tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-335145452024-02-20T07:04:24.436-06:00Barrett Family LifeA place to share the happenings of the Barrett Family.Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-73149985243272264932015-12-25T15:21:00.000-06:002015-12-25T15:21:08.207-06:00Merry Christmas! And a review of 2015 :)I hope this post finds you all snug with your loved ones and enjoying great company. We have had another wonderful year in the Barrett Family.<br />
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This year, we explored some more of Europe and the UK, we hosted more family members so they could enjoy London and England like we do, and we made progress in settling into London as a more permanent residence.<br />
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Grandma Sue and Pepere came to visit in February. And since they were able to come during the school half-term, we were able to take a family trip to Plymouth, England. This was especially cool since Grandma Sue and Pepere had just recently visited Plymouth, Massachusetts before coming to see us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWYv6a42J_S4NGxFXZwRzDUu-5FLR6POlDMUEslXvnaW3UxtBzCxe8f9evXGVzqif1b4IVuZT61CnPWYtM-0VVyauhYkbiqQN8TvyqOORuUrNbqWnttHoqGNIWdgdTBAb9qdN7Q/s1600/kbp-2-2015-Wattsvisit-0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWYv6a42J_S4NGxFXZwRzDUu-5FLR6POlDMUEslXvnaW3UxtBzCxe8f9evXGVzqif1b4IVuZT61CnPWYtM-0VVyauhYkbiqQN8TvyqOORuUrNbqWnttHoqGNIWdgdTBAb9qdN7Q/s400/kbp-2-2015-Wattsvisit-0232.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Loer2VRGm4kLhFSEWlCukDu8cfBrLiCtlahF6xe_665lGJ3dcxlB6XEzhUeW1NJ6w8Dqw1Y1ts3Y-lIDSnFemudc7NKiiyr__PwfJmSPqagekMdHT5YYsbEuoXJyLlnEO4DN0w/s1600/kbp-2-2015-Plymouth-0012.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Loer2VRGm4kLhFSEWlCukDu8cfBrLiCtlahF6xe_665lGJ3dcxlB6XEzhUeW1NJ6w8Dqw1Y1ts3Y-lIDSnFemudc7NKiiyr__PwfJmSPqagekMdHT5YYsbEuoXJyLlnEO4DN0w/s400/kbp-2-2015-Plymouth-0012.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Hl27gvKM4nkcJi0weLc57XXuzJWWnTEIvbNW7D0-Hc_KTDZcYDOtN0zCzbqEDcvI3XhCXfoDSYkAhUMWSemWCJ1rqBjveE1To_LYNVzv-UD-zKI80n9_pdAGb6O00THBCpAqtA/s1600/kbp-4-2015-BarrettBelgium-5875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Hl27gvKM4nkcJi0weLc57XXuzJWWnTEIvbNW7D0-Hc_KTDZcYDOtN0zCzbqEDcvI3XhCXfoDSYkAhUMWSemWCJ1rqBjveE1To_LYNVzv-UD-zKI80n9_pdAGb6O00THBCpAqtA/s400/kbp-4-2015-BarrettBelgium-5875.jpg" width="300" /></a>In April, we took a trip to Belgium and explored Brussels and Brugge. Brugge was my favourite by far for its simple beauty and history... and chocolate <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc7IuTcziUAeWbSTUcbWfHhJM9sVS_1DPGMAgMavxiAwMrOGlCnvwkWkC4XOvIncLMtifOmSxewtsc6_EKpn-ltgusyqSXPiHC4YlcS7FfRuxVCkJs5vj-BImEDIGeV2M-LdETw/s1600/kbp-4-2015-BarrettBelgium-5882.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc7IuTcziUAeWbSTUcbWfHhJM9sVS_1DPGMAgMavxiAwMrOGlCnvwkWkC4XOvIncLMtifOmSxewtsc6_EKpn-ltgusyqSXPiHC4YlcS7FfRuxVCkJs5vj-BImEDIGeV2M-LdETw/s400/kbp-4-2015-BarrettBelgium-5882.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Then in May, we took the boys to Centre Parcs in Elveden Forest. We had a blast riding bikes, swimming, taking classes in archery and den building. It was definitely a holiday of fun activity rather than sight-seeing and history.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUO7vsMCA7Odlw187B9AkuvmKnEbU8Fx61ATPniBwEvo-RnVOFs0wNXuUNEj8Qc3Jo47ItjGKm0UhvX3LPOraOCF2C4pDEgRv_Crgw7QHreS-o-63XVzpHkgiJubR16KR1yDYDg/s1600/IMG_6646.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kGcHrN6aiiEdkyt-eU-4CJaeqqLtIlAillx0IBLfnui70iKVs083CT5hbaM1Wr7TzYYYiQVxyD7XzPWaR4YaiwrA4aGq4rm16nfTzh2YCr30hVC7LeTGKk_DFz6ET3wMJAd8WA/s1600/IMG_6677.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kGcHrN6aiiEdkyt-eU-4CJaeqqLtIlAillx0IBLfnui70iKVs083CT5hbaM1Wr7TzYYYiQVxyD7XzPWaR4YaiwrA4aGq4rm16nfTzh2YCr30hVC7LeTGKk_DFz6ET3wMJAd8WA/s320/IMG_6677.JPG" width="320" /></a> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUO7vsMCA7Odlw187B9AkuvmKnEbU8Fx61ATPniBwEvo-RnVOFs0wNXuUNEj8Qc3Jo47ItjGKm0UhvX3LPOraOCF2C4pDEgRv_Crgw7QHreS-o-63XVzpHkgiJubR16KR1yDYDg/s320/IMG_6646.JPG" width="240" /><br />
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Once school broke up in July, we headed back to Chicago for a 2-week trip to visit family and friends. It felt like a whirlwind trip though with so many people we wanted to spend time with! Luckily, we also took a weekend in the Wisconsin Dells to play with cousins and family and relax a bit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYfdvJjiKrSBJIYPS13U9ngGY7XjX_Bc2EKKsu6kzqr_g8blzzXeMNcRhIpTpLfQ8YSceovcySAh4O_5vk8yp6KLNETJ8ZYFXP6WCOMfpxPKn1AKR2Y26IS1hTXSkGEa2Dm8FVA/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIsvM8ptHKxhGwu4ffqGUJ9zvVbg3lU40utoaN0AIfgj7EHTTpJXT6lvOvOzHooclyKRjDyOva7QPPNy7uv2ItqShfkNq7NTzYnssdVfYLhjLIORzPPv6TDlb2pQbLSapYckwSQ/s1600/kbp-8-2015-BarrettUSA-1246851103002.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIsvM8ptHKxhGwu4ffqGUJ9zvVbg3lU40utoaN0AIfgj7EHTTpJXT6lvOvOzHooclyKRjDyOva7QPPNy7uv2ItqShfkNq7NTzYnssdVfYLhjLIORzPPv6TDlb2pQbLSapYckwSQ/s640/kbp-8-2015-BarrettUSA-1246851103002.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Back in the UK, we squeezed in one more trip up to Edinburgh, Scotland before school started. It was a last minute idea, but we managed to find a deal on train tickets and an pretty nice AirBnB. It turned out to be very lucky since it was the last weekend of the Fringe Festival, which we didn't realise until we arrived in Edinburgh. So not only did we get to explore the castle and great areas in the city, we also got to take in a play and see loads of street entertainment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SjMChvn_-0yvaGbVPjUBOofZQZpAeJXefI7PNDXnGUM2ZCBoaoMOhwswIzjZuFXwypdNSmby13fSKKCWuSYyCK1q3pFJ5_JsXGwzFW8EdfP5-j9Eu-oLlUZmVuMpGPr8Gb0UzA/s1600/kbp-8-2015-Edinburgh-0041.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SjMChvn_-0yvaGbVPjUBOofZQZpAeJXefI7PNDXnGUM2ZCBoaoMOhwswIzjZuFXwypdNSmby13fSKKCWuSYyCK1q3pFJ5_JsXGwzFW8EdfP5-j9Eu-oLlUZmVuMpGPr8Gb0UzA/s400/kbp-8-2015-Edinburgh-0041.jpg" width="265" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTB-WqItE7bV-CSHYIjyT_2SrboApzvuSr-94we-AAJxMSjB8436i8c4BTRESRJiFC_fP_L-yT8BTSSxfz2ujaSUVkgJhBJ8VHd887q15e9jOZ9sTeqaMhWq2Y_4SereAynYKRg/s1600/kbp-8-2015-Edinburgh-0152.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTB-WqItE7bV-CSHYIjyT_2SrboApzvuSr-94we-AAJxMSjB8436i8c4BTRESRJiFC_fP_L-yT8BTSSxfz2ujaSUVkgJhBJ8VHd887q15e9jOZ9sTeqaMhWq2Y_4SereAynYKRg/s400/kbp-8-2015-Edinburgh-0152.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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And just as school started, we hosted another visitor, Nama! We had a great week with Nama while we showed her our favourite sites around London including Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9loHyiRisweXdYJabQPnsvvzqwoAs8hvD0xD-UfH-vTcoyFoqoqcbCZX1ShLDugmej0K-wlJA7nL74e7mpgqe31wlovoeMK77TlJvX2_c4iX9c1O9zqyVj9-QwlSrxeMf0qyiw/s1600/kbp-9-2015-Nama-0098.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9loHyiRisweXdYJabQPnsvvzqwoAs8hvD0xD-UfH-vTcoyFoqoqcbCZX1ShLDugmej0K-wlJA7nL74e7mpgqe31wlovoeMK77TlJvX2_c4iX9c1O9zqyVj9-QwlSrxeMf0qyiw/s400/kbp-9-2015-Nama-0098.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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We took a break from traveling as a family in the autumn as Steve had work trips and the boys were getting back in to school. However, I got to visit my friend Candace in Prague in October, and it was amazing. I'm so grateful that my path in life has introduced me to so many wonderful people, and Candace is definitely one of those! She was a wonderful tour guide and photography buddy for my weekend visit.<br />
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<img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGCe6KK1LUenCTet3-XJx0OADY9R6fDXRYRGyOXWHI8qLwB85mCr1N4rvKiVDkQXkGU4iwDxuCCFizlletXtJKZzcsZ8F2zsrDGTBjk3dc2IG0XXIeDUues6teln3GuaEjXrJfA/s640/kbp-10-2015-Prague-0272.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Then in November, I had the chance to travel alone again. Crazy! I flew back to Chicago the weekend before Thanksgiving to meet my new nephew Joseph and attend his christening. Of course, I also got to squeeze in some more family visits and a visit with my dear friend, Cindy. I even made a stop by Wheeling High School to say hi to my old friends there. Those WHS people really know how to make a girl feel loved.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgA1Cqc5z71HD7Dh87ADFh2MhyphenhyphenkHuXxMuvhKBEsPm2097o_EwIomC8yK7XmQHEn5CyDa026B3XjY3rqvvPKFtigYjQWoSESlsLHXB-FfM7K45wZ5s37ihUtZ2Ir1MV7g9-cz47w/s1600/kbp-21-11-2015-NustraChristening-0213.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgA1Cqc5z71HD7Dh87ADFh2MhyphenhyphenkHuXxMuvhKBEsPm2097o_EwIomC8yK7XmQHEn5CyDa026B3XjY3rqvvPKFtigYjQWoSESlsLHXB-FfM7K45wZ5s37ihUtZ2Ir1MV7g9-cz47w/s400/kbp-21-11-2015-NustraChristening-0213.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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Finally, December brought us to another family trip. Steve and I have been dreaming to take the boys skiing since we were pregnant with Jack. We finally made the plans and headed to the French Alps last week. While the snow and weather were not ideal for a ski trip, there was enough snow on the ground that both Jack and Reid learned to ski and love it. And Steve and I even made it out on the slopes with Jack. Colin also got his first taste of snow. He loved it, of course. He was a pretty big fan of the sled and of just generally picking up snow. On the way back home yesterday, both Jack and Reid were asking to go skiing again, so I'm sure we'll have more fun trips to the mountains in our future :).<br />
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Even though we prioritise travel, there is so much more to our lives these days than travel adventures. This year, we found out that Jack has Celiac's Disease. We are so grateful to finally know what was troubling Jack and to be able to treat it simply with a diet change! Jack went gluten-free in April, and the improvement in his health and happiness has been wonderful. School is getting a bit easier now that he can concentrate, and he's finding things he loves to do, like play the drums (and ski!).<br />
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Reid has grown leaps and bounds this year. He has made some wonderful friends at his Montessori school, including one best friend, Alexander. He loves to have play dates. He also is game to try just about anything, which makes him fun to bring to new places. He's started to write his letters and recognise letter sounds. He can just about write his name these days. He is also still playing football (soccer) in a class on the weekends.<br />
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Colin has also changed a lot in a year. He walks and talks now. Actually, he runs anytime he has the space and freedom to do so. He and I started taking a Gymboree class once a week this autumn, and it's fun to watch him climb and play. He's also another music lover. He loves to dance and will do so just about anywhere he hears music. He can sing part of the Star Wars anthem, which is ridiculously cute and a little concerning about how he learned it so quickly. It makes me wonder exactly how much Star Wars we are watching and playing. He has also started talking. His first legitimate word (other than "mama" which he said for ages in regards to just about anything) was "Bubble". He learned that at Gymboree. These days he says all sorts of things including his first phrase, "all done." He sounds pretty cute saying "please."<br />
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I have been busy this past autumn working to get my British driving license. I include this because it took four months with lots of studying and practice (thank you, Steve and Marissa!). I passed my theory test back in October and just passed my practical test on December 16. So now I'm able to drive Jack to school on rainy days, and our family can finally get back to adventuring around the UK. We've got our sights on Wales and Ireland for 2016.<br />
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I've also been busy starting my photography business, KarenBarrettPhotography. I launched the business officially in October, and I've already finished a few client sessions. I'm looking forward to building the business in 2016.<br />
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Steve has been busy with work and supporting me as I worked to get my license and start my photography gig. He's done a great job leading his group at Salesforce this year. I'm always so impressed with the way he leads and works with people. I know I only see the behind-the-scenes, but he's the kind of person I'd like to work for. He's calm, honest, and incredibly smart. Of course, now that I've cleared my plate a bit, Steve will be starting his journey to a UK license!<br />
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So that's the story for the Barretts Abroad in 2015. We hope you have had a wonderful year too! And we wish you all lots of adventure and growth in 2016!<br />
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<br />Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-88101272591905046722015-07-19T09:23:00.003-05:002015-07-19T09:27:31.469-05:00One full year of schoolJack just completed his first full year of school in England. And happily, we can say it was full of learning, fun, and wonderful growing experiences.<br />
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His favorite parts of school this year were art and forest school. This is not very surprising considering the amount of drawing and painting and crafting he does at home, oh and the number of sticks he collects no matter where we are.<br />
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We love how much Jack talks about things from school. Just two weeks ago his class went on a tour of Kingston. Last Sunday, Jack repeated the tour for us showing us points of interest like where they used to tan leather with pee and where seven Kings of England were crowned. I wish I could remember all of the facts he spouts off about Kingston, or bees, or Brazil.<br />
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Jack has also made wonderful friends at school. We're always trying to schedule a playdate or hearing about the fun adventures he's had with his crew at school.<br />
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Now Reid has been in school for just about as long as Jack. Reid has also had a successful first year in Montessori school here. And just this month he has started going every day for the mornings.<br />
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Reid's favorite part of school is "drawing." It's been fun to watch his drawing skills develop over the course of the year. He's at the point now he can draw a clearly recognisable smiley face with hair. He's also made great strides on the shape inset tracing and drawing lines in those. And along this vein, he's started to write his name! He's also been very interested in letter sounds lately. He likes to imitate Jack spelling things. If you ask him a yes or no question, he'll answer "R - E - D, Yes!" It's pretty funny.<br />
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It's fun to pick up Reid from school and hear about the events of his day. He'll talk about his "best friends" that he played with and the work that he does. Reid has also made several good friends at school. When we see these friends around town, which is fairly often, Reid always waves and says hello, then turns to me and says "that's my friend from school!"<br />
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Now Reid will still go to his school through the summer, except for the times we are traveling or the occasional day here or there when we plan a fun day out.<br />
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Here's our comparison pictures from the first day this past autumn until this past Friday.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/15079744779/in/datetaken/" title="Jack - Year 2"><img alt="Jack - Year 2" height="212" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/15079744779_cc72fbfd98_k.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/19635497549/in/datetaken/" title="DSC_0037"><img alt="DSC_0037" height="320" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/353/19635497549_e3a50bb226_k.jpg" width="212" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/15079745599/in/datetaken/" title="Reid - Preschool 2"><img alt="Reid - Preschool 2" height="212" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/15079745599_f320742670_k.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/19795939876/in/datetaken/" title="DSC_0059"><img alt="DSC_0059" height="320" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/334/19795939876_2cd1f37f14_k.jpg" width="212" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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And just for fun, here's all three brothers :)<br />
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<br />Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-58577704307016059692015-07-19T08:43:00.002-05:002015-07-19T08:46:00.900-05:00Colin's First Birthday!We can hardly believe how fast Colin's first year has gone by. It's definitely true that the time goes by exponentially faster with each additional child. But here we are with a 1-year-old! And he's so very happy about that too.<br />
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To celebrate the big occasion, we had chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting. And Colin got lots of fun presents too.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/19635606759/in/datetaken/" title="DSC_0830"><img alt="DSC_0830" height="212" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/520/19635606759_44f7713948_k.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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One is such a fun age. Colin started walking on June 29, just 2 weeks after his birthday, and these days he walks everywhere. He even has his first pair of shoes, that appropriately enough, have jets on them.<br />
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And while he hasn't started talking exactly yet, he does love to wave. We thought he started to say "hiya" with the wave, but he's only done that one day, and we haven't been able to get him to do it since. Soon enough, though, I'm sure he'll be jabbering away.<br />
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Colin loves to play. Right know his favorite things to play with are posting toys, putting balls through holes and down a ramp, putting coins through a slot, things like that. He also loves cars and the play kitchen. And he never passes up an opportunity to play with Jack and Reid. They make him giggle and laugh until he gets the hiccups, and Colin just loves it.<br />
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He's sleeping much better these days too. He usually takes a great nap during the morning/midday. And lately he even sleeps through most of the night, from about 8 or 9 until 6 a.m. We usually put him to bed between 6:30 and 7, and sometimes he'll sleep through until 5 or 6 from then.<br />
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Colin's eating habits are still developing. He loves fruit, just like his brothers. (I'm at the shops every day buying another bag of bananas or cartons of berries!). He is a carb lover and really enjoys croissants, pasta, and rice. The only meat we've gotten him to eat is bolognese sauce and an occasional piece of bacon. He's also is starting to eat more vegetables. He'll eat carrot sticks, peas and even red pepper, but he's not a fan of broccoli (which really isn't that big of a surprise). I'd say his favorite food is yogurt though. He'll have a meltdown if he's not done eating and the carton is empty.<br />
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We've also recently noticed that Colin is enjoying music. He'll dance in his seat or the buggy when we're out and there's music playing.<br />
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So it's official, we're out of the infant stage and into toddlerhood. Look out for more wild adventures to come!<br />
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And just for fun, here's the review of his monthly photos from his first year :)<br />
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One month<br />
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2 months<br />
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3 months<br />
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4 months<br />
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5 months<br />
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6 months<br />
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7 months<br />
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8 months<br />
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9 months<br />
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10 months<br />
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11 months<br />
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<br />Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-56377164366835257402015-04-10T11:27:00.001-05:002015-04-10T11:27:40.417-05:00Fun Things From Today (FTFT) 09-04-2015Today went according to plan, which is pretty amazing considering there are five of us to coordinate.<div><br></div><div>When I asked Jack what his favorite part of the day was, he said all of it. (Side note: this does not mean that he didn't whine and complain throughout the day about everything... He still did that).</div><div><br></div><div>We took a canal boat tour after breakfast. This was the favorite for me and Reid. The city is gorgeous, filled with medieval architecture. We also enjoyed the low bridges and the variety of animals including swans and dogs.</div><div><br></div><div>We also toured the Half Moon Brewery, the only brewery within the canals in Bruges. It was cool to see the modern brewery works and then immediately see the old original brewery machinery. We even got to go up on the roof for a beautiful view of Bruges. Did I mention we also liked the beer? They brew a nice blonde and a tripel.</div><div><br></div><div>After lunch at the brewery, we took a short train ride to Ostend to play in the sand and see the sea. The boys really enjoyed digging their feet in the sand and having a good play. Colin was a little jealous, but since he's still putting everything in his mouth, I wasn't brave enough to let him play too. </div><div><br></div><div>When we returned to Bruges and the hotel, Colin had a great time exploring and playing around our room. There are lots of things for him to pull up on and see, and he even figured out how to get through the doors!</div><div><br></div><div>So today was filled with a little something for everyone. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-i8bmA8I4mUGereUza1jF8rj3AsWxKdv1zqzA7VkZYweG0t7D9n5WENDGonFhUe8YaLY7tvnUYk9r1Q2F9EHEgMhxC1ojhW-9cOsY6VgZR9KpLepV0FCWrWwpdNwLcRvPICPiA/s640/blogger-image-123240747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-i8bmA8I4mUGereUza1jF8rj3AsWxKdv1zqzA7VkZYweG0t7D9n5WENDGonFhUe8YaLY7tvnUYk9r1Q2F9EHEgMhxC1ojhW-9cOsY6VgZR9KpLepV0FCWrWwpdNwLcRvPICPiA/s640/blogger-image-123240747.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVoZ4cbS0LdnGiEHy5HxmtlHHklFyTk1JV_oaPNye9t5VEQp0GbPLk23znCjPJK1TebqyQfry2M3pf8OZ-XtKuIO2Qwf82J00rGFfjRK2TBkHW_CQxjmVw8H4rqnW9fDSgArtIA/s640/blogger-image-1909886937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqIuPBhwcHFXsrBKkFjUc9yDOzHbo_ns0uL-ksKI0ts57gpdA3yP0ZsOk1JZ2VjH6VcdSq0Ij3OxOzjDUGoe-e0xQedKrJvkGmhBzsgV62o2WaBzhHGghr-qo43Ti8dTMLCQMUw/s640/blogger-image-1664508075.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL66WC9OEbwtYBboLx15jLn6-1E-eDs8F02994kpRXbB3f3R4s6KMewuoMWm1fhtJFtQ_d3rqvZ0Ey7h1V9WTlJ4lYkbJwVbdSmsM_SHheWKwH5PHU09XbQaEuLJ_MDtzyuhgVSg/s640/blogger-image--1049494549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL66WC9OEbwtYBboLx15jLn6-1E-eDs8F02994kpRXbB3f3R4s6KMewuoMWm1fhtJFtQ_d3rqvZ0Ey7h1V9WTlJ4lYkbJwVbdSmsM_SHheWKwH5PHU09XbQaEuLJ_MDtzyuhgVSg/s640/blogger-image--1049494549.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-24284088288160588872015-04-08T15:05:00.001-05:002015-04-08T15:05:26.317-05:00Fun Things From Today (FTFT) 08-04-2015We We went to Bruges today, and what a beautiful city it is!<div><br></div><div>We did a little wandering around after lunch, stopped in a chocolate shop, ate chocolates in the square. It was nice.</div><div><br></div><div>We also found a playground. This was by far the boys' favorite part of the day. They got to play around in the sand and go down huge slides.</div><div><br></div><div>For dinner, Steve got his mussels with white wine and I got to try Flemish stew. We both enjoyed our meals. Jack and Reid continue to enjoy the French fries.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yD7mmiAW3c1MyER0Hqc7qythfgwyFVwxfyRWZpS_SPhxER0CzU1wSDg_8WegY9GPA9PexYRALbXGlE__ynEFRyScl_YaGm5L2Q5ZoJI1B7lqBE0RdbJO0t9epbC_idTqnlqN3w/s640/blogger-image--919372093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yD7mmiAW3c1MyER0Hqc7qythfgwyFVwxfyRWZpS_SPhxER0CzU1wSDg_8WegY9GPA9PexYRALbXGlE__ynEFRyScl_YaGm5L2Q5ZoJI1B7lqBE0RdbJO0t9epbC_idTqnlqN3w/s640/blogger-image--919372093.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF-Wq1JN9thbi8TQLUOu7F2zlFxHLLtYv9WNWAHETZUMEfKB1Vm_Jc96mngjufUBbeckZOuWjzIaPYZgr2oBpyZrAzHNnyfHvxGVDd4E7Bimzi9VXAJ2e-E1zpTv3W8-7wmnHzw/s640/blogger-image--1828426237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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We are off on our holiday to Belgium!</span></div><div><br></div><div>We rode 5 different trains today including the Eurostar, which was excellent. </div><div><br></div><div>We explored around the Grand Place in Brussels. My favorite part of the day was getting Jack and Reid to really look at the architecture around the Place. All I had to do was ask how Jack would build the buildings in Minecraft. By the end, both boys were taking note of the gold details and beautiful stone carvings!</div><div><br></div><div>We also ate some waffles with chocolate and then immediately went for frites and juice (and beer for Mom and Dad)</div><div><br></div><div>The boys love the apartment we have rented for the night. So much so, we had to fight them to get them to leave it to get waffles!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9u0kTyHjiyZkAa7M3X-tAljGjHJ4Nolv88xdbkdtDC6KwGHwaON54yyZRsxTNXUEkj4Te0g9mw6yPHGk1eEPb_3JQRah0n6nPSgv0mMePm9e5azUPH8SbqPWw0YeCUjNUPHcLw/s640/blogger-image--1546653984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9u0kTyHjiyZkAa7M3X-tAljGjHJ4Nolv88xdbkdtDC6KwGHwaON54yyZRsxTNXUEkj4Te0g9mw6yPHGk1eEPb_3JQRah0n6nPSgv0mMePm9e5azUPH8SbqPWw0YeCUjNUPHcLw/s640/blogger-image--1546653984.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5elMMx1XklQoSaB1x1ugZE2PfTKC3c114a_p_FpFOt4TjjK8MmgMV_zmitre8DI4TbYZMcH_GwZaqiUiz0XHV3R4k_bnMg6adFyjEnHAUwWCCRHzXmT-HxJhjiOA0jgERk-sZWQ/s640/blogger-image--671596634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z9qO1mKRq44qESm44l_6gTzCicH8R6j_6YQV3CoLoIhP9y7XAXvka6vD0YhG0o3wphI1grIqLPeq3JVwDDSezFwlHhuowbU7nHH7Rqk7ZpN6p5dGJNSRw-BjC2uqNTEZa1SvaQ/s640/blogger-image-1781793957.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-82452250339262815472015-04-06T15:43:00.001-05:002015-04-06T15:43:07.521-05:00Fun Things From Today (FTFT) 30-03-2015I took the boys to the park this afternoon. Reid had fun digging up cars in the sand. Jack made a tunnel through the sand. It was a bit cold though, so we didn't stay long.<div><br></div><div>Colin pulled himself up to a stand today. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlGx5cx88hbvyna8jS4ov5yB8NOkPKb0MeZWxlcwDJf3QBy2eE5JtMdBCVXmA3JsCMhyphenhyphenKhFpZRp93gtfqx1mGq-GBHD8bN8RLRuJjA8ruiWwhpXW896DtGhODWiadccCkVsicRA/s640/blogger-image--684230572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlGx5cx88hbvyna8jS4ov5yB8NOkPKb0MeZWxlcwDJf3QBy2eE5JtMdBCVXmA3JsCMhyphenhyphenKhFpZRp93gtfqx1mGq-GBHD8bN8RLRuJjA8ruiWwhpXW896DtGhODWiadccCkVsicRA/s640/blogger-image--684230572.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0A1cyhFeuDX-TqKx9SkbZ7YCXMTG5o3-IZAPjEWxUpahUwwV4fYdDAtpstjGzSiGeTITKXBHnuI7pvJtkf7oGJNa__W0TRGFHe3u0Np5NKgmIJwmpa8kHtBW9yLrUS7GNGoRTw/s640/blogger-image--247950098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0A1cyhFeuDX-TqKx9SkbZ7YCXMTG5o3-IZAPjEWxUpahUwwV4fYdDAtpstjGzSiGeTITKXBHnuI7pvJtkf7oGJNa__W0TRGFHe3u0Np5NKgmIJwmpa8kHtBW9yLrUS7GNGoRTw/s640/blogger-image--247950098.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-70572198073814047952015-04-06T15:42:00.001-05:002015-04-06T15:42:45.355-05:00Fun Things From Today and Yesterday (FTFT) 06-04-2015Today was beautiful weather-wise. So we enjoyed the day at Bushy Park with Preston and Henry. <div><br></div><div>Jack and Reid had a great time exercising their freedom by scooting fast down the paths and running through the fields.</div><div><br></div><div>Colin enjoyed a play on the picnic blanket with Henry. We attempted to teach him how to share, but he still needs some practice :). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BuNog-KrmxLbzhh-_9-ynaB0pnBn_IXpvOJtQWw9ezFqT_yibpZBIiwFJ5G4b0qKlTcRFUfXCbIXlKccT8KOYZG6_ruU2IDu0Nj33CoIOF264WUdJsqbMcHbRsfBZ-sY1w_sKw/s640/blogger-image--846582615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BuNog-KrmxLbzhh-_9-ynaB0pnBn_IXpvOJtQWw9ezFqT_yibpZBIiwFJ5G4b0qKlTcRFUfXCbIXlKccT8KOYZG6_ruU2IDu0Nj33CoIOF264WUdJsqbMcHbRsfBZ-sY1w_sKw/s640/blogger-image--846582615.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhv4kD299HbusM9ht4TMHJZqP_7B8Zd9VfAeGX5IhuMCzvcbsq2sU9BDS-XSrOXNo_yQsFNvWxEvqH5ProwfCTb2q1XrRnTBSXJT8M9_dXqfZmftBBkbExVFigBuuBt_jc3ohEw/s640/blogger-image--1761929205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhv4kD299HbusM9ht4TMHJZqP_7B8Zd9VfAeGX5IhuMCzvcbsq2sU9BDS-XSrOXNo_yQsFNvWxEvqH5ProwfCTb2q1XrRnTBSXJT8M9_dXqfZmftBBkbExVFigBuuBt_jc3ohEw/s640/blogger-image--1761929205.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCghPpGTIHEu0OEc46FB2ebkTv6UQsjUj856y8gq2DMItbB0OoxopkflK5e5dOAiTLn1NPiqpvZn4FYP2wTL1fkBLa2v9_kg-ygYr-no3MBul9B4X2wWNLn_5FC6m3dDqtEwPjg/s640/blogger-image-1318119666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCghPpGTIHEu0OEc46FB2ebkTv6UQsjUj856y8gq2DMItbB0OoxopkflK5e5dOAiTLn1NPiqpvZn4FYP2wTL1fkBLa2v9_kg-ygYr-no3MBul9B4X2wWNLn_5FC6m3dDqtEwPjg/s640/blogger-image-1318119666.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxabQoeujtuCxkwjHH2J8-aeCg6W_MGrDvBr7PzGzP7LrS70L2eeYpbUhZ9xPyxCM0Olxg-L2Ss3dAmUcvJ53pMC0Y8PineWDcmDcDVb8wKx7rz02FaUK0EYdVHhBwCixK05ka4g/s640/blogger-image--153394342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxabQoeujtuCxkwjHH2J8-aeCg6W_MGrDvBr7PzGzP7LrS70L2eeYpbUhZ9xPyxCM0Olxg-L2Ss3dAmUcvJ53pMC0Y8PineWDcmDcDVb8wKx7rz02FaUK0EYdVHhBwCixK05ka4g/s640/blogger-image--153394342.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHDXS9i1QykGUMOSLs4vlXusu5AV7d17auE47fIneV9FPjD9BNjFekVP4LIS0cCq0vFD3PT0K9pTWUxSEdi2CXVDultuw9QMPXhaSM08ZDKtdpgbdPnw_wNGRfh7Jl4sTi07hBw/s640/blogger-image--215816566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHDXS9i1QykGUMOSLs4vlXusu5AV7d17auE47fIneV9FPjD9BNjFekVP4LIS0cCq0vFD3PT0K9pTWUxSEdi2CXVDultuw9QMPXhaSM08ZDKtdpgbdPnw_wNGRfh7Jl4sTi07hBw/s640/blogger-image--215816566.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday was Easter, and the boys had a great morning. We woke up to Jack excitedly discovering the eggs the Easter bunny had left in their room. </div><div><br></div><div>Both Jack and Reid really enjoyed their books from the bunny, and spent most of the morning reading. They also really enjoyed the chocolate. Reid spent most of the day sneaking extra pieces.</div><div><br></div><div>Colin seems to really like his Easter present too, a pop-up color toy. In fact, all three boys have been playing with that non-stop. </div><div><br></div><div>Steve made a great beef roast and vegetables for Easter dinner. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDO9_g9PE2s9JXDbMQvnVxNPkwUraXeIc2fqK7hCZBLgeBVHE5H5Jrtz3wB9nfwYu94oNGjcAv73e1XfSAuQnldS0U3bPRdrezpdJ7cONicQAYb-onirZt7KDOk9w1A2OUNP4ew/s640/blogger-image-1353693879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDO9_g9PE2s9JXDbMQvnVxNPkwUraXeIc2fqK7hCZBLgeBVHE5H5Jrtz3wB9nfwYu94oNGjcAv73e1XfSAuQnldS0U3bPRdrezpdJ7cONicQAYb-onirZt7KDOk9w1A2OUNP4ew/s640/blogger-image-1353693879.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvHoalTy-c9mbttBAxLvrGORu7K3t65tT5t5qRRJIcw1rTkX4u7DdO5S7KAV2ztYU0-D0a6H2oC2b0qBe7AQyYvrb-BtZo4iee-26iaPIlNK9yJBwzA66oePF0osZsWnIJExX-w/s640/blogger-image--763817881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvHoalTy-c9mbttBAxLvrGORu7K3t65tT5t5qRRJIcw1rTkX4u7DdO5S7KAV2ztYU0-D0a6H2oC2b0qBe7AQyYvrb-BtZo4iee-26iaPIlNK9yJBwzA66oePF0osZsWnIJExX-w/s640/blogger-image--763817881.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexZAZqIQHwvNE8hIml8dIMYMQv0PWlmU3xrH27pvZYTK1WaO3iSqhWFxr_MAnnBvkIJ4eIhc2H5EJB-Z_ybqbMxvVYVu7YMpA6kdLHk3ZXA5WKcy55ycSQH8FY7k-LVNAISsAXQ/s640/blogger-image-643549808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexZAZqIQHwvNE8hIml8dIMYMQv0PWlmU3xrH27pvZYTK1WaO3iSqhWFxr_MAnnBvkIJ4eIhc2H5EJB-Z_ybqbMxvVYVu7YMpA6kdLHk3ZXA5WKcy55ycSQH8FY7k-LVNAISsAXQ/s640/blogger-image-643549808.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUUAD6xis0uPaExERG7HJxI2m2DAbCYSzLuQXJMIIcgAMeGhOrIoe_At_C5MDXmuKAgXJrSX8U-5oVo022T8lq8p6r4lEOAjM8RPbBlsnsnvemKURzV0j1PmPp4wZflMW4Fjhpw/s640/blogger-image-1641750181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUUAD6xis0uPaExERG7HJxI2m2DAbCYSzLuQXJMIIcgAMeGhOrIoe_At_C5MDXmuKAgXJrSX8U-5oVo022T8lq8p6r4lEOAjM8RPbBlsnsnvemKURzV0j1PmPp4wZflMW4Fjhpw/s640/blogger-image-1641750181.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNbm_lydBkWA-iEFAaz2qi30l9ZRzGcsy5a9gnBPqSreYxxYvxSWbSXrsgxxUZ2WUa-fuwSMXfkR2jzvom3Y-Z5gkencWXYBf6ekAznOpgJE6O7gtU_BaKpV1OlcloWjQvuLXQQ/s640/blogger-image--1449518477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNbm_lydBkWA-iEFAaz2qi30l9ZRzGcsy5a9gnBPqSreYxxYvxSWbSXrsgxxUZ2WUa-fuwSMXfkR2jzvom3Y-Z5gkencWXYBf6ekAznOpgJE6O7gtU_BaKpV1OlcloWjQvuLXQQ/s640/blogger-image--1449518477.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-18387439783625925942015-04-03T14:25:00.001-05:002015-04-03T14:25:58.534-05:00Fun things from today (FTFT) 03-04-2015We were invited to a playdate at a school friend of Jack's. Both Jack and Reid had a fantastic time and were on their best behavior. George has a trampoline in his garden, and the boys absolutely loved it. <div><br></div><div>After lunch, we came back home to meet up with Steve and have a little family time since he had the day off. We spent the afternoon in Kingston checking out the comic book store (Jack now has a Spider-Man comic), enjoying ice cream and coffee, and finding chocolate bunnies at the Lindt exhibition at the Bentall Centre. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAkSEJDF3-FdaDrDf1SPNyvgXOku9_qGlXnHYCjjnvIYI4K3MR1OOOWVeMrX3IEgiyho3x2uQ9F4iQ7-irqmnvsOB-mzJ0XbP3WqagbT9QBFv0cgLBHS1yhG4MddzKdWCUyo61A/s640/blogger-image--608189148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAkSEJDF3-FdaDrDf1SPNyvgXOku9_qGlXnHYCjjnvIYI4K3MR1OOOWVeMrX3IEgiyho3x2uQ9F4iQ7-irqmnvsOB-mzJ0XbP3WqagbT9QBFv0cgLBHS1yhG4MddzKdWCUyo61A/s640/blogger-image--608189148.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR_3Am8_QjdQ5Pn-Hv4r5yL2WsAqt8HNy_mLaoqyLh4Sne4xH6rWZfJFvlJyYvkltVhQAzIpz50qDpMbQhv1x08G19F_HtZupt9lFFobdp5sttDP253ydzdhZW9N-yv1hdEkoRA/s640/blogger-image--296174843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR_3Am8_QjdQ5Pn-Hv4r5yL2WsAqt8HNy_mLaoqyLh4Sne4xH6rWZfJFvlJyYvkltVhQAzIpz50qDpMbQhv1x08G19F_HtZupt9lFFobdp5sttDP253ydzdhZW9N-yv1hdEkoRA/s640/blogger-image--296174843.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrL8MPeiV1dXkAkvcA4z0HY8WmhMNlHeidERFuCF8m4_HVwkxe4tpk6FGVP5Whf7UYitHJb2JhFpyHosZ-zxAjiSbOxYk0DplLWscF11xz-rJqGGpTOqv4h3a4boiX4pGAitaCA/s640/blogger-image--53342236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrL8MPeiV1dXkAkvcA4z0HY8WmhMNlHeidERFuCF8m4_HVwkxe4tpk6FGVP5Whf7UYitHJb2JhFpyHosZ-zxAjiSbOxYk0DplLWscF11xz-rJqGGpTOqv4h3a4boiX4pGAitaCA/s640/blogger-image--53342236.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-54202069371012946722015-03-29T14:30:00.001-05:002015-03-29T14:30:39.796-05:00Fun Things From Today (FTFT) 29-03-2015Reid had football this morning, and he found out he is moving up to the next class! He's super excited. <div><br></div><div>Colin is just checking firsts of his list all over the place. Today he had real food - lasagna - for the first time. He seemed to like it. He's also pulling up on everything.</div><div><br></div><div>Jack enjoyed movie time by himself today. We all needed a rest after lunch, and Jack decided he wanted to watch his movie on the iPad in his bed.</div><div><br></div><div>Steve and I each managed to get a workout at the gym in today. He's got a plan from a trainer and I got to my yoga class.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cnPtYpb34blVb1yDykJ0jbGacsz2DaKd2qm86YJWBNSfjBQnCOyY4NioCYK2bXfusC7AuUXardq16jck3yqEDEz3Uy1sctCzM4nBepVX5xgcOLFtDiVRYmmUX2zjTtirj58lCQ/s640/blogger-image-98410778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cnPtYpb34blVb1yDykJ0jbGacsz2DaKd2qm86YJWBNSfjBQnCOyY4NioCYK2bXfusC7AuUXardq16jck3yqEDEz3Uy1sctCzM4nBepVX5xgcOLFtDiVRYmmUX2zjTtirj58lCQ/s640/blogger-image-98410778.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-58036897938659081772015-03-29T07:11:00.001-05:002015-03-29T07:11:19.625-05:00Fun things from yesterday (FTFT) 28-03-2015We went to the pool at the gym and had a great time swimming. Jack is really progressing on his front crawl and even tried turning his head to breathe! Reid loves to go under water all the time. He's getting better about keeping his mouth closed so he doesn't swallow so much water ;). And even Colin loves the pool and splashing!<div><br></div><div>Steve and Jack had a nice afternoon finding Steve a new suit. Reid and I figured out audiobooks. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNpluLInn7i6i6Y7C8ljybHPw7C7CTLjIhCjNpGKHCjWc3fxhKqhGcxReuLORIFg5ri8Xw8lTQDiH7yfy92V1ju0WrCbGFF6z16tQV9hH9Kot6DNLjjcm2wZHGDPIZQ9JVnrkMw/s640/blogger-image--1532192494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNpluLInn7i6i6Y7C8ljybHPw7C7CTLjIhCjNpGKHCjWc3fxhKqhGcxReuLORIFg5ri8Xw8lTQDiH7yfy92V1ju0WrCbGFF6z16tQV9hH9Kot6DNLjjcm2wZHGDPIZQ9JVnrkMw/s640/blogger-image--1532192494.jpg"></a></div></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-26066679222714518252015-03-27T17:12:00.001-05:002015-03-27T17:12:24.885-05:00Fun things from today (FTFT) 27-03-2015Reid, Colin, and I took the bus into Kingston to pick up Jack from school. On our walk back home, we stopped for ice cream. Jack had a come with a flake; Reid had a bubble gum flavored ice pop, and I had a chocolate mini milk. Yum!<div><br></div><div>We hired a sitter tonight, and Steve and I got to go out for drinks with some parents from Jack's school. All went well with the sitter, so it looks like we'll be able to do it again sometime!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-BbIKw18XtwSK-Kq6QBhjbcsqtAcGssSLi0TUTUz2ChJwM6FxXW0RpelIO3p6ANwgEuNs_xkQMv52G6EVntf3f2xVpE1j5P-Ke8PHNigJin3hOAA712iGzfmNHYpIrX0sUB6Tw/s640/blogger-image--1168428024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-BbIKw18XtwSK-Kq6QBhjbcsqtAcGssSLi0TUTUz2ChJwM6FxXW0RpelIO3p6ANwgEuNs_xkQMv52G6EVntf3f2xVpE1j5P-Ke8PHNigJin3hOAA712iGzfmNHYpIrX0sUB6Tw/s640/blogger-image--1168428024.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh3l6aYlEUp6YWsq8Wb1tmjIK0wtce3E-JD6wDRV2hmVpgQKctfcDdBbVcD5pxpw4p3kjX6b2ymwNtzI9VgtH0HW4Nk1gBmktW9CV1bZ5R4bNv_XkQgScREfyoNR03PLWvB6fwg/s640/blogger-image-1005471304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh3l6aYlEUp6YWsq8Wb1tmjIK0wtce3E-JD6wDRV2hmVpgQKctfcDdBbVcD5pxpw4p3kjX6b2ymwNtzI9VgtH0HW4Nk1gBmktW9CV1bZ5R4bNv_XkQgScREfyoNR03PLWvB6fwg/s640/blogger-image-1005471304.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-91748211560549632332015-03-26T16:58:00.001-05:002015-03-26T17:00:22.269-05:00Fun things from today (FTFT) 26-03-2015<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Colin had an amazing day. He got himself into a sit without any help! And then he started pulling up on everything into a kneeling, then even standing position! We also had some fun playing blocks and knocking over towers.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Jack got to cook at school today. They made chocolate nests with chocolate candy eggs. He seemed to really enjoy breaking the chocolate into bits to be melted. </div><div><br></div><div>Reid said he had a good day at school too playing with his friend Alexander. He made some artwork, but we left it at school so it wouldn't be ruined in the sudden downpour we had to walk home in!</div><div><br></div><div>Steve got to visit Liverpool for work today. He's still traveling home, so no word yet on what it was like.</div><div><br></div><div>And I got to do a little shopping in Surbiton. I found some cute tops at a very reasonable price at Hoi Polloi. This is the second time I've popped in there on a whim and have made a great find!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJaqqFi-Q8rtb2MJlDg9cQvrAORL2rSxTbDdyi_5CxumpAQSJzlzWZbB3Dn6HT3BUsQbTaMRBzT79KP3mIL9daltHg8dkRxrpREooIVWEXvJPYY76BJExPQFWB79YFZzRy7hoHw/s640/blogger-image-2110399245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJaqqFi-Q8rtb2MJlDg9cQvrAORL2rSxTbDdyi_5CxumpAQSJzlzWZbB3Dn6HT3BUsQbTaMRBzT79KP3mIL9daltHg8dkRxrpREooIVWEXvJPYY76BJExPQFWB79YFZzRy7hoHw/s640/blogger-image-2110399245.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aF0IWGRbmXQ-seEW0w_r93EfMVpfYB3P8CQ7vmJKt6xtDs3uaQLFdPrabotirOQCWrLfcJ7ZGL63v3COiOltguTWfIwZSvHKdl3qtSeh7b6nFmkM50wGdJIkVDnb2Qqpn1ZGCQ/s640/blogger-image-1017556314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aF0IWGRbmXQ-seEW0w_r93EfMVpfYB3P8CQ7vmJKt6xtDs3uaQLFdPrabotirOQCWrLfcJ7ZGL63v3COiOltguTWfIwZSvHKdl3qtSeh7b6nFmkM50wGdJIkVDnb2Qqpn1ZGCQ/s640/blogger-image-1017556314.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6zmEXtKJPq160IxN3zdBOPnzLVgE0d-3MTZuwvMJmETZO_pCk5my9zG-faD-jRROxgEFK1U8OLSGd6b9C_-TSwoLEYgmLMGHj8mra5fE8NEe9oDxJgolOhVtEZ8gLYpPUKeCyQ/s640/blogger-image--66479980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6zmEXtKJPq160IxN3zdBOPnzLVgE0d-3MTZuwvMJmETZO_pCk5my9zG-faD-jRROxgEFK1U8OLSGd6b9C_-TSwoLEYgmLMGHj8mra5fE8NEe9oDxJgolOhVtEZ8gLYpPUKeCyQ/s640/blogger-image--66479980.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85rwip83GzGCWzg_-WXroacQsESALCzPuSCp8GTNXQJfoC5t4ZermXjQQxzBZtMRsWZQwP2AMLZC3NxbqSIQqk8vJydJ7fCVQ4JSVCkzfguVlJY7Y_ErzIVClMOOrXB6TgXSjuw/s640/blogger-image--1336907022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85rwip83GzGCWzg_-WXroacQsESALCzPuSCp8GTNXQJfoC5t4ZermXjQQxzBZtMRsWZQwP2AMLZC3NxbqSIQqk8vJydJ7fCVQ4JSVCkzfguVlJY7Y_ErzIVClMOOrXB6TgXSjuw/s640/blogger-image--1336907022.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">First time for three boys in the tub!</div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-64626964244553589422015-03-25T16:39:00.001-05:002015-03-25T16:39:29.112-05:00Fun things from today (FTFT) 25-03-2015The boys and I met Jack's friend from school and his family at the park. This was definitely the highlight of the day for Jack, Reid, and Colin. <div><br></div><div>Jack had a great run around with Hari. Reid got to play in the sand and the swings. And Colin even got to ride in the swing for a bit, which he loved (lots of great laughs).</div><div><br></div><div>As for me, I got to nap while Colin did this morning. Win.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusLac2-m_H1QyZl5e7hy-2h8ohyccM-2uxiceIV3O-iARi4-27yw1HfYFVyl5Eb1gyB7SoGD_WZqGb2oj1y3ETHngvwwJRx4GL2aEm1vY3gGIiqkcw5vGNu6oUBTv842r2srsFA/s640/blogger-image--406629323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusLac2-m_H1QyZl5e7hy-2h8ohyccM-2uxiceIV3O-iARi4-27yw1HfYFVyl5Eb1gyB7SoGD_WZqGb2oj1y3ETHngvwwJRx4GL2aEm1vY3gGIiqkcw5vGNu6oUBTv842r2srsFA/s640/blogger-image--406629323.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmecBhcUQ5cFFgQ5FTLF_Vn4j5Y69M-RHns_mq7uQMBJYNgiFKfVFTFfN9FwyiCVSLXALclbIGJvEMYMCw7Jmy-XwMM-uY10zN09e5A9TcbszGk7wHnO-EKBRp53Dn1ci1oR-wjQ/s640/blogger-image-185041686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmecBhcUQ5cFFgQ5FTLF_Vn4j5Y69M-RHns_mq7uQMBJYNgiFKfVFTFfN9FwyiCVSLXALclbIGJvEMYMCw7Jmy-XwMM-uY10zN09e5A9TcbszGk7wHnO-EKBRp53Dn1ci1oR-wjQ/s640/blogger-image-185041686.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-3658011179539432222015-03-24T15:57:00.001-05:002015-03-24T15:57:56.819-05:00Fun Things From Today (FTFT) 24-03-2015Jack was back at school today to enjoy Forest school. Apparently they made mud and had an egg hunt. <div><br></div><div>I tried to teach Reid some letters today. It went alright. He liked putting his hands and finger in the tray of sugar, which isn't surprising considering his love of sand. </div><div><br></div><div>Colin actually got two naps today. He slept for an hour this morning and about 30 minutes in the afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>I took all three boys to the park after school, which they seemed to enjoy. Jack played on the obstacle course; Reid played in the sand (digging an underground train tunnel); Colin watched the trees and kids.</div><div><br></div><div>Steve sat down with Reid and played stickers this afternoon. They had fun creating an underwater animal scene. Then tonight, Steve got Jack to read an Elephant and Piggie book. When he finished, Steve commented that it was fun. Jack responded, "Yes, it wasn't as bad as I suspected!" </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGCpP5NO4IDSvYi8WfcHOq7PfDHryO5Jr655ZYNS5tNXBP6y6WIJ4Xysr7IQgLvo8FAxHgmiI3U9pPn12mK__kKCjzy2nCbjL8Z_2zhn0DNiyEyphqFMQAFbf2OxMuSeA7-KH8g/s640/blogger-image-1237534504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGCpP5NO4IDSvYi8WfcHOq7PfDHryO5Jr655ZYNS5tNXBP6y6WIJ4Xysr7IQgLvo8FAxHgmiI3U9pPn12mK__kKCjzy2nCbjL8Z_2zhn0DNiyEyphqFMQAFbf2OxMuSeA7-KH8g/s640/blogger-image-1237534504.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8a32NC9dL9H-QhoEYBGk2oKVLLAKy6IIG8C5n8jbZLOs1Brt5XNy17aXBzQrIM_phmPN9ytUa6O1s9-vr_OWZ_n3E0Swq97wERX3IwVEJPCQBpcuJhlEfMpSXN86fCRjYNiFNg/s640/blogger-image-1391182447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8a32NC9dL9H-QhoEYBGk2oKVLLAKy6IIG8C5n8jbZLOs1Brt5XNy17aXBzQrIM_phmPN9ytUa6O1s9-vr_OWZ_n3E0Swq97wERX3IwVEJPCQBpcuJhlEfMpSXN86fCRjYNiFNg/s640/blogger-image-1391182447.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymvPWSDPi4xyLYVIKBGy2y_011dtWm4PHqzQ4Cx3kJo6E7KpCecy3o6TszQvG6fWgoEf7b8spZfV0OUJVqqDtj6Xk1hu26uOG2o-xUTW7Y5-zhwxvAfq2yw34y4pCiShRTAX2aQ/s640/blogger-image--964644563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymvPWSDPi4xyLYVIKBGy2y_011dtWm4PHqzQ4Cx3kJo6E7KpCecy3o6TszQvG6fWgoEf7b8spZfV0OUJVqqDtj6Xk1hu26uOG2o-xUTW7Y5-zhwxvAfq2yw34y4pCiShRTAX2aQ/s640/blogger-image--964644563.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlIoRsTaMSMm_VmTxtvmKRvVvZqgSJqLkLDRR7NQuFyUS5rYASUQrb9uEYPfNLdSeHDKp-TAsjcRzFTHvzz5EJosZFjlXs1m-1IlYFRy_lsH0QyTJprb71-LiSSj1tWabiYZRPQ/s640/blogger-image-204521587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlIoRsTaMSMm_VmTxtvmKRvVvZqgSJqLkLDRR7NQuFyUS5rYASUQrb9uEYPfNLdSeHDKp-TAsjcRzFTHvzz5EJosZFjlXs1m-1IlYFRy_lsH0QyTJprb71-LiSSj1tWabiYZRPQ/s640/blogger-image-204521587.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-24970561485490695592015-03-23T16:42:00.001-05:002015-03-23T16:42:08.458-05:00Fun Things From Today (FTFT) 23-03-2015I had all three boys home worth me today as Jack wasn't feeling well. So we did a bit of "Mom school".<div><br></div><div>Jack played with the Montessori letters to create sentences. He also wrote a few on a dry erase pad. He also did a floor puzzle, the solar system one we have, all by himself for the first time. He worked through his frustration, and when he finished, he was rightfully very proud!</div><div><br></div><div>Reid worked on some mazes today. I also introduced him to the soft foam letters. He was able to pick out the R, which impressed me.</div><div><br></div><div>We all worked together to bake chocolate cupcakes. Jack got to practice measuring a liquid, and Reid got to practice pouring. The end result was definitely yummy!</div><div><br></div><div>Steve got to talk to his Dad and Anne tonight. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmJ8d0LgoZTcWJyNxFSbBn-ZGa8vmXLwEhaK7XMUh8lP4PLAf375e69STIdE8uo4rWpb1XcyZH_2-9KMrBVCMlouyW4D2oN0m9iWl2NRvdSbq7APtRicdnM0XW9od-BhguI0aKw/s640/blogger-image-313453440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmJ8d0LgoZTcWJyNxFSbBn-ZGa8vmXLwEhaK7XMUh8lP4PLAf375e69STIdE8uo4rWpb1XcyZH_2-9KMrBVCMlouyW4D2oN0m9iWl2NRvdSbq7APtRicdnM0XW9od-BhguI0aKw/s640/blogger-image-313453440.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tCwMC52JJeFjjIJDXING0WnxhXhAdDQLyjHINeedCvIkAkQkCm9Sn0RPx1yzqk7SoxXm-NbTUlg6btLuJQa2SdsE5N28-_ezmp33ZwHK6pvdsDQk1vATZlXXbCnOBfcPNHc4aA/s640/blogger-image-42748316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tCwMC52JJeFjjIJDXING0WnxhXhAdDQLyjHINeedCvIkAkQkCm9Sn0RPx1yzqk7SoxXm-NbTUlg6btLuJQa2SdsE5N28-_ezmp33ZwHK6pvdsDQk1vATZlXXbCnOBfcPNHc4aA/s640/blogger-image-42748316.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-1627424312542417572015-03-22T16:13:00.001-05:002015-03-22T16:13:03.221-05:00Fun Things From Today (FTFT) 21-03-2015We went to the Surbiton Farmer's Market this morning. We stopped for coffee at Rubi, yum! And Colin made friends with the chef through his cute smiles. At the market, Jack brought his money and bought a chocolate cookie. We also bought brownies, honey, and macaroons. Steve found a great chipotle BBQ sauce at one of the stalls too.<div><br></div><div>I took Jack and Reid swimming at the gym. Jack swam across the little pool three times using his freestyle stroke. No side breathing yet ;). Reid was enjoying going under water once we got his goggles fitted correctly. We had a blast!</div><div><br></div><div>We crafted a bit too. Jack and Reid made bugs on a stick, inspired my Mister Maker. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YKRruIuhnBFvTYL6PCGS1BK7JiHwSiuyyhWvg4Qui-Kb4BVl2N8-OawpYCORqUqZ-cTl9eNcRsh7jUu7HgTyys6-fr3Thyphenhyphenb-PodRceWJG_lzjUACUL8cxhoGYdC3dUFFzciyFg/s640/blogger-image-1145367764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YKRruIuhnBFvTYL6PCGS1BK7JiHwSiuyyhWvg4Qui-Kb4BVl2N8-OawpYCORqUqZ-cTl9eNcRsh7jUu7HgTyys6-fr3Thyphenhyphenb-PodRceWJG_lzjUACUL8cxhoGYdC3dUFFzciyFg/s640/blogger-image-1145367764.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrW0gD__z1i-04BOtojDycENYlRfsU2t99XBGssItYvDyOeX9iMIfcmH43JcWhtOfctB3Ocy5Tk64YsME60mpBhGZzTdnkEVF_mksb4SP7o85-5C2fhmUJ8GECKO6wxUkCT6LSA/s640/blogger-image-1486693630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrW0gD__z1i-04BOtojDycENYlRfsU2t99XBGssItYvDyOeX9iMIfcmH43JcWhtOfctB3Ocy5Tk64YsME60mpBhGZzTdnkEVF_mksb4SP7o85-5C2fhmUJ8GECKO6wxUkCT6LSA/s640/blogger-image-1486693630.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-NAQCt-9fQUZ3XOrmZ_yVvmrVRVrIGkp7uHI6HTcIxTk-djiua5a3z0f1Vwxvz7SGOGcIOxxjbN2h7Q7lsHHmt172VKgvV-WG_Js7SrOnDqkNV7KwND27JSqPWZcHty9t1brjw/s640/blogger-image--307410768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-NAQCt-9fQUZ3XOrmZ_yVvmrVRVrIGkp7uHI6HTcIxTk-djiua5a3z0f1Vwxvz7SGOGcIOxxjbN2h7Q7lsHHmt172VKgvV-WG_Js7SrOnDqkNV7KwND27JSqPWZcHty9t1brjw/s640/blogger-image--307410768.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY6F3nxXBleDsSO0JyNFihhFMY4TCtWfqYq8s36T6gKoWem8M31GjtRimuRrzj6yENII0Og61kxpmIL6IcXc8bO06aaz54eBab2-xZZJf9WM29NuKSVU2QF1KqGT6wyfg-Gclow/s640/blogger-image--1851170190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY6F3nxXBleDsSO0JyNFihhFMY4TCtWfqYq8s36T6gKoWem8M31GjtRimuRrzj6yENII0Og61kxpmIL6IcXc8bO06aaz54eBab2-xZZJf9WM29NuKSVU2QF1KqGT6wyfg-Gclow/s640/blogger-image--1851170190.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-87145052729661054852015-03-22T16:11:00.001-05:002015-03-22T16:11:18.690-05:00Fun things from today (FTFT) 22-03-2015Reid had a great time at football class this morning. He's able to roll the ball forward, backward, and side to side with the sole of his foot. He was pretty happy to be the demonstrator today.<div><br></div><div>Jack had a great time digging in the garden with Reid. He decided to dig a Tube tunnel for trains. He learned all about this at the Transport Museum last week with school.</div><div><br></div><div>Colin has been spending lots more time on all fours lately. He climbs all over the pillows on the floor and even got out of a basket tonight. </div><div><br></div><div>I made it to yoga again tonight. It was another great class, both relaxing and invigorating. I'm getting better at balancing myself.</div><div><br></div><div>Steve and I made a stout beef stew for dinner this afternoon, and we all really enjoyed it.</div><div><br></div><div>The boys also played some Risk earlier today. When they'd had enough, they decided to declare a winner based in one last roll each. Reid won. Poor Jack had been rolling great dice all game and missed the last roll. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj846kZbtvBz9paRiKS3n82OYedQsnf_duZAGAtHAkhebTJC2N6Txj26ojIQQO47v3Xop-lP7NTjZV0VQ8s47fkMfiK5mNLfS8KkaMzAfvKW3odlOjAnWg2ag1XMoaKG2rz98iBHg/s640/blogger-image--1188152822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj846kZbtvBz9paRiKS3n82OYedQsnf_duZAGAtHAkhebTJC2N6Txj26ojIQQO47v3Xop-lP7NTjZV0VQ8s47fkMfiK5mNLfS8KkaMzAfvKW3odlOjAnWg2ag1XMoaKG2rz98iBHg/s640/blogger-image--1188152822.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-64383385067536069102015-03-21T05:36:00.001-05:002015-03-21T05:36:10.134-05:00Fun Things From Today (yesterday) 20-03-2015Today, I went to a coffee morning at Reid's school and learned all about sensorial materials at Montessori. <div><br></div><div>Colin was enjoying standing up against things today. He tries to pull himself up, but can't really do that yet. So once you stand him up, he's happy. </div><div><br></div><div>Reid had a playdate after school with his friends from school, Alexander and Dan. He's been very excited to do this for a while, so he was pretty happy. And thankfully the sun came out for the afternoon too!</div><div><br></div><div>Jack learned about pointillism during art at school. He says he used q-tips to make a picture with lots of dots. I can't wait to see the result!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwGcto4WBqcyndEH4PuMB6Mrx55MUNNlimeOAVdYQY5Su_ruEWDJb8910xmuKNnfx5WTNwUsoui8eCX8WiEokwtvHLugNDoV_584w-OsiuBOb13PTUkLucc1WwmOOpg79PkBJtw/s640/blogger-image-34650970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwGcto4WBqcyndEH4PuMB6Mrx55MUNNlimeOAVdYQY5Su_ruEWDJb8910xmuKNnfx5WTNwUsoui8eCX8WiEokwtvHLugNDoV_584w-OsiuBOb13PTUkLucc1WwmOOpg79PkBJtw/s640/blogger-image-34650970.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBDWh8R5meV5Q8gIOhSSbw85hi4Nl70p9nHQzNpeFmr8mp0-vuMzS7GDpDFGyoZ2qQ0zHCsQ19QseXGY0Co_myY_1npglhkVt86wuC3M2RRm8Ohd2cyRTHPEB8o1xG9naMqR1_w/s640/blogger-image-2080736483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBDWh8R5meV5Q8gIOhSSbw85hi4Nl70p9nHQzNpeFmr8mp0-vuMzS7GDpDFGyoZ2qQ0zHCsQ19QseXGY0Co_myY_1npglhkVt86wuC3M2RRm8Ohd2cyRTHPEB8o1xG9naMqR1_w/s640/blogger-image-2080736483.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-66928982781068252912015-03-19T14:04:00.001-05:002015-03-19T14:04:13.271-05:00Fun things from today (FTFT) 19-03-2015Reid was sick last night and this morning with a fever; so that wasn't so fun. And neither he nor Colin have been sleeping very well in the last 24 hours. Also not very fun. <div><br></div><div>But good news, Reid is fever free! I think the highlight of his day was finding his favorite shirt to wear this afternoon. </div><div><br></div><div>Colin had fun crawling over pillows this afternoon. </div><div><br></div><div>Jack enjoyed a treat from The French Tarte after school. We walked over to pick up some bread to go with our bolognese and pasta. He picked out rocky road for his treat, and then we picked out three more of their new spring pastries to bring home for dessert. Every single one of them was fantastic, but I think we all agreed the Hazelnut Pear Choux. Yum!</div><div><br></div><div>Steve got to catch up with an old work friend on the phone this afternoon. Hi Kevin!</div><div><br></div><div>As for me, I got a shower and I made myself tea and a pain au chocolate today. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RyNuoQHs3Bl71x86wuve7nQANEc-h6zp9RdqU0HyDtzxzrBXvyJern3KmX_7K04OdxqsxWzy-qBiKdCGqAAD8zcDB3oVAKzC08G0DS8tlmQVfULy6i5-s5Z3zH5XDM2ssHzHJA/s640/blogger-image-1691586883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RyNuoQHs3Bl71x86wuve7nQANEc-h6zp9RdqU0HyDtzxzrBXvyJern3KmX_7K04OdxqsxWzy-qBiKdCGqAAD8zcDB3oVAKzC08G0DS8tlmQVfULy6i5-s5Z3zH5XDM2ssHzHJA/s640/blogger-image-1691586883.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGhjK6vGXIHUrnF6St7mnUh1yvcBmZfjml8xXStgtzeOoeDEjZtMj5kshkhWUvXwbz7d1GGMMICwJJjuQVxDxF_4bd88mf0h5RSV-2YnT8JhKpYo7tJq67K-Wj06h7YIP3_CaMQ/s640/blogger-image--926592139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGhjK6vGXIHUrnF6St7mnUh1yvcBmZfjml8xXStgtzeOoeDEjZtMj5kshkhWUvXwbz7d1GGMMICwJJjuQVxDxF_4bd88mf0h5RSV-2YnT8JhKpYo7tJq67K-Wj06h7YIP3_CaMQ/s640/blogger-image--926592139.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-43510312860114169152015-03-18T17:02:00.001-05:002015-03-18T17:03:39.432-05:00Fun things from today (FTFT) 18-03-15Steve took Jack to school. They took the tall bus and rode on top. They stopped at Costa and enjoyed a blueberry muffin before the drop off.<div><br></div><div>Jack went on a field trip to the London Transport Museum. He loved the simulator where he got to drive a tube train and pull "the shiny red lever"!</div><div><br></div><div>When I picked up Reid from school, we went straight to the park to play in the sand with his digger and dump truck. He made a few new friends in the sand pit.</div><div><br></div><div>Colin and I stopped at Cafe Amici to check out the newest coffee shop in Surbiton. It's a small place, so I just got a takeaway latte before we did a little shopping at Waitrose.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxrE-HAriPznyDHohmyxCEhsHExnTBG7Eqf6OeTuW8fG4tl-7d3zvN-ABUqDs3Kw83BjYFcGrUvvC4cJMmn0hiBH1g1rcm1aixNxj2nXuB_3jJ5AW8hi1NwmKEoKrt1gAXl8Nmw/s640/blogger-image-922093963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxrE-HAriPznyDHohmyxCEhsHExnTBG7Eqf6OeTuW8fG4tl-7d3zvN-ABUqDs3Kw83BjYFcGrUvvC4cJMmn0hiBH1g1rcm1aixNxj2nXuB_3jJ5AW8hi1NwmKEoKrt1gAXl8Nmw/s640/blogger-image-922093963.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img class="_1_uo img" src="https://fbcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-0/s600x600/10983209_1590338047874484_5153545631249947272_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=8a8dd82ba5d94be54e5d104c92f5c425&oe=55733C9C&__gda__=1433891127_612f61c44fcb38c1397612623d806030" data-reactid=".a.1:$photo_1590338047874484.0.0.0" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; position: relative; width: 300px; height: 400px;"></span></div>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-88871805752263758492015-03-17T16:49:00.000-05:002015-03-17T16:49:16.452-05:00Some moments are precious<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/16811544946/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="332"></iframe><br />
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I took this photo yesterday morning. It was probably around 8 a.m. and I was on my way downstairs to take Colin's 9-month photos. We still had about an hour before Jack had to be at school, and we had already eaten breakfast and gotten dressed and ready for the day.<br />
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Some days, an hour to kill before leaving for school can spell disaster. But yesterday, that time was beautiful. Jack had gone to the guest room by himself and decided to work with the perler beads. He wanted to make another pirate ship. When Reid finally realized what Jack was doing, he joined in. Jack was counting out the 90 black beads he needed. Reid jumped in and helped Jack pick them out of the bucket. Then Reid decided he was going to do his perlers, which are a bit bigger and easier to grab. For about 30 minutes, they worked nicely together. No fighting, no yelling, no hitting. And then it was time to go to school, and they picked up nicely.<br />
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I want to remember moments like these. Too often I get caught up in the struggle to get people dressed and out the door, or to eat the meal we have prepared, or just to be nice to one another. But the times when my boys are happily occupied with something they have chosen for themselves and are being kind to one another, those are the times that deserve my conscious remembering.Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-63054435463145629372015-03-17T16:32:00.002-05:002015-03-17T16:32:56.802-05:00Colin is 9-months old!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/16650048050/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="332"></iframe><br />
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Check out that cute face! Can you believe 9 months has passed? Steve actually gave him a haircut this weekend. My sister commented on a photo that he is looking more like a toddler these days. Time is flying by!<br />
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At nine months old, Colin now army crawls across the floor. It's pretty fun to watch him pull himself and kick his little legs as he makes his way to whatever catches his eye. Yesterday, while we took pictures, he was intent on getting to the camera. So much so, he started to cry. Of course, the things he usually wants are things he shouldn't have - cords, wires, muddy shoes - the usual dangerous items.<br />
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He has also started to babble at lot. He definitely says "da" a lot, and there are some "na"s and "ba"s. I'm trying desperately to teach him to say "ma," but not to much avail, unfortunately.<br />
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We've also recently gotten him back into a pretty decent sleep routine, provided his teeth aren't bothering him. He usually take a great morning nap between an hour and two hours. And I can usually get him to sleep for about an hour in the afternoon too. The morning nap is consistently in his bed, which is nice. The afternoon one isn't always so. I also count it as a win if he only wakes up three times between 7 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.<br />
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And he's making progress in the teeth department. His two bottom front teeth are in, and sharp. The two top front teeth are breaking through now, slowly. The last week or so has definitely been a struggle. When the teeth are really bothering him, his nose gets really runny and that makes it hard for him to sleep. He just wants to be held then. And I can't blame him. When we hold him on our shoulders, he's pretty upright and his nose can drain so he can sleep and breathe. Poor guy!<br />
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But it's not all struggle and pain. Colin is a big lover of his brothers, and the feeling is mutual. Jack and Reid love to make Colin giggle. They make funny noises, or play peek-a-boo, or just push on his belly to get him laughing. Colin has also started having his own baby playdates. Our neighbor, Henry, and Colin get along pretty well. They definitely like to interact with each other and almost seem to be having conversations when we get them together. Jack's friend Hari also has a little brother who Colin has played with a couple of times. Baby play times are just too cute!<br />
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Well, I think those are the big things from the last month. Now we move on to more mobility, more food variety, and possibly stairs or talking. Ahhh!<br />
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<br />Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-68217127461281359932015-02-03T15:50:00.002-06:002015-02-04T01:11:06.302-06:00Jack is 7, yes I said 7, years old!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just look at that sweet face! Can you believe it's seven years old? Sometimes I forget and try to keep him little, but he quickly reminds me.<br>
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We celebrated Jack's seventh birthday back in January (well, his birthday is in January!). And you know he's becoming a big kid when he asks for video games (Minecraft and such), chemistry sets, and art materials. No more trucks or boats for this guys.<br>
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Over the last year, and especially in the last six months, Jack has really come into his own with reading and writing. He seems to enjoy sounding out the words more now and has even recently developed a love of writing notes and messages. I've also caught him reading books to Colin.<br>
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His true loves of science and art have not waned, however. He loves doing experiments (whether that be testing the pH level of different substances or making his own "chemicals" out of whatever liquids he can get his hands on). He also loves creating projects. We still have to sneak the garbage out so it does not get stashed in a corner waiting to be used for one of his creative ideas. Don't worry, we let him create lots of fun things, we just don't need to keep every juice container and toilet roll. His teachers think he's headed for a career in engineering (and so do I!).<br>
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Jack plays soccer (or football as we call it here in the UK). He's developing some pretty cool skills when he decides he wants to play. We probably need to find him a gymnastics gym here though. He's constantly jumping around on the furniture and climbing all over everything that should not be climbed over.<br>
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I think Jack is also developing a love for travel. He really enjoyed our recent trip to Paris so much that he wanted to stay. He's always had an appreciation for maps, and I think now that we are going to more places, he is starting to thinking about places he wants to see too.<br>
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The other day, we asked Jack to write three of his favourite things to do (he wanted to earn some Minecraft time). He wrote "I like playing with Dad. I like playing with Mom. I like playing with my family." And when it comes down to it, I think that sums up where Jack is in his life right now. He just really enjoys spending time with his family. He doesn't really care what we do as long as we do it together. And I'm so glad about that!<br>
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<br>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514545.post-15906500533187854162015-02-03T15:32:00.001-06:002015-02-03T15:32:05.558-06:00Colin is 7 (and now a half) months old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight, Colin was playing with Reid's Duplos and I had an arresting thought... he's no longer an infant, he's a baby and quickly on his way to becoming a kid. He was in the block box reaching for and successfully grabbing blocks to put into his mouth. He knew what he wanted, and he was going for it.<br />
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Seven months must be a milestone of awareness. I feel like Colin is much more aware of what is happening around him as well as what he wants. He turns when we call his name now. I swear he was trying to imitate me clapping yesterday. I'd clap and he'd stare at my hands, then when I stopped, he made a move to bring his hands together over and over.<br />
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He loves to giggle and laugh, and his brothers (and Steve and me) have loads of fun doing silly things to make him laugh. The boys will make silly faces and sounds, Steve and I tickle and kiss him. Colin eats it all up.<br />
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Speaking of eating, Colin has a healthy appetite now. He usually eats three meals a day in addition to his nursing. He's also got two teeth on the bottom, and we think he might be getting his two top teeth in next. I won't lie, I'll be a little sad to see the gummy grin go. Luckily, I have lots of photos to remember it though.<br />
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Colin also seems to be a fan of patty cake and other singing. I think he'll like music just like his brothers. Steve and I sing to him a lot trying to get him to sleep!<br />
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I'm trying desperately to not wish this babyhood away. I'm trying to savour the cuddles and hugs. I try not to resent his desire to be held because I know soon enough he'll be too big to be held this much. I'm excited to see his personality come out more, to learn more of what he is interested in, but I'm also trying to be patient.<br />
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So here's our 7 (and a half) - month-old!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/16436129071/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="332"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="332" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21185713@N03/16251637969/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>Karen Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867124617734792720noreply@blogger.com0