirHE5fKaUNfcmgIJ9oBewPdcMGOe0qSe2OwjdJ9t6-Lfe6iLLmPElWnY1/s1600/DSCN4366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmej7YqpXpRmwkrnOWW-fF9rcbv0P2QE-MX2PZY0Ntgn39gDAv4PNHFfDyrkOS0aq4OVIdRwsOCJOIFfCz-mirHE5fKaUNfcmgIJ9oBewPdcMGOe0qSe2OwjdJ9t6-Lfe6iLLmPElWnY1/s320/DSCN4366.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmh6VdfVP89du6Ht3oYcsEbsGS_6WOz1kx5yITiauPJE1J72iDdkzk-zX1UDmkbIOuwO8HU_Det4yuu70W31eprRe693Twq3lsRoLy5_qq6JkRdlUwplSarx2p8fJ6DkSGoEw5jv0Raba/s1600/DSCN4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmh6VdfVP89du6Ht3oYcsEbsGS_6WOz1kx5yITiauPJE1J72iDdkzk-zX1UDmkbIOuwO8HU_Det4yuu70W31eprRe693Twq3lsRoLy5_qq6JkRdlUwplSarx2p8fJ6DkSGoEw5jv0Raba/s320/DSCN4367.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEh2HY7YLeiY50IyW-HU5wXppcAbpTspPZn6GLIWoNcct5tzgYYjJNHYBK1LtiB8oI_nusPfqn_vKYLvf-torr1ccWmk-ua_Qkr1lCWCpsmkC4uEtCKSoWxj01e6BWx7ogPcsWUlXdk1vF3P/s1600/DSCN4368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HY7YLeiY50IyW-HU5wXppcAbpTspPZn6GLIWoNcct5tzgYYjJNHYBK1LtiB8oI_nusPfqn_vKYLvf-torr1ccWmk-ua_Qkr1lCWCpsmkC4uEtCKSoWxj01e6BWx7ogPcsWUlXdk1vF3P/s320/DSCN4368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The snowplow made a pass through the driveway so we can get to school in the morning!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>If this is the only snow we see this winter... I wouldn't be too disappointed! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>SHHHH... don't tell the kids!!!</i></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-29832067468851942992012-01-11T14:47:00.000-08:002012-01-11T14:47:47.180-08:00Bathroom Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Want to see what happens when Mommy decides to take a bathroom break w/out help?!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Take a look!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyiXkaow4YuQkbaOsVJTce2JPXW-7FVpLYjH91gZU_wMwwCULopc939v02zybqR7fuzjRhWOf89rlbgAnYCLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>YAY </b>me!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-36052078232303513682012-01-09T07:40:00.000-08:002012-01-09T07:40:00.688-08:00Coffee Anyone?!<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;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've actually been going to bed each night excited to wake up in the morning... <i>not sure that's ever happened before! Why you ask?! </i>Because of this little machine!!!</span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS_-evajo95ec5hs3o44EUEB9BLzmZAn66cqVUIOcfkoxl1ufRoP713FVCH0Fbe1tZckojmS3sxOtv38RoO4gf7zPk_3sA1oPdoqsh671zasgsroGCvn2p2pB7p7B5eq32LACdzMN2vy1/s1600/KRG-LG-B60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS_-evajo95ec5hs3o44EUEB9BLzmZAn66cqVUIOcfkoxl1ufRoP713FVCH0Fbe1tZckojmS3sxOtv38RoO4gf7zPk_3sA1oPdoqsh671zasgsroGCvn2p2pB7p7B5eq32LACdzMN2vy1/s1600/KRG-LG-B60.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Keurig </b>- best coffee drinker's invention <b>EVER</b>!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The boys have been getting great enjoyment out of it too! Jaxon <b>LOVES </b>hot chocolate... the <b>Keurig </b>makes the very best he's ever had (he claims)! Max <b>LOVES </b>to watch the machine at work and insists on using a coffee mug for his juice each day now! <i>If anyone can tell me where to find a plastic coffee mug that comes w/ a lid, let me know!</i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUO8x7i83VabuKdGEMlMeLouT-sjwXOr_PxYjQi5YP_GdbvZvF4tYT6ya-A7xk5t8Z3qYXHSNowb1GnDxMFY6B2tikVVvPKIEVj8X_oOB5YJyIgHOT7g5h6xOyE5tBInckkRX-m55Fl-v/s1600/CE-LG-MILKHOTCOCOA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUO8x7i83VabuKdGEMlMeLouT-sjwXOr_PxYjQi5YP_GdbvZvF4tYT6ya-A7xk5t8Z3qYXHSNowb1GnDxMFY6B2tikVVvPKIEVj8X_oOB5YJyIgHOT7g5h6xOyE5tBInckkRX-m55Fl-v/s1600/CE-LG-MILKHOTCOCOA.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jaxon ran us out of hot chocolate K-Cups over the weekend and is devastated that he now has to use the mix packs again for awhile till we go back to the store. We are wanting to try some different flavors but are having a hard time deciding what we should try. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Any suggestions?! </i></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-6082428872514615182012-01-03T13:43:00.000-08:002012-01-03T13:43:30.128-08:00My New ADVENTURE<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have decided to start another blog! I have enjoyed this one so much that I figured it couldn't hurt to try using a second blog as a way to keep myself from falling off the weight loss bandwagon! I want to keep my <i>adventures </i>w/ the kids separate from my <i>adventures </i>in fitness! I<i> </i>plan to offer recipes, new tips and tricks <i>(that I am trying and that have worked for me)</i>, as well as some fun finds from <b>Pinterest</b>! I've had lots of people ask <i>"how"</i> and I'd like to share... <i>check it out!</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://mommysfitnessstory.blogspot.com/">http://mommysfitnessstory.blogspot.com/</a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-5245251037209919192011-12-30T15:25:00.000-08:002011-12-30T15:25:10.165-08:00Jaxon's Christmas Program<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/AVvXsEjTSDxorcQvCoWwhYqrY-Mj-26WuZ3x3kjTym2wntswweN2QmjoLToJqxm2OkxRTkNacsV8uwmVi56IriKB3mHILucIGWOBZpaKX1fuRUrrOcL2eWF-PITasg-oX04D_XoiN32hKg2-Bdey/s1600/395904_10150455619471336_132021786335_9103978_592503959_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSDxorcQvCoWwhYqrY-Mj-26WuZ3x3kjTym2wntswweN2QmjoLToJqxm2OkxRTkNacsV8uwmVi56IriKB3mHILucIGWOBZpaKX1fuRUrrOcL2eWF-PITasg-oX04D_XoiN32hKg2-Bdey/s400/395904_10150455619471336_132021786335_9103978_592503959_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is Jaxon's Sunday School class performing in the Christmas Program at our church. <br />
They are always a BIG hit! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEg9EhiyZF3BN5rC-Ny_QdVHK6gF1TxQ311wpQmK4ew0jx0_PGuqyItHs_NYfKdV_PtWWZrc8PMuRF5eH6EkJNMjZspAiUE71VFlw1WrpYf5fnbeLXL3sAFl_X4gL7vshEnGuPTJ5wshBJwa/s1600/397302_10150455622161336_132021786335_9103983_305906913_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EhiyZF3BN5rC-Ny_QdVHK6gF1TxQ311wpQmK4ew0jx0_PGuqyItHs_NYfKdV_PtWWZrc8PMuRF5eH6EkJNMjZspAiUE71VFlw1WrpYf5fnbeLXL3sAFl_X4gL7vshEnGuPTJ5wshBJwa/s400/397302_10150455622161336_132021786335_9103983_305906913_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is the banner I was asked to make for the program. <br />
It's been over 16 years since I was in the program... it was fun to be apart of it again!<br />
<br />
<i>I've been working on getting our video uploaded but found out my camcorder isn't compatible with my laptop... <br />
guess I know what I'll be asking SANTA for next year!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-85515538125852765632011-12-29T19:30:00.000-08:002011-12-29T19:30:40.852-08:00Christmas Morning<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;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SANTA made it to our house again this year! <i>And boy did we have 2 super, excited little boys! </i>As always SANTA picks a special movie for the kiddos and themes his gifts around that flick! This year's movie was Cars 2! The boys got Cars 2 toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, band-aids and pencils. They also got the movie and the card table pictured below! As well as a whole buncha other good stuff... take a look!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBeNHBckHO1l0FMbY6vnhxnj4xx6zQRLoxqrjyCxB7Hw5PkdWYWsztZQLZACXuWfK1jKkxXGFpdnN0giWfXiUPRHb2eQHNc3Jh7JSsu944hjCv7eThcMXmSeEU7k7e7fGpruPxnDqiJO_/s1600/DSCN4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBeNHBckHO1l0FMbY6vnhxnj4xx6zQRLoxqrjyCxB7Hw5PkdWYWsztZQLZACXuWfK1jKkxXGFpdnN0giWfXiUPRHb2eQHNc3Jh7JSsu944hjCv7eThcMXmSeEU7k7e7fGpruPxnDqiJO_/s320/DSCN4299.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SANTA brought a folding table & chairs set... it's top is a dry erase board,<i> very cool! </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEijAb-GQzWWKKvGhjdIWT6zk6mpaCtknPuZ5fNcci3oasgcAVoTVwx2u_id2wgZeQ4c-5LVcYkQE1MkCRiuD-5bc8jGKIQcglvDQLPLnsGurC7ASFCgxu6tdITi_NQEDMALDPDGgcQWKBvD/s1600/DSCN4277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAb-GQzWWKKvGhjdIWT6zk6mpaCtknPuZ5fNcci3oasgcAVoTVwx2u_id2wgZeQ4c-5LVcYkQE1MkCRiuD-5bc8jGKIQcglvDQLPLnsGurC7ASFCgxu6tdITi_NQEDMALDPDGgcQWKBvD/s320/DSCN4277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He also brought a <b>McDonald's</b> kitchen playset! They're <i>"lov'in it"</i>!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEjzIG8HZ_FWWXWNOmmKkNnU6RNJtf3Px5d_MeNu3ja6JBf5_XBfkrZHyOQ9KVPOzsPxOerbrkdLj-MCyuFOv6atvlgMmbDUEzZ3P9o3a9XoL59_mJby5nK9K6EeX9qJTmltn7TJ62Ng3taz/s1600/DSCN4291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIG8HZ_FWWXWNOmmKkNnU6RNJtf3Px5d_MeNu3ja6JBf5_XBfkrZHyOQ9KVPOzsPxOerbrkdLj-MCyuFOv6atvlgMmbDUEzZ3P9o3a9XoL59_mJby5nK9K6EeX9qJTmltn7TJ62Ng3taz/s320/DSCN4291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They got a musical instrument set w/ Max's favorite,<i> "shakey eggs"!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEgOTQ28thk8GYsYc1KU05aPSKRx709mD27w1ENoFP-U03N4DMhAVaEiIqaCYPwUJwmY8r91I4f9fyI-Wq4ajxUbQUNjt-2ilt_rtQgMCQwbOfDyXTCmIi4lj169Kb_UfhtMGfx-1IQLdWNd/s1600/DSCN4306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTQ28thk8GYsYc1KU05aPSKRx709mD27w1ENoFP-U03N4DMhAVaEiIqaCYPwUJwmY8r91I4f9fyI-Wq4ajxUbQUNjt-2ilt_rtQgMCQwbOfDyXTCmIi4lj169Kb_UfhtMGfx-1IQLdWNd/s320/DSCN4306.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And this really cool garage that's sort of like a doll house for boys. <i>Daddy spent lots of time putting that together!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEiGAc99lmyqA6rHDj14uWI3js41JAc1PKmqZ4Le92ITuOzFIMSaL2U9keoPZZI3Vt7gBTGhnu-AGhPRsWItM5Y04Njb6wKPf1PFXR6btXmIC5T3lDYceRI_I3e-4nMw2LlvY5CiWdOopE0K/s1600/DSCN4273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAc99lmyqA6rHDj14uWI3js41JAc1PKmqZ4Le92ITuOzFIMSaL2U9keoPZZI3Vt7gBTGhnu-AGhPRsWItM5Y04Njb6wKPf1PFXR6btXmIC5T3lDYceRI_I3e-4nMw2LlvY5CiWdOopE0K/s320/DSCN4273.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was the 1st & only present Max showed any interest in ripp'in into!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimgIZ_8i6ttYL1Y7HK-Ih6C3lid8kvuJVFcj3ZEUTetv9opdTg-9RQPKK4UXnFkJbLJAUdhHm3lHPQfRFd-RrJvhvt5oBraE7f8WmK-rLWRKIp0z2oePQOx7EEvbdvT7uwjO8KYWvNHKJ/s1600/DSCN4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimgIZ_8i6ttYL1Y7HK-Ih6C3lid8kvuJVFcj3ZEUTetv9opdTg-9RQPKK4UXnFkJbLJAUdhHm3lHPQfRFd-RrJvhvt5oBraE7f8WmK-rLWRKIp0z2oePQOx7EEvbdvT7uwjO8KYWvNHKJ/s320/DSCN4303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Pinterest </b>inspired me to make this <b>John Deere </b>flannel board for Jaxon...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxtu_b3cRM7Ngiz1ja6aIPKKUfddiTKFkbTQLhmUODXUd961MjL4m4J2YZrnhGJJXBnSDb9LaSYOY3EDhSYSgqINtSehDIu6ba3DDaRtAPU0e5xUp15gdloe3wx4Jn3faB6KxYqPJP7md/s1600/DSCN4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxtu_b3cRM7Ngiz1ja6aIPKKUfddiTKFkbTQLhmUODXUd961MjL4m4J2YZrnhGJJXBnSDb9LaSYOY3EDhSYSgqINtSehDIu6ba3DDaRtAPU0e5xUp15gdloe3wx4Jn3faB6KxYqPJP7md/s320/DSCN4311.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and this felt board for Max!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">SANTA was good to the boys even though they both shared a seat on the "naughty list"! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!</div></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-81253535687440076962011-12-29T19:08:00.000-08:002011-12-29T19:08:22.988-08:00Christmas Eve<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/AVvXsEghtl3FYTEjs3NqQbQkDChAyxfD7TXDhzCh7LbxDrmJbsamUcKMHxrS8iOzz4bhyphenhyphenMPLNbBgdw6ZNtRSZzRC4i3Emk6REgoZg0EEtNgSH6G3t5ryvYgIoMhfX0kYLW4gqadhjXLjfdxbTjDB/s1600/DSCN4261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtl3FYTEjs3NqQbQkDChAyxfD7TXDhzCh7LbxDrmJbsamUcKMHxrS8iOzz4bhyphenhyphenMPLNbBgdw6ZNtRSZzRC4i3Emk6REgoZg0EEtNgSH6G3t5ryvYgIoMhfX0kYLW4gqadhjXLjfdxbTjDB/s320/DSCN4261.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jaxon's all ready for his Christmas Program! He loves that train sweater and was so excited about wearing it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ_bzWAGayJG9yCmjWOEs4vE0onkFlZsz9xPQ6P_NGb3Xy6Diyc_bhfn-zEJPE6V6sf0pae5Hxm5g2KfcgID9-Qm1oi4Ac0pdkee8F9oGSA2AC0J74r4YLTi9TL3sdM0PA27FHhh6zQs6/s1600/DSCN4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ_bzWAGayJG9yCmjWOEs4vE0onkFlZsz9xPQ6P_NGb3Xy6Diyc_bhfn-zEJPE6V6sf0pae5Hxm5g2KfcgID9-Qm1oi4Ac0pdkee8F9oGSA2AC0J74r4YLTi9TL3sdM0PA27FHhh6zQs6/s320/DSCN4262.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here they both are ready to go. I was shocked to get both of them to stand sort of still and smile!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTFACo7ZkHZfyrlW3X6ermbnVGnVMu3-RXJ8SOpGWoF7HXqqzQNyYn2Bk7B90NnjzHjU2tmvyVUV6jilWcJTzHGJTfxvBxB0C9wSAHPH9cb0RQk-FTViQ8RrZUHOwytvMkUwP0k9GSBIX/s1600/DSCN4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTFACo7ZkHZfyrlW3X6ermbnVGnVMu3-RXJ8SOpGWoF7HXqqzQNyYn2Bk7B90NnjzHjU2tmvyVUV6jilWcJTzHGJTfxvBxB0C9wSAHPH9cb0RQk-FTViQ8RrZUHOwytvMkUwP0k9GSBIX/s320/DSCN4263.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Max is excited for SANTA to come!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF5YBRKJrDSv6aZ-REvY7sTnGy6Cs2R4e_qN2t9V-sOgHPYAQ_i_VNbGFjIwV_ss5KUSL5_8SbNLaUU5IUVrYbIML803cokCiV-g1wNXKEDY6U_HY1oShbC-9Aqf5axZB8UhQ5HtYoU8W/s1600/DSCN4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF5YBRKJrDSv6aZ-REvY7sTnGy6Cs2R4e_qN2t9V-sOgHPYAQ_i_VNbGFjIwV_ss5KUSL5_8SbNLaUU5IUVrYbIML803cokCiV-g1wNXKEDY6U_HY1oShbC-9Aqf5axZB8UhQ5HtYoU8W/s320/DSCN4264.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daddy & his boys!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyElf9ixjDcIRdIRCXs_WlyIEv-xQ5uS0CrkealyEozK7PfBvZhj9hpDmW5-Gj1K03PX3fijT2wS86tOUUnktEeSpyVJiut4oWWV4jpcn2_7IQXWfuZfrk1RdfjeiNCfSPRxAPfnGMYNaZ/s1600/DSCN4265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyElf9ixjDcIRdIRCXs_WlyIEv-xQ5uS0CrkealyEozK7PfBvZhj9hpDmW5-Gj1K03PX3fijT2wS86tOUUnktEeSpyVJiut4oWWV4jpcn2_7IQXWfuZfrk1RdfjeiNCfSPRxAPfnGMYNaZ/s320/DSCN4265.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mommy & her boys!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSo5vYJnr_qxKzd_s6R6ghi3ha6Ie8heR8yBG5EHOK5wOdXG3gQWQGPHw9lX6VrFc2Fnx8Z1LzzyWM8Yi-3BK8qf7EIAkBsVH0mVt9t1H60Fl3irbH3Y7ckUn2TNfe8o2R7K-GSPiz-dx/s1600/DSCN4266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSo5vYJnr_qxKzd_s6R6ghi3ha6Ie8heR8yBG5EHOK5wOdXG3gQWQGPHw9lX6VrFc2Fnx8Z1LzzyWM8Yi-3BK8qf7EIAkBsVH0mVt9t1H60Fl3irbH3Y7ckUn2TNfe8o2R7K-GSPiz-dx/s320/DSCN4266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jaxon insisted that Daddy & I get a picture together... <i>he's quite the photographer!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-21439197014816237572011-12-27T15:34:00.000-08:002011-12-27T15:35:03.144-08:00B-I-N-G-0<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Found this on <b>Pinterest</b>....</span></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/AVvXsEhbCEVZBeAcI_l9-G9jDI0il1MAES-rJkBVSehLAK8YMl8aKbWDGfICI2mkBICDMHrti5aWmrlbaTv8tYekKT8o78SXVG3L_uSoGC74SeNGVg49cCbDWbRHUwS314mAmrBMuym47bTrt0Jd/s1600/99149629266005430_wxXwUtzi_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCEVZBeAcI_l9-G9jDI0il1MAES-rJkBVSehLAK8YMl8aKbWDGfICI2mkBICDMHrti5aWmrlbaTv8tYekKT8o78SXVG3L_uSoGC74SeNGVg49cCbDWbRHUwS314mAmrBMuym47bTrt0Jd/s400/99149629266005430_wxXwUtzi_c.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1st square under "I"... yeah, that's MAX!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fitting considering the topic of my last post!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-59457260905854559272011-12-27T14:43:00.000-08:002011-12-27T14:43:24.044-08:00Where's Your Shoe, Cinderella?!<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you follow my <i>adventures</i> you already know how very much I loath Holiday shopping in stores. Most gifts were bought on-line this year and will continue to be in the coming years <i>at least until both my boys can stay home w/ a sitter.</i> However there is still a need for groceries during the Holidays and last week we were in dire need. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Snow was in the forecast and Hubby gets his panties in a bunch at the mere thought of the frozen stuff. I knew he'd pull my keys if I attempted to go any other day so after Jaxon got out of PreSchool Monday morning, we set out for an <i>adventure</i> to the land of Wally World... <i>a week from Christmas.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our lil'<i> adventure </i>started out really well. Since we would get to town at dinner time I decided before we left that we'd stop at McDonald's for lunch. They have Chipmunk toys in their Happy Meals right now and I knew that would make Jaxon's day and work as a bribe all at the same time! To avoid an argument I ordered Max his very 1st Happy Meal (to share w/ Mommy) so he'd get a toy of his own as well. After finishing our dinner we were on our way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was cold that day but the parking lot was packed for a Monday afternoon so I didn't even bother trying to get close to the door. We bundled up in our winter gear and pushed our way through the wind to the entrance to Hell! There were people everywhere! I don't if certain individuals get the entire week off for Christmas but I am sure some of those Bozo's should have been doing something other than last minute shopping!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I needed some supplies from the craft isle for Jaxon's Christmas party so we made our way over <i>(to the opposite side of the store that I needed to be on),</i> to hunt for <i>something they didn't carry anyway!</i> <i>And why did they have to go and move the crafts next to the toys?! </i>Jaxon began his usual, <i>"I just want to pick out 1 toy!",</i> routine about the same time that Max decided he'd had enough of riding in the school bus sized cart we always have to get!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I settled with Jaxon on <i>"looking not buying"</i> and we headed over to the toys. Just as we were finishing an argument on whether or not my new niece/nephew would like a "rubbery creature" as a Christmas gift, Max went and kicked off one of his shoes. Luckily I was paying attention. After putting his shoe back on for what must have been the 125th time that day we headed towards the grocery isle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had just finished picking out which types of chips to use in our cookies when I noticed that Cinderella was once again missing his shoe! I told Jaxon to walk around the side isle we were in and look on the backside to see if it was lying on the floor... <i>it wasn't.</i> We began backtracking through the store in panic mode and ended up stopping a sales clerk to have her ask over the walkie if anyone had seen a toddler's shoe... <i>no one had.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The clerk suggested that I finish my shopping and ask again at customer service before leaving the store. I decided that was a good idea but figured I might as well stop and look at shoes while we were standing there just in case. We picked out a new pair reluctantly and made our way back to the groceries. I can't even tell you how many things I forgot that day. We ended up going back through several isles several times because all I could think about was how badly I wanted to just be at home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We wrapped up our shopping and waited in line for 15 minutes at customer service just to discover that no one had found the tiny shoe. I left my name and number and a brief description of the shoe with the clerk and headed to the checkout, sick to my stomach. That shoe was a hand-me-down from Jaxon. It was the shoe both the boys learned to walk in. A tiny pair of Nike Shocks my Mom had bought for Jaxon's 1st birthday... a pair I would have never sold on a garage sale but would have tucked away in a keep sake trunk to show them both one day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am still waiting for a phone call... unfortunately it's been over a week now and my hopes have completely faded that the shoe will be returned to us. AND I have now decided (after another trip to Wally World yesterday), that Max's shoes will be removed at the door upon entering... he gave me another scare in the electronic isle! Thank goodness the shoe ended up under the cart this time!!!</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-21925334993381926332011-12-08T11:49:00.000-08:002011-12-08T11:49:15.113-08:00Candy Cane Guessing Game<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://yourlocalsecurity.com/in-good-measure/cash-sweepstakes-250-christmas-giveaway"><img alt="In Good Measure" height="200" src="http://yourlocalsecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/30/ChristmasCashBannerLrg1-125x125.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is my second attempt to win some cold, hard Christmas cash! My first guess at <b><i>In Good Measure</i></b> </span><a href="http://yourlocalsecurity.com/in-good-measure/">http://yourlocalsecurity.com/in-good-measure/</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> was 918... Jaxon's birthday is on the 9th & Max's is the 18th.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My second guess is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">1015</span>... me & Hubby's anniversary! Wish me luck! </span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-56715923763608199262011-12-08T07:02:00.000-08:002011-12-08T07:02:10.382-08:00Counting Down the Days<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are getting so excited for Christmas around here! A few weeks ago Jaxon already began asking, <i style="font-weight: bold;">"How many more days till Christmas, Mom?" </i>Since Jaxon's learning to write numbers at PreSchool I thought it'd be fun to do a countdown. We cut out 26 squares of red construction paper and Jaxon wrote the numbers 0-25 on each square. We began our countdown on the 30th of November and as of today we only have <i>17 more days till Christmas!</i></span><br />
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</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And if you haven't already heard, I'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">m sponsoring my very </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">first </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">giveaway! Be the first to leave me a comment on <b><i>My Interview w/ Mark Cuban </i></b></span><a href="http://jaxonsstory.blogspot.com/2011/12/interview-w-mark-cuban.html">http://jaxonsstory.blogspot.com/2011/12/interview-w-mark-cuban.html</a><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">on what ways you as a blogger Mommy or Daddy have used your platform to generate income and </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">win two Landmark movie tickets!</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q7brdTvQhrjvgMq1QTERMJc4Gk58yDm9rwLosHJkXlLOGpIzFvc-YIHMzdxm7tREv7L6d_Tg3PSwJ1jEyvTXDibFdNrtj5qAr-Ki5x1_FqWoEtLd9kkglaZ0j8gv6N1zuanaXEFA_qgm/s1600/DSCN4180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q7brdTvQhrjvgMq1QTERMJc4Gk58yDm9rwLosHJkXlLOGpIzFvc-YIHMzdxm7tREv7L6d_Tg3PSwJ1jEyvTXDibFdNrtj5qAr-Ki5x1_FqWoEtLd9kkglaZ0j8gv6N1zuanaXEFA_qgm/s400/DSCN4180.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's Jaxon starting our coutdown!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-41733460845761903842011-12-08T06:34:00.000-08:002011-12-08T06:34:28.705-08:00An Interview w/ Mark Cuban<div style="background-color: white;"><div class="bucket" id="productDescription" style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0em; padding-right: 0em; padding-top: 5px;"><div class="content" style="margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 25px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em;"><div class="productDescriptionWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My blogger friend, Jeff, recently asked if I'd be interested in sharing part of an interview he had done with business savvy, Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban on his new book, <b><i>How to Win at the Sport of Business</i></b>. Using material from his popular Blog Maverick </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_703078726" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">http://</a><a href="http://blogmaverick.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">blogmaverick</span>.com</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, Cuban compiles </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">insider knowledge on what it takes to become a thriving entrepreneur.</span></div><div class="productDescriptionWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cuban tells his own rags-to-riches story of how he went from selling powdered milk and sleeping on friends' couches to owning his own company and becoming a multi-billion dollar success story. His unconventional, yet highly effective ideas on how to build a successful business offer entrepreneurs <i>at any stage of their careers</i> a huge edge over their competitors.</span></div><div class="productDescriptionWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While I am certainly no entrepreneur myself, I would recommend Cuban's book to anyone out there who is interested in turning a profit from their blog. Cuban's book will<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"> leave you feeling not only inspired but guided in a direction to help you become the entrepreneur you are striving to become.</span></span></div><div class="productDescriptionWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">The following is only part of Jeff's interview w/ Mark. If you are interested in reading the rest, click on this link... </span></span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-rivera/mark-cuban-on-how-to-win-_b_1106048.html" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-rivera/mark-cuban-on-how-to-win-_b_1106048.html</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div><div class="productDescriptionWrapper" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="emptyClear" style="clear: left; height: 0px;"></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3164230751835957581&postID=4173346084576190384" id="productDetails" name="productDetails" style="line-height: normal;"></a></span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWVa8Km0ktzhvJ3yvSgW5ZuWBklfw9JSuXkMKq6SUGo5UFcWgwJkIgUYLHHfnugquER1InvlozvoajHsLeGD0CjRzONYwLIijQtBg-ni58UScCaNHjRSmxJweoXs9dk_mOGLpT2BCX5XZ/s1600/How-to-Win-at-the-Sport-of-Business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWVa8Km0ktzhvJ3yvSgW5ZuWBklfw9JSuXkMKq6SUGo5UFcWgwJkIgUYLHHfnugquER1InvlozvoajHsLeGD0CjRzONYwLIijQtBg-ni58UScCaNHjRSmxJweoXs9dk_mOGLpT2BCX5XZ/s320/How-to-Win-at-the-Sport-of-Business.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One part in </span><a href="http://amzn.to/HowtoWinatSportofBusiness" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your book</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I loved and my heart sank at is when your fiance </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">lost your $7500 ring. What's your advice for those moms out there who are distracted by a relationship? How do you balance a real life with your dreams?</span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I never was able to balance. Each person has to make their own</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">decisions. But remember, your competitors aren’t sitting by idly</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">waiting for you to have a nice dinner with your significant other. </span></i><i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They are trying to kick your ass. So choose wisely."</span></i></span></blockquote><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark, you mentioned that you were approached countless times to write </span><a href="http://amzn.to/HowtoWinatSportofBusiness" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a memoir</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> but instead chose to ePublish. Why?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>"The time obligations of a traditional release were more than I was willing to undertake. I couldn’t ask for advances and then not want to do a book tour. Plus, the editorial deadlines were much more forgiving. I made changes hours before the final release."</i></span></span></blockquote><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You have three kids. What life lessons do you give them so that they don't</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">go through all the heartache that you've gone through?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That is a life-long process. My oldest daughter is just 8, so we are</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">still dealing with the basics. But I try to do some things in my</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">businesses that are great for my kids. For instance, we changed the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">programming on </span><a href="http://on.fb.me/HDMoviesKidScene" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HDNet Movies</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> so that every morning we run commercial-free, kid and family-friendly movies. I was mad that my kids always</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">were so excited about commercials they saw in their favorite shows</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that I wanted to give them a commercial-free environment."</span></span></i></blockquote><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of my favorite parts of </span><a href="http://amzn.to/HowtoWinatSportofBusiness" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your book</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>How to Win at the Sport of Business</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, that completely broke my heart was when your ex-secretary robbed your first company of over $83,000, leaving you only $2000 after a year of work. If there are moms out there that have lost everything, what advice do you have for them to pick themselves back up?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Keep working. Don’t feel sorry for yourself because it won’t do any good."</span></i></span></blockquote><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many young moms who are just beginning their lives and can relate to</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you when </span><a href="http://amzn.to/HowtoWinatSportofBusiness" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you said</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you were sharing a small apartment with 6 people and</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sleeping on the floor. How can someone keep their eye on the prize when they’re</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">living on Ramen noodles?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Who cares how you are living today? I loved every minute of living in</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that dump. The low rent and utilities and eating Mac n’ Cheese all</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the time allowed me to afford the startup of my business. Instead of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">paying myself much, I could put it in to my business."</span></span></blockquote><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where can we get a copy of your eBook, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Win at the Sport of Business</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Anywhere eBooks are sold: Amazon, BN.com, and sites that support independent bookstores too."</span></i></span></blockquote><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And since I am feeling rather giving <i>w/ it being only 24 more days till Christmas</i>, I am sponsoring my <i>first ever</i> giveaway! Be the first to leave me a comment on what ways you as a blogger Mommy or Daddy have used your platform to generate income and win two Landmark movie tickets! Check out this link for more information! </span></span></div><div style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hdnetmovies.com/program_categories/kidscene/" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.hdnetmovies.com/program_categories/kidscene/</a></span></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-13998119729306208132011-12-06T08:44:00.000-08:002011-12-06T08:44:27.562-08:00All of the Lights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daddy's a fan of multi-colored lights... <i>Mommy is NOT! </i>Every year Daddy tries to convince Mommy to put up colored lights... <i>every year she turns him down.</i> That is until this year! <i>Mommmy got outvoted!</i> Jaxon & Daddy (w/ a silent vote from Max) decided this was the year for colored lights... <i>Mommy's still not convinced! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The thing is, I like things to match. All my decorations are red & green. If they made a strand of red, green & white lights, I'd be OK w/ the multi-colored variety. Maybe it's my OCD but the blues, oranges, and pinks really bother me. <i>I feel like they clash w/ my reds & greens! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But once we got the decorations up on our tiny tree the other day, the multi-colored lights have been bothering me less and less. And it looks more matchy then I thought it would w/ my wrapping paper <i>(which I was most concerned about)</i>. <i> </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>What do you think? Do colored lights add more <b>HO HO HO</b> to your Hoilday when there are kids in the house?! Or are you like me, a traditional fan of the white lights?! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><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/AVvXsEhD-a5DjwHPfxMG6wILFsV8wZ1Xlzl0EgbeumpOyOUwlE24yyMTELFlreVZdtcqsXHw0BVBvg8uX6imaolMQ-kyhvJ-dqj9ns-0_Mitfzqk12CfFA5Pj7auu2Ar8pzv-EN86UHCb6w-kCxd/s1600/DSCN4183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-a5DjwHPfxMG6wILFsV8wZ1Xlzl0EgbeumpOyOUwlE24yyMTELFlreVZdtcqsXHw0BVBvg8uX6imaolMQ-kyhvJ-dqj9ns-0_Mitfzqk12CfFA5Pj7auu2Ar8pzv-EN86UHCb6w-kCxd/s320/DSCN4183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Max tasted all the decorations for us!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jmVCgXD4E_hTi_GEJgfQiqyIkvLsrysdiFZLKegAUu55ipEx9l7UqWAJw0k31u_rjmzeEndPVGs56FHTFNgui2gkDz-NGHGDR4lGaU02FrsqObLuV9-qHN2d4_l5U0PWIWi5n0vRa9pb/s1600/DSCN4204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jmVCgXD4E_hTi_GEJgfQiqyIkvLsrysdiFZLKegAUu55ipEx9l7UqWAJw0k31u_rjmzeEndPVGs56FHTFNgui2gkDz-NGHGDR4lGaU02FrsqObLuV9-qHN2d4_l5U0PWIWi5n0vRa9pb/s320/DSCN4204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here he is hanging an ornament!</span></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/AVvXsEj0I-OqvO17AziLwGsKMiSKFCwSmQmpJ6-G5ib5AJJJb49eziV5P6-1cMFww1onvrjseSSBY9buFMTWZmopSHps1oFVrfVoP3jJoiJfORniymY-Rx2YIKnuSguf13OQWNjdLAHovASpKh4v/s1600/DSCN4193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0I-OqvO17AziLwGsKMiSKFCwSmQmpJ6-G5ib5AJJJb49eziV5P6-1cMFww1onvrjseSSBY9buFMTWZmopSHps1oFVrfVoP3jJoiJfORniymY-Rx2YIKnuSguf13OQWNjdLAHovASpKh4v/s400/DSCN4193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Christmas card, maybe?! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYaP8JUmim5p3NWIMmRMHJDd0sW88a_A1qF288rCOcIZlw4iqmlrLcwN9kd5sYESLbK7LYBDDCHoltZlwEfY1eSm56j_w4HtrXk-zqy6eaiHxR5vvAQOqVApexZC_OQSNq084YZHLWV1p/s1600/DSCN4213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYaP8JUmim5p3NWIMmRMHJDd0sW88a_A1qF288rCOcIZlw4iqmlrLcwN9kd5sYESLbK7LYBDDCHoltZlwEfY1eSm56j_w4HtrXk-zqy6eaiHxR5vvAQOqVApexZC_OQSNq084YZHLWV1p/s320/DSCN4213.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My BIG Elf... he decorated the entire tree by himself this year!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-53485426550251912722011-11-30T18:50:00.000-08:002011-11-30T18:50:39.129-08:00Black Friday<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is about a week late BUT it's worth mentioning. </span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't do Black Friday! I do shop online but I avoid stores. I can not deal with crowds of people, standing in lines and packed parking lots.<i> </i>The commercials that flooded the TV last week left quite an impression on Son # 1. He's recently had a lot of questions about Holidays, specifically St. Patrick's Day. Random?! Completely, considering the time of year. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Trying to explain to a 5 year old that St. Patty's Day is several months away is difficult. Luckily he's decided that wearing green can be an anytime deal and that the need to ask several times a week isn't necessary since he is now dressing himself.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanksgiving morning, while we were getting ready to go to Grandma's, Jaxon asked me what Black Friday was. Here's how it played out!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>JAXON:</b> <i>"Mom, is Black Friday a Holiday?"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ME:</b> <i>"Sort of! It's a shopping holiday where people get up really early and wait in big, long lines to buy things for super cheap."</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>JAXON:</b> <i>"Do you have to wear black?"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ME:</b> <i>"No... but that's a really good idea!"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Love his innocence! </i>And speaking of Holidays, <b>Pinterest </b>has made one of my wishes come true by adding a HOLIDAYS category... YAY!</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-75399773305483614172011-11-30T10:43:00.000-08:002011-11-30T10:43:30.692-08:00Snowmen Milk Jugs<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/AVvXsEiCYB3TkMTg_Q-8rY9mD9A90ZKtiAnMKj03QOecLqw5HHx7DKZqG30GPYV7JuVwEiAERIISo09KDl7McTQ54ULYMmt_fv04ROyN66Mo02k_TMMACNpDcBYsL-m-PhnBwB_DYB8ngACJLlDH/s1600/DSCN4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYB3TkMTg_Q-8rY9mD9A90ZKtiAnMKj03QOecLqw5HHx7DKZqG30GPYV7JuVwEiAERIISo09KDl7McTQ54ULYMmt_fv04ROyN66Mo02k_TMMACNpDcBYsL-m-PhnBwB_DYB8ngACJLlDH/s400/DSCN4179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Snowmen Milk Jug Craft</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>24 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!!</i></b> I'm just a lil' bit excited!!! I'm also a lil' strapped for cash having to buy for 2 boys this year! I have been "pinning" away, scouring Pinterest for inexpensive decorating ideas <i>(like this)</i> and gift ideas. These are super cheap and really easy to make. <i>Ask the kids for help, just not w/ the glue gun!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Here's what you'll need...</i></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>empty, washed out really good milk jugs (we chose 3 but you could do as many as you like)</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>scissors</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>black & red paint</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>pipe cleaners (we chose black but you can match the color to your own decor)</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>yarn (again match to your decor)</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>hot glue gun</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>orange construction paper</i></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Here's what you do...</i></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Save your milk jugs! And like I said before, make sure you wash them out real good, if you don't they will stink! The kids loved this part because I let them do this in the bathtub! </i></span></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">After your jugs are good and clean, cut a hole in the back of them where the label is to insert your lights. I cut my holes the size of the label.</span></i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Make the yarn earmuffs by folding your yarn in half several times in a bundle and tying a knot around itself. After you've tied the knot, cut the looped ends so the ends stick out. Or any other way you choose! Big, fuzzy pom poms would work too!</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Paint the snowman's eyes and mouth on the jug w/ black paint and give him some red, rosy cheeks.</span></i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hot glue the pipe cleaner on one side of the jug and hold till it dries. Now hot glue the other side down and again hold while it dries... try not to burn your fingers!</span></i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Glue your earmuffs over the ends of the pipe cleaner, it'll hide any unsightly mess you've made w/ the glue gun!</span></i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Finally, cut out a, orange nose and glue it to your snowman's face.</span></i></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>There you have it... stick your light in the backs and set them out for display!</i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Don't forget to follow me on <b>Pinterest </b>to check out all the other fun, cheap, kid-friendly craft and gift ideas I'm finding! </i></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-91229538601610474172011-11-15T09:39:00.000-08:002011-11-15T09:39:08.477-08:00What's For Lunch?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I get asked this a lot! </i>The boys LOVE <b>Mac n' Cheese</b> so when I found this recipe on <b>Pinterest, </b>I just knew we had to try it! <i>This is <b>Paula Dean's</b> recipe so you know it's gonna be good! I did tweak it a bit though... gotta make it somewhat healthy! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I used whole wheat pasta, low fat butter and sour cream, omitted the eggs and used low fat mozzarella instead of cheddar cheese AND it is still amazing!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv3dgJslF26u8J2ULHoW7BYG9gfXa_pzdCXPnLflzvfyAxPhQK2bPHm57rRrCICoR6BQf_nqbswxczLzWestuZL-xMVWXlb5iAc3uJoUuYfo_wla-qamUamuKFFnaObOggJgt5TPdCUCk/s1600/DSCN4159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv3dgJslF26u8J2ULHoW7BYG9gfXa_pzdCXPnLflzvfyAxPhQK2bPHm57rRrCICoR6BQf_nqbswxczLzWestuZL-xMVWXlb5iAc3uJoUuYfo_wla-qamUamuKFFnaObOggJgt5TPdCUCk/s320/DSCN4159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/paula-deen-crock-pot-macaroni-and-cheese-257276">http://www.food.com/recipe/paula-deen-crock-pot-macaroni-and-cheese-257276</a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-12027199664428493972011-11-15T09:26:00.000-08:002011-11-15T09:26:18.108-08:00Mystery Bag - Letter "J"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think I get more excited when Jaxon brings home the <i><b>Mystery Bag</b></i> from PreSchool, than he does! The <b><i>Mystery Bag </i></b>is homework for PreSchool age kids. Every other week it's Jaxon's turn to bring the bag home and have a turn. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last year when he'd bring the bag home there would be a color, shape or number written on a paper bag and he was to find things around the house that he could bring back to class w/ him <i>(that fit in the bag),</i> to share w/ his classmates. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year he is assigned a letter. He practices writing that letter, sounding it out, making both upper and lower case versions of the letter, writing a tongue twister that goes w/ the assigned letter and choosing something to take back to class that starts w/ the letter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday he got to choose whatever letter he wanted from the alphabet... <i>surprisingly, he chose <b>"J"</b>! So, he decided to make <b>"J"</b> shaped, Jello Jigglers!</i></span></div><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/AVvXsEgABFQzD0mg23IT6hUzeT4l0_wsW4hzNpCh67tV5UK_QGF_tpUIJPUJiwnDyavyUk_2JYTyF0gl_igtDJhUt5-q96tnpPpIuvQM110FhsU3c5iU_nW_zBBJVh4kBbfRJLQ66lhKEowcoDnm/s1600/DSCN4135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABFQzD0mg23IT6hUzeT4l0_wsW4hzNpCh67tV5UK_QGF_tpUIJPUJiwnDyavyUk_2JYTyF0gl_igtDJhUt5-q96tnpPpIuvQM110FhsU3c5iU_nW_zBBJVh4kBbfRJLQ66lhKEowcoDnm/s320/DSCN4135.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here he is getting ready to make the Jigglers!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RmMNWwtQEPO2XswhlAxk51Wn4zp6VWNZa0v9VpR5CzJSvy0XXVsZ96AlbmrTOpt9zt8Cs_lTy-fpYswzBmSTK6JTSDJ9XQPu6VHdnLzQEOvheypSJqkIzv84p_8tS6KU0C8ar3Q6Rx_z/s1600/DSCN4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RmMNWwtQEPO2XswhlAxk51Wn4zp6VWNZa0v9VpR5CzJSvy0XXVsZ96AlbmrTOpt9zt8Cs_lTy-fpYswzBmSTK6JTSDJ9XQPu6VHdnLzQEOvheypSJqkIzv84p_8tS6KU0C8ar3Q6Rx_z/s320/DSCN4136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Surprisingly he chose green Jello!</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHIPRsxfWwsAe521bZmMihg1rYR8tC0CgRqZt-Ke3xZZ-nBEizSKTpFVP6jLT3AGrbr8YFeduaU9Hj7jjg0rLrJegpKNBfXEtiZKCtcdgiTgesFkKJr79MLJZOCjy4AellQtFWcVtO5ul/s1600/DSCN4139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHIPRsxfWwsAe521bZmMihg1rYR8tC0CgRqZt-Ke3xZZ-nBEizSKTpFVP6jLT3AGrbr8YFeduaU9Hj7jjg0rLrJegpKNBfXEtiZKCtcdgiTgesFkKJr79MLJZOCjy4AellQtFWcVtO5ul/s320/DSCN4139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Max kept reminding us both that it was "HOT"! <i>One of his favorite words!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMhJJH_G4BmAlWt9Lg7V_z7O80ky_eKlIm6_Ux02MY_38oRw5rHnXnRN_RGMcBfrHhptclv3cvWGG5FDtk2yVOmqyMQxp-tE8f5epFZ-6kiXgoqzNsDcRJtqg7DlLHsjShPMBb_JatoCL/s1600/DSCN4142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMhJJH_G4BmAlWt9Lg7V_z7O80ky_eKlIm6_Ux02MY_38oRw5rHnXnRN_RGMcBfrHhptclv3cvWGG5FDtk2yVOmqyMQxp-tE8f5epFZ-6kiXgoqzNsDcRJtqg7DlLHsjShPMBb_JatoCL/s320/DSCN4142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fast forward to today... here's Jaxon getting ready to cut out the "J" Jigglers!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEId7HJjZt3MVu86lB_NwtjV5b1AcTxApC6fcBPn1kiwl1XIbVqxON7HcbDq9212AcCHVHwjbYB6UDO7rBTq3e-AkqdW03J6vjUacBmTufTNuwE29w0v4reNXbq-ooJSTn0KJnV0Apywv/s1600/DSCN4143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEId7HJjZt3MVu86lB_NwtjV5b1AcTxApC6fcBPn1kiwl1XIbVqxON7HcbDq9212AcCHVHwjbYB6UDO7rBTq3e-AkqdW03J6vjUacBmTufTNuwE29w0v4reNXbq-ooJSTn0KJnV0Apywv/s320/DSCN4143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is also a fun treat for parties... we made trucks and trains one year!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aJKOxc6fp6Q0-U6vk5Ooyddm2qfol0KvdJysbHgiHwlC17OFNr4vjobObmiO1lVYCi2leUSghzvZTwy0uNRzRmjVsxGRv96DHn8G7lrGoTLB0G8LgrA9ipYq4FDNmu5YxMSM2254nVc3/s1600/DSCN4144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aJKOxc6fp6Q0-U6vk5Ooyddm2qfol0KvdJysbHgiHwlC17OFNr4vjobObmiO1lVYCi2leUSghzvZTwy0uNRzRmjVsxGRv96DHn8G7lrGoTLB0G8LgrA9ipYq4FDNmu5YxMSM2254nVc3/s320/DSCN4144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Press hard!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GQcdHGuoMQw8tr6jzfaW6GbLzRygJjEtJaOELaFj6YPFc4mC_d_KEWVItB2bWNIX1PFpEtXNe7ek4viOwSPUFjHK_0_y2xsg2XaHRChE1gmq3Py_sOakBZz6XUboC7pT2DTHdis_MOkq/s1600/DSCN4146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GQcdHGuoMQw8tr6jzfaW6GbLzRygJjEtJaOELaFj6YPFc4mC_d_KEWVItB2bWNIX1PFpEtXNe7ek4viOwSPUFjHK_0_y2xsg2XaHRChE1gmq3Py_sOakBZz6XUboC7pT2DTHdis_MOkq/s320/DSCN4146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVP956aTo_QAvD1YtJgzCnF7aZGAUlo-LB2FgnZM1-HKhbMHmXcXG4iOJa2HmDRe_VuRCWFei8Qt9Hwqt2refHgh0lrh0JbNUxga0C7OhziEr1rTEvNkpFTKcHcfFdaCu1s9JehCLoR_t/s1600/DSCN4148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVP956aTo_QAvD1YtJgzCnF7aZGAUlo-LB2FgnZM1-HKhbMHmXcXG4iOJa2HmDRe_VuRCWFei8Qt9Hwqt2refHgh0lrh0JbNUxga0C7OhziEr1rTEvNkpFTKcHcfFdaCu1s9JehCLoR_t/s320/DSCN4148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>He had to make sure it tasted OK!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwtZ_magobiUxLDJ1ZI_FYg62vno3POWZ0wRCi8TZpZ4yOzuMcIozYJU-0VZ5YMbFyLXqFW7elhVwSeuH1oT8go1P3wZ5VAHECr4Cmb5cBbpoo98tlN5on_hB__V2FcxVJ23OR_FOy9w8/s1600/DSCN4150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwtZ_magobiUxLDJ1ZI_FYg62vno3POWZ0wRCi8TZpZ4yOzuMcIozYJU-0VZ5YMbFyLXqFW7elhVwSeuH1oT8go1P3wZ5VAHECr4Cmb5cBbpoo98tlN5on_hB__V2FcxVJ23OR_FOy9w8/s320/DSCN4150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8 "J" shaped Jello Jigglers ready for the <b><i>Mystery Bag</i></b> showing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7iMDSanr5BdIrpJFagRw5O8WYS3xQ7qVR4fpekKqYtVvL5GdJJdhFsgG3MgLRLF5jL0GwL3hOi-bbd7e3C_6C7Fp3r4ayFJtbdv83hyphenhyphenej1Oi3bIqirKtKT6J0TWNhPOFc-nF50pyz8o7/s1600/DSCN4158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7iMDSanr5BdIrpJFagRw5O8WYS3xQ7qVR4fpekKqYtVvL5GdJJdhFsgG3MgLRLF5jL0GwL3hOi-bbd7e3C_6C7Fp3r4ayFJtbdv83hyphenhyphenej1Oi3bIqirKtKT6J0TWNhPOFc-nF50pyz8o7/s320/DSCN4158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And since we have left overs we made some <b>"M's"</b> so both boys would have some for lunch today!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-58182631433421846872011-11-14T13:39:00.000-08:002011-11-14T13:39:27.916-08:00Kitchen Aid<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My number one "Mommy Pet peeve" at the moment is my kitchen aid, or <i>aids, </i>I should say! I need a door on my kitchen, one w/ a "CLOSED" sign hanging up! Every time I am in there so are Sons # 1 & 2. <i>I created this monster</i>, I often ask for their help, <i>just not every, stink'n time!</i> For instance, while I'm making breakfast and drinking my coffee... <i>no help needed!</i> When I'm chopping veggies w/ a sharp knife... <i>no help needed!</i> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgng9U24v3gF0pHqOPoU5fDv8LbBdmplqVCKajYfvuV3sEzPtDm2kJTry84PvfveeKzLcCRrEgrE9DNhrCWNb0GChRT59iAVx9VpiCDZPERXLRxyC76FRMdemXU1agHQ0NgJqYLJf74XRlh/s1600/DSCN4133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgng9U24v3gF0pHqOPoU5fDv8LbBdmplqVCKajYfvuV3sEzPtDm2kJTry84PvfveeKzLcCRrEgrE9DNhrCWNb0GChRT59iAVx9VpiCDZPERXLRxyC76FRMdemXU1agHQ0NgJqYLJf74XRlh/s400/DSCN4133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or when I'm busy cleaning up after dinner, loading the dishwasher and your Dad is home to play w/ you.... <i>no help needed!!! Luckily, I caught this before the water cycle turned on! OH, and look I have voicemail! Thanks Max... Mommy's got this!!!</i></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-14279440296852699352011-11-11T13:17:00.000-08:002011-11-11T13:17:54.056-08:00Top 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are my <b>Pinterest Top 10 Finds</b> this week...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtayLO0favtuvJQOfXGszEAvPhxWN9sx7tmHDKLRDJOwe4uojxS8N3EV7pmIK8gHSjtLuUb7Y8LP-oPI9UwAw_832WRGmTxCVcj-k7i9xlOKFPvwrlkPUR5dIhIIlwQxrMPKb1i_gFGyOJ/s1600/245727723387980748_50epNULG_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtayLO0favtuvJQOfXGszEAvPhxWN9sx7tmHDKLRDJOwe4uojxS8N3EV7pmIK8gHSjtLuUb7Y8LP-oPI9UwAw_832WRGmTxCVcj-k7i9xlOKFPvwrlkPUR5dIhIIlwQxrMPKb1i_gFGyOJ/s1600/245727723387980748_50epNULG_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>#10 - <a href="http://guysread.com/">guysread.com</a></b>... a website that encourages literacy in boys! They have a great list of good reads for lil' guys!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFCjcURKHTSAYXkVtaWaWTWLjweWGhsPmhnMdxjjHWzzW9a9glJ9Ji-TfMRTLLOQg1BcaerM34dbaG66fGdHUKmNrXWiiEjGM3Ap7ELgywwxdknJVRhDLobKkGYZkh9g22eavVFckaD_P/s1600/245727723387980866_1ZSAEanP_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#9 - This pretty much sums things up!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4ngTN54ytJGywlNJuLfK8Gcayl3Xs20fh_hVJy2FqDl_cBBYJ4a4g8I4gUkeOk1ra2bUTrYpYz3UfOtMEOs3uDe7OSTMtjvfGrpc2K-ARHh8yyDNBC3-FK0BVqAt808MBPR-F3mra05e/s1600/245727723387982438_WfvKMjvL_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4ngTN54ytJGywlNJuLfK8Gcayl3Xs20fh_hVJy2FqDl_cBBYJ4a4g8I4gUkeOk1ra2bUTrYpYz3UfOtMEOs3uDe7OSTMtjvfGrpc2K-ARHh8yyDNBC3-FK0BVqAt808MBPR-F3mra05e/s1600/245727723387982438_WfvKMjvL_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#8 - Thinking about making these for Thanksgiving... super cute & delicious!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfePowf7e_hMuSNYLe7CnjMarkOUH4l3Wr2HGTQsQjUJYJQKeuqiDgzUX_WggnKGRYkkaApygEFhX1hq3lJmRNSNkPKbJad7dubTC69kn08ZtP9NHqLIaTSYmbDjHYNybfqSlnAFYUGCG/s1600/245727723387991603_7L6CRhxA_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfePowf7e_hMuSNYLe7CnjMarkOUH4l3Wr2HGTQsQjUJYJQKeuqiDgzUX_WggnKGRYkkaApygEFhX1hq3lJmRNSNkPKbJad7dubTC69kn08ZtP9NHqLIaTSYmbDjHYNybfqSlnAFYUGCG/s1600/245727723387991603_7L6CRhxA_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#7 - In all my years as an art student Oil Pastels were always a fave of mine... I had no idea <b>Crayola </b>made these. Santa might have to bring Jaxon a set of his very own!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpla0NVj86KWZLgRSeYbo1Tz7WN-_OWs0I9fMF32k54iteBVj_s5lRD1gyp3qE9HeuQzs4yhL9glFyeUx_N6XhL4KMrQDRPY6uSWAxlWhfcgBVMgrel4xs7_Jax1u-imNpInHxiSftzbf8/s1600/245727723387991714_l9Qcw2vF_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpla0NVj86KWZLgRSeYbo1Tz7WN-_OWs0I9fMF32k54iteBVj_s5lRD1gyp3qE9HeuQzs4yhL9glFyeUx_N6XhL4KMrQDRPY6uSWAxlWhfcgBVMgrel4xs7_Jax1u-imNpInHxiSftzbf8/s1600/245727723387991714_l9Qcw2vF_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#6 - Skinny Funfetti Cupcake recipe... where have you been my whole life?! <a href="http://www.fashionmeetsfood.com/2011/11/skinny-funfetti-cupcakes.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;">http://www.fashionmeetsfood.com/2011/11/skinny-funfetti-cupcakes.html</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfV7_HbzFgXOmzuxSzJkEEBKznBefKIexferk8aAGOxpIWTKhco9-3iy5j5H0V-UXt659rqXv_DeUcvRuy3S7kt_pMIkcAZniYMbHp13BgQ7GfOC9LH9mNQg35YgYSpCOxKZBTBfbTFllI/s1600/245727723387995584_ky2D5yu4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfV7_HbzFgXOmzuxSzJkEEBKznBefKIexferk8aAGOxpIWTKhco9-3iy5j5H0V-UXt659rqXv_DeUcvRuy3S7kt_pMIkcAZniYMbHp13BgQ7GfOC9LH9mNQg35YgYSpCOxKZBTBfbTFllI/s320/245727723387995584_ky2D5yu4_b.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#5 - Could have used this while putting up the lights!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UWvQVQSiLWNs9B79pRglqcN9y41aU-CKIjPBts7MiuVyl0PVWZKpI2QtfDDAhBDc5nygSNqXarlYVZi62BO2Hq-30YO_zbFa8Xm2nuSQWKiLtOBtOyaMpgM00q8gK3U-PZFjNOiuj1f_/s1600/471679714_wENIqSES_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UWvQVQSiLWNs9B79pRglqcN9y41aU-CKIjPBts7MiuVyl0PVWZKpI2QtfDDAhBDc5nygSNqXarlYVZi62BO2Hq-30YO_zbFa8Xm2nuSQWKiLtOBtOyaMpgM00q8gK3U-PZFjNOiuj1f_/s320/471679714_wENIqSES_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#4 - I was just looking for tips on how to do this and "poof", there was on Pinterest!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhyAwh4_RQH475kuqMlT2k2XdNzg68elMYHxkTlgMI_ePE8k8zUrUk5-2RB3ykE7FCE8-087PdqKRMNylQCmR21DnKIii878DFSXSHmTM0wnzun11IHdLkRRH2ttvl6iT57ezLZHcy1eV/s1600/245727723387996298_JXZbJK1x_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhyAwh4_RQH475kuqMlT2k2XdNzg68elMYHxkTlgMI_ePE8k8zUrUk5-2RB3ykE7FCE8-087PdqKRMNylQCmR21DnKIii878DFSXSHmTM0wnzun11IHdLkRRH2ttvl6iT57ezLZHcy1eV/s1600/245727723387996298_JXZbJK1x_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#3 - I foresee this happening any day now!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuE4gHAVlz3K5ZJ9V0yNVHJShlzCSIxNPKJivKCUevZPUGaxigou-nSRdpDfsjl5dh1H0y5cPTSK1fGY-_KhGyMmcEmvgBnA09YzZll_rFIXbHG7uPGO2Z-6uBkhpcT9G3wl5g6pUCBN4/s1600/245727723387997021_IiyzzRdr_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuE4gHAVlz3K5ZJ9V0yNVHJShlzCSIxNPKJivKCUevZPUGaxigou-nSRdpDfsjl5dh1H0y5cPTSK1fGY-_KhGyMmcEmvgBnA09YzZll_rFIXbHG7uPGO2Z-6uBkhpcT9G3wl5g6pUCBN4/s1600/245727723387997021_IiyzzRdr_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#2 - Among other things, but I say this to Hubby at least 3 times a week!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyFZsI9IWRSlj5rlPI0hpniouLkVZWPCGHLMXhPNT-gjtoO2UVBsZCiCHlhSquoQ4lOUFXut2faBuAuJIIAfchNc-JVsAcqjbEpHw-pfRdebIN2FFj8A7m4lBb9p9sjs6M4sz4lvL3gfn/s1600/245727723387993682_cbOuehY9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyFZsI9IWRSlj5rlPI0hpniouLkVZWPCGHLMXhPNT-gjtoO2UVBsZCiCHlhSquoQ4lOUFXut2faBuAuJIIAfchNc-JVsAcqjbEpHw-pfRdebIN2FFj8A7m4lBb9p9sjs6M4sz4lvL3gfn/s1600/245727723387993682_cbOuehY9_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#1 - I LOVE THIS IDEA! I have decided that when the boys go to Kindergarten I am going to do this. The day they graduate from high school I'm digging their time capsules up and we'll take a look at them then. Hopefully the dogs won't dig 'em up for me!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For more <b>Pinterest Top Picks</b> follow along as I waste hours of my life "pinning" creative ideas... it's easy, click my <b>Pinterest</b> button on the sidebar and check out my boards!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-27108314235582944702011-11-10T15:11:00.000-08:002011-11-10T15:11:08.409-08:00Pinterest Intervention<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I AM OFFICIALLY ADDICTED TO <b>PINTEREST</b>! There, I admitted it, that's the 1st step right?! I can't stop myself from "pinning"! I wake up early to "pin" in the morning, I "pin" in the afternoon & every time Max needs nourishment. I pin till I can't "pin" anymore at bedtime... I've fallen asleep at the keyboard! I daydream while working out, about how I could finagle a way to "pin" while on the treadmill!!! I would be on the treadmill A LOT more if I could figure out a way to do both simultaneously!!! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, since I have been getting behind on my blogging due to my new addiction, I thought I'd take a moment to step away from <b>Pinterest</b> (for a short time) to share a few fun things we've been up to lately. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>MAX IS OFFICIALLY WALKING/RUNNING!</i></b> He's been toddling around for a little over a month now taking steps here and there but he's 100% on the move nowadays! That's the other reason why I've been away for so long. Keeping up w/ the boys has become a little more interesting now that Max can get to wherever Jaxon is and snatch whatever Jaxon has! Just hand me a whistle and call me <i>"ref"</i>... all though I'm not too sure Jaxon would agree that he's been getting fair calls lately! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We finally got some much needed rain the other day. Daddy decided to take a vacation day to catch back up w/ his kiddos after being away so much the month of October. He surprised Jaxon w/ a <b><i>"Cars 2"</i></b> movie date on the living room floor after lunch.The "snack counter" provided blue sugared popcorn and entertained Monster #2 so the movie date could be enjoyed by both!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While the weather has had it's ups and downs we continue to try our best to enjoy what's left of Fall. We had a beautiful day on the 1st and spent the afternoon putting up our Christmas lights outside. I decided that evening to reward myself with a glass of wine, can of beer, 1/5 of Crown, <i>(whatever I could find)</i>, after the stressful time I had of hanging lights w/ a 5 & 1 year old. Memo to self: check alcoholic beverage supply before entertaining the idea of proceeding with these types of activities!!! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And thanks to <b>Pinterest</b> the boys and I have been crafting & baking like crazy! I plan to post some of our newest Holiday <i>adventures </i>one of these days... that is as soon as I can pull myself away from the obsessive "pinning"! And be sure to follow along as I continue to "pin" my way through the holiday season... if you're a list maker like me, <i><b>Pinterest</b> is the place to be!</i></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164230751835957581.post-17237650394823964662011-11-01T08:56:00.000-07:002011-11-01T08:56:24.821-07:00Happy Halloween 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The boys and I had a great time Trick or Treating last! Kick Buttowski and my lil' dragon made out like bandits w/ the candy... <i>Mama's mission is to try and stay out of it!</i> I figured while I can still get away w/ it that I would dress up too! The kids at Jaxon's party really enjoyed it and I figured the people whose houses we'd Trick or Treat at would too! PLUS I love playing dress up!!! Here are some highlights from last night!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih01FcP0rNPGYyfJqgbJ_6UQuCK71q4ITOLbD2bxRGVx2p51U8lW3rDcbuV4Vsfh10lKNCoj2pMZR_5Eu2q8sEO1l1yvLvfYYs38eP1BLov3H6wtncLTlAp_rqxxSPA4uFk_NycwhOhamL/s1600/DSCN4100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih01FcP0rNPGYyfJqgbJ_6UQuCK71q4ITOLbD2bxRGVx2p51U8lW3rDcbuV4Vsfh10lKNCoj2pMZR_5Eu2q8sEO1l1yvLvfYYs38eP1BLov3H6wtncLTlAp_rqxxSPA4uFk_NycwhOhamL/s320/DSCN4100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jaxon's costume was a lot of fun to put together! <i>I think the kitchen gloves really completed his look!!!!</i> </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If Daddy hadn't had to work, he would have been Mommy's 1st Mate... <i>I'm guessing he's glad he had to work!!! What a great time we had! </i></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785722367119360198noreply@blogger.com0