tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29880976617401322752024-03-13T02:42:36.728-07:00The Golden Rod's JourneyYesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called
the present.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-85922661005384059012011-06-16T21:19:00.000-07:002011-06-16T21:19:57.688-07:00Holy crow, she's 2!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Bridget turned two last week. Where does the time go?<br />
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Happy birthday baby girl! We love you so much and can't wait to watch you learn and grow more every day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OfBVEF7zB0/TfqNWc3EW3I/AAAAAAAAAlE/mdimz006k2E/s1600/DSCN2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OfBVEF7zB0/TfqNWc3EW3I/AAAAAAAAAlE/mdimz006k2E/s400/DSCN2141.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a bubble theme birthday party. Fun and easy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IG_6hlAcLWo/TfqNsU-jY_I/AAAAAAAAAlM/QF6kcnYD0Xk/s1600/DSCN2146.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IG_6hlAcLWo/TfqNsU-jY_I/AAAAAAAAAlM/QF6kcnYD0Xk/s400/DSCN2146.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got tons of wands and containers and we set up bubble machines in the yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WI5HLOqI2F0/TfqKmn_JOoI/AAAAAAAAAk4/0qALVNkgNUc/s1600/Bridget+2nd+Bday+201106111121-0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WI5HLOqI2F0/TfqKmn_JOoI/AAAAAAAAAk4/0qALVNkgNUc/s400/Bridget+2nd+Bday+201106111121-0160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids played for HOURS with all of the bubbles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the food was round.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridget's cake was from the awesome <a href="http://www.retrobakerylv.com/">Retro Bakery</a> who we have had for all of Bridget's milestones.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kU2Xcwb_c2o/TfqLs0Qz1EI/AAAAAAAAAk8/-1n0Pjmdx38/s1600/Bridget+2nd+Bday+201106111210-0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kU2Xcwb_c2o/TfqLs0Qz1EI/AAAAAAAAAk8/-1n0Pjmdx38/s400/Bridget+2nd+Bday+201106111210-0192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing out her candle like a pro!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga8e0qE5QvQ/TfqNMEfnJUI/AAAAAAAAAlA/QJ1humLluh8/s1600/Bridget+2nd+Bday+201106111221-0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga8e0qE5QvQ/TfqNMEfnJUI/AAAAAAAAAlA/QJ1humLluh8/s400/Bridget+2nd+Bday+201106111221-0215.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana and Papa got her a "computer" which is apparently the coolest thing ever for Bridget.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-57548539470528427882011-04-06T16:12:00.000-07:002011-04-06T16:12:49.183-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpZwLGX021s/TZzzFmiKLuI/AAAAAAAAAj8/lirM5demJd8/s1600/DSCN1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpZwLGX021s/TZzzFmiKLuI/AAAAAAAAAj8/lirM5demJd8/s400/DSCN1257.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-41751967415408361992011-04-05T15:27:00.000-07:002011-04-05T15:28:29.778-07:00I started a new blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Come join me if you wish.<br />
<a href="http://fivehappythoughts.blogspot.com/">http://fivehappythoughts.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Now, I know what you're thinking. I can't keep up with this blog so why start another, right? Well, it's just what felt like the right thing to do. So I did. :)<br />
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</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-7976193960903375542011-03-23T20:15:00.000-07:002011-03-23T20:15:00.931-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ytdGenGpHOk/TYqxHC04l9I/AAAAAAAAAig/2kTv_DTOLV0/s1600/DSCN1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ytdGenGpHOk/TYqxHC04l9I/AAAAAAAAAig/2kTv_DTOLV0/s400/DSCN1380.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-58943160821242646052011-03-22T15:30:00.000-07:002011-03-22T15:30:23.953-07:00We're getting "old"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Mike's 30th birthday was last weekend. He was freaking out about it for weeks leading up to it. Since it was such a big deal for him, I didn't do any of the "traditional" 30th birthday hoopla and we just had a pretty quiet day with Bridget.<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AOnKmGxA85M/TYegAYDMlnI/AAAAAAAAAiA/xwjuFc3k0ug/s1600/DSCN1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AOnKmGxA85M/TYegAYDMlnI/AAAAAAAAAiA/xwjuFc3k0ug/s320/DSCN1384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was Mike's cake. He's not a fan of cake in general but LOVES these cheese filled coffee cake things. So, happy birthday morning to Mike! (As an aside, Bridget has since been asking for cake every morning for breakfast. She thought it was the best thing ever!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_LZe3OwWedI/TYegJVGkueI/AAAAAAAAAiE/HyMb8M_aTKs/s1600/DSCN1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_LZe3OwWedI/TYegJVGkueI/AAAAAAAAAiE/HyMb8M_aTKs/s320/DSCN1388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These were Daddy's gifts. Bridget colored packing paper with her markers. I think it makes for pretty festive wrapping.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pfrgA8I-l3I/TYegQj6vSUI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ElHKHDpknII/s1600/DSCN1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pfrgA8I-l3I/TYegQj6vSUI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ElHKHDpknII/s320/DSCN1402.JPG" width="250" /></a></div>Later in the weekend, two of our very good friends J & S had us over for a celebration dinner. They surprised us all with decorations and gifts. Such sweet and giving people. Bridget was in heaven with all the balloons.<br />
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S is an amazing cook. We had red wine and gorgonzola filet with mashed potatoes and broccoli. For dessert...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XbH7orD8eqg/TYehChAfrUI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/9XZ483XxlSc/s1600/DSCN1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XbH7orD8eqg/TYehChAfrUI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/9XZ483XxlSc/s320/DSCN1420.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZjTCR2fpnKE/TYegrrOJBfI/AAAAAAAAAiM/RxLJrQhyHLU/s1600/DSCN1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZjTCR2fpnKE/TYegrrOJBfI/AAAAAAAAAiM/RxLJrQhyHLU/s320/DSCN1413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>...the most amazing cheesecake I've ever eaten. Seriously. It was Neapolitan, people. Layers of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla deliciousness all topped with fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce! The night ended with laughing and visiting around the fire pit before we headed home. Such a great night and Mike has transitioned to a "grown-up" pretty well. I'm only six months behind...</div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-73155828504307738692011-03-17T15:37:00.000-07:002011-03-17T15:49:50.707-07:00Have you heard of Dr. Jean?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I had not heard of Dr. Jean Feldman until a few weeks ago. A friend who is a Pre-K/Special K teacher sent me a message and asked if I would be going to the DR. Jean concert at the library. My answer: Who? So I was sent to <a href="http://www.drjean.org/">Dr. Jean's site</a>* and found out that although I didn't know of her specifically, I definitely knew her work. I have used her cheers in my classroom for years and the kids always LOVED it. (seriously, check out her site and you'll find some great ones)<br />
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Anyway, since Bridget and I didn't have any plans, we went off across town to see Dr. Jean. And I'm soooooooo glad we did. Bridget had an absolute blast and I cracked up watching how much fun the entire audience had. My favorite part was the Tooty Ta**. Please, please PLEASE look this up if you don't know it. It's totally worth it. I don't think you can truly realize how absolutely hilarious it can be to watch 150+ kids spinning in circles with their thumbs up, elbows back, knees together, bottoms up, tongue out, and eyes closed singing the song. I'm still laughing just thinking about it. Bridget's favorite was the Alligator Chant which I can't really seem to find a good video of. The girl is completely enthralled by alligators (but that's a whole different post).<br />
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I'm so glad that we live in a city where our library district is able to offer these shows to us. Especially when they can offer them for free. I'm so fortunate that I have been able to take this bit of unexpected time off with Bridget to do these things. Although life is far from perfect, days like this make it a bit brighter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T7GxeySmTL0/TYKLeoiK4GI/AAAAAAAAAhs/WkNmyCudRnM/s1600/DSCN1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T7GxeySmTL0/TYKLeoiK4GI/AAAAAAAAAhs/WkNmyCudRnM/s400/DSCN1292.JPG" width="371" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bridget and Dr. Jean. Really, Bridget was happy. But she was also tired.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>*If you go to her site right now, pictures from her visit to Vegas on on the front page. Bridget and I are front row, center section. Can you spot us?<br />
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**I have no idea how long this song has been around. The first time I heard/participated in this song was High School Key Club. Seriously, it was run by our crazy (but hilarious) chemistry teacher and she had a whole group of high school kids doing this utterly childish dance and cracking the heck up. Ah, high school. How fond a few of my memories are of you...</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-19972703013099122292011-03-16T14:29:00.000-07:002011-03-16T14:29:23.781-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wlql22PBSng/TYErd7_fCOI/AAAAAAAAAhk/XAMritdOHog/s1600/DSCN1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wlql22PBSng/TYErd7_fCOI/AAAAAAAAAhk/XAMritdOHog/s320/DSCN1194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lO0my_akZJA/TYErl-KUPRI/AAAAAAAAAho/8v4ti2ek5_c/s1600/DSCN1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lO0my_akZJA/TYErl-KUPRI/AAAAAAAAAho/8v4ti2ek5_c/s320/DSCN1196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-89078323437033171782011-03-10T16:06:00.000-08:002011-03-10T16:11:44.416-08:00Fooooood!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today, I'm going to share with you something that has been a great addition to my life lately. About 6 months ago, we started using a co-op for our fruits and veggies. I really wanted to start eating healthier AND try new things (anyone else feeling this way?). I was spending so much every week on produce that I was getting frustrated (anyone else feeling THIS way?).<br />
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Then, a friend told me about <a href="http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/">Bountiful Baskets</a>. They are AWESOME! Unlike other co-ops I've heard about, with Bountiful Baskets you pay each week. It's only $15 and I get a large basket of various fruits and another of veggies. They offer an organic basket for $25 every other week, but we've never tried it.<br />
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Anyway, here's what it looks like every Saturday when we go to get our yummy produce.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHeOpyjnQPM/TXlbk1sJ9vI/AAAAAAAAAhE/XVqDv5XkBg0/s1600/DSCN0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHeOpyjnQPM/TXlbk1sJ9vI/AAAAAAAAAhE/XVqDv5XkBg0/s400/DSCN0693.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>You check in and they send you off to your baskets. It's so exciting. It's almost like Christmas wondering what you're going to get that week. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9FEYIUgHBBw/TXlnr5inKRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/LcWRueWxW8o/s1600/DSCN0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9FEYIUgHBBw/TXlnr5inKRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/LcWRueWxW8o/s400/DSCN0694.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Bridget likes to run ahead and look in other people's baskets. We keep telling her it's all the same, but she LOVES looking at everything. She also LOVES to help us move everything from our baskets to our box to take home.<br />
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Here's a pic of the baskets we got a few months ago. This is pretty typical of the variety we get.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l78vPUaTvTE/TXlbj_qQbeI/AAAAAAAAAg0/fFH0HsHCRtw/s1600/DSCN0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l78vPUaTvTE/TXlbj_qQbeI/AAAAAAAAAg0/fFH0HsHCRtw/s400/DSCN0697.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Veggie basket. Lettuce, acorn squash, celery, corn on the cob, brussels sprouts, and I'm pretty sure there were sweet potatoes, and a butternut squash under there, too. I owe this basket for my new found love of brussels sprouts. Wash 'em, cut 'em in half, and roast them in the oven with olive oil and S&P. Yum!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7KOcGDzC9o/TXlbkTRPFtI/AAAAAAAAAg8/BbY1CSp09PY/s1600/DSCN0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7KOcGDzC9o/TXlbkTRPFtI/AAAAAAAAAg8/BbY1CSp09PY/s400/DSCN0698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And our fruit basket. Grapes, apples, pears, bananas, and persimmons. There were oranges under there as well. Many times there's a pineapple in there, too. This is the week I learned that persimmons are not to the liking of anyone in my family. Whenever we get them now, Mike trades them with a lady at his work for more bananas or apples.<br />
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Anyway, I thought I'd share in case some of you have been looking for something similar. Bountiful Baskets are available over here in quite a few states out west.<br />
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Do any of you have ways that you get healthy, new foods into your family? Any other great tips of tricks?<br />
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Oh, and FYI, this was not paid for in any way. I just really like this things and figured some of you might want to know about it as well. Yaaaay!</div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-3822799773521712992011-03-09T21:02:00.000-08:002011-03-09T21:02:49.217-08:00wordless wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQwz5qZpPAA/TXhbcqX-uII/AAAAAAAAAgs/X5rTUsjl5yk/s1600/DSCN1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQwz5qZpPAA/TXhbcqX-uII/AAAAAAAAAgs/X5rTUsjl5yk/s400/DSCN1315.JPG" /></a></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-24533606183369760662011-03-05T21:09:00.000-08:002011-03-05T21:10:15.426-08:00A PSA from me to you.Ok, this is serious folks. A friend posted this video on Facebook and I thought it was important enough to share with you guys. Please keep you and yours safe. (You'll need to pause the music on the blog).<br />
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<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N2vARzvWxwY?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-72872738407583323202011-03-02T15:40:00.000-08:002011-03-02T15:40:08.134-08:00"Where do you get your news?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A friend asked this of me awhile ago. My first thought was, "I don't." Then, after thinking about it for bit, the truthful answer is... Facebook and my iPhone. Although I know I can't make up for that statement, please allow me to explain.<br />
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Here's the thing. The news is depressing. I have quite enough drama and depression going on in my own little life, thank-you-very-much, to deal with more that I can't do anything about. If I watch the news, I feel that I need to have some emotion for every story and I just don't have that emotional wealth to share. Much less do I have any ACTUAL wealth to share. As much as I would LOVE to contribute funds to the myriad of natural disaster relief funds, I just don't have anything to spare. <br />
So, I choose not to watch any news at all. I don't watch CNN, MSNBC, my local evening news, FOX news (*shudder*), or whatever else is out there.<br />
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Instead, I watch Facebook. I have several friends who are news buffs and post about the important goings-on in the world. I figure if several of them post about the same thing in one day, I should probably familiarize myself with it. Some days I learn about pop culture and others I learn real headline news, such as the Union issues in Wisconsin, the rebellion in Egypt, or the earthquake in New Zealand. And then there are days when I get a bit of both. I think those are my favorite. Take <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/us/26madison.html?WT.mc_id=US-SM-E-FB-SM-LIN-DMS-022611-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click&_r=3&adxnnl=1&smid=fb-nytimes&adxnnlx=1299106888-Unyyp9K6DD6X8HoFLzokZw">this NY Times article</a> about how pizzas are being delivered to the Wisconsin protesters from <b>all over the world</b>. Kinda gives you the warm fuzzies, right?<br />
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If I do decide that I MUST have a dose of actual news to feel connected to the world, I have the NPR app on my phone. I think it's brilliant. I love NPR and find then to be the least biased source of news for me. With the app, I can scan the headlines and choose what I think is important to know. I can also bypass the things that are just too much to handle at any particular time. PLUS, I can fit in my news while standing in line or watching a show with Bridget.<br />
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So there you have it. I'm a horrible person who can't stand to hear about the fifth murder in a row or the ten car pileup that left several people seriously injured. I don't want to know over and over and over again that there is still fighting in the middle east. I love and respect our soldiers but I know it's terrible wherever they are and I don't want to know the details. Sorry.<br />
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What about you? Where do you get your news? Please tell me I'm not the only one out there that doesn't keep CNN on all day.<br />
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</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-55594291547470672992011-02-07T11:35:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:35:58.192-08:00Blooming Bridget<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, I think I'm going to start documenting some of the things we're doing around these parts for Bridget's learning time. I like to think of it as "Blooming Bridget" time. It's when she shows me the amazing things that she can do and starts to blossom into an awesome little thinker (among other things).<br />
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Now, we're just starting to do a somewhat structured (in that I have a plan for what I'd like to expose her to that day) learning time. I'd love to be able to look back in later years and see what Bridget was learning and doing at this time in her life. So, welcome to the first of the Blooming Bridget posts!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TVA12NRCiwI/AAAAAAAAAgY/g9EMMvkfvFk/s1600/DSCN1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TVA12NRCiwI/AAAAAAAAAgY/g9EMMvkfvFk/s320/DSCN1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is Bridget with an absolutely fabulous sensory tub we won through a giveaway with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TimeforTots">Time for Tots</a> etsy shop. If you have young learners, please check out her shop. I think I'm in love and would go broke buying up her entire inventory if I could. I can't even tell you how much I (and Bridget) love this tub! Check out all the fun things Bridget got to explore...<br />
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Beads, erasers, presents, foam snowflakes, bells, colored rice, shiny stuff, and a DUCK! Bridget absolutely loved playing with everything and was fascinated with the using the tongs to pick things up. After these pictures, we covered everything up and played treasure hunt looking for all of the letters. We must have played and learned with this for at least a half hour before she was finished. Seriously awesome. Bridget will now ask to "play rice" and will get her yellow play blanket, bring it into the kitchen, and wait for me to set everything up for her. After a month of playing with this set, I have decided that Bridget needs a new set each month. These sensory tubs work on so many developmental needs and are so much fun!<br />
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I'll show you what we have for February in another post. ;)<br />
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</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-6224595326753997972010-12-27T13:43:00.000-08:002010-12-27T13:43:30.636-08:00She amazes me...Every.Single.Day. Be warned, this is a blog post for me to put down some of the things I don't want to forget that Bridget is doing at 18 months. <br />
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Bridget is amazing to me. I can't believe that she's a part of Mike and me some days. She's so smart and seems to learn something new every day. Some of her newest developments:<br />
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*She is really grasping ASL now.<br />
*Her favorite show is <u>Signing Time</u> on PBS. We have all learned so much from it. Animals, family members, manners, food, toys. It's great! <br />
*She recognizes any letter in sign or print. <br />
*Same with her numbers to 10. <br />
*She can count out loud to 13.<br />
*A few days ago, she put together words in sign to make a sentence using no voice. She said, "Please Daddy cheese" asking Mike to cut her off some cheese. We were so proud of her!<br />
*She knows most of her body parts and LOVES to sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."<br />
*She builds block towers and then laughs maniacally when she knocks them down.<br />
*She still loves to read.<br />
*She helps clean up and put things away. Her favorite "game" is to get something from Mommy and bring it to Daddy to put away. We do this often when emptying the dishwasher (Mommy's least favorite chore).<br />
*She repeats pretty much any new word she hears. Daddy has had to start being REALLY careful with his words. It has also really made me realize how often I say some things as I now hear them out of her mouth. Most often heard: "Oh boy!" when she's excited, "mm hmm" (with a higher pitch at the end) in confirmation of anything, and yelling the names of the animals (oops).<br />
*Dancing, singing, laughing, coloring, puzzles, and just learning about life.<br />
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There's so much more but I'll leave it at that for now. I can't believe how much she's grown. She's such a little girl now and not a baby anymore. I love it but it's a little bittersweet.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-65906904171829439752010-12-17T17:05:00.000-08:002010-12-17T17:05:48.494-08:00Coming cleanAlright, this here blog has been neglected long enough. It's time for me to just get the big stuff out in the open so I don't feel like I'm hiding things and can get back to my regular posts with random bits of crappiness thrown in. I'm going to work in bullet points because it seems the best way to keep from the total crazy ramblings going on in my head.<br />
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*First and foremost, know that we are all healthy. Aside from the random cough/cold/flu type stuff, we're all good.<br />
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*Biggest stress right now: our home. We're losing it. There are many, many reasons for this and it's extremely stressful and heartbreaking. Adding to this stress is the fact that we're so up in the air about it all right now. We don't know how long we'll be able to stay in the house before they foreclose on us. We also don't know where we're going to go after they do. HUGE STRESS!<br />
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*A very close second stress: money. Isn't it always? As of right now, Mike is the only one in our home working. I resigned from the school district last year as we were planning to move this past summer. That fell through and so I am without a job. *sigh* So now, were in the position of me needing to find a job that makes it worth it for me to go back to work and put Bridget in daycare again. This is NOT easy in today's economy. <br />
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Ok, so that's out. There are several other stresses going on but they fall far behind after these two. I'm not posting this for any kind of pity or fix-it solutions, but just to get it out there so that I can move on and start spending my brain power on something a bit more productive than constant worry. *sigh*<br />
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And now, just to end on a positive note and because I never did post about Bridget's first trick or treating, here's the best shot I got of her in her costume. Isn't she the cutest butterfly?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TQwIhKasi2I/AAAAAAAAAf0/PDJyJE7y08s/s1600/Trick%2Bor%2Btreat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TQwIhKasi2I/AAAAAAAAAf0/PDJyJE7y08s/s400/Trick%2Bor%2Btreat.JPG" /></a></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-34634730687163291132010-10-30T21:43:00.000-07:002010-10-30T22:37:10.465-07:00An autumn update...with VIDEOS!We've been having fun so far this Fall. This is my favorite type of year and I'm having so many new and exciting adventures around here. Tonight, I'm posting a few videos that make me 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.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dye0kEIax6K-IXRDNVGwV4h6blGyVdE1TnhuXOLSN9Kp7NDjrRD4VHJaMPkAPAwdrzsPH6ydsqcAHZTl8W8SQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Some days she'll count all the way from 0 to 9. If I write them down, she'll do it every time. This absolutely amazes me! I think it's from Mike playing with the foam numbers every night at bath time.<br />
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Bubbles! And Grammi has a great backyard to run around and chase them in. Now if only we could get rid of the poisonous oleander bushes!<br />
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I hope you're smiling! Happy Fall everyone. Coming soon... Pumpkin patch and first Trick-or-Treating pictures!katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-55602241006326634462010-10-12T20:39:00.000-07:002010-10-12T20:39:21.478-07:00Your science lesson for the dayPutting your iPod into the bathroom sink basin* while it's playing your favorite internet radio station makes it loud enough that you can continue to sing along while you shower. Just thought you might want to know.<br />
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* Just make sure it's dry. I don't think you'll get the same results if it's full of water. :)katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-24342405231318671032010-10-09T23:12:00.000-07:002010-10-10T16:17:43.661-07:00A problem with children's books (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFWhyTewdI/AAAAAAAAAec/Hllha19DzFA/s1600/DSCN0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFWhyTewdI/AAAAAAAAAec/Hllha19DzFA/s400/DSCN0184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flaptastic-Colors-DK-Publishing/dp/0756652278/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286691312&sr=8-1-fkmr0">this</a> book. Really, I do. I actually love this series of books. We found the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flaptastic-Shapes-DK-Publishing/dp/075665226X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1286691312&sr=8-2-fkmr0">Shapes</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flaptastic-Numbers-DK-Publishing/dp/0756655005/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1286691312&sr=8-3-fkmr0">Numbers</a> books at the library and have checked them out twice now. What I love about these books is that they use real life objects to show where things appear in every day life. This has helped me work with Bridget's vocabulary while having fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFWofDSdQI/AAAAAAAAAeg/SwMI6qp2t20/s1600/DSCN0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFWofDSdQI/AAAAAAAAAeg/SwMI6qp2t20/s400/DSCN0185.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "What color is the flower?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFWuzuhWLI/AAAAAAAAAek/aKPuUcMy9vA/s1600/DSCN0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFWuzuhWLI/AAAAAAAAAek/aKPuUcMy9vA/s400/DSCN0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Why yes, it's red! And see the other great examples? They're all labeled as well. It's so great!<br />
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Then you go thorough blue and green and yellow. <br />
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Then, there's the last page.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFW1txFtfI/AAAAAAAAAeo/heYJ-z_V60E/s1600/DSCN0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFW1txFtfI/AAAAAAAAAeo/heYJ-z_V60E/s400/DSCN0187.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What color is the...orange? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFXM1w21CI/AAAAAAAAAes/U4hn-cGyOH4/s1600/DSCN0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFXM1w21CI/AAAAAAAAAes/U4hn-cGyOH4/s400/DSCN0188.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well duh, it's orange! We had to show an orange AND orange juice? Has no one ever heard of a carrot? </div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-23393477799869892122010-10-09T22:02:00.000-07:002010-10-09T22:02:27.059-07:00So much time, so little bloggingSeriously people, I have no excuse for not blogging. I've just been avoiding it. We've got a lot going on here (nothing too exciting, believe me) and it's just been taking all of my energy to handle it. Hopefully it will all be solved by the end of the month and then I can get back to blogging. <br />
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I'm actually kinda mad at myself for not keeping up with this because really, this is how I document the things Bridget is doing. I'm terrible at getting things written into her baby book, I start with great intentions but, eh, it just never gets done.<br />
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So, here's a quick update on us (only the good parts):<br />
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Bridget is more and more brilliant every day. I know all parents say that, but she amazes me with something new all the time! She talks up a storm. She knows most of her colors, how to count to 3 (and she can get most of the numbers through 10 with help), loves playing "in and out" with her toys, can sort her shapes into the right holes on her sorting toy, and knows about 10 signs. And she loves to eat! She climbs up into her highchair and sits patiently while we get her in and give her food. Her favorites are bananas (NAAAAAANAAAAAAAAA!!!), cheerios (chee-o), cheddar bunnies (bunneee), waffles (waffu), dried fruit (which are all called apple (apoo) by Bridget), cheese (which she signs), and pasta (pa-taaa in a whispery voice). Oh, and cookies (coo-coo), which to Bridget is anything sweet that she likes. She eats tons of other stuff that she doesn't have words for like oatmeal, pickles, and PB&J sandwiches.<br />
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My big news is that I am a stay at home mom. Woohoo! I am loving it. However, this is what's leading to a bunch of issues here in our home. It was pretty unplanned for me to be a SAHM but we're making the best of the situation. It's been great to have the time to bring Bridget to have new experiences and watch her enjoy being, well, her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFF8OMlTnI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ZbD0xcLhGfc/s1600/DSCN0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFF8OMlTnI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ZbD0xcLhGfc/s400/DSCN0322.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We've gone to the park and played on the slides and in the water features.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFGJ9_ok3I/AAAAAAAAAeU/Up6DHWuwqGg/s1600/DSCN0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFGJ9_ok3I/AAAAAAAAAeU/Up6DHWuwqGg/s400/DSCN0365.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We went to the children's museum and played with the fruits and veggies (which I was surprised she could mostly name). (Oh, and horrible picture of her -sorry about that)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFGXlNyqnI/AAAAAAAAAeY/jfq3cLk6a5s/s1600/DSCN0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TLFGXlNyqnI/AAAAAAAAAeY/jfq3cLk6a5s/s400/DSCN0419.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And we played with the balls in the simple machines room. Bridget had an absolute BLAST putting the balls into this things and watching them go through the twists and turns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mike is working and hoping to be up for a new position soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this as it will help lift the pressure off of him and I think he'll be happier working with computers again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you made it this far thorough my ramblings, congrats! That's all from here for now. I'm not making any promises, but hopefully I'll be able to get myself to post a bit more soon. Thanks for sticking with me! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-29210572552516784502010-08-11T12:09:00.000-07:002010-08-11T12:13:39.050-07:00A problem with children's books (Part 1)Ok, so we're a big reading family here. I read, Mike reads, and Bridget "reads" tons of books. This is how she keeps herself entertained if left for longer than 5 minutes on her own.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHK2JxhhwI/AAAAAAAAAdg/7RVV63GAKtg/s1600/DSCN0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHK2JxhhwI/AAAAAAAAAdg/7RVV63GAKtg/s320/DSCN0169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I have found, however, that not all children's books are thought through very well. Not to say they are bad books, but there's just something about them that shows the author/illustrator/editor wasn't really thinking that day. I submit to you the following:<br />
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<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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKbkZ50dI/AAAAAAAAAdA/eTFaud7LwZw/s1600/DSCN0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKbkZ50dI/AAAAAAAAAdA/eTFaud7LwZw/s320/DSCN0182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is one of Bridget's favorite books to read on her own. As it states, it is a book about shapes, colors, and opposite with things hidden behind flaps for her to pull up and down and all that fun stuff.*<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKhED_dUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/wT_NKE5M020/s1600/DSCN0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKhED_dUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/wT_NKE5M020/s320/DSCN0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is what the book looks like inside. See, all cutely labeled and simply worded. Perfect for little ones. But let us look behind the rock at what Mr. Bear sees, shall we?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKnqFqdQI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/CDDiC-zDjsI/s1600/DSCN0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKnqFqdQI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/CDDiC-zDjsI/s320/DSCN0177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He sees a... What? Is that really what I think it is?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKuxQZpXI/AAAAAAAAAdY/Of04oxnQQ9s/s1600/DSCN0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TGHKuxQZpXI/AAAAAAAAAdY/Of04oxnQQ9s/s320/DSCN0180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Why yes, Mr. Bear does see a PINK ELEPHANT. Has he been drinking some fermented berries? Really Mr. (or Ms.) Questionable-Author/Illustrator-Who-Is-Not-Listed-Anywhere-On-The-Book?** You couldn't have chosen anything else to show the color pink? A flamingo maybe? A piece of bubblegum? No, we're going with a pink elephant.<br />
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And in case you're wondering, all the other stuff is normal. A yellow plane. A gray mouse. A green cactus. It's just the pink elephant. <br />
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Here's a little heads up on <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19980826">pink elephants</a> in case you don't know. Or haven't seen Dumbo and weren't scared out of your wits by this scene when you were little.***<br />
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Disney's Dumbo: Pink Elephants on Parade <br />
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What about you? Have you guys found any weird stuff in your kids toys or books? I have a few others I'll be sharing in a few days. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">*As an aside, I wish I could explain how thick this thing is. Seriously, it's like, the War and Peace of board books. I just counted and the thing has 40 pages! (20 turnable sheets) We've never made it past page 30, just FYI.</div><br />
**Really, I just searched. The only thing listed is a publishing company in Belgium. Maybe pink elephants there mean something else?<br />
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***Please tell me I'm not the only one that was scared and confused about this scene? Seriously, thinking back on Dumbo there are just so many things wrong there. Don't even get me started on the whole "waiting on the stork" issue at the beginning.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-9629064815447743042010-07-31T18:14:00.000-07:002010-07-31T18:14:46.962-07:00New blogHey all, I have a new(ish) blog that I plan to start posting on regularly. This one will still get some posts, but I plan on using <a href="http://bridgetis.blogspot.com/">this one</a> more often. If you want, follow along on our journeys with Little Miss as she enters into toddlerhood. Hope to see you all there!katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-1508632751587992522010-07-09T10:05:00.000-07:002010-07-09T18:34:53.703-07:00My brilliant ideaOk, so Bridget loves toast. She also loves fruit. So, brilliant me thought, "Hey, let's give her some toast with jelly!" Um, yeah. I don't think I can even describe the sticky mess that ensued (although I'm sure most of you can imagine.) That was a few weeks ago and she hasn't had jelly since. Until today, when I had another brilliant idea. <br />
A while ago, <a href="http://www.babyinthekitchen.com/2010/05/let-her-at-it.html">Baby in the Kitchen</a> posted about "dippy eggs" and how dipping teaches hand eye coordination and strengthens the pincer grasp. I have yet to make dippy eggs for Bridget (mostly because I can't stand the smell of hard boiled eggs. Blech!). I really wanted to do this for Bridget, but due to the smell issue, I just couldn't. Then I had an idea! I could make "dippy toast." <br />
I put some fruit preserve into a small bowl, heated it up until it was liquidy, and then let Bridget dip her toast in it. She LOVED it! She "got it" so quickly. I guided her hand once or twice and then she was all over dipping all by herself (genius I tell ya!) And although there was still some stickiness, it was much more manageable because she's a pretty dainty little eater and only got the preserves on the tips of her fingers as they dipped the toast. It was awesome! I think this may become a regular part of breakfast.<br />
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Completely unrelated: This is my 200th post! Yippie!katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-81455800383390859962010-06-19T22:05:00.000-07:002010-06-19T22:12:29.953-07:00Oh my gosh, my baby is a year old!<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wasn't she just born yesterday?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TBkjsheuJtI/AAAAAAAAAa4/-Ci-7Q4xJlA/s1600/Bridget%27s+first+picures+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TBkjsheuJtI/AAAAAAAAAa4/-Ci-7Q4xJlA/s400/Bridget%27s+first+picures+007.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TBkj4DZ_82I/AAAAAAAAAbA/USzB6tk1EJU/s1600/P1060707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TBkj4DZ_82I/AAAAAAAAAbA/USzB6tk1EJU/s400/P1060707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/TBknJR7PfNI/AAAAAAAAAbI/pUZnG6Z5yNM/s400/bridget+021+edit.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Look how tiny she was!<br />
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And look at her now. A walking, talking, amazing little person.<br />
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Birthday party pics to follow soon...katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-68905811196334816732010-05-09T23:31:00.000-07:002010-05-09T23:31:35.598-07:00Bridget took her first steps!We watched her take two steps! Then, when I ran to grab the video camera, she sat down and crawled after me. We haven't been able to get her to do it again. But, I did get a picture of her standing all on her own. She's getting so big!<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S-en8sBNxyI/AAAAAAAAAaU/ySJHsU0sVLo/s1600/IMG_4929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S-en8sBNxyI/AAAAAAAAAaU/ySJHsU0sVLo/s320/IMG_4929.JPG" /></a></div> 5/3/10katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-12419723249174282462010-05-09T23:25:00.000-07:002010-05-09T23:25:55.664-07:00My how things changeOn Mother's Day two years ago , I posted <a href="http://thegoldenrodsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/05/confession.html">this</a> and started this blog.<br />
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Around this time last year, <a href="http://thegoldenrodsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/fears-i-has-them.html">this</a> was what was going on in my life.<br />
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This year, I woke up to the sweetest little baby yelling for "Mama!" and went downstairs to see this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S-ekjKHZYiI/AAAAAAAAAaE/o2Zbpms27SI/s1600/happy+to+see+mommy+on+mother%27s+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S-ekjKHZYiI/AAAAAAAAAaE/o2Zbpms27SI/s320/happy+to+see+mommy+on+mother%27s+day.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S-ekmk6zRKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/SSX37rRCskE/s1600/what+greeted+me+mother%27s+day+morning%21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S-ekmk6zRKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/SSX37rRCskE/s320/what+greeted+me+mother%27s+day+morning%21.JPG" /></a></div>She was so happy to see me and even broke her "All-I-Want-Is-Daddy" phase for the day. She was so sweet and Mommy-loving. Some days I just can't believe she's mine. She's so perfect and awesome!<br />
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Today I thought about all the mommies out there, in so many stages of mommyhood. Those with fur-babies, those still hoping and praying, those with angel babies, those pregnant with their miracles, and those of us lucky enough to be able to spend the day with our little ones. So, wherever you are in your journey, Happy Mother's Day to you. I hope yours was as joyful as mine.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988097661740132275.post-29692703852607392182010-04-11T21:28:00.000-07:002010-04-11T21:28:26.071-07:00Bridget is signingWe've been using American Sign Language for a few things with Bridget for, well, since she came home. Our most consistant use has been at dinner time when we use, "more", "all done", and "milk." We also use "Mommy" and "Daddy", "dog" and "cat." In the past few weeks, it has really started clicking with her. Breakfast March 20th was the first time she signed "more" for sure. She's been using it every day since. Then for lunch today, she signed "all done" and at dinner she signed "milk" Wahoo!!!! There have been a few times she has signed something like Daddy and then looks for Mike, but we're not positive about that one. I'm trying to get her signing on video but my flip is missing right now. Grrr. She's doing so many new things now that I really hope I can find it in a few days. I'm so excited and don't want to forget these days. She's growing up so fast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S8KgsoRWRII/AAAAAAAAAZ8/_xO_vXosI_8/s1600/IMG_4752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C39MP1xmafs/S8KgsoRWRII/AAAAAAAAAZ8/_xO_vXosI_8/s320/IMG_4752.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First time on the swings, April 1st, 2010. She's so happy!</span></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402353149116348472noreply@blogger.com4