tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286785752024-03-12T18:00:48.978-07:00Alison & ChloeJen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-15165770623150951782013-10-29T05:40:00.001-07:002013-10-30T04:31:33.301-07:00Happy Fall (and new family member!)Happy Fall from us to you!<br />
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The weather has recently cooled down here (high 60's/70's daytime highs) and it is perfect. A few weeks ago we took a family trip to our local pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins, and we decorated the front of our house in our fall and Halloween decor with flowers (Mums), and hanging up witches, and spiders! Love having a big front porch to decorate and the girls have fun helping me put everything up.<br />
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Also, I do not think I have yet mentioned our newest family member! Back in September we adopted a 4 year old Pekingese dog from a local animal rescue! Being animal and dog lovers, we thought a (smaller-sized) dog would be a nice addition to the family. Two is better than one right? We knew we did NOT want a puppy, and I did a lot of searching online getting information, and in person, at local rescues to find a good match. We went out to a few different rescue events and met with different dogs.<br />
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His name is "King Louis" (per the rescue) but the girls tried to re-name him Stitch (from the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch) for a while but it never really stuck. So, we just call him Louie, or Lou for short.<br />
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We had a weekend in which we had a trial run before we officially adopted him so that we could make sure he got along with Bailey (and vise-versa) and fit in to our family. Obviously, things worked well. We love him! When we first got him he had a summer "short" cut, but now his hair is growing out a bit. Some people keep Pekingese dog hair cut in a very long fashion, but I don't think we will be doing. Below are a few photos.<br />
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enjoy.<br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-77876186445031925172013-10-22T07:18:00.000-07:002013-10-23T10:59:39.013-07:00Alison's Boosterthon Fun Run!A few weeks ago Alison's school participated in a fundraising event. I have to admit, these fundraisers get to me just a little bit because I don't like having to ask family/friends for their donations. Who does?! I know that people are often so generous and are happy to give, but it's just the always asking that gets annoying with so many fundraisers that seem to go on! So, I usually try to pick only one per year to ask people which I think is fair!<br />
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This year Alison's school said that if they made enough money with this ONE fundraiser they would promise NO more the rest of the school year!! This certainly was an incentive to both the kids and other parents like me. They decided that the fundraiser would be the Boosterthon "Fun Run" in which the kids tried to get people to sponsor them for each lap they run in the Fun Run. (One could either give a set amount per lap, or could give a one time donation of as little as $2) . The Fundraiser lasted just a little over a week and each day the kids would come home a character building message (like "no bullying", be a friend to all, etc..) as well as the overall message promoting physical fitness.<br />
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Come the day of the run, Alison was quite excited. I was able to attend without Chloe (God knows she would have thrown a fit if she couldn't run too!) because a neighbor watched her for me as it was not a preschool morning. All the kids wore their "Boosterthon" T-shirts , there was music and dancing, and it was great to see them so excited about running their laps! The goal was no more than 35 laps. Most all kids ran this or exceeded this (like Alison!)<br />
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We are so appreciative of those that chose to sponsor Alison. Not only does it go toward the goal of getting a new playground built, but it gave a goal for the kids to try to achieve and something tangible that they can see in the future that they really helped make happen! Alison really got into this event, and would ask me almost daily if anyone had pledged! (we kept track online). Of course the kids were working towards prizes based on how many pledges they received!<br />
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Best of all? No more SCHOOL fundraisers this year!!!!!!!<br />
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(*OK. she has recently become a Girls Scout Daisy now so there WILL be cookies to be sold!!)<br />
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Here are a few photos on the day of the run!<br />
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<i>Alison's class heading onto the field (Alison waving at me)</i></div>
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<i>A little pre- run dance warm-up !</i></div>
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<i>Run Alison!</i></div>
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Goal Achieved! Yay Alison!</div>
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-5989231738681922202013-10-22T05:25:00.002-07:002013-10-22T05:25:44.526-07:00Chloe Preschool September 2013HI All!<br />
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I just love preschoolers. There is something so special to me about the 3-5 year age group. No longer babies/toddlers, they are learning soo much, yet are also fountains of knowledge and have so much to say! They don't have that filter yet, they still say the truth. Love that. And, they are hilarious!<br />
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Chloe's school has a website/blog, and the individual teachers of each age group update it weekly with what the kids are doing, learning, and activities. And, of course lots of photos!<br />
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Instead of re-writing everything myself, I'm just going to post one of Ms. Susan's blog entires below about what they were up to in the month of September, along with photos she took of Chloe's class/Chloe.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I</span><b>n Spanish Ms. Leigh teaches us colors and how to say hello and good day. She read Goodnight Moon in Spanish to us as we rested under blankets. The kids loved this in the dark. She is so creative and she makes Spanish so much fun!</b></div>
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<b>See the photos below to see what we are doing in the classroom. Our photos share shaking wiggles out with scarves and music at circle time, original artwork, making new friends, saying the pledge of allegiance, special helper holding our flag, making letter U on our magnet tool, sorting by color, doing puzzles, earth sun moon rotation song, circle time reading, playground time, Spanish with Ms. Leigh, music with Ms. Cindy, writing our name, and letter of the week snack!</b></div>
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<b>Teddy Bear day was a treat singing songs and wearing our bear hats. We read one of my favorite books about a department store bear who searches for his missing button and is purchased and goes to a sweet safe loving home, Corduroy!</b></div>
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<b>We had a 3s get together with our other two 3 year old classes where we read Thanking the Moon book about the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival and ate mini moon pies. We also sat in a circle passing a heart sharing who we loved when the music stopped.</b></div>
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<i>Teddy Bear Day- chloe's class with their teddy bears and hats they made</i></div>
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<i>Chloe practicing writing her name</i></div>
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<i>Spanish with Ms. Leigh -reading Spanish version of Goodnight Moon</i></div>
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<i>Chloe and friend, Kayla working on a project together</i></div>
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<i>Playground time!</i></div>
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-4803396463044467672013-10-17T18:47:00.001-07:002013-10-18T07:39:26.317-07:00Ali and her "All About Me" school project and video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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after school math homework at the kitchen table<br />
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First grade has gotten off to a roaring start!
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It's hard to believe that already it's been almost 2 months since school started back up. Alison likes school, her teacher(s), and her friends. And, between homework, play dates, and an assortment of after-school activities we keep very busy! Alison plays on a co-ed soccer team for the third season in a row for the Mount Pleasant Recreation. And, she has just started Girl Scouts as a "Daisy"! (more on both these things in a later post)..
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During the first week of school her class was asked to make a poster at home that was "All About Me" - in which they were asked to answer questions about themselves in an effort for the kids to learn about one another. They were also asked to put two photos on the poster (one of themselves, one of their family), as well as to decorate their poster any way they wish. Then at school they took turns sharing a bit about their posters with the class.
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It hung in her school classroom for a few weeks until she brought it home last week. She really wanted me to take a video of her presenting her poster like she would do in class. She had a lot of fun doing this, asking me to re-take video until she felt she did a good enough job. I did not help her with her presentation skills at all she did this all by herself and wanted to try to memorize everything on the poster instead of reading it all!
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I love how she got stuck on the "places I have lived" part- looking at me for help :) she has lived in so many states already that we had to abbreviate them on the poster and those abbreviations kept tripping her up when I took video. Too funny.
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enjoy!
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-85949724943660073352013-09-22T07:05:00.003-07:002013-09-23T18:56:39.668-07:00Chloe Preschool Week 1/2Being that both girls are back in school, I want to start posting more on a weekly basis about what the girls are doing and learning while they are at school. Figure I'll start here with Chloe first!<br />
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<i>Chloe getting ready to leave for her first day back at Lighthouse Preschool</i><br />
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Chloe has been in the three morning a week 3's class At Lighthouse since the first week of September and all is going well. This year she attends Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings. It is a class of 14 children (which is fairly large for a preschool class), and is lead by head teacher Ms. Susan (assistant Ms. Maggie) She has a new teacher this year and a class full of many new children but she adjusts well and enjoys playing with kids her age, but really her very best girl friend Cooper is in the class and that is all that matters to her. :) They are two peas in a pod.<br />
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<i>Cooper & Chloe, second day -ready to go together!</i>
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The first week back in the class they settled in and got to know each other better--the basics of being back in school after a long summer! They are learning to say the morning prayer, bible verse, pledge of allegiance, and sing the days of the week. They are learning to listen during story time on the rug. They are learning to listen to directions and to take turns with school mates. Basically having fun and learning through play!<br />
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They are starting to work on the Handwriting without tears curriculum, and also continue to practice shapes, numbers, cutting and drawing. In Spanish class (held once a week) they are starting to learn the colors.<br />
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<i>class photo on playground on First day</i><br />
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"The Kissing Hand" was one of the circle time books that Ms. Susan read to the students on the first day, and the kids all made their own "kissing hands" to bring home to us parents<br />
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Each school day there is an assigned "class helper" who leads the class in Pledge of Allegiance and gets to be the leader when they go to the playground. Chloe was class helper last week and as you can see in the photo she clearly enjoyed this.
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On Friday morning the Director (Ms.Julie) has "chapel" with the children. Because we are not particuarly religious or attend church regularly, I really love that she gets a very basic (and fun) intro about The Bible in this way since it's something she probably wouldn't be getting otherwise. Alison remembers Chapel very fondly as well and still remembers the stories and songs from years ago. (Alison attended a very similar type of preschool when we lived in San Diego and also attended Lighthouse for her last year of preschool when we moved here to Charleston!).<br />
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This year the children that are 3+ are allowed to take enrichment classes as well. These are fun bonus activities that you can sign up for that last an extra half an hour one day a week post school. They offer dance, art, karate, and soccer. Both Chloe and Cooper wanted to take Soccer. It is lead by a former professional soccer player (Dusty Hudock) who comes to the school and teaches the kids. The emphasis is on FUN of course, as they are mostly 3 and 4 year olds just learning the basics of soccer. And what a great way to intro them. Chloe always looks forward to her "soccer days".<br />
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<i>These two spell t-r-o-u-b-le-! :)</i><br />
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Have I mentioned how much I looooove Chloe's Preschool? Filled with amazing teachers/staff and a great curriculum. We are blessed to have it in our area.
Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-90253289234788346142013-09-10T09:47:00.002-07:002013-09-13T04:32:29.078-07:00Updates, updates!September, 2013<br />
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I cannot believe it has been 6 months since I've last updated the blog! So much going on!<br />
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The girls are doing well, and we had a busy (and fun) Summer! For all of those of you that check-in, I am going to try my best to keep this blog going and update as often as I can now that school is back in session and I'm more able to find a few more spare moments of quiet!<br />
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Most recently, the girls have gone back to school! Alison (or, Ali, as she likes to be called) started 1st Grade on August 21st!<br />
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The students are in a new building this year due to the old one being torn down and a new one being built (which will be an amazing campus when it is finished in two years, it's too bad we probably wont be here to enjoy it). Because of this, our close-in-proximity elementary is now housed in what was a former middle/high school about 5.5 miles away (as many of you know the old JME building was about 1/2 a mile away from us!) No, not ideal, but as parents we have to be flexible and understanding during this process since it is not easy on anyone.<br />
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<i>The morning of 1st Grade in front of our house before catching the bus to school.</i><br />
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Because the school is no longer on the way to work, David no longer takes Alison in the morning, so instead she rides the bus to school (and the bus picks up at between 6:55a-7:00a!!) The good thing about that is a lot of the kids that live in our neighborhood also ride the bus to school. In fact, there are two other little girls that are in her class that bus riders and live just a street away!<br />
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The classes were shuffled around quite a bit and out of sheer luck Ali is in a class with no other children from her Kindergarten class. This was pretty disappointing to her at first of course, as it would have been nice to have a familiar face but she has adjusted quickly, makes friends well, and still gets to see some of her best friends in either the lunch room or school playground at recess.<br />
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I have to say that the school year has been going well so far. It seems like she has a great teacher, and will learn be learning a LOT this year! Just like last year, in addition to standard daily academics, each day they have a sort of enrichement class too; Mondays: Music Tuesdays: Art Wednesday's: Drama , Thursday's: Library and Computer, and Friday is Spanish, and PE<br />
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<i>coming home from school/getting off Bus last Friday</i><br />
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In addition, Alison has chosen to play soccer again this Fall (and David was chosen to Assistant Coach again this year). Soccer season lasts until Mid October, and I'm hoping that she will want to take Tennis lessons at the courts in our neighborhood again during Late fall /Winter (year round Tennis, gotta love living in the South!!)<br />
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Until next time here are a few photos from Alison, and Chloe too (who started back at Preschool last week) Chloe is now in the 3 morning 3's class this year. Like her big sister, she loves school! She will attend 9am-Noon 3 mornings a week. And her Preschool offers add-on enrichment classes that you can sign up for, (dance, art, soccer) that last an extra half hour one day a week. Chloe has chosen Soccer (her best friend Cooper is also playing) so she will begin those classes Next Friday.<br />
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<i>Chloe the morning of First day of 3 year old class</i><br />
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I'll be posting a few photos from our Summer next time, so stay tuned!!..Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-90176190005856290122013-01-21T19:59:00.001-08:002013-02-08T21:08:35.724-08:00Disney | Cruise !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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OK, I realize that I have not updated the ole' blog in a while. But , now that the holidays are over I am ready to get back into it again. I shall start by going backwards and work my way forward to present.<br />
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In late October we drove to Florida and then embarked on the Disney Fantasy Cruise ship for 7 days of sailing the Eastern Caribbean. This was our second Disney Cruise since last April. Yes we love it that much! And, although many adults also cruise with Disney simply for the top notch service/ammenities as well, we feel that while the kids are young it is a unique and wonderful vacation especially!<br />
We have lots of good memories we wont soon forget and, as you may already know, we are already looking forward to our next Cruise when we sail the Bahamas for the second time.<br />
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To note: the photos below were mostly all taken with my small point and shoot camera. I decided not to take my SLR camera with me, due to the significant weight (I like to pack as light as possible) or wanting to carry it around. So, although I didn't get high quality photos out of it, I am just as glad that I left my camera behind and opted to experience the trip rather than stress about taking photos (which I may have been known to do in the past ) :) And, Disney does a pretty great job about having their own photographers who will snap photos with the characters, group photos, etc..and then you can purchase them for digitial download, which is what I did a few times.<br />
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Ah well, enjoy!<br />
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Embarkation Picture</div>
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The sail away party...</div>
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Hanging out on our Stateroom's Verandah</div>
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first stop..<br />
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Everyone always looks forward to Pirate Night on board ..<br />
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The kids love their Mickey Ear's desserts!! (OK Umm.. I admit so do I) :)<br />
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Second stop, St. Thomas USVI..</div>
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And of course, lots and lots of time with characters and Princesses at Meet N'Greets!..<br />
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Unfortunately, with Hurricane Sandy in our area during our sixth day, our ship had to eliminate our last port visit , which was to the private island of Castaway Cay Bahamas. This was a bummer, but obviously our safety was most important. </div>
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Instead we had another day at sea with lots of topsy turvy rocky waves (understatement) as the ship was going through Hurricane waters. I will never forget the sound of our hangers in our closet clanking back and forth or our in room-safe swinging open and then slamming shut on it's own all night (until my husband pinned it down with a suitcase) as we rocked back and forth that last day/evening at sea. Or, the Captain coming over the ship intercom at 2am and apologizing for the "unusually high seas". Interestingly, the biggest wave we felt that night actually made everything slide right off the dresser in our room (and most amazingly to me is how Alison & Chloe slept right through it all, especially considering I may have yelled out a few times when things started flying around everywhere!!!) :) </div>
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But, the great part is that when you are on a Disney Cruise there are always things to do -even if the weather is not so great outside- so many choices! We ended up going to a family style Cabaret show at one of the ship's theaters (we saw"the bucket boys", they were great!), attended a few more character meetings, and attended a Farewell dance party with Minney, Daisy, Goofy and a few others in the ship's atrium. So fun!</div>
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Farewell party..<br />
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All good things must come to an end I guess. But this sums up how we feel when the cruise is over! :)<br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-62525725658740986792012-11-26T06:31:00.004-08:002012-12-04T05:27:13.496-08:006th Birthday!Last week we celebrated both Thanksgiving and Alison's 6th Birthday. It's hard to believe that she is 6, and it is all I can do but now picture her heading into her teenage years ! (OK, OK we have a few years yet but I'm starting to worry already ha!)<br />
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On Alison's Birthday we celebrated at home with our immediate family, opening presents and eating cupcakes. We also took her out to lunch to her favorite spot (MOE'S!) for her most favorite Moe's meal ( cheese quesadillas and Moe's Queso dip and chips).<br />
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The next day was her official Birthday party with a few select friends (4 girls, 5 boys) from her Kindergarten class. We rented a party room at the local Children's musuem, where we had snacks and a (cookie) cake, a "pirate" scavenger hunt, an official Birthday parade through the museum, and all of the kids got to play in the museum for as long as they like after. It was great!<br />
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A few photos below, as well as a 6th Bday video /photo montage that my sentimental self decided to make in her honor:) As you know, it is something of a miracle that she is here with us, and it just made me especially sentimental this year on her Birthday I suppose.<br />
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Alison's Birthday Photo Montage . Please Make sure you have your volume turned ON. :)<br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-78761720601301420972012-11-11T05:34:00.002-08:002012-11-11T05:34:23.845-08:00Kite FlyingOn a very windy (and slight chilly) day in early October we took the girls to the beach to fly kites. They had a really good time with this but the wind was whipping around more than we bargained for (who would think it could be too windy for kite flying!?) but it was still a lot of fun. We'll have to do this again, for sure.<br />
I actually really like time spent on the ocean during the "off-season" when the majority of the tourists have gone. Although the water is a bit cooler, is easy to find a parking spot and you have lots of room to roam around on the beach. Living a short drive from the water is so nice and we try to enjoy it as often as we can (although still not enough as I would like!) :-)<br />
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That's all for now!<br />
Next up.. photos from our October cruise! (but first I should probably go unpack all of my bags first- yes I admit I am not fully unpacked yet!!)Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-52741988939998737752012-10-03T08:49:00.002-07:002012-10-03T08:51:58.204-07:00School DaysIt's been over a month since the girls have been back in school and, although the first week or so was an adjustment (<strike>stressful?</strike>), things are now pretty solid and a good routine has formed.<br />
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Alison is enjoying Kindergarten (not that we ever had a doubt). Her teacher has said she has adjusted well and is off to a great start!.Alison loves learning, and is really excited to learn new things, but I think her favorite day of the week is Friday when they visit they visit the computer lab and the library. She really looks forward to that. Also, Alison loves to take the bus home from school (David drops her off in the morning on his way to work). At first I was hesitant about her riding the bus as a Kindergartener , but it has worked out well. Her *boy*friend across the street (whom is also in her class) rides the bus home with her and they have quickly become buddies and love riding the bus home together! (not to mention the play dates that they beg for after!)<br />
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Although our school district is public, they do have a dress code and require a "uniform". It is fairly relaxed as far as uniforms go though as they are allowed to wear a white or blue uniform shirt with either navy dress or khaki skirt/shorts, Or any official "JME" school logo shirts). It eliminates all of the choices from our morning (yay!) making things run smoother in our home. In general I think that kids are probably free to perform better at school when clothes and dress are not of concern (as much as I like clothes/fashion, I do feel that way).<br />
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As a first time mother of a child in public elementary school, I am surprised at the lack of homework for her, and yet how much <i>more </i>paperwork, signatures, and "homework" that I am doing on a daily/weekly basis. Not to mention fundraisers, PTA, etc..time consuming!<br />
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Every week I see how much she is changing/learning and growing. And it is all exciting.<br />
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The photo below was taken before Alison left home for school on the morning of her First day! I made a "schueltute" for her which is something that kids in Germany get on their first day of Kinder! (If you have not heard of it before it is basically a decorated cone filled with small goodies)<br />
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Being picked up by Daddy at the school bus stop (2nd day of school)<br />
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Chloe is also doing well in school too. She started back at Lighthouse Preschool the first week in September and once again attends two mornings a week. Currently her class is working on their letters, colors and shapes. When I pick her up from her school and ask her about her day she always has cute things to say (like today: "Mama, all my friends NICE at school!")<br />
Her preschool program is well run and I always feel good about dropping her off as she is in loving environment , interacting with others her age, and getting to do fun activities like "Music and movement" with Ms. Cindy, art, story time, outdoor play, and also Chapel on Thursdays (being a Christian preschool).<br />
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Here are a few photos that her teachers have posted on their school blog over the past few weeks.<br />
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On her first day before heading out for school! (they were asked to bring a bear with them on their first day -so chloe chose Pooh Bear to go with her)<br />
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with her new teachers/class mates on the first day of school<br />
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Parachute activity</div>
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music and movement w/ Ms. Cindy</div>
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( I love how Chloe is front & center for music class, oh yeah that's my girl!)</div>
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during indoor play time on " Wear Yellow day"( i have no idea what Chloe is playing with in the middle of the floor ha)<br />
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Chapel with Ms. Julie (and puppet theatre- chloe is the one in purple)<br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-65080145955908441392012-08-15T07:18:00.002-07:002012-08-17T11:50:37.934-07:00End of SummerGreetings from South Carolina,..<br />
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Although it really doesn't feel it outside, we are nearing the end of Summer and the girls soon will be headed back to school. Alison will start Kindergarden next week!! (this week has been all about buying supplies, uniforms and <i>trying</i> to get organized!) And Chloe will return to the 2 year old Preschool program (2 mornings a week) at Lighthouse school the first week in September.<br />
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It's been a good Summer but I think the girls, Alison especially looks forward to school and the routine it brings that she needs (as does her mommy!) Some of our highlights from this Summer include camps for Alison (cheer/dance, ballet, and art) , local trips to the beach, pool, playground, park, aquarium, children's museum, and out-of-town trips to see family (and friends) in Pittsburgh, PA and Asheville, NC (where the girls got to spend time with their great-grandfather!). Of course we have relaxed a lot at home too, making the most of super hot days by staying cool in the A/C with arts and crafts, slip-n-slide, playing dolls/princesses, lots of coloring, movies, music, and dancing.<br />
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Chloe also started showing interest in the "potty" a few months ago so we brought out the potty (and also brought back out our "Potty Power" Dvd that Alison used to like watching so much), and Chloe is fascinated with both. She definitely has all of the readiness signs, but still often wears pull-ups in the mean time (though she is very adamant about not wanting to being changed any more!) I have always been one to follow my kids' lead, but I have a good feeling that preschool a few mornings a week will help with this process (maybe peer pressure more than anything else) :)<br />
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Here are just a few photos from our Summer starting with cell phone/iphone photos first. <br />
(note: * I've gotten especially lazy about not taking pictures with my digital camera and relying on my iPhone, which is incredibly convenient of course not having to have to lug 2 lbs (not including lenses) of camera around, while keeping up with two girls but not exactly giving me the same results. I've been so much more interested in film processing and vintage cameras lately that between the two my DSLR sometimes falls by the waist side. However I am going to make a more honest effort to change that and use it more (like yesterday when I had a mini-photo session with Alison - see very bottom two photos) :)<br />
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iPhone photos:<br />
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And I love this photo I snapped just yesterday of my soon-to-be (next week!!) Kindergartener..</div>
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and another..:)</div>
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-59088996851009963372012-07-18T07:48:00.001-07:002012-07-18T08:03:27.697-07:00Summer activitiesWe are knee-deep in Summer here and lots of activities for the girls, as well as travel/trips to see family and friends.<br />
<br />
Alison has been keeping busy with summer camps (no, not the sleep away kind but rather a couple of week-long classes held in the morning).<br />
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So far she has done an art class camp, a cheer/dance, and is also taking ballet one evening a week. Also, I just signed her up for soccer last week which she is very excited and practices start the end of August. (although being "co-ed" teams I am not sure how that is going to jive with her , she was hoping for all girl teams! No, she doesn't realize this part. yet).<br />
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Below is a little bit of the video I took of the program that they put together on the last day of Cheer camp. They performed a cheer and dance portion which was really cute but my video stopped on me during that part (because I never clear enough memory in my card in advance! ugh..)<br />
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Although Alison was the youngest in her class, (ages 5-10) I am always proud of her because she is never intimidated and is always so excited to participate in programs like these. She truly thrives on being active and I try my very best to keep her going!<br />
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In the first video below (the cheer video), you may be wondering what the kids are saying? "TAPIO"is the name of the gymnastics/cheer center that they are cheering for. LOL<br />
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Also, in the second video, they started off the dance portion with tumbling and cartwheels. Miss Alison had never attempted a cartwheel before ever, not perfect but so adorable! (and she has been non-stop practicing at home ever since , Ha!)<br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-2055474029080264842012-06-14T12:03:00.004-07:002012-06-15T07:04:55.464-07:005 years ago today<br />
So much can change in five months, and often does in our little family, let alone five years.<br />
<br />
Five years ago today our Alison was in for a fight, and for those of us that love her, our lives were turned upside down in a blink of an eye.<br />
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TODAY is the anniversary of Alison's surgery date.<br />
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The odds were against her. Against us.<br />
<br />
The doctors warned us. Given the state of her health, her surgery alone was risky.<br />
<br />
Given everything, her prognosis was not a good one.<br />
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But somehow, the stars aligned. And hundreds, possibly more, prayers were answered. I will never, ever forget the words of encouragement we got from people all over the country (and world!) All of the letters and cards we received from so many people. Loved ones, friends, acquaintances and strangers, too. Yes, even complete strangers telling us how much they were inspired by Alison, and her story and were sending good thoughts and prayers her way, for her surgery and after.<br />
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It was awe inspiring and we received so much strength from all of them.<br />
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In the course of one week, (after learning she had a life threatening tumor), our life changed. And, during that week my husband and I became a team of warriors, as I remember. We armed ourselves the only way we knew; by trying to find out as much information as we could about Cushing's syndrome, hormone emitting tumors, and statistics of all kinds. Oh the odds were not good, but it pushed us forward.<br />
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We researched books and online medical journals into the late hours of the night and into the morning. We met with her doctors countless times. Asked countless questions. If knowledge was power, our cups were full.<br />
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Even though there were so many doubts and worries in reality, I did not allow myself to consider them for more than a few seconds because I knew it would affect me. And if it negatively affected me then it would negatively affect the situation. (not to sit here and say I didn't have my moments when I lost it, I'm only human) But, I felt if Alison sensed <i>anything less</i> than courage and strength, even as a 6 month old baby, she would sense this. So, if I wanted her to be strong, I wanted to be <i>twice</i> as strong.<br />
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Luckily we felt very secure with her team of doctors from the start. We were willing to go wherever we had to, in order to feel confident that she was under the best care, whether that was St. Jude, or elsewhere. But in the end, we chose to stay right at UNC for her surgery. Although there was not a lot of time, the very best of the best at UNC Children's Hospital were assembled for Alison's surgery. The best Children's surgeon. The best children's anesthesiologist. The best Children's heart surgeon (due to the the location of Alison's tumor growth there was concern that she would have to be put on heart bypass as well).<br />
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I know that I am not the most religious of folk, but I like to think that I am spiritual. When the head Anesthesiologist took Alison in his arms and carried her to the operating room, I envisioned him as this guardian angel going in with her. And, there was one simple phrase, a positive affirmation of sorts, that I kept saying to myself over and over during those hours when she was in the operating room and we could not be with her. It was not this exactly, but very similar.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f4f4f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b>The healing is proceeding quickly and safely.</b></span></div>
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Honestly, waiting for her surgery to be completed was one of the easiest parts. A few close family members were there for surgery and we (thankfully) had a lot of distractions. I took all of those positive thoughts/messages and prayers that were sent our way and held on to them tight. They boosted us up. It was all of the waiting/worrying during the days before surgery that was tough. And, then things after surgery that surfaced that we could not foresee (like a severe reaction to the anesthesia post surgery, trying to get hydrocortisone dosage/levels correct, a failed central line attempt, a roaring staph infection weeks later to contend with, etc..) that were so complicated ..and draining ..and ..touch-and-go. We were consumed with worry constantly for months after her surgery. .<br />
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But, all that aside, on that day when the surgery was finished and her doctors walked in to tell us that Alison's surgery was successful, there was an overwhelming surge of happiness nonetheless. We had more battles to face. But, it was one first step in the right direction at least. Here is a blog that I wrote very late on the night after her surgery.<br />
<a href="http://edgertonadventures.blogspot.com/2007/06/surgery-success.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">Surgery a Success</span></a><br />
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When I was blogging back then, it was a way of allowing me to reach out to everyone , both family and friends (as well as those strangers who were following our story), who could not physically be with us but wanted to keep updated. In retrospect, I am surprised at how matter- of-fact my writing was. But, as therapeutic as it could have been, I was emotionally and physically exhausted and couldn't think of giving more than the bare minimum.<br />
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This goes without saying, but I hope that you never have to go through something this harrowing with any child of yours. Consider yourself lucky if you never have and I hope you never have to. After spending weeks in different children's hospitals, you see things...you hear things... anguish and pain, along with tears of joy.. and peace. Sometimes I catch myself wondering how the other children are doing that we met while in waiting rooms. Or while walking the halls of the hospital. How many children and families are sitting in the same hospital rooms that we sat in filled with worry. How the other parents that we chatted with are coping, and what each of their lives are like today. Are they lucky like us?<br />
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Count your blessings often, if you don't already.<br />
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The photo below is one of us in the PICU post- surgery. (I thank my Dad for taking this photo)<br />
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As hard as the photos from that day are to look at, I am so happy to have them , even though that may be difficult for some people to understand. They are priceless to me and will be great for Alison to have when she is older and can understand.)<br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-46127236182730538662012-06-05T18:40:00.003-07:002012-06-05T19:02:54.907-07:00Pre-K Graduation- AlisonAlison's school held a graduation ceremony on May 24, 2012 for the children that are moving on to Kindergarten in the Fall.<br />
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Although I've attended a handful of preschool graduations at this point in Alison's young school career, this one was a bit more special, of course. This time it means I will have a Kindergartener very soon<br />
( as in just 2.5 months-- the first day of school is August 22nd!) And, even though she has been going to preschool for years now, yes --it IS still going to be very emotional when she begins full-time Kindergarten in the Fall!<br />
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Alison's graduating class sang/performed a few songs, and each child had single line from a Poem that they were to have memorized and say aloud during the program. (Alison was <i>very</i> excited about that part and was anxiously practicing her line for days and weeks in preparation. She was SO proud of herself, ha!)<br />
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When the children went up to receive their certificates/diplomas from their teachers, they were congratulated by their teacher and each child was called out with a special award about what made them stand out in class and was special about them as an individual.<br />
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Alison's teacher said she was awarding Alison with the "Friendliest"- saying that she "always has a smile on her face and something nice to say".<br />
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Then each child was asked what they wanted to be when they grow up. It was too fun to hear all of the different children's answers.<br />
Alison's response?<br />
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" A horse rider" :)<br />
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(Yes, she is very much into horses lately. I think it goes along with the princess theme , yes?)<br />
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Although I did not take many photos (someone was <i>not at all </i>happy with mommy pointing the camera in her direction that morning and didn't want me taking any of her that day), I still discreetly managed to snap a few during the ceremony and while another parent took a photo after the ceremony (without her realizing it at first and before she could stick her tongue out at me) lol<br />
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The school also had a videographer on hand and will be making copies of the graduation ceremony for the parents to keep, which is nice as I'm sure Alison will get a kick out of seeing herself on video.<br />
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<u>LCLC Graduation 2012</u><br />
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saying her line during the Graduation ceremony<br />
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Accepting her certificate<br />
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Hugs from her teacher<br />
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Fake smile Alison with her LCLC diploma post- ceremony </div>
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(and <i>really</i> wanting to hurry up and go eat a chocolate donut with her class mates at the reception!!)</div>
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Kisses and hugs for daddy before he had to leave school and go to work</div>
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At home- after ceremony (where I was formally allowed one photo with Chloe). :)</div>
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<i>Congratulations , Dear Alison. We are all so proud of you!</i><br />
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Below is the Poem, that her class recited by Cecil Frances Alexander.</div>
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(Each child reciting a different line)</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<h2 class="title" itemprop="itemreviewed" style="color: #f88000; font-size: 1.583em; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 42px; text-align: center;">
Maker of Heaven and Earth (All Things Bright and Beautiful)</h2>
<div style="min-height: 570px;">
<div class="KonaBody">
<div style="font-size: 1.167em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px;">
All things bright and beautiful,<br />
All creatures great and small,<br />
All things wise and wonderful,<br />
The Lord God made them all.<br />
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Each little flower that opens,<br />
Each little bird that sings,<br />
He made their glowing colours,<br />
He made their tiny wings.<br />
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The rich man in his castle,<br />
The poor man at his gate,<br />
God made them, high or lowly,<br />
And ordered their estate.<br />
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The purple-headed mountain,<br />
The river running by,<br />
The sunset, and the morning,<br />
That brightens up the sky;<br />
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The cold wind in the winter,<br />
The pleasant summer sun,<br />
The ripe fruits in the garden,<br />
He made them every one.<br />
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The tall trees in the greenwood,<br />
The meadows where we play,<br />
The rushes by the water,<br />
We gather every day;--<br />
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He gave us eyes to see them,<br />
And lips that we might tell,<br />
How great is God Almighty,<br />
Who has made all things well. </div>
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<div class="poet" style="color: black; font-size: 1.417em; margin-bottom: 25px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 22px;">
-Cecil Frances Alexander</div>
</div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-56762959108537962022012-05-05T15:12:00.003-07:002012-05-20T10:30:40.698-07:00Vacation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I warn ..you this post is<i> very, very</i> pic heavy! sorry! I just couldn't decide which photos to post so I put up a lot of them. :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It been almost exactly a week since we returned from vacation. We had the best (much needed) family vacation..really THE best<i> </i>time! In case you did not see my Facebook updates about it....we went on a Disney cruise (and upon returning from cruise spent 2 bonus <strike>busy</strike> days in Orlando at Disney World) I'll sum it up with three words.. family-friendly, fun, and fabulous!! (OK I guess that makes four words? whatevs..) :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few months back we decided that we wanted to take a family vacation now that David is back and at a normal job (ie: not on deployment at Sea and not ridiculous- life- zapping-gut-wrenching- crazy work hours while at home either!) We also knew we wanted to take the kids somewhere special.. and of course Disney World immediately came to mind now that we live within a pretty easy drive (6.5 hrs to be exact).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I was doing my Disney World research I kept reading great reviews about the cruises that Disney has, and it piqued my interest. I was a bit skeptical though. I had never been on a cruise before, and was unsure I was the cruising type. I had random thoughts of sea-sickness, feeling trapped/confined, and I also wondered if it would really be enjoyable for adults too ,and not just the little ones, since it was a "Disney" cruise.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, I can tell you that I had nothing at all to worry about because it exceeded any of our expectations. :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, here is my brief (maybe not so brief) rundown from our cruise:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you have never cruised on Disney (or been to Disney) and are unfamiliar with the Disney brand then I must tell you that they are known for their level of service which IS. JUST. AWESOME!! From the moment you check in and board the ship, to the moment you leave, they really go way out of their way to make you and your entire family feel welcomed and everything is efficient and easy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The stateroom that we booked, although a bit on the small side, (it IS a room on a ship after all and you really don't spend a lot of time in the room anyway), was just right for us and we especially loved the oversized verandah which was large enough for all four of us to sit outside on (or jump around like ballerina dancers if you have girls like ours) watching the ocean go by. It may cost a little more, but having a room with an attached balcony is one of the things I liked most. I liked being able to sit outside in my PJ's when we pulled into port in the early morning, or have a few moments to myself while Chloe napped inside the room, or just enjoy the views of the setting sun and ocean in the evening. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What I also liked about the room is that it was updated and always <i>very </i>clean because I am honestly particular <strike>crazy person</strike> about this when I am away from home and staying at hotel rooms/resorts. Some of it had to do with the newness of the ship and being just over a year old. But, a lot of it is in the Disney service too. For example, it seemed every time we left our room the room attendant would come in and tidy up, take out your trash, organize your towels, turn down your bed in the evening, make/put fun towel animals out for you in the evening,.etc.. And, I don't know if it was the lull of the ocean, along with the combined Bonine anti- nasuea medicine that I took as a preventative measure "just in case<i>"</i> I felt queasy (and I never did!) or the super comfortable pillow top bed mattress, but I slept sooo soundly!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course, the kids had a blast! (my motto is that when KIDS are HAPPY parents are happy too!) From all of the "Meet-N-greet"events with the Disney characters onboard, to swimming in the kid pool/spray areas, the kid water slide, to the nightly family friendly Broadway-style shows and activities, to all of the staff that goes way above and beyond to make them feel special. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I of course, quickly got used to the dining service and eating 4-course meals each and every night on board, (no cooking and no clean-up whoo!). And, I knew going into it that I would be indulging a <i>lot</i>, so I did not fret about gaining weight (and I did of course !) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because we were on the 2nd dining rotation we ate dinner after our show and so we never sat down to dinner before 8:30pm. This is kind of ironic because at home we are usually all in bed and often asleep by 9pm. But, again we were on vacation and time to stay up late :) Dinner often took 1.5-2 hours, which sounds like a long time. But it never felt long and it was always enjoyable. The kids were always entertained by the busy dining room and plentiful food I guess :) The good thing is that because it is a Disney cruise and there are often other kids within ear shot, you never felt on edge about your kids talking loud or starting to get cranky (the restaurants tend to be loud and are a great white noise effect going! :)) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We were assigned two dining room servers, Ozen (from Turkey) and Christian (from Romania), and they followed us to each nightly restaurant rotation. They really got to know us and our likes/dislikes and by the second night of dinner they already have your favorite drinks ready and waiting for you when you sit down! They were so great.. Yes, you are always spoiled when you go Disney, and it is worth it because you are on vacation!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The actual Cruise itself was a 5 Day (4 night) on the "Dream" which left out of Port Canaveral, Florida and made two port visits; one in Nassau, Bahamas , followed by one full day at sea, and then a second port visit at Castaway Cay (which is Disney's own private Island).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our first port visit on day 2 was in Nassau where we left the ship and headed out to do an off-shore excursion with a group from our cruise at the Atlantis Resort. We took a bus (got to see a bit of Nassau on the way) which dropped us at Atlantis where we toured the grounds and their Aquarium. It was nice to see the grounds of the resort as well as a little bit of Nassau, but now that we have done it, I wouldn't necessarily go back and would much rather stay on the ship for the Port day in Nassau.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The full day at Sea on day 3 was great because there is just really so much to do on the ship; from movies, shows, character greetings, classes/activities for kids, (and surprisingly lots of classes /activities for adults only too), a Spa, to various pools and sundecks, etc..etc..) or just plain relaxing. There is something for everyone. After the dinner and show on the 3rd night,(which is a "pirate night")with a show on deck called "Pirates In The Caribbean" complete with fireworks which then rolled into an family friendly dance party!! This was probably my favorite night! I left my camera in the stateroom that evening so all I have are the memories of the fireworks /dance party, (and how cute Chloe was as she slept on her daddy's arm while Alison and I danced,.. and danced and danced! :) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our last port visit on day 4 was to Castaway Cay, Bahamas, which is a private Bahamian island reserved for use only by Disney cruise guests.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The water is a gorgeous light turquoise /clear color, and it was really perfect beach weather being in the high 70's and sunny. The island doesn't have the typical tourist traps all over the place and even though there were about 4,000 others on the island when our boat was docked there, and no others are on the island (other than 65 other permanent residents on the island employed by Disney). We spent the day on the beach, soaked up the plentiful sun and rented inner tubes to float in the waters of the protected bay which was so peaceful! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we returned to Port Canaveral on day 5, we were not ready to leave the ship. I could have used a day (or two..or three..or more..) But, we hopped in the car and were on to Walt Disney World (which was somewhat of a bonus surprise for the girls) where we spent two days. The first day we relaxed and hung out at the Poly resort's pool and then went to Downtown Disney that evening (dinner at T-Rex Cafe) and do some shopping. The second day we spent the entire day at Magic Kingdom. Which is always exhausting, of course, but a fun experience. The next morning we went to a Character breakfast at the Grand Floridian before we hit the road bound for home.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Great Vacay... In fact, we already know for sure we want to cruise again next year! But, the next time we would like to sail for at least 5 nights (if not 7?). I really felt like I was truly on vacation and I can't wait to do it again. :) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Also, I want to note that we took 3 suitcases and a carry on bag. But we did not bring any strollers (we have never been big stroller people admittedly) or baby gear what-so-ever (other than some crayons, coloring books that were mostly used on the 6 hour car ride to FL and a few required stuffed animals). Also, although we did have a television in our room we did not turn it on. Also our cell phones? Those were off too because our phones were roaming (since we don't have International plan and didn't want to pay big fees for any roaming charges). Anyway, all of this was very freeing and so nice not to be attached to a phone/electronic device for those days, guess it made it more vacation-like for me!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for indulging me on this post (if you in fact read through it all, ha!) Hope you enjoy the photos below...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ship model at the cruise check-in terminal.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As you step onto the ship you are formally announced by your family name and you first walk into a large Atrium area , which is where many of the character meet N greets eventually take place. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lots of Disney inspired Art adorn the ship's walls..</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0v9moqKHLqw/T6VNuNMKWBI/AAAAAAAAD5o/V6T1suuiuPk/s1600/IMG_6913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0v9moqKHLqw/T6VNuNMKWBI/AAAAAAAAD5o/V6T1suuiuPk/s640/IMG_6913.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our Stateroom on Deck 5, was a standard room with a queen sized bed. On the other side of the curtain was a couch and a ceiling pulldown bunk bed that the room attendant would set up each evening. A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">lison was way excited about this and she loved sleeping in the top bunk of the bed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hanging out on our verandah before heading up to deck 12 for the Sail Away Party</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">don't worry that is plexi glass between the rails no concern for going overboard or anything!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is how we decorated our Stateroom door (yes I brought most of the magnets from home) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the ship's family and /children's pool deck when it is prior to the Sail Away party ..(and not very busy)</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCM6fINBfx4/T6U6LS8ITKI/AAAAAAAAD3w/N2AitYP3rXU/s1600/mainpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCM6fINBfx4/T6U6LS8ITKI/AAAAAAAAD3w/N2AitYP3rXU/s640/mainpool.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And this is what it transforms to...(from a different angle) for the "Sail Away" Party (and all other deck parties)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(*Also, the tubes that you see is the giant water-coaster called the "Aquaduck" I did not get a chance to go on but it actually extends out over the boat at one point so that all you see is ocean below)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Watching the Sail Away party from up on daddy's shoulders</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Waving Bye as we leave for Sea..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Below is the "Oceaneer" club which is the onboard club for kids age 3-10. It allows kids to go to and attend different activities with other kids and can stay as long (or as little) as they would like. Each child gets an ID bracelet for security and there are club counselors participate in activities with them. Also, it is open daily from 9am to Midnight! If your child ever wants to leave one of the counselors rings you on your pager/Disney phone that they give you, and you go pick them up. Alison went three times and we always had to go there and convince <i>her</i> to leave she was having so much fun. ha! I think this is the norm because all the kids seemed to be having a blast..tere is always an activitiy going on at the Oceaneer club; games, crafts and different theme rooms like Tinkerbells grotto for dress-up, a Science lab, and a large open space dance floor, too. It is great that they have this for the kids (and also the parents to enjoy some time to themselves to explore the ship, and shop (what we did) , hang out at some of the adult private pools, go to the spa, or whatever else.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, Chloe was not old enough to go in with her big sis (must be 3 and potty trained) but ..next time she will be! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">During the Oceaneer Club "Open House" sessions (one hour each morning) all family members can hang out, including younger sibs :) Here the girls are having fun running around on the lighted dance/game floor.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every evening we would head to a show/entertainment at the Walt Disney Theatre. Usually this was a Disney themed Broadway style show but one night it was a Vegas style magician who was pretty entertaining and funny, also.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Entrance to Walt Disney Theatre </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The photo below was of our Cruise Director, Clayton (loved him!) who came out on stage before each show. He was so exuberant and</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">great at getting everyone energized! I guess you have to be if you are a CD on a cruise ship but really I can't imagine a better one than him!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Coming back to our room to turn- down service and a different towel animal waiting for us </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 2 view from our patio as we are pulling into Nassau in the morning</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And more twirling on the verandah</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chloe at Enchanted Garden Breakfast Day 2- Chloe (and Mr. Elmo too of course)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alison's "Mickey" waffles- they were sure cute!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Atlantis Resort in Nassau</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The girls while on the Aquarium tour</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alison made a friend named Ava while at the Oceanears club for a few hours earlier that morning and was super excited to find out that her family was also on our Aquarium tour in Nassau, too. (Chloe hung out as she was one of the big girls too ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">heading back to the cruise ship to leave for Sea</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Meet N Greet/photo with Minnie Mouse</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mommy and Chloe @ Dinner at "Enchanted Garden" ( 2nd night)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Photo Opp with Captain Mickey and Alison!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 3</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> with Tinkerbell (Chloe got anxious at the last second in line and decided not to be in the photo after all)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dining at Royal Palace on day 3 " Pirate Night "-Alison and Daddy </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Pirate night party on deck 11 </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Full day of fun =tired pirate baby girl</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 4 Castaway Cay Island!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Meeting Johnny Depp. Umm..wait..I mean Captain Jack Sparrow. :) He was an unexpected highlight at Castaway Cay for us and he really had the role of Jack Sparrow perfected. Maybe a bit too well.I probably reacted like I was meeting <i>the</i> Johnny Depp, too ha)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hanging out in the water on her inner tube (David and Chloe in the background on their own)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">just hangin' in a hammock</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The four of us on last night of cruise before show/dinner</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(I must note: one thing I love about Disney is that they always have a staff of photographers on hand ready to take photos of your group, and for someone like me who enjoys photos, it is a treat. I love to take my own photos also but this is great because otherwise you would never<i> </i>see me in a picture so it is worth it to me! ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night @ Dinner- Chloe </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few more photos, with princesses!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night of sailing..view from our verandah just after sunset (and another cruise ship in distance)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Leaving..so long for now, see you soon! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And on to..Walt Disney-Magic Kingdom.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alice and White Rabbit (Chloe was a little uncertain about him ha)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fun on the Tea cups!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Train Ride (holding hands!) Chloe just woke up from a nap and although it was warm out she did not get sun burned! (even if her rosy cheeks look like it) :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Waiting for the nightly Magic Kingdom parade to begin.. (Hugs for Sis!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character breakfast w/Pooh (and others)</span><br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-62059702557492446802012-04-18T08:15:00.001-07:002012-04-18T21:12:54.105-07:00My baby's 2nd Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chloe</span></div>
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I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> suppose that at <i>TWO </i>years old Chloe may not be considered a "<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">baby</span></i>" by most anymore, but I don't really care about such technicalities because to me she will always be.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Growing up..Growing so fast..</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, it's pretty obvious in the photos that this little girl <i>LOVES</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her Elmo, right?? Ha!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, he pretty much goes<i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">every</span></i>where with her..</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, tell me just WHAT kind of a birthday might be best for an <i>Elmo-lovin-nearly-two-</i> year- old little girl? Why, a Sesame Street " Elmo" party of course! :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to Chloe's Birthday falling on a Tuesday this year, we had planned for her small party/celebration to take place a few days prior since we had family in town on the weekend and wanted to celebrate with them. However, Chloe was a bit under the weather on Friday, and wouldn't you know it, she woke up on Saturday morning with a pretty nasty looking rash (due to whatever virus she had).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She still seemed ready to party though, our Chloe, so we continued as planned. And, even though she eally wasn't feeling her 100% self, I think this worked out just fine, because as you can seen in the photos below, she still had plenty of smiles and giggles to share!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, even though the day started like this..</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Poor babe..:(</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, a little rash wont stop her! Soaking up the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sun</span> and enjoying the beautiful morning while cat-napping outside with her Big Sis'..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dancing to THE "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Birthday</span>" song..</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And loving it..</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Presents (with help from Alison)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aww. Love & <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hugs</span> for Cookie Monster, too!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blowing out the candle.. <i>yeah <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chloe!</span></i></span><br />
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It ended like this. :)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, if you were wondering how we spent Chloe's true Birthday <i>DAY</i> (last Tuesday) ? ..Well, us girls spent the morning planting flowers outside in the sunshine, and the afternoon spent at one of the area local beaches, followed by Pizza with Daddy (and dessert, of course) at one of our fave restaurants. :) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elmo may make her smile, but she certainly makes US smile!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Jen</span>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-29438912081240165992012-03-30T10:26:00.005-07:002012-03-30T10:51:40.457-07:00Video updatesHere are a few recent vids of the girls live and in action.<br />
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First up, Alison chasing seagulls out the beach. This was taken back in February when the temperatures were slightly cooler, but it was a beautiful day. Alison was begging to go to the beach so she and I stole away for an hour during the middle of unpacking. Made for a great excuse to get away from unpacking for about an hour :)<br />
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This next one was taken by Alison, when I actually had no idea she had taken my phone and was taking a series of short videos. Love how our next door neighbor's youngest son and dog are her first subject matter in the beginning and how she narrates the way through. She makes me laugh. Quite the videographer isn't she? Maybe movie director is in her future lol<br />
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The next two are Chloe. She has become quite independent and is all about saying "NO" , and "I WILL do it" lately. (Followed closely by "WHY Mama??!"). Gotta love her 2 year (almost!) self. Love how she is arguing with me about the frog. Love the emerging sense of self, and that big personality just shining.<br />
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Chloe at our neighborhood playground. She loves the frog there.<br />
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This is an older video. In Pittsburgh Alison took Gymnastics classes the entire year we were there and earlier this fall, Chloe got in on the fun when they offered a toddler class as well. We always loved our weekly classes at Gymkahna! In this video Chloe enjoys a few moments on her personal favorite, bouncing up and down on the trampoline.<br />
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<br />Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-66436689070808436512012-03-20T08:42:00.028-07:002012-03-21T05:14:16.653-07:00A most belated update- Pittsburgh to Charleston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Yes, it's been MONTHS since I've last posted on the ole' blog. I feel like I've got lots of good ( ?) excuses though you know, like an out- of- state move, new home, new schools, packing/unpacking/organizing, etc.....as well as just an overall transition to family life after an almost one year deployment/ separation to my husband. Not to mention two little ones. Whew. That's a mouthful even by my standards.<br />
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I think that my head is still a bit dizzy from this move, and the last year in general, even though this relocation itself went as well as it could have (and believe me when I say that there were<i> plenty</i> of aspects that could have gone downhill fast but did not due to some ultra suave last minute ideas/planning and a dash -ore more?- of luck!) It's just that the adjustments itself always take some time to get used to. Getting used to living in a new area and new home....Again. I don't feel settled, not nearly yet. There are still boxes to be unpacked. And pictures to be hung. And friends to be made. And all of the other little things that makes a house and new area feel more "home" like.<br />
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For now, I'll sign off with a few photos. At first I was going to put up a few from our first week in South Carolina, but I've decided instead to first share a little montage of our year in Pittsburgh. Just seems fair. There will be plenty of Carolina in the future.Mostly the photos below are just snapshots of daily life, over the course of our year, but they are special for us for whatever reason, mostly due to my sentimental nature!<br />
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Because I'm limited in my time (After I sign off here I'm literally running out the door --and I'm already late as usual to go pick up a preschooler.) In my next update I'll give a bit more detail about our home/the area, and how the girls are specifically each adjusting and what they are up to these days. And many more photos (of course) too. Thanks for checking in ..:)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3RcPVPsTss/T2jPdObevnI/AAAAAAAADrM/iNNR_e2vuSo/s1600/IMG_6302-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3RcPVPsTss/T2jPdObevnI/AAAAAAAADrM/iNNR_e2vuSo/s640/IMG_6302-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unpacking in Pittsburgh- and getting a ride in a box by Big Sis! (hard to believe Chloe was just 9 months old!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOa0Vz5MCr4/T2jbddXg5aI/AAAAAAAADtE/miMBKVAOmj4/s1600/IMG_6350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOa0Vz5MCr4/T2jbddXg5aI/AAAAAAAADtE/miMBKVAOmj4/s640/IMG_6350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first snow day in Pittsburgh Feb 2011- (Chloe's first snow)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5G7YpHxOSAg/T2jQK8kZj0I/AAAAAAAADrs/LfHdcPYuGdY/s1600/IMG_1455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5G7YpHxOSAg/T2jQK8kZj0I/AAAAAAAADrs/LfHdcPYuGdY/s640/IMG_1455.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not walking unassisted yet- (but almost there)- at 11 months</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Sdhr_bckg/T2jcbFhgsjI/AAAAAAAADtM/nd5355DcyiM/s1600/IMG_1703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Sdhr_bckg/T2jcbFhgsjI/AAAAAAAADtM/nd5355DcyiM/s640/IMG_1703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chloe's 1st Bday (and, smash cake) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDESkv_7AfU/T2jO2Bmed7I/AAAAAAAADq8/y9YL7Mmubbc/s1600/IMG_6690-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDESkv_7AfU/T2jO2Bmed7I/AAAAAAAADq8/y9YL7Mmubbc/s640/IMG_6690-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Summer fun 2011 with the plastic pool in the backyard at Omi/Uncle Bill's<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-56Dy85vaaxc/T2jNmqykjKI/AAAAAAAADqU/q8Mtz-96QdE/s1600/IMG_7021-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-56Dy85vaaxc/T2jNmqykjKI/AAAAAAAADqU/q8Mtz-96QdE/s640/IMG_7021-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">lots of fun times at the PGH Children's Musuem</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXfJVi8TZK0/T2jNR5ltuNI/AAAAAAAADp8/TRYrxjBjF48/s1600/IMG_7144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXfJVi8TZK0/T2jNR5ltuNI/AAAAAAAADp8/TRYrxjBjF48/s640/IMG_7144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Large Park (and play grounds) area in Moon Twnshp the girls and I always really liked going to<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrQGGIUX2I0/T2jeeUmEI4I/AAAAAAAADtU/ViX0rlT_ZqE/s1600/IMG_4075-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrQGGIUX2I0/T2jeeUmEI4I/AAAAAAAADtU/ViX0rlT_ZqE/s640/IMG_4075-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many visits to to local Pittsburgh Zoo </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpNIxo2XYsI/T2je3W82z9I/AAAAAAAADtc/AtICrWPg-_E/s1600/IMG_4131-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpNIxo2XYsI/T2je3W82z9I/AAAAAAAADtc/AtICrWPg-_E/s640/IMG_4131-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaves of Autumn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiDDHsr0rPI/T2iqZLRYTsI/AAAAAAAADok/WOu4L3DxVhw/s1600/IMG_6106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiDDHsr0rPI/T2iqZLRYTsI/AAAAAAAADok/WOu4L3DxVhw/s640/IMG_6106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alison playing in one of (few) snow falls we experienced while in the Burgh before heading South</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-33022606728586836882012-01-07T20:06:00.000-08:002012-01-08T11:48:39.155-08:00Christmas 2011The holiday season went by so quickly, and it was nice to have David here while he had 10 days of official " leave" (time off) over Christmas. During that time we finished the last of our Christmas shopping, took the girls to see Santa Claus, celebrated Christmas together, and even flew to Charleston, SC for a day of house-hunting! Whew! Jam-packed 10 days!<br />
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Below are a few Holiday 2011 photos. We spent Christmas Eve/Christmas Day at my mom's/Bill's as they went out of town for the holiday itself and we were to dog sit (or own dog) while they were gone. It worked out well because it meant we got to enjoy their tree, have use of their house and lots of space to open presents, hang out as a family, and of course, to cook a big Christmas Day dinner. Unfortunately, Alison came down with a mighty stomach flu bug on the Eve of Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve day. She spent the better part of the day resting/sleeping, but started to feel better in time to set out cookies for Santa and food for his Reindeer that night, thankfully.<br />
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Time has been trucking right along here in Pittsburgh. It is hard to believe that in two weeks David's time on the USS Ronald Reagan will be officially ending. Goodbye sea duty!! He flies out to us here Pittsburgh at that point, and then we will be moving to Charleston as a family of four. Honestly it doesn't seem real to me. Not yet.<br />
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Enjoy the photos below. And, Happy New Year!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pics with Santa Claus! They were both excited and ALL smiles this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div>Exchanging a few gifts before Christmas with their Omi and Bill. Hey..It's... Elmo! (big , big smile!!)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We actually got a photo of all 5 of us looking at the camera!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">puppy love</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poor Alison , sick on Christmas Eve Day (she never naps so you know she is sick when this occurs!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving Reindeer Food out on front lawn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cool neighbors traditionally line the street with luminaries on Christmas Eve</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reading Night Before Christmas --on the iPad-- because, like everything else of ours, the book is in storage!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Silly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cookies and Milk for Santa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas Morning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-55230335423972799462011-11-21T04:35:00.000-08:002011-12-16T13:50:44.418-08:00Year-and-a-half, Miss Chloe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFSLjxvSgmc/TscineGVVoI/AAAAAAAADkY/PGMiLnHEdDY/s1600/_DSC7058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFSLjxvSgmc/TscineGVVoI/AAAAAAAADkY/PGMiLnHEdDY/s400/_DSC7058.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Chloe.<br />
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I'm running a month (plus) behind with this one. I started it when she was 18 months and now here we are well over 19 months!<br />
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I have a difficult time articulating why I love this age so very much but I'll try my best. Although I think newborns are surely sweet in their own right, for me things get really cute (and much more fun!) when they are walking/ talking little toddler munchkins! I just love the personality they express, the way they are soaking up everything and learning so much, but yet are still dependent and baby-like, too. Personally, I love how Chloe crinkles her nose when she laughs hard, and how she looks back giggling when she is trying to run away from me. Those chubby toddler thighs and chubby cheeks I could never tire of kissing either. Yes, I wish I could bottle this age :)<br />
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Nursing is still going well, although has diminished in frequency. We are down to almost only night nursing, and I think she will be ready to end on her own in the next few months. She has also started to show signs of being ready for potty training- it is her call, but I think it will be soon! I'm not sure I am ready for it yet, but I will follow her lead as I did with Alison. I don't push, whenever they are ready (or not ready), so am I.<br />
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Chloe looks up to and loves her big sis, (whom she calls "Ali"), lights up when she sees her, and always wants to be around and be playing with her (although I can't say this is always true the other way around ;). She absolutely loves Sesame Street, specificially Elmo! This took off about 2 months ago when she saw him on Sesame Street and it didn't take long before she fell in love :) It has been non-stop ever since. When we were at Sea World San Diego in September they have a special play area for little ones that is sponsored by Sesame Street. The characters there do special "meet and greets" for photos, etc.. and Chloe got such a kick out of meeting Elmo in person. She gave him a big hug and kiss. She loves her Elmo books, CDs and movie.<br />
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Even though Chloe is ornery and also has her share of toddler temper tantrums lately, she is also usually pretty easy going and patient. When she hears music, she immediately runs over to me (or whoever is nearest at the moment) and asks to dance with her. She loves animals and giving us kisses. In fact, as I was typing this I heard Alison yell out, "Chloe stop kissing me already"! ha,ha. And , what a trip it is to have a child that eats a pretty good variety of food including fruits and vegetables ! She is not at all what you would consider a " picky eater" (seriously thanking God this time around!) and her current favorites are meats, pastas, apples, grapes and cherry tomatoes.<br />
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For my own documentation purposes because (sadly?) this is the only place where I do any sort of documenting! and God knows I'll never remember to jot it down otherwise..<br />
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Below is a list of Chloe's self- initiated words that I can think of (although she repeats everything and signs)<br />
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MAMA<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">DADA</div>BOOK (this was her second real word after mama)<br />
MORE<br />
ME (more like "MEEEEEEEEEEE")<br />
MINE<br />
ALI (easier than Alison)<br />
OMI<br />
FISH<br />
HI<br />
BYE BYE<br />
DANCE<br />
ELMO! (and Abby.. and Oscar.. )<br />
JUICE<br />
EAT<br />
APPLES (although cherry tomatoes are also considered "apples")<br />
GRAPES<br />
WAWA (Water)<br />
NO (and sometimes YES)<br />
GO<br />
DOGGIE/WOOF<br />
MEOW<br />
MONKEY<br />
ONE..TWO..(hasn't made it to 3 yet)<br />
BAILEY<br />
ALL-DONE<br />
UP/DOWN<br />
BABY<br />
"MORROW" (Tomorrow abbrev.)<br />
ME TOO<br />
DANCE<br />
PLEASE<br />
MAX (from Max/Ruby)<br />
"'RORA" (as in, "Princess Aurora" -- wonder who she picked this one up from?)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Funny girl with her big personality! RROARRR</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love you sooo much CC!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-53199238348716759532011-11-09T17:59:00.000-08:002011-11-16T08:52:54.188-08:00Fall in PAHello there,<br />
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It's good to see you again.<br />
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</div>It's amazing how time flies. Weeks and months have passed since my last blog post. There have been so many things going on of course; the challenges, victories, ups and downs of life with two young, <strike>non-stop, spirited, curious, questioning, stubborn, feisty</strike> and adorable daughters while I single-handedly run our family's household. :) Every day a new adventure, although sometimes blending together making them a blur of sorts.<br />
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David returned from 7 months of Deployment and was given 2 weeks of official leave in which he flew out and spent time with us here in PA. It was wonderful to be a family of four again. Alison was in quintessential "daddy heaven". The extra set of hands was undoubtedly nice for me, too.<br />
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After two weeks together in Pennsylvania, the four of us traveled to San Diego. David had to return to work, but since he only had to work half-work for his first week back, we thought that we could squeeze out a bit more time together. We saw family and old friends, made lots of trips to Sea World, made a trip to the beach, and had plenty of authentic Mexican fare when we hit up some of our favorite old spots. While there, Alison also had half year Oncology /endocrinology check-ups at the Naval Hospital. (the tests that have come back thus far have all been normal, although she is still due for her abdominal ultrasound when we get settled in Charleston in a few months).<br />
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After almost 3 weeks of together time, it was not easy to say goodbye, of course. But, a few days later, David's ship had to return to Sea in order to complete an ongoing month of underway exercises.<br />
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Alison, Chloe and I flew back to Pennsylvania and I wont deny that it took a full week or more to recover and fall back into our PA routines. Despite Daylight Savings time and the days growing shorter, my own days have sometimes seemed anything but. I think we are all ready for a change. Ready to be living together under one roof again and having some sort of "normalcy" return to our lives. But, on the flip side, we have been enjoying the beautiful sights, smells and activities that a place like Western Pennsylvania in the Autumn can provide . Although I don't care much for very cold weather I really enjoy 3 out of the 4 seasons. One day I'll have to figure out how to make that work. And in the meantime it has been nice to experience these changes again. Somehow, wearing sweaters, boots ands scarves when there is a slight chill in the air has grown on me. A hot cup of coffee always tastes better, and my favorite music always sounds sweeter. And, as you will see in the below photos, my girls seem to enjoy the colors of the Season and play time in the leaves as well.<br />
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By the time we leave Pennsylvania headed for South Carolina at the end of January, we will have been living here almost exactly a full year. (!) That is not how we intended or thought it would go in advance, and had not prepared for such, but how it has happened nonetheless. This has it's own set of pros and cons of course, but getting to experience a full year of defined seasons has been a joy. It's hard to believe that in just 2 weeks we will be celebrating Alison's 5th Birthday, as well as Thanksgiving.<br />
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I'll leave you with a few photos taken at various times, from Mid September, to Halloween. And, in case there is any doubt in the photo, Alison was "Rapunzel" and Chloe a black Cat. Of course, "Elmo" probably would have been Chloe's first choice of costumes, but I was a bit late in the search for costumes this year, (to be honest, as crazy as this year has been I'm just happy I had the wits about me to get them costumes at all!! ;)..)<br />
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Enjoy.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lV6_JQgq0hc/TrqCQIbZJ_I/AAAAAAAADjo/EV3p0MHdhZo/s1600/IMG_4140-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lV6_JQgq0hc/TrqCQIbZJ_I/AAAAAAAADjo/EV3p0MHdhZo/s640/IMG_4140-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnPwZ0YIVc8/TrqCiCC0LkI/AAAAAAAADjw/o_YYkhW-0KM/s1600/IMG_4145-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnPwZ0YIVc8/TrqCiCC0LkI/AAAAAAAADjw/o_YYkhW-0KM/s640/IMG_4145-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GBvj7NhlzXc/TrqADYC0IFI/AAAAAAAADiA/pn4TY37sLU8/s1600/IMG_4573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GBvj7NhlzXc/TrqADYC0IFI/AAAAAAAADiA/pn4TY37sLU8/s640/IMG_4573.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3nS7vmsTeI/TrsscViU1uI/AAAAAAAADkQ/Zbt_syOMLUQ/s1600/IMG_4564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3nS7vmsTeI/TrsscViU1uI/AAAAAAAADkQ/Zbt_syOMLUQ/s640/IMG_4564.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes- that is a REAL Pumpkin. This 1,400 (!) lb pumpkin sits on front porch of a local neighbor who has made a yearly tradition of finding a larger-than-life pumpkin to carve and put out on display. It has become a mini tourist attraction during Halloween in our little neighborhood and in the photo above, Alison and her preschool class stopped by for a visit while on their preschool's Halloween Day Parade.</div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-55546959451505062212011-07-21T05:14:00.000-07:002011-07-21T05:18:09.836-07:00"In summer, the song sings itself"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's the summer and naturally we have been spending a lot of our time outdoors (minus this current dash of heat wave we are experiencing and have been spending as much time in places well equipped with A/C -or at the pool!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last week I brought my camera on several of our trips to the local park/playground and I thought that since I have been such a slacker blogger as of late that I would at least post some of the photos I took.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">( Oh, Also, I was playing around with different preset and colors, hence some of the funky colors you'll see below:-)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy and stay cool wherever you are!</span><br />
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Starting off with a little bit of "Peek-A-Boo" from Chloe...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbtjBJbXFCk/TiebM4n-w9I/AAAAAAAADhQ/iRlStVNDiUk/s1600/IMG_3053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbtjBJbXFCk/TiebM4n-w9I/AAAAAAAADhQ/iRlStVNDiUk/s640/IMG_3053.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-75560568385845646822011-07-14T20:32:00.000-07:002011-07-14T21:30:09.532-07:00A fewUgh. I'm really so very far behind in regards to blogging.<br />
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</div>For now, the best I can do are a few photos. It's late. I'm tired.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More soon..!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-69731948074508672722011-07-04T06:42:00.000-07:002011-07-04T06:42:32.285-07:00my little firecrackers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbc1t6tWwJg/ThHC8XwoKxI/AAAAAAAADfY/plR8G9dVJrk/s1600/IMG_2638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbc1t6tWwJg/ThHC8XwoKxI/AAAAAAAADfY/plR8G9dVJrk/s640/IMG_2638.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28678575.post-73578080471244716312011-06-20T05:35:00.000-07:002011-06-20T06:14:07.656-07:00VideoBefore I post another round of photos I thought I'd share a few recent videos.<br />
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Alison's Preschool Class held an End-Of- The-School-Year ceremony (although she did not graduate this year as her birthday does not meet the official cut-off so she will have one more year in preschool before Kindergarten)<br />
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However, even though only one of the kids in her class was moving on to Kindergarten all of the children work graduate "caps" and received diplomas :). They sang 4 songs altogether too including,"The Wheels On The Bus, "I'm a Little Tea Pot", "5 Little Monkeys", and "The More We Get Together")<br />
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Here they are at the end of "I'm a Little Tea Pot"<br />
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And, Alison receiving her "diploma"<br />
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Chloe waving blowing kisses and waving bye- bye. She has been doing this for a few months but I finally thought of trying to capture it on video.<br />
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Alison likes to make up songs/dances. I thought I'd share a random song she made up a few months ago. It is titled "I'm a Big Girl" and was written/composed/performed by yours truly, Alison.<br />
Guaranteed to make ya smile :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/brVZuOdyjY8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jen E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402554512215543991noreply@blogger.com0