tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23644571683969785282024-03-13T08:20:41.251-07:00Hapa LABa HAPA-azard journey into the world of Mamahood & DESIGNing the Montessori-Inspired home preschool...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-4634027482838830212016-06-07T23:00:00.000-07:002020-04-06T19:25:42.208-07:00U Bike. We Bike! (微笑單車)<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XBUQAe7O-IA/V1m3Cl0ux0I/AAAAAAAAEgQ/eIJitxe4td8de2rQLhtkUoB7v9BB_aTlQCLcB/s1600/1465485891421%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>With hubby on his way home today, we are officially switching now into "Local Mode" as a single mom with two.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>My Mission?</b></span></div>
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To figure out how to move about this bustling city with 2 little ones in tow...WITHOUT taking a taxi or Uber. We got the MRT down. Now onto the local streets, planning ahead for daily drop off at the kiddo's various summer camps. Nothing like getting to know the local streets on two wheels!</div>
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<a href="http://ntpc.youbike.com.tw/en/f41.php"><b>The Taipei uBikes!</b></a></div>
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Yes, please.</div>
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I learned how awesomely convenient this bike rental system is:</div>
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Register your EASY CARD</div>
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Select your station (<a href="http://ntpc.youbike.com.tw/en/f11.php">Click Map</a>)</div>
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Select your bike (double checking tires and all parts)</div>
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Scan card</div>
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Pull out bike from stall</div>
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You are now riding your own Orange Smiley Bike</div>
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At $5 Yuan for the first 30mins, I can get almost anywhere for only 15cents!! </div>
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The bargain diva in me is in heaven. </div>
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For Zozie, we packed a light weight Razor to race along side me, easy enough.</div>
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But for the crucial part, how do I ride with my tiny girl too? In my long research, I could not find any info on renting something to also carry a toddler. It would have to be simple, quick on and off, and fit a public share bike such as our smiling tangerine friend.</div>
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Then I came across this magical wonder...the <a href="http://www.tyketoter.com/">TYKE TOTER.</a></div>
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At around $99, weighing only a few pounds, it seemed to fit the bill. Having shoved it into our luggage from the US, we finally took it out for a test run today...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dedicated bike lanes.</td></tr>
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Omi LOVES it.</div>
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We got lots of compliments and purchase inquiries on this fun little tyke seat... happens to also be orange so it matches the uBike perfectly! </div>
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(Accidental awesomeness). </div>
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At the uBike station today, we also saw families with older kids (like Zo) hop on the back wheel cap using the attached "foot rests" on the rear wheel! Tho we have not tried this ourselves, we could potentially start our own family clown bike stunt act with this move...toddler in front and big kid in back. Good to keep in mind should you have a multi-child need in a pinch!</div>
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We are now comfortable CRUIZING....with wind in our hair.</div>
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(or slightly plastered with sweat in 90degree + weather)</div>
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BUT...that just adds to us feeling like real locals.</div>
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<b>Mission accomplished.</b></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-82561409548828603982012-04-21T23:27:00.000-07:002012-05-05T02:24:29.517-07:00Beanie: Abstracted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 Days old.</span></div>
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Loving all the juicy bits of this little lady.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-16173774088477462592012-04-20T22:37:00.000-07:002012-05-05T10:39:24.715-07:00Big Brother. (哥哥)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 Day Old.</span></div>
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Meet big brother.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zozie can't keep his paws off of her.</span> <br />
It's a double edge sword sometimes. <br />
The fine balance in wanting them to get along and keeping the baby safe from her own sibling! Alotta lovin' and kissin' going on, true love at first sight. <br />
Guess there are worst things in life than this...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creeping up on her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guchie, Guchie, Guch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoa...Watch the head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got her...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXHCpg271k4/T6VaYHbOSwI/AAAAAAAACHo/pKeU3TZws_4/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXHCpg271k4/T6VaYHbOSwI/AAAAAAAACHo/pKeU3TZws_4/s400/IMG_3007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's your birthday present!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, she's ALL MINE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knuckle Sandwich??</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Job Mama..thank you for my baby sister...</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-39867811243866391932012-04-19T05:36:00.000-07:002012-05-05T10:54:57.764-07:00"Girl" @ 0536<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, our girl arrived @ 0536.</span><br />
A ripe gestation of 40weeks, to the day.<br />
Chances of being born on your DUE DATE?<br />
<b><i>< 5%. </i></b>Unlike the other 95, we apparently hit the jackpot.<br />
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Physically & mentally, it's been a <i><b>long</b></i> journey.<br />
One full of twists and turns that tore down my solid wall of presumptions and comparisons. A fine lesson in <i>NOT expecting anything while expecting.</i><br />
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Zozie's birth story has been told many times throughout the years to myself and to others. No cravings, no morning sickness, no real fatigue. Pregnant? Most people couldn't tell from behind. My <i>little basketball in the gut </i>went with me everywhere. Eventually, I gave a perfect Hypnobabies birth with a midwife, un-medicated. <b style="font-style: italic;"> </b><br />
<b style="font-style: italic;">Caught him myself, standing. </b><br />
My natural birth story was a badge of honor which I wore proudly.<br />
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Having no other experience, I found myself unknowingly expecting this pregnancy and birth to be nearly exactly the same as my last.<br />
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<i><b>THAT...was my mistake.</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She made me wait...</span><br />
With each passing day over 38wks, I was disappointed. <br />
Again, and again, and again. <br />
(<i>This is when Zozie came, right?)</i><br />
<i>"Today is the day!"</i> I kept telling myself. <br />
Nope. Nothing. Nada.<br />
I eventually realized much of the let downs were self imposed. <br />
My comparative mind consumed me. <br />
Eventually, time just broke me.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 days before birth, I finally gave up, and gave in.</span><br />
I gave in to the reality that this was a separate life. <br />
One with it's own time. One with it's own path. One with it's own mind.<br />
Even if I created it, it did not <i>belong</i> to me.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then the "<i>waves"</i> came...</span><br />
My body waited for my surrender and sent in the troops to deliver the final blow. My water did not break, but my labor kicked in, full force. I lulled at 4cm for days, trying to cope with the relentless waves that came every 5- 7mins for over 30hrs. Once admitted, I walked the hospital halls breathing, focusing, and trying to find strength to continue the journey. I finally realized that I was plain out of gas.<br />
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Maybe I'm older now, maybe I have an older child... for whatever reason, I was just really tired. Unwilling but surrendering, I asked Dalee if he would be terribly disappointed if I accept the epidural this time. He looked back at me with sincere kindness and shook his head. Deep inside, I knew I was actually asking myself that question, and more so, desperately trying to answer it with as much kindness to myself. <br />
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<i>I was not the type to give up...no, not me.</i> <br />
I can take the pain, I can do this...again! Go natural or go home! I searched for my self-Hypnosis, nothing. I looked for my inner calm, blank. I found none of the strength I possessed with Zozie's birth. Who am I? Where did I go?<br />
Another wave. Just waves.<br />
Seriously questioning my own self definition, I finally let go. <br />
<b>She is NOT Zozie. </b><br />
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<i>"We'll give you the shot in 20mins, dear..."</i> said the nurse.<br />
All I heard was<i> "7 more contractions".</i><br />
That was a sign.<br />
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With IV's & tubes hooked up everywhere, my hopes for another "natural childbirth" faded as I drift off to a 3 hour nap. The pain melted away as the numbness progressed from my waist down. On the monitor, my waves were now overlapping and crashing into one another. I registered none of it.<br />
<i>Then...my unexpected miracle happened.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her water broke @0135.</span><br />
On it's own.<br />
This triggered <i>active labor</i>, on it's own.<br />
I progressed from 5 to 9cm in less than 3 hours, while napping. (Whaaa?)<br />
The numbness started to fade and a strong pressure pushed down below.<br />
The ongoing waves returned, but I'm now ready. Following my body, I just went with the waves.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Relax...don't resist.</span><br />
Folding and bending into the pressure, I saw dark circles eclipsing each other in my mind before my eyes flashed open. It was as though the universe was expanding down below me.<br />
I knew she is here. <br />
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Repeatedly, I told the nurse of the baby's arrival, but perhaps since I was now <b><i>too</i></b> calm, my warnings were ignored. Finally, she looked down and with a loud gasp, rushed out of the room yelling for the midwife. <br />
<i>"I need you in here STAT!!!"</i><br />
Apparently, the baby's head was already half way out, up to her eyes. With one obligatory push, she came slipping out like a bar of soap, less than 10 seconds flat. They barely got their gloves on to catch her, and I could barely contain myself from laughing at it all...<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">She actually birthed herself. </span></i></div>
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My <b>most natural</b> childbirth to date.</div>
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Expect nothing, and you will get everything.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@0546, 10 mins later.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello Beanie.</span></div>
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We are proud to introduce our newest addition to our LAB.</div>
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Click Here: <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2012/04/big-brother.html">More Photos of "Big Brother & Baby Sister"</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qmlC6lU_37o" width="420"></iframe></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-69311548572244985392012-04-16T14:00:00.000-07:002012-05-05T00:43:01.480-07:00Fabulous at 40!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">40 Weeks, that is.</span></div>
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Come out baby, come out!</div>
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(Don't think that green shirt can stretch much more.)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-50325818985402966152012-04-01T20:55:00.140-07:002012-04-08T20:49:16.553-07:00OVO-Delic...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9411OXCv1Y/T4I65tQd3PI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/-s9L-OTWpuY/s1600/IMG_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9411OXCv1Y/T4I65tQd3PI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/-s9L-OTWpuY/s640/IMG_2211.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A side of Saturn in our kitchen?</span><br />
Mad Scientists Dalee & Zozie experimented with colors and eggs this afternoon. Single colors were combined into a primordial soup of chroma. You can get some pretty funky results with this fun activity! <br />
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<b>Back to<i> "Old School"</i> egg coloring for Easter.</b><br />
No plastic shells, no candy. Just a coloring kit and a dozen eggs. It's such a versatile medium, the egg never stops to amaze me...or Zozie. We've done several fun <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/08/slicer.html">OVO Presentations</a>, and are always ready to discover more. Dalee not only created the beautiful eggs, he also created the beautiful photos below...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EsPwWt4f6k/T4I62bdtZNI/AAAAAAAAB5A/JHNbfRK3Y3E/s1600/IMG_2200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EsPwWt4f6k/T4I62bdtZNI/AAAAAAAAB5A/JHNbfRK3Y3E/s640/IMG_2200.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<b>Chinese + Egg Hunts?</b><br />
Growing up, it always grossed out my Chinese immigrant parents when I would insist on coloring real eggs and hiding them for a hunt in the back yard. <br />
You may ask...<i>What's wrong with that?</i><br />
Well, it just didn't make any sense to them that you would boil perfectly good eggs, dunk them in really artificial coloring, throw them into the dirt, then pick them up again, just to peel and eat them. All the while, the eggs were not refrigerated and could be out all day. It just wasn't appetizing to them.<br />
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<b>But, C'mon...</b><br />
all this coming from people who enjoy "Century Egg" or <em style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Pídàn</em> (<span lang="zh-Hans" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="zh-Hans">皮蛋). </span><br />
Also known as <i>perserved egg, hundred-year egg, thousand-year egg, and millennium egg.</i> <br />
Ok, just by the name, you get that the eggs are probably left out for a REALLY LONG TIME. This is a Chinese delicacy made by preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, lime, and rice hulls for several weeks to months. Result? A dark green grey yolk smelling of sulphur and ammonia, while the egg white becomes a dark translucent brown jelly....yum...wait...<b>yum???</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yetWY7oYqF4/T4JD1UWKSbI/AAAAAAAAB50/jR3-ziTY928/s1600/Centuryegg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yetWY7oYqF4/T4JD1UWKSbI/AAAAAAAAB50/jR3-ziTY928/s400/Centuryegg.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
As for us, at the end of the day, it was great to see Zozie so excited<i><b> just to peel and eat</b></i> an egg that he colored. We skipped the "tossing it in the dirt part". Guess the Chinese thing did rub off on me alittle. And I guess I do also enjoy the flavors of the <i>Bizillion-Year-Egg</i>, jelly yolk and all. Either way, eating the egg WAS the prize, for me and Zozie. Now that's a sweet reward inside a shell...with alittle extra protein.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">artist at work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my prize!</td></tr>
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</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-51380532028731684782012-03-25T20:53:00.131-07:002012-04-06T15:43:37.411-07:00Ad Hoc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8t9Xw6GxFw/T3M2PdPVEvI/AAAAAAAABrc/vbGaz4Q-9XE/s1600/story01+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8t9Xw6GxFw/T3M2PdPVEvI/AAAAAAAABrc/vbGaz4Q-9XE/s640/story01+(1).jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"for temporary relief from hunger..."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's the motto at<b> <a href="http://www.adhocrestaurant.com/">Ad Hoc</a>.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Here piggie, here.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's how I <i>felt</i> here at Ad Hoc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As <i>part deux</i> of my <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2012/03/greens.html">mama-shower</a>, my design girls treated me to a fabulous Sunday Brunch at this yummy <i>bistro</i> in Napa, one of the more "casual" joints by Thomas Keller of <a href="http://frenchlaundry.com/">French Laundry</a> & <a href="http://www.bouchonbistro.com/">Bouchon's</a>. I'm only calling it a bistro since linens were absent from the table tops. But unlike FL, you don't need to spend 4 hours AND half of your life's savings to dine at Ad Hoc. With waiters in jeans and brown Dickies putton-ups, jammin' Johnny Cash-ish Pandora swooning us, and a farm-to-table organic local menu, it was the perfect spot for a lazy Sunday with your yappiest of girlfriends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The girls started with a few Strawberry Lemonade Sangrias while Beanie & I chugged glasses of fresh squeezed OJ....ahhhh. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then the magic started to happen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We opened with some Bouchon Bakery Pecan Sticky Buns, accompanied with some sort of fruit confection laced with lemon curd glaze. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The feast continued with simply eggs & ham over toast...they had MUCH better wording of this, but that's the gist. They paired the entree with a generous bowl of the <i>creamiest</i> grits EVER, tossed in some perfectly sauteed shrimp and sprinkles of asparagus and called it done. Served to me in it's own cooking pan, I had some robustly seasoned escarole and leeks instead of the ham, my <i>gosh</i> it was good! What pixie dust did they sprinkle over these veggies??? <b><i>Oink.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmeAavcjxIs/T3QPhn-TdSI/AAAAAAAABsI/clYEXIoYMBU/s1600/IMG_4799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmeAavcjxIs/T3QPhn-TdSI/AAAAAAAABsI/clYEXIoYMBU/s400/IMG_4799.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We finished off the Prix Fixe brunch with homemade coffee ice cream, oven fresh golden brownies, and warm cookies for dessert...that's right, c-o-f-f-e-e i-c-e-c-r-e-a-m, my personal favorite. Needless to say, we were too busy scarfing this course down to have time to take a picture for you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Oink. Oink.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We almost couldn't stand for the photos with such a big belly...oh wait, that just me at near 37weeks now. Ok, fine. And a big food belly on top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYM5mSxmUbs/T3M0u3NV7dI/AAAAAAAABrI/C3DqXgqAYJY/s1600/IMG_4804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYM5mSxmUbs/T3M0u3NV7dI/AAAAAAAABrI/C3DqXgqAYJY/s640/IMG_4804.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRpex1ckpds/T3M0mDLOKCI/AAAAAAAABrA/NMlQHkiJzTU/s1600/IMG_4803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRpex1ckpds/T3M0mDLOKCI/AAAAAAAABrA/NMlQHkiJzTU/s640/IMG_4803.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day was so Napa-beautiful, we decided to swing by <a href="http://www.robertsinskey.com/?gclid=CMWt2bTNi68CFQaFhwodmRJMAA">Robert Sinskey's Winnery</a> for a taste of their <i>"fine wines from organic vines."</i> Kid you not, that's their catch phrase. I'm feeling quite high brow and hoity-toity at this point. Anyways, RS is known to offer tastings with fantastic food & snack pairings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, we need <i>more </i>food right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVaz4n8wcbI/T3QTByYlpJI/AAAAAAAABsQ/w6hInCI0hFU/s1600/IMG_4807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVaz4n8wcbI/T3QTByYlpJI/AAAAAAAABsQ/w6hInCI0hFU/s400/IMG_4807.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This looks oh-so-WRONG with that 9month bump...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZCyjeLPrqU/T3QTk3KryrI/AAAAAAAABsc/9q2_MHKVw8c/s1600/IMG_4808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZCyjeLPrqU/T3QTk3KryrI/AAAAAAAABsc/9q2_MHKVw8c/s400/IMG_4808.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No worries, I focused mostly on the snack plate and the truffle salted popcorn treat they served. I stumbled out of the vineyard drunk with life...these last few weeks before the baby comes will be one to remember as this may be my last time around. For as uncomfortable as it has been at times during this whole transition, it really is beautiful to see the ripple a tiny new being is causing in my own still pond of a life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>The temporary relief of hunger actually lasted ALL DAY.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks so much M & A, for your generous hospitality today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking forward to our next pig-out together, post baby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><span id="goog_586219487"></span><span id="goog_586219488"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-53723650877410421412012-03-24T21:00:00.005-07:002012-04-01T20:32:57.511-07:00LAB Work: Mimi<b><i>Work Budget: As needed</i></b><br />
<b><i>Time: Some shopping time + 1 Friday afternoon</i></b><br />
Location: Oakland, CA<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;">Want to take a seat?</span><br />
Boy, I do. <br />
At 9 months pregnant, <i>waddling</i>, formerly known as <i>walking</i>, is a chore.<br />
But taking on a new design project? <br />
<i><b>Umm...SURE!</b></i><br />
It's like a craving, I just can't resist when it comes to a LAB transformation.<br />
This is my <i>last</i> one, I promise to cut back.<br />
(For now.)<br />
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<b>It's a small & cozy one...68 SF to be exact.</b><br />
Mimi is one of Zozo's classmates at their bilingual Montessori school. Recently, her parents noticed that M's toys have somehow slowly migrated to take nest in every nook & cranny of their beautiful Oakland home. <br />
Sound familiar?<br />
"<i>We've GOT to do something about this..."</i>. <br />
Mimi's mom has always wished for a useful <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2010/08/beautiful-breakable.html">Montessori inspired home space</a>. Any skills picked up at school is always best when reinforced at home. <br />
Practice means routine. <br />
Routine means freedom.<br />
Freedom to learn, to do, to create, to expand.<br />
So here we are, the LAB is on hand for some much needed help to bring this migration to a screeching halt. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to "Mimi's Office"...</span><br />
Mom & Dad each have home offices, so why not Mimi?<br />
The breakfast nook is currently the "random toy storage", which actually serves as a walk way to the kitchen. So we say <i>"Bye-bye random junk room...Hello new office!"</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh74XKuv4Fk/T3YLH1gGixI/AAAAAAAABvA/tpImhJkf2qs/s1600/MimiOfficeSK3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh74XKuv4Fk/T3YLH1gGixI/AAAAAAAABvA/tpImhJkf2qs/s400/MimiOfficeSK3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here's a quick LAB sketch to plot out the various functions we want: A reading nook, Arts & Crafts, Self Care Station, Work Area, Snack Prep, Cleaning Station, and Chalkboard. The LAB came up with an open circulation plan using a toddler table set as the island anchor. A short "wall partition" shelving unit creates a walkway to the kitchen while providing some privacy to the nook. Come, let's take a tour around the office!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V31usMOpar0/T3Yu1VckwAI/AAAAAAAABvk/GIsk6WsjfQ8/s1600/IMG_7079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V31usMOpar0/T3Yu1VckwAI/AAAAAAAABvk/GIsk6WsjfQ8/s400/IMG_7079.JPG" width="266" /></a><b><span style="color: #38761d;">The Color Inspiration?</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></b><br />
The black & white french toile fabric on the existing built-in bench and roman shades. This is our take off point in setting the pallet in this room: black, white, and a sprinkle of sage tea green! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0gKmDAmSEI/T3Yq3kKI3eI/AAAAAAAABvQ/8rWvs9UqiI8/s1600/IMG_7078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0gKmDAmSEI/T3Yq3kKI3eI/AAAAAAAABvQ/8rWvs9UqiI8/s400/IMG_7078.JPG" width="266" /></a><b><span style="color: #38761d;">The Reading Nook</span></b><br />
This beautiful bay window is the highlight of this <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2010/09/books-for-breakfast.html">book nook</a> (See 1st photo above). The natural sunlight, the view, the bench - all elements that would lure you into this corner to read, think, chat. <br />
But, it was blocked. <br />
A dollhouse was pushed up against the bench wall, making it inaccessible, and worst...invisible. This focal point needed to be uncovered. We removed the dollhouse immediately, added a bold stripe blanket, tossed in a tea green pillow, and set a floor lamp with a whimsical floral embroidery for added lighting. A bookshelf was placed adjacent to the reading lamp for easy access to a rotating book collection. The set up is now warm & inviting for reflection and reading, alone or with company.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZZUk55glfQ/T3YxSTVCgRI/AAAAAAAABvs/sMyxFWCsDDE/s1600/IMG_7077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZZUk55glfQ/T3YxSTVCgRI/AAAAAAAABvs/sMyxFWCsDDE/s400/IMG_7077.JPG" width="266" /></a><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Arts & Crafts Station</span></b><br />
If there's one thing kids do, it's art. And lots of it. This is one of Mimi's favorite home activities. We wanted everything accessible for her to retrieve on her own, and of course, PUT BACK on her own. Let's not forget, this is a Hapa LAB transformation, work<b><i> is</i></b> part of the fun!<br />
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<b><u>Top Shelf: </u></b> Paper stash & a wood caddy for holding glue, tape, rulers, stapler....etc.<br />
<b><u>2nd Shelf:</u></b> Galvanized metal buckets hold crayons, markers, pencils, brushes, and scissors.<br />
<b><u>Bottom Shelf:</u></b> soft bins to store stationary, stickers, craft ingredients; we used sage green to bring in the color from the toss pillow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YtSNMa9mcNA/T3Z3wc3dUdI/AAAAAAAABv0/lGID2dNUMJc/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YtSNMa9mcNA/T3Z3wc3dUdI/AAAAAAAABv0/lGID2dNUMJc/s400/IMG_7066.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Self Care (Vanity/Grooming)</b></span><br />
The original plan had the Reading & Art shelves butting up next to one another. But there was a glitch. A 13" wide air vent in the middle of the wall required a back up plan. In a Montessori space, it's always good to have a Self Grooming Area. We placed a vanity mirror and a rod with hanging buckets below to hold sunscreen, hair brushes, hair ties and other sundries. This will help Mimi get herself ready for the day each morning.<br />
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<b style="color: #38761d;">Work Area </b><br />
Ever try to work at home but you don't have a dedicated seat or desk? Very inconvenient to say the least. We threw in 4 chairs and a generous work surface as we expect playmates and large craft projects. A fun black & white rug anchors this area visually by highlighting it from the wood floor. This creates a nice circulation to the room, allowing access to the table from 3 sides, getting any supplies needed, and approaching the reading nook. We hung a roll of art paper and hooks on the back of the dividing shelf, doubling up the function in this small space.<br />
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<b style="color: #38761d;">Partition Wall Storage</b><br />
Our favorite Ikea shelf is back, the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10196431/#/70103085">Expedite</a>! In a jiffy, it created a private partition for the office while housing practical life items and providing supply storage below via woven baskets, a soothing natural touch against the white finish. We added lockable casters so this piece can easily roll to the counter wall when they need to open up during a party.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtSgj_CghnU/T3aTfW2H6mI/AAAAAAAABwE/bEG6Jwlg5Zw/s1600/IMG_7051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtSgj_CghnU/T3aTfW2H6mI/AAAAAAAABwE/bEG6Jwlg5Zw/s640/IMG_7051.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<b style="color: #38761d;">Chalkboard</b><br />
In the distance (above photo), we mounted a chalk tray underneath the bar counter. For $12, you can get a can of <a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=chalkboard+paint&hl=en&prmd=imvns&resnum=2&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1680&bih=949&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11792438545892390613&sa=X&ei=eZR2T8XYJI3aiQLCxtynDg&ved=0CIYBEPMCMAA">brush on latex chalkboard paint</a> and turn a boring drywall into a writable surface! A good use for a vertical wall surface that would otherwise be wasted. What kid wouldn't want to draw on walls if they could, right? <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gb-pgLCCR4/T3aWRKet-lI/AAAAAAAABwM/7zF3MNaYXU4/s1600/IMG_7049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gb-pgLCCR4/T3aWRKet-lI/AAAAAAAABwM/7zF3MNaYXU4/s400/IMG_7049.JPG" width="266" /></a><b style="color: #38761d;">Snack Prep</b><br />
Mom plans on serving some yummy snacks in this office. They have a wonderful little "snack clock" that shows Mimi when her next snack time is, and better yet, WHAT she will be having! I got her a note clipper so Mom can better display what's coming on the snack menu. <br />
In the cubbies below, we placed a H2O dispenser, glasses, mugs, plates, bowls, utensils, and left a shelf for placemats and napkins. Clear placement of snack supplies will help her set the table as well as guide her in putting away clean dishes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gi00n9BJr10/T3aavH-enUI/AAAAAAAABwU/6w2oJQQfhqE/s1600/IMG_7074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gi00n9BJr10/T3aavH-enUI/AAAAAAAABwU/6w2oJQQfhqE/s640/IMG_7074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAOI8dDV6Xk/T3acxp8c8XI/AAAAAAAABwc/7R3fkuy4e5I/s1600/IMG_7055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAOI8dDV6Xk/T3acxp8c8XI/AAAAAAAABwc/7R3fkuy4e5I/s400/IMG_7055.JPG" width="266" /></a><b style="color: #38761d;">Cleaning Station</b><br />
What LAB transformation is complete without a <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2010/09/clean-bucket.html">Cleaning Station</a>? We used a narrow 3tier shelf to hold the trash can, hand broom, wipe clothes, spray bottle, and other supplies.<br />
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<b style="color: #38761d;">The Nature Tray</b><br />
Montessori welcomes natural elements. <br />
We finished up this M-inspired space with a Nature Tray so that Mimi can get creative with the Earth. It's so lovely to have cut flowers, stones, leaves, twigs, or anything a child may find on a morning walk around the neighborhood. We used a wooden tray and a small glass vase as the base. Zozie designed this display on his own using some cuttings from the garden as a surprise for Mimi. This is a nice topping on the partition wall, welcoming guests into this space.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzFa0q7yu1U/T3ae-d3xIaI/AAAAAAAABwo/urEpYWXvVRo/s1600/IMG_7047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzFa0q7yu1U/T3ae-d3xIaI/AAAAAAAABwo/urEpYWXvVRo/s640/IMG_7047.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So this is it! </span><br />
Our <i>last</i> LAB transformation before our new arrival comes.<br />
Who's crazy enough to do a new design project at 9 months pregnant?<br />
The same one who opened a new <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2010/11/silver-spoon.html">Lobby Lounge</a> for a LA hotel 5 days before birthing Zozie.<br />
Seems like a trend for me.<br />
Install a project, birth a child.<br />
Easy enough, right?<br />
I give Beanie 14 days...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-77192931053479931682012-03-17T23:21:00.173-07:002012-03-29T08:55:46.563-07:00Greens.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LXApMviC70/T3Qb1s-f8LI/AAAAAAAABsk/PBSuo_ORyes/s1600/greengulch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LXApMviC70/T3Qb1s-f8LI/AAAAAAAABsk/PBSuo_ORyes/s640/greengulch1.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is Green Gulch Farm.</span><br />
And 14miles away in SF, is <a href="http://www.greensrestaurant.com/">Greens</a>, the pioneer of elegant vegetarian cuisine. Pushing the envelope in the 70's, Greens has brought an awareness of vegetarian fine dining to a whole new level. <br />
<a href="http://www.sfzc.org/ggf/">Green Gulch</a> is the organic farm that shares the same campus as an active American Zen Center in Marin County. It is also an active supplier of fresh organic produce for Greens all year long.<br />
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As a Zen minded family, Green Gulch is a special place for us, especially with us having Zozie. As Zen is most often a solo self practice, it is a rare find to come across a community that had any children <i>at all</i>, let alone an actual <a href="http://www.sfzc.org/ggf/display.asp?catid=3,78,204&pageid=236&mode=c">"Children's Program"</a> each 1st Sunday of the month! This is not simply childcare while you go and self practice. It is actually a program designed to engage and involve children into Zen practice itself. The farm is a natural practice ground for such teachings. <br />
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As my due date approaches, I wanted to celebrate our new arrival. <br />
The growth and birth of a new being, from nothing, to now, <i><b>something.</b></i> <br />
This is not my first time around. In fact, it is my fourth.<br />
The two, after Zozie, have come and gone but stay with me, though this current one is kicking the hardest now, in both my mind and belly. <br />
The miracle of it all still inspires me. <br />
All have made full and complete life cycles, some just longer than others. <br />
For Beanie, she is just beginning.<br />
And I wanted to give this little bud that acknowledgement...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greens was the perfect pick for my "Non-Baby Shower".</span><br />
I wanted no more gifts, no more clothes, no more gear, and no more life extinguished for celebration (vegetarian)....just well wishes, support, advice, and good old fashioned friendship.<br />
I have all I need to dress, feed, change, and entertain a newborn. <br />
But <i>really good</i> food with <i>really good</i> friends? <br />
Can never have too much of that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQt5I6gf4co/T3QmA6rPVNI/AAAAAAAABss/RExXrUQf_Rk/s1600/IMG_6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQt5I6gf4co/T3QmA6rPVNI/AAAAAAAABss/RExXrUQf_Rk/s640/IMG_6967.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have the perfect circle of Mandarin Mommies</span> to celebrate this occasion billed as my "Last Hoorah Dinner". Food was one of our connections. We have a long standing Mother's Night Out every 3rd Saturday of the month. That's how much we love food...and how much we love gabbing with each other. So every month, for one night only, we are free spirits, unencumbered, and feeling like we can stay up and out, <b>all night long</b>, college style. Most often, we pay for it the next day. Toddlers jumping on our faces bright and early, starting the day for us without our written, verbal, or physical consent. But even with that, our monthly MNO is sacred.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0S-1c7KaV8/T3QpmbllDVI/AAAAAAAABtA/S7utHzA1eAM/s1600/IMG_4789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0S-1c7KaV8/T3QpmbllDVI/AAAAAAAABtA/S7utHzA1eAM/s640/IMG_4789.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Almost graduating at 9 months (36wks), and fellow bump bearer at 6 months.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FsSuKOrJjrg/T3Qp3wjFjkI/AAAAAAAABtI/OuDDLdIxj8U/s1600/IMG_4790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FsSuKOrJjrg/T3Qp3wjFjkI/AAAAAAAABtI/OuDDLdIxj8U/s400/IMG_4790.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My non-baby shower then moved into a private singing room at the <a href="http://www.musictunnelktv.com/HomeENG.php">Music Tunnel</a>, our local Karaoke bar, where they serve yummy boba milk teas and Taiwanese stinky tofu, (yes, at the same time). <br />
I know, a <i>super classy</i> follow up to the wholesome fine dining experience at Greens, right? You betcha. One of the most fun nights in a long time, thanks to each of my Mandarin mamas for making this happen. <br />
Pass the mic and pass the stinky tofu... we took the stage in my last hoorah!<br />
<i>(Now if I can dig up that YMCA clip to attach...hummmm....)</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-61822223249382627322012-02-18T23:25:00.471-08:002012-04-06T15:33:52.939-07:00ROAR!!!<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/-byFPI0L6HlM/T38pWC3XS3I/AAAAAAAAB3M/aHfwGEcdsNs/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byFPI0L6HlM/T38pWC3XS3I/AAAAAAAAB3M/aHfwGEcdsNs/s640/IMG_2047.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What's this on the cake???</span><br />
Last year it was <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/02/big-3.html">WORMS</a>...this year it's DINO EGGS!<br />
Our own little Enzosaurus hatched 4 years ago...<br />
Since then, we have been slowly collecting other little egglings as friends along the way. The guest list grows and changes. Every year, we reflect on our life with our sweet boy... How he came to us, who he is, what he has and will become. Apparently, he became a dinosaur at some point between 3.5 & 4 years old this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfuPDTQR_FE/T3t8y3vZ4NI/AAAAAAAAB0g/TnhB06Hj-gY/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfuPDTQR_FE/T3t8y3vZ4NI/AAAAAAAAB0g/TnhB06Hj-gY/s640/IMG_2138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My ideas always start <i>simple.</i>..</span><br />
then without fail, like a welcomed weed, they grow. I go from a "small cake cutting" to a full blown <i><b>carnival.</b> My mind just takes off. </i>Not wanting just a frilly sugar fest, I designed the activities to engage the kids so they can learn, observe, and have a great time. I know, I know, <i>it's a party</i>. But who says having fun and learning are independent of each other, right? RIGHT???<br />
Below is the party programming.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8DdSCbJoVQ/T3t5UE3V01I/AAAAAAAAB0I/kTP41xecY3c/s1600/IMG_2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8DdSCbJoVQ/T3t5UE3V01I/AAAAAAAAB0I/kTP41xecY3c/s400/IMG_2027.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">THE FOSSIL DIG:</span></u></b><br />
<b>Kids LOVE to dig!</b> We set up our train table with sand and fossils for our Fossil Dig! The inspiration came from seeing some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Assorted-Dinosaur-Fossil-Skeleton-Figures/dp/B001M2FNH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333731709&sr=8-1">plastic dino fossils </a>on Amazon. With their dino names at the bottom, this was a fantastic option to bury the bones and have all the kids <i>excavate</i> them! We threw in some rocks, leaves, and extra seashells to flush out the loot.<br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Ingredients :</span></b><br />
1) Train Table<br />
2) 2 - 10lb Bag of Sand<br />
3) 24 Dino Fossils<br />
4) Large Canvas Drop Cloth<br />
5) Various rocks, bay leaves, and seashells<br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">The Observation Table</span></b><br />
We set up an <b>Observation Table</b> for our young archaeologists to explore their findings. Brushes, magnifying glasses, labels, bags, and markers were provided as part of the Lab Work. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O80mDnQaP0U/T3uAUoDHqcI/AAAAAAAAB0o/BOkVCj4pgfs/s1600/IMG_2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O80mDnQaP0U/T3uAUoDHqcI/AAAAAAAAB0o/BOkVCj4pgfs/s640/IMG_2006.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvmYXrDqWqc/T3zXeGLhnwI/AAAAAAAAB1g/mTaB5vYPS_w/s1600/IMG_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvmYXrDqWqc/T3zXeGLhnwI/AAAAAAAAB1g/mTaB5vYPS_w/s640/IMG_2029.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<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/-b1Q2rPm72ek/T3zWQkXUhSI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/9ob7LSdrGio/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1Q2rPm72ek/T3zWQkXUhSI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/9ob7LSdrGio/s640/IMG_2037.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyJr-JiNfmc/T3zL8mj35uI/AAAAAAAAB08/9ZACaAJnCE0/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyJr-JiNfmc/T3zL8mj35uI/AAAAAAAAB08/9ZACaAJnCE0/s400/IMG_2050.JPG" width="265" /></a><b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">GROW-A-DINO:</span></u></b><br />
<b>After the sand...we threw in the WATER!</b> A very <i>textural</i> party so far, we wanted to stimulate all senses! These Dino Capsules took over an hour to grow, so it was a sensorial lesson with patience built in:) We asked the kids to label and leave their experiment cups on the shelf so they can check in on them throughout the party and take them home at the end. We did a "sample" at each station so the kids can visually "self-serve" without any adult assistance.<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
1) Tray<br />
2) Pitcher with Water<br />
3) Clear cups<br />
4) Dino Sponge Capsules<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HktG-fW11gI/T3uE4kxxuLI/AAAAAAAAB0w/oUMSTFugdHs/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HktG-fW11gI/T3uE4kxxuLI/AAAAAAAAB0w/oUMSTFugdHs/s640/IMG_2007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">READING & COLORING:</span></u></b><br />
<b>Have a kid that prefers some quiet time on his own?</b> We set up a small reading station with a bucket of Dino books in both English & Chinese. Next to it, a coloring station with a stack of Dino coloring sheets, crayons, markers, and dino stickers to decorate. A large cork board was provided with laundry clips to hang the finished pieces.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UAxooDSEEQ/T3zU7TsIt_I/AAAAAAAAB1E/V6h3Hf2Ce-g/s1600/IMG_2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UAxooDSEEQ/T3zU7TsIt_I/AAAAAAAAB1E/V6h3Hf2Ce-g/s640/IMG_2041.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our own Enzosaurus takes a quiet moment at the reading corner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf2giAinouc/T3zkK50mnxI/AAAAAAAAB1o/zheaddkR-ig/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf2giAinouc/T3zkK50mnxI/AAAAAAAAB1o/zheaddkR-ig/s400/IMG_2061.JPG" width="266" /></a><b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">THE RACE TO EXTINCTION:</span></u></b><br />
<b>OK, nuff of the learning and reading.</b> Let's RUN!!!<br />
This is a guarantee crowd pleaser. Now run <i>AS A DINOSAUR?</i> No way. We handed out<a href="http://www.amazon.com/franks-12-Foam-Dinosaur-Masks/dp/B0019ICIWA/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1333732096&sr=1-3"> dino masks</a> and asked the creatures to line up for a <b>RACE TO EXTINCTION!</b> Guess you would actually want to<i><b> loose</b></i> this race for survival purposes? Any-Hoo...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--he_CnSxZa8/T3zlOdcfsLI/AAAAAAAAB1w/L3bwIRT9_N4/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--he_CnSxZa8/T3zlOdcfsLI/AAAAAAAAB1w/L3bwIRT9_N4/s640/IMG_2071.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The tot claws came out at the line up. This is going to be one tough race.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBiy7VEIFbk/T3zpbjh85QI/AAAAAAAAB2A/6upRmiO_mX8/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBiy7VEIFbk/T3zpbjh85QI/AAAAAAAAB2A/6upRmiO_mX8/s640/IMG_2081.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One...Two...Three...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bl9RZBqeFV0/T3zpe-agH6I/AAAAAAAAB2I/VBk_q2qajaU/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bl9RZBqeFV0/T3zpe-agH6I/AAAAAAAAB2I/VBk_q2qajaU/s640/IMG_2083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GO!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KQodoaylhng/T3zokyuUsbI/AAAAAAAAB14/Bios_a5zyIA/s1600/IMG_2088A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KQodoaylhng/T3zokyuUsbI/AAAAAAAAB14/Bios_a5zyIA/s640/IMG_2088A.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fight to the finish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><u><span style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">JURASSIC GRUB:</span></u></b></div><div><b>Phew...We are famished! </b> After the race, it was cake and grub time! Each year, I design the cake and Dalee creates it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvRoydQs32Q/T39jVLEaTHI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/wwNVmuvWVng/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvRoydQs32Q/T39jVLEaTHI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/wwNVmuvWVng/s400/IMG_2015.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Requirements?</b></span><br />
1) Low sugar<br />
(minimal to no icing)<br />
2) Easy to make<br />
3) Fun!<br />
With all the organic wave patterns, a "Tiger Skin" roll cake was the perfect base our Jurassic tort. The natural bubbles and toasty stripes is a great backdrop. Dalee kept the top of a pineapple for some prehistoric foliage. We flushed out the display with a dino nest using coated peanuts: A crunchy outer shells with a peanut in the middle. Fantastic for giving the illusion of biting into<i> real</i> dino eggs!<br />
<br />
<br />
<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/-F__TErwGgak/T3t5GU5s5wI/AAAAAAAAB0A/j1QMZvGZuwE/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F__TErwGgak/T3t5GU5s5wI/AAAAAAAAB0A/j1QMZvGZuwE/s640/IMG_2017.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dalee pumped out the <b>Choco Dino Minicakes </b>with their own egg nests.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSF0dR4p5gE/T39lbr6qkEI/AAAAAAAAB3g/lAX5EieLEq4/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSF0dR4p5gE/T39lbr6qkEI/AAAAAAAAB3g/lAX5EieLEq4/s400/IMG_2133.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>...wanna try one?</i></b> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-klnQSvrFcJ0/T38pTbSmPRI/AAAAAAAAB3E/sij_lZRNfVk/s1600/IMG_2104A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-klnQSvrFcJ0/T38pTbSmPRI/AAAAAAAAB3E/sij_lZRNfVk/s640/IMG_2104A.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div><b><u><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">PARTY FAVORS:</span></u></b></span></u></b><br />
</div><b>And with that, the Dino Fest came to an end.</b><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKJFHt6a6cU/T39qJUt7j-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/6sKxOVYDjoI/s1600/IMG_7175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKJFHt6a6cU/T39qJUt7j-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/6sKxOVYDjoI/s400/IMG_7175.JPG" width="266" /></a>We sent the kids packing with their choice of a box of Dino Puzzle or Dino Origami to continue the fun at home. Coloring books were given to the younger siblings to eat, tear, or to color. Yes, some parent participation IS required, but again, the LAB loves interactive play! As a rule of thumb, one large favor/activity always works better than a bunch of small trinkets. Or you can say, I just got lazy since it's <i>way</i> more simple than putting together a goodie bag. <br />
<i>Minimal Work + Bigger Impact = One Happy Mama.</i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>So for next year's birthday...</b></i><br />
I'm thinking a nice small cake cutting.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-39106068502119579892012-02-16T21:02:00.021-08:002012-04-08T23:01:48.351-07:00The Earth Goes Around The Sun...<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NflQut_kVTE/T4JrRxaho5I/AAAAAAAAB7A/bLWTUKnK6Fw/s1600/IMG_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NflQut_kVTE/T4JrRxaho5I/AAAAAAAAB7A/bLWTUKnK6Fw/s640/IMG_0837.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"The Earth goes around the sun,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Earth goes around the sun,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Earth goes around the sun, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and it take one year!"</i></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ever wonder how you do Birthdays the Montessori way?</span><br />
<br />
The celebration is a quiet one.<br />
15 mins, no cake, no sweets, no presents.<br />
There's something soothing about being so simple.<br />
<br />
Zozie slowly traces the sandpaper <i>Number 4</i> as he preps for his birthday circle at school. The number is laid on a number rod with 4 sections, red being an odd number, blue being an even number. Today, Zozie's #4 is on the 4th blue section.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPQTc31OuQc/T4Jte8j5KII/AAAAAAAAB7I/gIkWav6vIZE/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPQTc31OuQc/T4Jte8j5KII/AAAAAAAAB7I/gIkWav6vIZE/s400/IMG_0834.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It starts with setting up a "Sun" with monthly calendar tags as rays, January - December. This reinforces the idea of 12 months adding up to one year, going through 4 distinct seasons indicated by the 4 trees on the birthday mat. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyM6mF1B8RY/T4Jpfxj6X2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/k7hgehdEQU8/s1600/IMG_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyM6mF1B8RY/T4Jpfxj6X2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/k7hgehdEQU8/s640/IMG_0817.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6pJVVv5100/T4JqNv6g6iI/AAAAAAAAB6k/-KHM9PY2tRk/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6pJVVv5100/T4JqNv6g6iI/AAAAAAAAB6k/-KHM9PY2tRk/s400/IMG_0820.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher highlights the various months making up the year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were asked to provide 3 photos, one for each year of Zozie's growth at 1 year, 2 year, 3 year. A candle is lit and places in the center as the actual sun. A small Earth globe is handed to the child to walk around the sun one time to simulate the passing of one year while the class sings "The Earth goes around the sun..."<br />
<br />
<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/--_etmQ2SvtA/T4JxQmi0cZI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/YDxxsEF1jEE/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_etmQ2SvtA/T4JxQmi0cZI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/YDxxsEF1jEE/s640/IMG_0844.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<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/-fqye6w-yZ-U/T4J0t56EZPI/AAAAAAAAB78/llJRZ_jpt9k/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fqye6w-yZ-U/T4J0t56EZPI/AAAAAAAAB78/llJRZ_jpt9k/s640/IMG_0857.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
At the end of the 4 circle walks around the sun, there is not a photo of him at the current age since he is standing live before the class. So the class is asked to take 4 "finger photos" of the birthday child!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpSLZHPLgjk/T4JzOXNoliI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/Ur5d7dhV6gI/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpSLZHPLgjk/T4JzOXNoliI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/Ur5d7dhV6gI/s640/IMG_0862.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
And with that, the candle is blown out. The birthday circle comes to a close.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Uf4M6GcA28/T4JzTA6mtPI/AAAAAAAAB7g/eAlHHZCLPzA/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Uf4M6GcA28/T4JzTA6mtPI/AAAAAAAAB7g/eAlHHZCLPzA/s640/IMG_0864.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
The birthday child starts to hand out a small snack to each of his classmates, and the teacher presents his class gift to everyone. Often times, it can be a book, a plant, or something of that nature. We decided to give the class a potted pink orchid to take care of...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYqB694GuIY/T4Jzjhwy1oI/AAAAAAAAB7o/drT_RjqoHtI/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYqB694GuIY/T4Jzjhwy1oI/AAAAAAAAB7o/drT_RjqoHtI/s640/IMG_0867.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgADEI5IGIU/T4J0o_RjWII/AAAAAAAAB70/PXP4b2mY2Sc/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgADEI5IGIU/T4J0o_RjWII/AAAAAAAAB70/PXP4b2mY2Sc/s400/IMG_0871.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
This method of celebration really focuses on the child himself, his growth each year, and his relationship to the Earth & sun with the passage of time. After all, what does a cupcake have to do with a child's <i>birth-day? </i>Don't get me wrong, we are having cupcakes later at a home party....but that's more for me! I really do love the shift in focus and the simplicity of the Montessori celebration. As a bonus, Grandma & Grandpa flew in today just to catch Zozie's special birthday circle, a sweet addition to the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAIyKyL_dZw/T4JqgerRw5I/AAAAAAAAB60/HkLZmoPptz8/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAIyKyL_dZw/T4JqgerRw5I/AAAAAAAAB60/HkLZmoPptz8/s640/IMG_0891.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b>Zozie's Earth has started to take it's next circle around the sun. </b><br />
<b>My birthday wish? </b><br />
Hoping this circle would somehow be <i>just alittle slower </i>than the first 4 loops.<br />
<i>Please? </i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mgZRPFcgM-Q" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-31283829130398250572012-02-12T20:45:00.174-08:002012-03-07T22:20:24.021-08:00Mei-Mei. (妹妹)<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/-AAiczRfCQhU/T1hFYsLhyDI/AAAAAAAABk8/6fy1XlT80S4/s1600/IMG_6764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AAiczRfCQhU/T1hFYsLhyDI/AAAAAAAABk8/6fy1XlT80S4/s640/IMG_6764.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Meet my "Mei-Mei".</span></i><br />
<i>That's my baby sister.</i><br />
<i>My<b> pretend</b> baby sister.</i><br />
<i>I love her SOOOO much.</i><br />
(Atleast while she's still just an inanimate plastic dolly.)<br />
<br />
We took Zozie to the "Sibling Hospital Class" yesterday.<br />
The class where you walk in and see pairs of expectant parents gazing anxiously at their older toddler and accessing their "handling" of their assigned plastic sibling, shrouded in various baby blankets. <br />
<i>Do they seem jealous? Happy? Indifferent? </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Dpoc3vBDJQ/T1hOSSaYiYI/AAAAAAAABlI/0zyGj9ap0uU/s1600/IMG_6775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Dpoc3vBDJQ/T1hOSSaYiYI/AAAAAAAABlI/0zyGj9ap0uU/s400/IMG_6775.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>The nurse teacher spoke in a soft voice and instructed the children on how to handle their faux sibling. After a quick book, a dated-not-so-high-production-quality-short-film, some basic swaddling techniques, and getting a very gender-specific "I'm a big Brother" sticker on Zo's chest, we were all off to the maternity ward for our grand hospital tour.<br />
<br />
Upon visiting the Labor & Delivery room, the children were captivated by the "robot bed" that elevated the mother to a seated position. They looked around, bounced on the pullout sofa bed next to the window and was ready to move on to the NICU, hoping to see a <b><i>real</i></b> newborn.<br />
<br />
<b>Meanwhile, I'm still staring. </b><br />
My mind flashing backwards and not knowing what's forward. Even with the nice warm wood tones, comfy paint colors, and home-like surroundings (as much as can be with all the medical equipment <i>trying</i> to hide), I looked at the metal bed rails and remember the cool steel in my 2 hands while I clutched through another "birthing wave". I was about to go through another transformation soon. The taste and smell of that state of being is coming back. Or maybe never left. But just not acknowledged again, until now.<br />
<br />
As we shuffle our way down the hall, some excitement is building...voices of children go from murmurs to squeaks. We all see something, yeeping softly under a glowing indigo blue lamp...a REAL baby.<br />
My gosh...those things are <i>small</i>. Just tiny. Yet, I feel my ever present belly for a second, and oh man, I feel just <i>enormous</i>. Not sure if I wouldn't explode if I sneezed too hard.<br />
<i>"Is that a REAL baby, mama?"</i><br />
<i>"Yes, Zozie. It is..."</i><br />
<b>We both stared.</b><br />
<br />
Like Zo 4 yrs ago, this little guy is being remedied from a case of newborn jaundice. I remember sunning Zozie in our stairwell at home, not being quite sure if his bout of jaundice was just due to the fact that he was half Chinese. I went along with the plan and turned my little baking Buddha every 5 mins in the stairwell. Sure enough, with in 1.5 weeks, he's complexion became creamy butter korma, sans the curry powder. This particular goggle-sporting little man will be just fine too, and we thanked him for showing us his bravery in these first few days of life. <br />
<br />
<b>But, Zozie just stared and stared. </b><br />
So many pretend senarios of a new baby sister.<br />
So many imagined conversations.<br />
So many make-believe interactions.<br />
I can see he's finally <i>getting it.</i><br />
<br />
<b>It was a day of staring.</b><br />
I find in silence observation, one grows.<br />
Cut the noise, just stare, and see.<br />
A new life is about to bloom before us.<br />
The three of us, just staring together.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YoU6QGYvMio" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-55096869430685050052012-02-09T21:55:00.041-08:002012-04-08T17:54:05.982-07:00Rigatoni.<b><i>Presentation: Threading.</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-roG1L_juJ3I/T39yz0pPNBI/AAAAAAAAB30/VuP2qBef7qY/s1600/IMG_6912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-roG1L_juJ3I/T39yz0pPNBI/AAAAAAAAB30/VuP2qBef7qY/s640/IMG_6912.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Got a bag of pasta, some string, and nothing to do?</span><br />
<i>"Mama, I wanna make a ne-ka-lass."</i><br />
<i>With our noodles?</i><br />
<i>YEAH! </i><br />
<i>Heck, why not.</i><br />
<br />
This turned out to be another fantastic<a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2010/09/50-cents.html"> threading exercise.</a><br />
I quickly brought out some leftover red yarn to tie the food jewelry together and Zozie got to work.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r__OiGxSJQE/T4Id0HlVKWI/AAAAAAAAB4U/ee_AKLDuERw/s1600/IMG_6908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r__OiGxSJQE/T4Id0HlVKWI/AAAAAAAAB4U/ee_AKLDuERw/s400/IMG_6908.JPG" width="266" /></a><b><u>The Goal</u></b><br />
Hand eye coordination and pincher skill<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Set Up</u></b><br />
1) Tray<br />
2) Bag of hollow pasta (Penne or Rigatoni)<br />
3) Cut yarn<br />
4) Small bowl<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Presentation</u></b><br />
1) Invite the child to bring the tray to the table<br />
2) Tie a small knot on one end of the yard<br />
3) Pick up one piece of pasta with thumb and index finger<br />
4) Hold up the cut yarn with the other hand<br />
5) Slowly thread the yarn into the pasta "bead"<br />
6) Repeat and continue<br />
7) Can make necklaces, bracelets, or crowns<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0x0Q3lwdP8/T4IeRcQff0I/AAAAAAAAB4c/FYyHTD2P2lc/s1600/IMG_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0x0Q3lwdP8/T4IeRcQff0I/AAAAAAAAB4c/FYyHTD2P2lc/s400/IMG_6913.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evQaJqIcHMk/T4IeqrkQplI/AAAAAAAAB4k/hKqr_tuguXo/s1600/IMG_6711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evQaJqIcHMk/T4IeqrkQplI/AAAAAAAAB4k/hKqr_tuguXo/s640/IMG_6711.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy, I look great.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">This exercise tied us over for my entire dinner prep time, a welcomed surprise for an otherwise regular evening. At only $2 for the bag of pasta, this was a cheap and easy tool that can be rinse and cooked to be eaten at a later meal no less! Enjoy!</div><b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<b><i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yomWLF_2SiA" width="420"></iframe></i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-49711814506026924852012-01-30T18:55:00.000-08:002012-04-03T13:04:24.569-07:00Staples!<b><i>Presentation: Stapling.</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBVL1mnfJlk/T3tMF9anW2I/AAAAAAAABzU/fJmqhGP8bQ0/s1600/IMG_7124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBVL1mnfJlk/T3tMF9anW2I/AAAAAAAABzU/fJmqhGP8bQ0/s640/IMG_7124.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We did the </span><a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2010/12/snip.html" style="font-size: x-large;">Snipping</a><span style="font-size: large;">...but not the stapling.</span><br />
By his request, we are introducing the stapling skill.<br />
A no brainer set up, just offer a stapler and some paper.<br />
But we kicked it up a notch by combining stapling WITH letter writing and word recognition.<br />
<br />
<b>The Goal</b><br />
Learn hand grip, coordination, and pressure level for stapling<br />
Combine handwriting and word recognition through stapling game<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnu7ViUDYQo/T3tU6bL9dfI/AAAAAAAABzs/XYqYWv-zIPU/s1600/IMG_7114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnu7ViUDYQo/T3tU6bL9dfI/AAAAAAAABzs/XYqYWv-zIPU/s400/IMG_7114.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><b>The Set Up</b><br />
1) Tray<br />
2) SMALL Stapler *We opted for a clear one so that Zozie can see the staples inside and refill when empty.<br />
3) Cut pieces of paper<br />
4) Write a few cursive letters<br />
5) Make smaller word pictures to be stapled on to the letter sheets (see below)<br />
<br />
<b>The Presentation</b><br />
1) Invite child to bring tray to the table<br />
2) Hold corner of paper with one hand<br />
3) Grip stapler with other hand, thumb on top, rest of fingers on the bottom<br />
4) Hold over the corner and apply down pressure until stapler clicks (important that it's a small stapler so they can do the ONE hand hold)<br />
5) Have child do a series of staples till he is comfortable with the one hand hold and push.<br />
6) Add a second piece of paper ontop, secure with thumb over the layered paper.<br />
7) Same one hand stapling action, repeat.<br />
8) Variation: If not comfortable with the ONE hand grip, try showing the Double hand grip - Have one hand over another on top of the stapler. With a swift push down, staple papers with hands cupped.<br />
<b>Extension:</b><br />
We included paper with cursive letters and cut up small pictures that start with each letter. "T" had small papers with words like "Table," "Train," "Tent", "Turtle," "Tail"....<br />
Child can color the small pictures, as well as practice writing the cursive letters they see. Zozie liked to repeat what he just stapled phonetically...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDR8S7f5AWs/T3tKHcuXdnI/AAAAAAAABzI/QPkAKtvuCmY/s1600/IMG_6599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDR8S7f5AWs/T3tKHcuXdnI/AAAAAAAABzI/QPkAKtvuCmY/s640/IMG_6599.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One hand grip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKtPx0wNQQY/T3tQWnkxYBI/AAAAAAAABzc/pWo5Z8zWfbQ/s1600/IMG_6596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKtPx0wNQQY/T3tQWnkxYBI/AAAAAAAABzc/pWo5Z8zWfbQ/s640/IMG_6596.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaeNY0ZOTig/T3tT3HVcmWI/AAAAAAAABzk/IZ5Y-nw6OkE/s1600/IMG_6600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaeNY0ZOTig/T3tT3HVcmWI/AAAAAAAABzk/IZ5Y-nw6OkE/s640/IMG_6600.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Hand Grip</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A straightforward exercise... challenging, but rewarding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Almost as<i> easy</i> as the easy button @ Staples, but with alittle more UMFFF on the push down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See the phonic game below!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qi5j7zkCAcs" width="420"></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-86669640142510813572012-01-08T11:58:00.005-08:002012-04-03T11:46:31.160-07:00Spring Scroll.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KiO51qfzNN8/T3sxCRuO-nI/AAAAAAAAByE/cylZVnzhDAk/s1600/_MG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KiO51qfzNN8/T3sxCRuO-nI/AAAAAAAAByE/cylZVnzhDAk/s640/_MG_1186.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>春到了!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Spring is Here!</i></b></span><br />
At the close of the holiday season, we are moving into the start of Chinese New Year...<br />
One of the ways to welcome in spring is to write Chinese Spring Scrolls.<br />
These are usually done on red banner type paper with black or gold brushwork. A large variety of "well wishes & blessings" for the new year are commonly seen on these scrolls, which are then hung on doors and walls to share these blessings with all.<br />
<br />
This morning, Zozie wanted to try his first Chinese Spring Scroll. We opted for a washable black marker instead of the usual brush and ink. Hey, black is black. One of the most basic one is of the character "SPRING" or <span style="font-size: large;">"</span><span style="font-size: large;">春"</span>. I wrote a sample for him to observe and copy onto his own red paper.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gBdy8q0io8/T3sxLHfoQHI/AAAAAAAAByU/AKND-PRN1oQ/s1600/_MG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gBdy8q0io8/T3sxLHfoQHI/AAAAAAAAByU/AKND-PRN1oQ/s400/_MG_1204.JPG" width="266" /></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/-xMKwxn1tECI/T3sxP1iFW1I/AAAAAAAAByc/_-voraIslC4/s1600/_MG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMKwxn1tECI/T3sxP1iFW1I/AAAAAAAAByc/_-voraIslC4/s640/_MG_1207.JPG" width="426" /></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-of4O6tlE31A/T3sxU-SCfKI/AAAAAAAAByk/F_2JBagfGoM/s1600/_MG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-of4O6tlE31A/T3sxU-SCfKI/AAAAAAAAByk/F_2JBagfGoM/s400/_MG_1220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>By displaying the banner "upside down", or "dao" (到), it is visually & phonetically the Chinese word for "Here" or "Arrived"...so thus, "Spring is Here" or "Spring has Arrived". So you may frequently see these character being hung inverted for this double meaning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-doGph-e-HF4/T3s0hV-A1rI/AAAAAAAABy0/Pnsd3ZC2utM/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-doGph-e-HF4/T3s0hV-A1rI/AAAAAAAABy0/Pnsd3ZC2utM/s400/IMG_1180.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zo tried another variation of "<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: small;">春</span></span> ".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And of course, any <i>mention</i> of the Chinese New Year makes Zozie draw Chinese Lions. The obsession is deep, it doesn't take much for him to draw Lions and Dragons these days!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJEAmHcyYmU/T3sxHKtslcI/AAAAAAAAByM/DMKYLjbYZj4/s1600/_MG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJEAmHcyYmU/T3sxHKtslcI/AAAAAAAAByM/DMKYLjbYZj4/s640/_MG_1203.JPG" width="426" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>What's after Christmas, mama?</i></span><br />
Zozo kept asking what month are what things happening once the new year comes. So we decided to write out a pictoral monthly LIST, breaking down what is to be expected in the next couple of months in the new year. You can see his own Chinese number writing down the right side of the pictures on the chalkboard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAJG8S6HDsw/T3sxYcF2E5I/AAAAAAAABys/Ym4Qmc9QBm0/s1600/_MG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAJG8S6HDsw/T3sxYcF2E5I/AAAAAAAABys/Ym4Qmc9QBm0/s640/_MG_1231.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
Jan: Chinese New Year (Dragon Face)<br />
Feb: Zozie's 4th Birthday<br />
Mar: Moon is full<br />
Apr: Beanie's 0th Birthday<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And with that, he was satisfied.</span><br />
See Zozie scroll away in the clip below, followed by his all Chinese New Year Chant to offer blessings to all in the second clip! Then, his blue lion drawing in action...<br />
Our Home Chinese New Year Celebration has begun. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4Yd1t6_YmD4" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7iHltCE1V64" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6LKeypkb-nM" width="420"></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-7625502423257504982012-01-03T22:08:00.202-08:002012-03-20T23:46:24.292-07:00Meet BOB.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hzqitosDt0/T1hOjkhBwrI/AAAAAAAABlQ/JEVsNp-B--E/s1600/IMG_6755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hzqitosDt0/T1hOjkhBwrI/AAAAAAAABlQ/JEVsNp-B--E/s640/IMG_6755.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Zozie...Meet BOB.</span><br />
Bob. A funny name that Zozie could not stop laughing at in the beginning. "Bob? What's BOB?" <i>giggle...giggle...giggggggle.</i><br />
He's really<i><b> really</b></i> wanting to read these days. <br />
At nearly the end of his 3rd year, the reading urge is really kicking in.<br />
<b>Big Time.</b><br />
<br />
We have been doing <i><b>phonics</b></i> reading with him for a few months now, as this is the preferred Montessori method of teaching the alphabets. Instead of reading the "Name" of the letters, the Montessori approach is to teach the "sound" of each letter. This gives a more accurate tool for a child to use when trying to sound out a new word in a book.<br />
<i>"Ah, Buh, Cuh/Ccc, Duh..."</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Our</i> BOB first reader series was a total FIND at a garage sale. But don't worry if you are not a rummage shopper, these can easily be purchased on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Books-Set-Beginning-Readers/dp/0439845009/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1332307261&sr=8-3">Amazon</a> for a decent price. Just under $12 for a set of 10 small books! <br />
<br />
The 1st set consist of all 3-letter words with short vowels and simple sentences. Book 1 of Set 1 is has only 4 letters for a child to read...they were clever enough to combine these 4 letters in various ways to build a short story for a child to repeat and build literacy confidence. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJfwc6OGNnE/T2lnBveaazI/AAAAAAAABno/_d933K-6hqk/s1600/Bob1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJfwc6OGNnE/T2lnBveaazI/AAAAAAAABno/_d933K-6hqk/s400/Bob1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It was a short "click" for Zozie to get the<b><i> idea</i></b> of sounding out letters in a <b><i>string</i></b> to form a word. Before then, he had a rough understanding of <b><i>single</i></b> phonics, but piecing together for word creation is the new milestone. Now...like blowing bubble gum, or anything else worth wanting in life, it is just practice, practice, practice. <br />
<br />
Mind you, this is a <b><i>self-motivated </i></b>practice. <br />
You really can't force a toddler to do something they don't want to do already. Believe me. I can't even get him to wear a shirt in the morning that <b><u>he</u></b> didn't pick out, let alone push early reading, yicks. <br />
<br />
Below you will see Zozie's reading of Book2 in Set 1, SAM. <br />
This was the 3rd time he read this particular book within the week.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UnWf-bLLorM" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are careful to NEVER read these books TO HIM.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">What? So cruel?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Never! You know we are not like <b><i>that</i></b> at the LAB.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is just so he would not be given the chance to just memorize and repeat. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Kids have spongy sharp memories and can "appear" to be reading when they have just memorized the script! Instead, we tell him that we will read any "Storybook" to him but that these are his "Reading Books".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Reading books are ones that HE reads to US so that he too can be a storyteller! </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">So far, that has worked. Zo is pretty proud when he can tell us a story too.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">All Done?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Note that he starts to say "ALL DONE" at the end of the clip. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Dalee is careful to cue him with the phonics of "th" to get him to look at the word itself. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Zozo then proceeds to sound out correctly "The End".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WnyB4zAg0Q/T2lv1Kb52-I/AAAAAAAABn0/SYt0Z2vgHRk/s1600/Bob2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WnyB4zAg0Q/T2lv1Kb52-I/AAAAAAAABn0/SYt0Z2vgHRk/s400/Bob2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">As with all</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">FIRSTS</i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">in a toddlers life, this is actually just "The Beginning."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The ride, of course, just got more fun now with BOB in the mix...giggle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Must say, it<b> <i>is</i></b> a pretty funny sounding name. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Like Zozo.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-17186470100378322632011-11-10T16:45:00.004-08:002012-03-07T20:44:27.746-08:00Cheezus Songs.<b style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Sing A Longs: From Grandma</i></b><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kVXRlFn1tZs" width="420"></iframe></span></span><br />
<i style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Love you Grandma "Walletta!"</i><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Thanks for teaching my Dalee these songs so he can teach them to me too.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>I love my "Cheezus" Songs...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>~ Zozie.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b><u>Song#1</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Cheezus says love everyone,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>treat them kindly too.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>When your heart is filled with love,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>others will love YOU. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">(Try not to point to <i><b>yourself</b> </i>as the video demonstrates:)</span></span><br />
<b style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><u>Song#2</u></b><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>I want to be kind to everyone,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>for that is right you see...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>So I say to myself,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>remember this....</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>"Kindness begins with ME."</i></span></span><br />
<b style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><u>Song#3</u></b><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Cheezus once was a little child,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>a little child like me...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>He was pure and meek and mild,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>like a little child should be.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Oh, little children...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>let's you and I....</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>try to be like him....</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>try, try, try.</i></span></span><br />
<b style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><u>Song#2 (Reprise)</u></b><br />
<i style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I want to be kind to everyone,</i><br />
<i style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">for </i><i style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">that is right you see...</i><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>So I say to myself,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>remember this....</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>"Kindness begins with ME."</i></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-3671984739494817942011-11-05T17:05:00.000-07:002012-03-07T16:44:32.848-08:00Plate Settings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXZqFIqeqoM/TyniS5FBXGI/AAAAAAAABhA/uRKD4DqXOLk/s1600/_MG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXZqFIqeqoM/TyniS5FBXGI/AAAAAAAABhA/uRKD4DqXOLk/s640/_MG_1028.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/08/order-up.html">breakfast bell</a> rang early this morning...</span></i></b><br />
We were pleasantly surprised by this lovely 3 person setting complete with: plate, fork, spoon, napkin, and juice glass. He got excited to try out the new cork mats from Ikea.<br />
Apparently, we even got a complementary visit from Zozies favorite stuffies as VIP guests!<br />
Now if only we can train him to whip up that nice HOT 3 course breakfast to be served on this nice setting?<br />
I'll get workin' on that one.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-70766179582553790662011-10-31T23:17:00.000-07:002012-02-09T14:38:57.771-08:00Oh, Oh, Oh...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVy4ycGh0DU/Tyg_GoMoKyI/AAAAAAAABb8/LCUc1OjPOkE/s1600/_MG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVy4ycGh0DU/Tyg_GoMoKyI/AAAAAAAABb8/LCUc1OjPOkE/s640/_MG_0706.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's Halloween again.</span><br />
We opted for the faster Marker Jack-O-Lantern face this year!<br />
Zozie liked that he could do multiple versions each day of the week...<br />
Draw, put out on porch. Next day, wipe clean (washable markers), draw another face, put out on porch.<br />
Rains. Oops. <br />
<i>Mama, my pumpkin face is melted!</i><br />
<i>It's ok, now we can draw AGAIN, right?</i><br />
<br />
At school, there was the annual <b><i>"Halloween Fashion Show Extravaganza".</i></b><br />
And indeed it was. <br />
Kids in fantastic costumes, having a dance party to the tunes of <a href="http://www.directlyrics.com/katy-perry-firework-lyrics.html">KATY PERRY's Fireworks.</a><br />
<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/-Xju4g2pMU6A/TyhLvodoB3I/AAAAAAAABcM/GTsYAECHMj8/s1600/EstradaIMG3547-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xju4g2pMU6A/TyhLvodoB3I/AAAAAAAABcM/GTsYAECHMj8/s640/EstradaIMG3547-XL.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Just own the night, like the 4th of July.</b></i><br />
(but in October).<br />
<b>Oh, oh, oh...</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_SNyxjH7IQ/TyhLfjp7ziI/AAAAAAAABcE/s6n3L5Qybdo/s1600/EstradaIMG3695-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_SNyxjH7IQ/TyhLfjp7ziI/AAAAAAAABcE/s6n3L5Qybdo/s400/EstradaIMG3695-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Zozie wanted to be a Zoo elephant, and me to be his Zookeeper. Not exactly sure what the difference is between a "Zoo elephant" vs. just an "elephant" for costuming purposes? Pulling my safari shirt tight across my near 4month pooch belly, we made our debut that morning, bopping along.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGbXaKTHnSU/TyhMbwOc3bI/AAAAAAAABcU/a3EA6ZdX1SY/s1600/EstradaIMG3249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGbXaKTHnSU/TyhMbwOc3bI/AAAAAAAABcU/a3EA6ZdX1SY/s640/EstradaIMG3249.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPM_rsDaQSA/TyhNBIGvvTI/AAAAAAAABcg/5UKlFZ6hl7E/s1600/DSC0156-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPM_rsDaQSA/TyhNBIGvvTI/AAAAAAAABcg/5UKlFZ6hl7E/s400/DSC0156-XL.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4psmwL2N7g/TyhNMReEcJI/AAAAAAAABco/zSMgKD1noO4/s1600/EstradaIMG3535-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4psmwL2N7g/TyhNMReEcJI/AAAAAAAABco/zSMgKD1noO4/s400/EstradaIMG3535-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRxFx0J5LR8/TyhNXNgqvcI/AAAAAAAABcw/jWO-fEMbVBo/s1600/EstradaIMG3298-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRxFx0J5LR8/TyhNXNgqvcI/AAAAAAAABcw/jWO-fEMbVBo/s400/EstradaIMG3298-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZrt6lgPny0/TyhNc16Ia4I/AAAAAAAABc4/t2DnlrqChu4/s1600/DSC2100-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZrt6lgPny0/TyhNc16Ia4I/AAAAAAAABc4/t2DnlrqChu4/s400/DSC2100-XL.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>In the evening, there's no getting away from the Trick-or-Treating this year.<br />
We went along one block and collected the treats, then came home to do the best part of the evening...<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>What will you pick? </i>Game.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dK6yCKSSHWg/TyhPgL9KxSI/AAAAAAAABdA/ybk4Ct2z8yA/s1600/IMG_3795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dK6yCKSSHWg/TyhPgL9KxSI/AAAAAAAABdA/ybk4Ct2z8yA/s640/IMG_3795.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
So what IS the <i>What will you pick? </i>Game, you ask?<br />
The rules are simple.<br />
Each person gets a tupperware bowl.<br />
In our case, we had 3 people. (Zozie, Mama, Dalee).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVD7c5w9a94/TyhQHSLyASI/AAAAAAAABdI/U5Vhju4pmzk/s1600/IMG_3833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVD7c5w9a94/TyhQHSLyASI/AAAAAAAABdI/U5Vhju4pmzk/s640/IMG_3833.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><br />
We place the pile o' goodies in the middle.<br />
Then we go around in a circle, asking "What will you pick? , taking turns to place one piece of treat in our bowl. Keep going till the stash is gone. <br />
We place the lid on our tupperware and each have our own bowl of treats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFkZh9r4Gqk/TyhRIp-oUrI/AAAAAAAABdU/UfAR9DXtmMI/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFkZh9r4Gqk/TyhRIp-oUrI/AAAAAAAABdU/UfAR9DXtmMI/s400/IMG_3836.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Best part of the game for mama & dalee? <br />
That Zozie just has 1/3 of all he collected.<br />
<i>(Shhhhh.....)</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiUx5FWH5YM/TyhRqQSvXPI/AAAAAAAABdc/Me9-DKWLS4o/s1600/IMG_3839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiUx5FWH5YM/TyhRqQSvXPI/AAAAAAAABdc/Me9-DKWLS4o/s640/IMG_3839.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-30299182923424479672011-10-28T11:01:00.000-07:002012-01-31T12:18:22.057-08:00I'm STUCK!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LH6HOfI6OOw/Tyg8kW2ByeI/AAAAAAAABb0/7pLj5_4KOYk/s1600/IMG_2643A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LH6HOfI6OOw/Tyg8kW2ByeI/AAAAAAAABb0/7pLj5_4KOYk/s640/IMG_2643A.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mama...I'm STUCK!!!</i></span><br />
We woke from a cry for help early this morning....<br />
<i>"Come to our room Zozie, what's the matter???"</i><br />
We see this.<br />
His hand, literally, CAUGHT IN A COOKIE JAR.<br />
The face says it all. Altho the grip was still pretty tight.<br />
Lesson learned. <br />
Umm...We think.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-40511866445897109632011-10-25T11:46:00.000-07:002011-11-18T23:10:22.174-08:00Poking Fun!<i><b>Presentation: Shape Tracing.</b></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PeA7Z7yZkRo/TsX9AAxHWYI/AAAAAAAABaQ/C5Vt5isWY_c/s1600/_MG_0494A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PeA7Z7yZkRo/TsX9AAxHWYI/AAAAAAAABaQ/C5Vt5isWY_c/s640/_MG_0494A.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I want to write <i>smooth</i> letters, mama..."</span><br />
Zozie has been asking to write alot recently.<br />
He's been working on his name, but at 3.5, he often does "love letters" where he's is pretending to write sentences in paragraph form and give them to me all folded up. The sentences are just loops and squiggles, but they connect, like cursive letters, or in his words, "smooth". <i>"That's E, mama, look..."</i>as he makes a small loop in one of his sentences.<br />
<br />
Montessori starts toddlers with<b><i> lower case cursive letters</i></b> when introducing the alphabet. <i>What? None of this ALL CAPITAL learning in all the kids toys, books, and teaching props sold in stores? What's up with that?</i> <br />
<br />
NOPE. Apparently, lower case cursive is considered the natural "next step" to a child drawing loops and circles. Once introduced, that actually made complete sense to me. Just think of your 3 yr old drawing pictures. How hard is it for him to make a solid straight line, let alone a series of straight lines that connect in a certain sequence (Print Capitals). Curves and loops are much easier for little hands. Also, grammatically, we don't write in all caps. Caps only begin a sentence and lower case letters are used 90+% of the time. <br />
<br />
Now to the shape "poking". Tracing is the foundation on which Montessori builds writing skills. When a child shows interest in writing, they are asked to start with the <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_4403367_montessori-writing-activities.html">METAL INSERTS</a>. This repetition of tracing different shapes with a pencil builds their coordination and pencil grip, skills they need to master in order to move on to writing.<br />
<br />
At the LAB, I was in need of a FAST new home tool, and the metal inserts were much too expensive to own. So this one is really simple, only requiring some paper and a marker. It builds on the idea of tracing shapes, so we used various geometric shapes, outlined by dots, and we asked Zo to hand-poke the dots for tracing purposes. Sounds basic and simple, but the kids really dig it. Now run along and go do some poking-fun of your own!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxtudZJs0ZQ/TsdDOWTptII/AAAAAAAABac/BpPM9eQgX-g/s1600/_MG_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxtudZJs0ZQ/TsdDOWTptII/AAAAAAAABac/BpPM9eQgX-g/s320/_MG_0495.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><u><b>The Goal</b></u><br />
To build hand eye coordination & focus as foundation to start writing<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Set Up</b></u><br />
1) Cut scraps of paper<br />
2) Markers to draw geometric shapes and outline each shape with dots. Make the dots more dense if child is older, looser if child is younger.<br />
3) Sharpened Pencil<br />
4) Small hand towel<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Presentation</b></u><br />
1) Bring tray to the table<br />
2) Select one shape to work on<br />
3) Lay the shape on the folded towel to create a soft surface for poking<br />
4) Take the sharpened pencil in one hand and come down firmly on one of the dots, piercing the paper<br />
5) Continue to trace along the shape until all dots have been pierced.<br />
6) Ask child to clip up their finished shapes on a ribbon (Our own addition to work clipping pincher skill and just an opportunity for the child to have a "finish" to the routine in displaying his work) <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H1nhW0B1UuE/TsdFQoja_1I/AAAAAAAABa0/2O41wmRKT_g/s1600/_MG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H1nhW0B1UuE/TsdFQoja_1I/AAAAAAAABa0/2O41wmRKT_g/s640/_MG_0504.JPG" width="425" /> </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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GeihBbHFVaI/TsdFXncXMII/AAAAAAAABa8/M5fD-WnM5Kw/s1600/_MG_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GeihBbHFVaI/TsdFXncXMII/AAAAAAAABa8/M5fD-WnM5Kw/s640/_MG_0505.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccVoxMRY0Hg/TsdFetF5QGI/AAAAAAAABbE/3wqfAc7K7a0/s1600/_MG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccVoxMRY0Hg/TsdFetF5QGI/AAAAAAAABbE/3wqfAc7K7a0/s640/_MG_0509.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Some poking fun at home:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2RbvZvJPrZw" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu8y_6cnQmw/TsdFBhHP4rI/AAAAAAAABak/NGrcyX2MCUI/s1600/_MG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu8y_6cnQmw/TsdFBhHP4rI/AAAAAAAABak/NGrcyX2MCUI/s400/_MG_0492.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0uRcghKXdWg/TsdFJECGd9I/AAAAAAAABas/t3vF-GJzU1E/s1600/_MG_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0uRcghKXdWg/TsdFJECGd9I/AAAAAAAABas/t3vF-GJzU1E/s400/_MG_0685.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-84785384442111705232011-10-21T18:41:00.000-07:002011-11-17T22:21:02.201-08:00Puleta Ab-lay!<div style="text-align: left;"><b></b></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X-7DddvfwLY" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>Ever wonder what a Chinese speaking American toddler sounds like reading Spanish?</b><br />
<b> </b> <br />
We were inspired by one of our Blog Followers who is a fluent native Spanish speaker teaching her daughter Chinese in their own homeschool. Since Dalee can speak Spanish, we thought to read a few Dora stories to Zozie, just to hear his "Spanese" accent!<br />
<br />
<i>Open the door</i>, shouts Dora.<br />
<i>Puleta Ab-lay</i>, screams Zozie.<br />
(snicker, snicker...squeeks mama & dalee.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-24933904396452973992011-10-17T21:06:00.000-07:002011-11-17T21:35:35.005-08:00BooBoo Glue.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vU69F0fWKPs/TsXoieARcoI/AAAAAAAABaI/cOVI3RD7ic0/s1600/_MG_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vU69F0fWKPs/TsXoieARcoI/AAAAAAAABaI/cOVI3RD7ic0/s640/_MG_0681.JPG" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For whatever reason, my toddler LOVES band-aids.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They make everything better... kinda like ketchup. (For him).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They come in lots of fun shapes, sizes, and patterns.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We like sticking to the plain old boring beige, but sometimes "shake it up" with bright solid colors like <i>zesty orange</i>, <i>mint green</i>, and <i>hot yellow</i>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Wait, is that a color?)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We added this "First Aid" cup to his own <a href="http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/09/lab-work-mirror-mirror.html">VANITY STATION</a> in the bathroom.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He goes through ALOT of band-aids, or "OK-Bands" (Pronounced "OKay-Bahn" in Japanese/Taiwanese) whenever there's an ou-wee. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But what's the Secret Sauce? <i><b>The BooBoo Glue.</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, that's right. His own little antibiotic cream dispenser. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To Zo, the "Glue" is the key to success in healing everything. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He applies the glue to all wounds, even ones that don't break skin. I tried stopping him before, but it's just easier to not most times. Alittle extra glue never hurt anyone.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On this day though, Zozie came home with a bad sandal blister on the side of his foot. We've been gently nursing this tiny wound for the past day or two. He changes his own dressing and likes to give himself fresh OK-bands...until he's, well, <b>OK! </b>And when he's OK, I'm OK.<b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's a little clip of him playing paramedic to himself:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P0E8FQeo3fY" width="420"></iframe></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-2544237073103708992011-10-11T13:47:00.000-07:002011-10-11T17:26:04.232-07:00I shoulda had a...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gem8hcLY010/TpSssSWOzwI/AAAAAAAABZM/pAnmdCpi5LA/s1600/_MG_0714A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gem8hcLY010/TpSssSWOzwI/AAAAAAAABZM/pAnmdCpi5LA/s640/_MG_0714A.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sorry I've been away this last month. </span><br />
I've not been myself...just alittle off kilter.<br />
Walkin' sideways when the world around me is darn straight. <br />
I needed something fresh.<br />
So I've met a new friend.<br />
She's smooth, tart, and is good... very good to me.<br />
Icy cold, but I like that.<br />
We have been hanging out nightly, ever since I found out I have a new passenger on board. <br />
<br />
That's right, we are growing a tiny new Hapa LAB rat.<br />
A new subject to share in the fun here at the lab with Zozie.<br />
For whatever reason, that little new labbie just <i>loves</i> V8.<br />
But not much else.<br />
Zozie has named our newest member "Little Bean" (<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="zh-TW"><span class="">小</span><span class="">豆), or "Beanie" for short. We've updated Beanie's profile photo (on right @ 13 wks today) as a welcome to our LAB. </span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="zh-TW"><span class=""> </span></span> <br />
It's been a turbulent ride for us so far.<br />
Intense insomnia, bland tastebuds, and that relentless nausea!<br />
We are both glad we've found a new friend that doesn't mind hanging out with us in this most unflattering state. Crack me open another! I love me some liquid veggies.<br />
<br />
Alas, we're slowly crawling out of that vortex of fatigue and typing on the keyboard again.<br />
It's good to be back, my old friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364457168396978528.post-6116629807556031732011-10-08T20:32:00.000-07:002012-02-01T16:54:12.714-08:00The Harvest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdCy0d0X5MM/TyjAyHc7WXI/AAAAAAAABfg/BUz2v9lWifQ/s1600/IMG_2198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdCy0d0X5MM/TyjAyHc7WXI/AAAAAAAABfg/BUz2v9lWifQ/s640/IMG_2198.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nothing says fall like going to a farm for a true harvest.</b></span><br />
The sun. The soil. The corn. The hand-churned ice cream.<br />
And yes... the sweat. The lines. The husk cuts on the hands from shucking. <br />
We love it all...cuz it's <b><i>real</i></b>. <br />
No costumes, no candy, no spooky stuff, and nothin' to buy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J1JHSpNqYv0/TyjFUHp8naI/AAAAAAAABf8/WY_G9u0BXcc/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J1JHSpNqYv0/TyjFUHp8naI/AAAAAAAABf8/WY_G9u0BXcc/s400/IMG_2171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We packed up the troops and headed out to Ardenwood Historic Farm again this year. This is actually our MAIN fall event each season. It highlights the changing of the seasons with brilliant foliage and teaches the true pioneer spirit of an active working farm. A perfect Montessori outing for little ones seeing the cycle of farming<b><i> from soil to table.</i></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDPMZVmMICE/TyjGa7VpSAI/AAAAAAAABgE/GWcDRJ1951A/s1600/IMG_2159_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDPMZVmMICE/TyjGa7VpSAI/AAAAAAAABgE/GWcDRJ1951A/s640/IMG_2159_1.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a POPCORN one, mama!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Two varieties of maize for public harvest: <b><i>Popcorn & Indian Corn</i></b>. The popcorn was to be dried for a month, and can actually be popped on the cobb directly in the microwave or on the stove. <i>What? Doesn't popcorn come out of the waxy bag from the microwave? </i>The Indian corn was for decorative purpose only with it's beautiful kernels ranging from indigo blue, deep variations of plum, and glorious oranges & golds. The only rule was that you give back 50% of your harvest to the farm as payment for taking the other half home. A pretty good deal for the pure adventure of it all.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUE5mZkRdd8/TyneBdxM79I/AAAAAAAABg4/n-tjRHivcLU/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUE5mZkRdd8/TyneBdxM79I/AAAAAAAABg4/n-tjRHivcLU/s640/IMG_2131.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, I guess there was ONE spooky thing on the farm...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Besides the crops, we met lots of nice bugs today...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afjSMWJRUQ8/TyjD8qAl3aI/AAAAAAAABfo/IAAXszd6FRA/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afjSMWJRUQ8/TyjD8qAl3aI/AAAAAAAABfo/IAAXszd6FRA/s640/IMG_2108.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy greeted us on the tractor train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Be2N6jLARAI/TyjEPXfSMUI/AAAAAAAABfw/dh-kxtB2utc/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Be2N6jLARAI/TyjEPXfSMUI/AAAAAAAABfw/dh-kxtB2utc/s640/IMG_2176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little wormie said "Hello" when we peeled his home open.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At the farmhouse, we made our own husk doll, scrap quilt, and sampled hand churned ice cream and yummy homemade cookies & popcorn... <div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfJpdKKV5ng/TynaWoUqJKI/AAAAAAAABgU/3tRwThbRXMk/s1600/IMG_2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfJpdKKV5ng/TynaWoUqJKI/AAAAAAAABgU/3tRwThbRXMk/s400/IMG_2254.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My choo-choo quilt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YSbj5hh6HtY/TynagLIqHKI/AAAAAAAABgc/XaLnVPc09ec/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YSbj5hh6HtY/TynagLIqHKI/AAAAAAAABgc/XaLnVPc09ec/s400/IMG_2271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alot of muscle to make ice cream!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div>A nice BIG smooch for mama for a fun harvest day!</div><div>See you next year Ardenwood!</div></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwM6ZOeEsSM/TyncoxZqvKI/AAAAAAAABgo/dk3n4Bz6g8k/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwM6ZOeEsSM/TyncoxZqvKI/AAAAAAAABgo/dk3n4Bz6g8k/s640/IMG_2315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
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