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Showing posts from August, 2010

Jack

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I probably shouldn't have posted this particular picture of Jack with his bopbop in considering the topic below. Jack hits 22 months this week. Jack and I are able to communicate fairly well considering he has an extremely limited vocabulary. I think he says: ma, bug, and go. That's it. He has in the past had other words that he now refuses to say. Go figure. By 12 to 15 Months Kids this age should have a wide range of speech sounds in their babbling and typically say one or more words (not including "mama" and "dada"). Nouns usually come first, like "baby" and "ball." Your child should also be able to understand and follow simple directions ("Please give me the toy," for example). From 18 to 24 Months Though there is a lot of variability, most toddlers are saying about 20 words by 18 months and 50 or more words by the time they turn 2. By age 2, kids are starting to combine two words to make simple sentences, such as &quo
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Helping Dad finish installing the new vanity. Cooling off in the pool. I'm still a cutie.

Mama Loves

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This afternoon I read Lillian the book Mama Loves . It's a very simple and sweet book. It got me thinking about some homeschooling ideas in prep for learning to read. This would be a good book because it has lots of repetition. The story ends with telling the child that maybe one day you'll have a child to love on. Lillian carried on the conversation about becoming a mother. I told her that I would call her on the phone and tell her children that Grandma loves them. Then she stopped me, "Why are you calling me? I'm going to be living with you." I just replied by telling her that she was very sweet.

Your $250 Cookie recipe

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Many of you know of this recipe and the legend behind it. If not, read here . Lillian and I made them tonight (and 2 weeks ago). I usually half the recipe so it'll fit in my kitchen-aid. I was reminded of this recipe from Carolina Blessings , a wedding gift from my highschool homeroom teacher. Incredible Chocolate Chip Cookies 4 sticks unsalted butter, softened 2 cups sugar 2 cups brown sugar 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 cups all purpose or cake flour 5 cups oatmeal, processed in batches in blender until powdered (*must do) 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 24 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 milk chocolate bar, grated 3 cups chopped nuts (*unfortunately left these out since there were none in the house) Preheat oven to 375. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, chocolate bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on an

NC Beach trip

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Finally I'm getting around to posting some of our pics from the beach week in North Carolina a month ago. We went with my parents, Rachel and Asher, and Julianna (Jim was back at IU for work and Craig in Florida for a class). It was too bad that it did not work out for everyone to there - we missed the PO Hawkins, and Pete and Rita were on their honeymoon of course. A lot of hanging out indoors (well, when we weren't at the beach or one of the two pools). The weather was ridiculously humid. Really! My glasses would fog up the second I stepped outside. Ugh, only bearable in you can jump in the ocean.

dis·as·ter   [dih-zas-ter, -zah-ster]

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This morning as I was putting Lillian's hair up in a pony tail she complained about the pulling and said "this is not what I want Mom!" Next she ran to the mirror and exclaimed "This is a disaster" after inspecting her appearance. Just now as I explained to her why I couldn't/wouldn't read to her while I was feeding Wes, she replied with a simple "that's just a disaster."

Showers

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Kyle and I started renovating our two tiny bathrooms before we left for vacation at the beginning of July. The plan is to put in new everything but leave the layout/plumbing the same. Here is the before picture. Notice the ugly but useable tub/shower. These next ones are of the progress. The new tub is in and shower is being tiled, so pretty but not so useable. New toilets and tiled floors. Unfortunately things did not get quite finished before we left. The main thing is the shower that needs to be finished tiling and the replacement window in the shower area. And of course the two sinks need to be installed. We have been managing fine without the use of completed shower. I put up plastic so that we can still use it but I still try not to especially since most children, mine included usually use bath time as play and splash time. Besides jumping in the pool at the Y and showering afterwards, here are a couple other bathing options.

CT

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Here are a few pictures of my surroundings in New Haven. Yale Divinity School (where I'm working) the New Haven sky late in the afternoon The OMSC, where I'm staying

New York

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Here are a few pictures from the past weekend. Amy & The Wrangler Three friends (MAX & Jon wouldn't dare to smile near the designer furniture at BDDW) Kim, Jon, Laurie, MAX, Bennett, and Ollie Jon & Kim on the streets of SoHo

Booster fun

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Wes joined in the fun at dinnertime tonight with some drumming on his tray in between bites. He turned 6 months this past week.

Old School

This weekend I was able to visit with several good friends in NYC. We had a great time, and I'll post a few pictures in the near future. For now, I want to share this video. We enjoyed various 'athletic' competitions, including bocce and a number of throwing challenges. This clip was shot during one of our more peculiar events. The challenge was to see who could most authentically duplicate the throwing motion of baseball players in the early 20th century. We were afraid that Jon's age gave him an unfair advantage, and our suspicions were confirmed with his first throw. Enjoy. PS: Please comment if Jon's toss brings a particular player or decade to mind.

Music Camp

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Lillian attended Music Camp this past week at a local church from 9-11 am everyday. Friday night there was a concert and the 3-5 year olds sang 5 or 6 songs. They learned so much besides the songs they sang. Lots of bible story time and games and crafts (Lillian claimed craft time was her favorite). Lillian was not her usual energetic over-the-top performer but instead chose to sing and perform with a little more control. Maybe she was just a tad nervous but overall she remembered the words and actions. All the kids were a ton of fun to watch. We even attended the church this morning so Lillian could sing in front one more time. Moses Moses You are the man God chooses you and says Yes you can You're not perfect and neither are we God picks you, God picks you To set his people free!

Brotherly Love

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