tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51205162024-03-14T02:02:00.805-04:00Honey, I'm Home!btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.comBlogger649125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-52672297461969936822011-04-11T08:40:00.001-04:002011-04-11T08:40:00.441-04:00Don't Say I Didn't Warn You!Thanks for checking back!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_n7zUy5VGv0/TZ8CbvugMlI/AAAAAAAADC4/jFC45fe9G0E/s1600/backs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_n7zUy5VGv0/TZ8CbvugMlI/AAAAAAAADC4/jFC45fe9G0E/s400/backs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593191937908683346" /></a><br />Hahaha<br /><br />I've been working long and hard on my goal of finding some way to consolidate/link my blogs (#81). Finally, I decided to just start a new blog and have them all converge there.<br /><br />So here's the scoop:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Starting today, all new posts will only be at my </span></b></span><a href="http://btsoi.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">new blog</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">. </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></div><div>For all you who subscribe to my blog, have RSS feeds and such, now is the time to change it! Or you'll be missing out on all the fun and you don't want that, do you?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><a href="http://btsoi.blogspot.com/">http://btsoi.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span><b>And the minor details:</b><br /><br /></div><div>Most of my old posts (from this blog and my paper blog) will find their way over there soon, if it's not there already. </div><div><br />I'll still be playing around with things for the first little while until I love what I see, and hopefully you will too. Feedback is always welcome!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">See you there!</span></span></b></div>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-57994580974993970752011-04-08T08:34:00.003-04:002011-04-08T08:44:33.865-04:00Taking A BreakApril 8, 2011<br /><br />It's been a little busy at home this week and once again, I'm coming down with a little something. It's becoming a weekly occurrence. So to ward off whatever might be causing my sniffles this week, I'll be taking a couple days off from blogging to give myself a little TLC. <br /><br />To all you back home who rely on my posts to ensure we're still alive and well, this is your heads up. We're alive, just not online. So please don't call the local hospitals, police or the consulate looking for us. Unless of course you have a perfectly legitimate reason to. Then, by all means, call. <br /><br />Another reason I'm taking a break is to finish up on a little project I've been working on. And that's all I'm going to say about that!<br /><br />Want to find out what it is?<br /><br />Check back in a couple days for the update. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0gOcK08--8/TZ8CKCBJDHI/AAAAAAAADCw/6ExeVnHvRqU/s1600/backs-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0gOcK08--8/TZ8CKCBJDHI/AAAAAAAADCw/6ExeVnHvRqU/s400/backs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593191633581050994" /></a>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-25421455118736671962011-04-06T09:56:00.004-04:002011-04-08T08:45:14.562-04:00Play Date SuccessApril 6, 2011<br /><br />The play date was a success (as the title implies). <br /><br />We arrived a little late. I miscalculated how long it would take to put Caleb down for a nap and feed him. It's like every other week, he decides to switch his schedule up just enough to throw me for a couple loops.<br /><br />But Nathan was super helpful and got himself ready and we rushed out the door. <br /><br />We got to McDonald's to find our friends were already playing. So we let the boys play for a little longer before we had lunch. Then we went in and had a quick lunch. Both boys had chicken nuggets. Nathan finished in record time. Must have been because he knew once he finished, they could go out to play again. <br /><br />Nathan and his little friend ran around Playland pretending to be ninjas and Ben 10 characters. They looked like Batman and Robin. Nathan was Batman. His little friend was Robin.<br /><br />Caleb sat contently on my lap and watched the big kids run around. It was nice to just sit and chat in the breezy autumn air. Yes autumn. It's autumn here and my brain and body are getting so confused.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-54299259255779166522011-04-05T09:45:00.003-04:002011-04-05T10:02:21.104-04:00Play DatesApril 5, 2011<br /><br />Nathan has this week and next week off school. I'll have both the boys home all day, every day and then Nathan will start full day! I'm actually a little anxious for him. Not sure if he'll be able to last the entire day.<br /><br />I know he did full day back in Canada, but there's something about it here that seems to drain Nathan and turn him into a cranky little boy by dinner time.<br /><br />Maybe it's the fact that he runs around and plays for almost an hour in the playground after school when I pick him up before lunch. Or maybe because the hot weather makes him hot and sticky. I know I get tired when it's too hot. Or maybe his brain is just working too hard. Whatever it is, there's going to be a lot of schedule-tweeking over the next couple weeks and I have a feeling it's going to be a lot of adjustment for everyone in the house.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">* * * * * * *</span></b><br /><br />We have two play dates scheduled for this week and next week.<br /><br />We never really did play dates in Canada until this past summer. Nathan befriended this little boy at summer camp and they both loved cars. And all they did on their play date was play with cars and watch movies about cars. His mom was super nice and invited Nathan over a couple more times before things got too hectic for us and we moved.<br /><br />That was also when Nathan learned our phone number.<br /><br />Anyway, we weren't really "into" play dates back in Canada. But now that I'm home all the time, I can't really use "being too busy" as an excuse to not get together with other moms and their kids.<br /><br />When Nathan plays after school, I stand around and chat with a couple other moms who also let their boys run around before lunch. Last week, they invited us to join them for lunch at McDonald's during the break, and the boys could play in PlayLand. I accepted their invitation.<br /><br />We're meeting up tomorrow and with Caleb (and his once-again-unpredictable schedule) in tow, we'll see how it goes!btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-19186646026472623942011-04-04T09:57:00.002-04:002011-04-04T09:57:00.116-04:00She SewsApril 4, 2011<br /><br />A couple weeks ago, Andrew bought me a sewing machine. <br /><br />I had been talking about getting one for quite some time now and one day, Andrew had enough of my talking and went out and bought one for me. He's a get-it-done kind of guy. Most of the time ;)<br /><br />He chose a pink one for me. It matches our pink iron. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tky-jACuXcw/TZcRfmjhyxI/AAAAAAAACvw/HJ6O9w-IkL0/s1600/SewingMachine.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tky-jACuXcw/TZcRfmjhyxI/AAAAAAAACvw/HJ6O9w-IkL0/s400/SewingMachine.JPG" border="0" alt="Brother LS-2160"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590956697026939666" /></a><br />After a lot of huffing and puffing, I finally worked up enough courage to cut some fabric for a project. Then, I sewed, pressed, sewed, and pressed one more time and voila! My first piece was complete. <br /><br />It was far from perfect. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_3FBVuf48M/TZcR_DmD14I/AAAAAAAACv4/ucyaGK_04NI/s1600/CardWalletOutside.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_3FBVuf48M/TZcR_DmD14I/AAAAAAAACv4/ucyaGK_04NI/s400/CardWalletOutside.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590957237398132610" /></a><br />In fact, it was quite atrocious on the inside. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ROoX6oepiE/TZcSDzvdZ4I/AAAAAAAACwA/ZzHu_Kq8LAY/s1600/CardWalletInside.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ROoX6oepiE/TZcSDzvdZ4I/AAAAAAAACwA/ZzHu_Kq8LAY/s400/CardWalletInside.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590957319041935234" /></a><br />See? "It's little, and broken, but still good. Yeah - still good." (Name that movie!)<br /><br />But the next night, I went right back to it. I chose a different project. This time I made a <a href="http://sewbunnybum.blogspot.com/2008/04/passport-sleeve-tutorial.html">passport sleeve</a>. (Another super simple project with a really cute tutorial!)<br /><br />I even put a little ninja on the front for fun. It's a little snug but my stitches were a lot straighter. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azH7VN08BXc/TZcSW6f2__I/AAAAAAAACwI/Wjddj0G9nrM/s1600/NinjaPS.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azH7VN08BXc/TZcSW6f2__I/AAAAAAAACwI/Wjddj0G9nrM/s400/NinjaPS.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590957647273066482" /></a><br />I forfeited a <i>lot</i> of sleep for this one, but it felt really good to make something useable <i>and</i> cute. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLl5OJLOzs0/TZcSfLnK00I/AAAAAAAACwQ/UBgG050QqPY/s1600/NinjaPS1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLl5OJLOzs0/TZcSfLnK00I/AAAAAAAACwQ/UBgG050QqPY/s400/NinjaPS1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590957789306082114" /></a><br />The night after that, I got a little ambitious. I cut enough fabric for 5 passport sleeves. <i>Five!</i> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oyh1lc6kdmI/TZcN2dsg0oI/AAAAAAAACvo/zXaWx1LsgZI/s1600/IMG_0885.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oyh1lc6kdmI/TZcN2dsg0oI/AAAAAAAACvo/zXaWx1LsgZI/s400/IMG_0885.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590952691739185794" /></a><br />My first one was a little big. I was super excited about the colour combination of the fabric and didn't want it to be too small so I cut it a little larger. It was a bit too much. It took me a long time to decide to rip the seams open and try again. But I did it and it was much better. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_Xn3KhY2Q8/TZcSm_y1afI/AAAAAAAACwY/z4oicJgHR40/s1600/OrangePS.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_Xn3KhY2Q8/TZcSm_y1afI/AAAAAAAACwY/z4oicJgHR40/s400/OrangePS.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590957923572738546" /></a><br />The rest have to wait for another day. I have tons of designing and sketching to do.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-12074712189858464862011-04-03T09:25:00.000-04:002011-04-03T23:47:42.992-04:00SmileApril 3, 2011<br /><br />What do you get when you combine the bright Australian sun with Andrew being off for a week (aka home during the day)? <br /><br />A perfect opportunity for family photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVK48TRMQaA/TZCMzujWSdI/AAAAAAAACug/XKkn0-eE_ow/s1600/Calebandmommy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVK48TRMQaA/TZCMzujWSdI/AAAAAAAACug/XKkn0-eE_ow/s400/Calebandmommy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589121957864294866" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qLVObL_0xk/TZCOW0oICSI/AAAAAAAACvI/CiSk95j3ipU/s1600/Calebandmommy2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qLVObL_0xk/TZCOW0oICSI/AAAAAAAACvI/CiSk95j3ipU/s400/Calebandmommy2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589123660301994274" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7qfG_v1Bk/TZCNIng_DQI/AAAAAAAACuw/Xil_48wtGdE/s1600/Tsoiboys.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7qfG_v1Bk/TZCNIng_DQI/AAAAAAAACuw/Xil_48wtGdE/s400/Tsoiboys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589122316752588034" /></a><br />Poor Nathan. He didn't really want to join in on the photo shoot. Then when he finally joined, Caleb got hold of his hair and just wouldn't let go. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhfwbZcUUFA/TZCNNwDUePI/AAAAAAAACu4/dc5pm_q9uTY/s1600/Calebanddaddy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhfwbZcUUFA/TZCNNwDUePI/AAAAAAAACu4/dc5pm_q9uTY/s400/Calebanddaddy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589122404943427826" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsii-fjMA3A/TZCNnUDdJXI/AAAAAAAACvA/yWhGeLWLkss/s1600/Calebanddaddy2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsii-fjMA3A/TZCNnUDdJXI/AAAAAAAACvA/yWhGeLWLkss/s400/Calebanddaddy2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589122844104402290" /></a>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-76286600671984028642011-04-02T08:45:00.003-04:002011-04-02T08:50:19.006-04:00Prewashing FabricApril 2, 2011<br /><br />When fabric comes with prewash instructions, suggesting you hang the fabric to dry, and to <i>not</i> tumble dry, it's probably a good idea to follow those instructions.<br /><br />Even if you think it'd be a better idea to tumble dry because it's faster.<br /><br />Especially if you're new to this fabric/sewing thing.<br /><br />Case in point:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTXgSXjoaNQ/TZCCkHg7tYI/AAAAAAAACuY/BxeCgG6nwWw/s1600/Fabricprewash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTXgSXjoaNQ/TZCCkHg7tYI/AAAAAAAACuY/BxeCgG6nwWw/s400/Fabricprewash.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589110694570866050" /></a><br />Whoops!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;">* * * * * * * </span></b><br /><br />I was up at the crack of dawn this morning with Caleb. Not wanting to wake up the other boys, I got a little bored. I wanted to embrace the early morning sunshine and the fresh air that comes with it. It was a beautiful day.<br /><br />Ever since we moved here, I've been fighting my urges to fling the sliding doors wide open in fear of bugs and other creatures making their way in. But bugs and creatures will find their way in if they want to. A doctor told me so*.<br /><br />So I abandoned my fears of bugs entering our home, flung those doors wide open and welcomed the cool morning breeze in.<br /><br />It was so refreshing and beautiful. Caleb loved it.<br /><br />But even that wasn't enough. Being on the balcony wasn't enough. So for the first time since landing in Australia, I put my running shoes on, put Caleb in a carrier and took a walk around the block.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RqmfkX0LPOI/TZcbQm4zpBI/AAAAAAAACwg/MlpY0l6XlvE/s1600/MorningWalk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RqmfkX0LPOI/TZcbQm4zpBI/AAAAAAAACwg/MlpY0l6XlvE/s400/MorningWalk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590967434534429714" /></a><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">* * * * * * *</span></b><br /><br />Before I left for my walk, a fly flew in.<br /><br />I quickly re-evaluated my leap into Australian-ness and closed all the sliding doors. I mean, you can only take things so far before they get out of hand.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">* * * * * * * </span></b><br /><br />We met up with Rani and Philip at South Bank today. While we were talking, I mentioned that geckos have been entering our home and I have no clue how. All our doors have been closed (well, until today...) and it's not like we have insects that they can feast on inside.<br /><br />*Philip mentioned that windows and sliding door tracks here tend to have a bit of a gap to prevent air pressure build-up in case of cyclones or things of the like. Good to know!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">* * * * * * *</span></b><br /><br />Throughout dinner, I heard the fly that had entered earlier today buzzing around us. But I couldn't see it. Then after dinner, I saw it fly into Daddy's Dungeon. I had to put an end to this annoyance.<br /><br />I went in, closed the door behind me and yelled to the boys not to open the door. There was work to be done.<br /><br />It was me versus the fly.<br /><br />I quickly closed the mirrored closet doors so I could have an even better view of the room.<br /><br />I pushed the chairs in so I could get around the room faster.<br /><br />With a rolled up magazine in one hand, I watched the fly as he buzzed around. He knew I was coming.<br /><br />I missed a few times, then finally swatted him down mid-air. As it lay on the ground, I prepared to give it another swat but was distracted by a voice calling from the other side of the door. Andrew suggested that we trade positions and that he go after the fly and I hold Caleb. But I refused. I let the fly in... I would get rid of it.<br /><br />Refocusing, I watched the fly buzz around again. Then, it landed on the mirrored sliding door. I knew I had it.<br /><br />With one solid whack, I hit the fly! And all my courage instantly disappeared and I ran out of the room screaming and jumping around because the fly had gotten squished on the glass in a nasty wet mess and the mix of adrenaline and victory was too much for me to handle.<br /><br />Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. But I got it!btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-89030247853226963092011-04-01T07:10:00.001-04:002011-04-02T07:38:19.623-04:00Visitor 1: WesApril 1, 2011<br /><br />Today, we met up with our very first visitor from Canada - no joke! <br /><br />Wes is actually making his way along the east coast of Australia, started in Sydney a couple weeks ago and is on his way up to Cairns. He happened to be in Brisbane today and we got a chance to meet up, briefly. <br /><br />We brought him to Stanley Street Plaza for a little stroll, dinner and dessert. See? It's my new favourite hang out and if <span style="font-weight:bold;">you</span> come visit us, I'll bring you there too! <br /><br />Ended up at <a href="http://www.maxbrenner.com.au/">Max Brenner's</a> towards the end of the night. It's a cute little cafe filled with chocolate. If you're lucky, I'll bring you here too. <br /><br />The line went out the door. <br /><br />We caught up while we waited to order. Here's Andrew using "Max"'s face to show Wes where we live in relation to where UQ is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3PWGTD2zD4/TZcHMfgo9RI/AAAAAAAACvQ/w4oX6w1UMIc/s1600/WesAndrewMax.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3PWGTD2zD4/TZcHMfgo9RI/AAAAAAAACvQ/w4oX6w1UMIc/s400/WesAndrewMax.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590945373601985810" /></a><br />While we waited for our order to arrive. Nathan brought me across the square to the jazz bar to listen to some live music. I love live music. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IO2nFPc8i0U/TZcIMHTU3DI/AAAAAAAACvY/m7wJ_UqzXxQ/s1600/NathanSSP.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IO2nFPc8i0U/TZcIMHTU3DI/AAAAAAAACvY/m7wJ_UqzXxQ/s400/NathanSSP.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590946466615319602" /></a><br />We got back in time for Nathan to take a few sips of Andrew's strawberry milkshake. Then we drove Wes back to his hostel and wished him a good rest of the trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PblTw4qt9g8/TZcISZVSOoI/AAAAAAAACvg/mhSxY8q-Ex8/s1600/NathanSMilkshake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PblTw4qt9g8/TZcISZVSOoI/AAAAAAAACvg/mhSxY8q-Ex8/s400/NathanSMilkshake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590946574534589058" /></a><br />Hearing Wes' stories makes me really want to pack up the car and discover more of Australia. I can't wait for <i>our</i> chance to experience the different cities and see the breath-taking views.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-18260780057569375342011-03-31T08:51:00.000-04:002011-03-31T08:51:00.101-04:00Australia - What I've Learned (Part 2)March 31, 2011<br /><br />This is an on-going series documenting things I discover while in this country. Interesting facts, cultural differences, little quirks. It's all here.<br /><br /><b>* * * * * * * </b><br /><br />If you know anything about Andrew and I, it's that we like to eat. This is likely contributing to our ever-growing waist but that's another issue for another day. A long, long time from now.<br /><br />Anyway, over the past couple of years we've gotten quite used to the idea of "all-you-can-eat". (Again. Ever-growing waist - something we're not talking about.)<br /><br />We've fallen in love with AYCE sushi. We enjoy buffets. We look forward to wing nights. <br /><br />It's not that we like to eat copious amounts of food to stuff ourselves silly. We just like to have variety, to feel satisfied at the end of the meal and get it all for a good value.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we've quickly discovered that the Australians don't quite feel the same way about eating food in large portions. Well, at least not at a decent price. I suppose you could very well walk into whatever restaurant you want and eat as much as you want, but your wallet won't be looking so hot by the end of it. <br /><br />We've found that most places will serve dishes that are slightly smaller than what we're used to, for almost double the price. <br /><br />Another thing to note is that most restaurants won't stay open much later than 8pm, even on weekends. There are a handful that will stay open a little later but I've yet to find any that are open past midnight (you know, for late-night snacks?) besides McDonald's.<br /><br />For those two reasons, I have been pushed to learn how to cook more food because having pasta every night just isn't going to cut it.<br /><br /><b>* * * * * * * </b><br /><br />More in the series:<br /><a href="http://purplescribbles.blogspot.com/2011/03/australia-what-ive-learned-part-1.html">Australia - What I've Learned (Part 1)</a>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-19651428253539797552011-03-30T07:29:00.002-04:002011-03-30T07:29:01.138-04:00Fabric ShoppingMarch 30, 2011<br /><br />I took full advantage of Andrew's break last week and asked him to watch Caleb one morning so I could go fabric shopping after I dropped Nathan off at school.<br /><br />It's so much easier to shop without Caleb hanging off the front of me, and without having to worry about getting home quickly so he can have a proper nap before it's time to pick Nathan up.<br /><br />Anyway, after a few circles, here's what I picked up. I have some ideas of what I want to make but I'm still in the brainstorming/planning phase. Stay tuned to see what these get made in to!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJO8QdNL4Gg/TZCCcYMub0I/AAAAAAAACuQ/cqKq58_X1ZA/s1600/Fabric1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJO8QdNL4Gg/TZCCcYMub0I/AAAAAAAACuQ/cqKq58_X1ZA/s400/Fabric1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589110561610559298" /></a><br /><br /><b>* * * * * * * </b><br /><br />While the lady was cutting my fabric, I took the opportunity to ask about interfacing. She asked what I had intended to make, and suggested I go have a look to see how thick I wanted it to be. Then, as I paid, she told me how to adhere it to my fabric. It sounded simple enough.<br /><br />Lessons learned:<br /><div><ul><li>Choose interfacing based on how stiff you want your material to be</li><li>Fusible (aka iron-on) interfacing is the one with the shiny stuff on one side</li></ul></div>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-36260520353040280332011-03-29T07:28:00.001-04:002011-03-29T07:28:00.887-04:00Caleb, 16 weeksMarch 29, 2011<br /><br />I love that I can still write Caleb's age out in weeks. <br /><br /><i>Weeks</i>. He's still brand new. <br /><br />Everyday, I'm amazed by the things he does and how he's developing his own personality. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVL-PruU_uU/TZBzOT1abKI/AAAAAAAACuI/h34_yTpouRI/s1600/Caleb3months.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVL-PruU_uU/TZBzOT1abKI/AAAAAAAACuI/h34_yTpouRI/s400/Caleb3months.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589093827246451874" /></a><br />He grabs at blankets, towels and toys. He looks to catch someone's eyes. He holds chew toys and his fists in his mouth. He pulls on my hands to sit or stand up. He opens his mouth wide to express happiness. He watches quietly as people move around him. He calls out when something's not right. <br /><br />And just yesterday, he was 99.999999% turned onto his tummy from lying on his back. For real! My little guy!<br /><br />It took me a little while to realize what had happened. My back was turned when he was turning and Nathan had been with him so I thought Nathan might have helped him. But Nathan insisted that because Andrew hadn't helped him, and he (Nathan) hadn't helped him, Caleb must have done it by himself. <br /><br />I'm was so proud of my baby. He's been trying to do it for the past week or so and he finally got it!btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-67332895462127415582011-03-28T09:48:00.001-04:002011-03-28T09:48:00.400-04:00Sewing Project #1: Felt NinjaMarch 28, 2011<br /><br />For my first project, I needed something simple with a short time commitment so I could actually complete the project. If there's one thing that working with kids with disabilities taught me, it's that it is important to build behaviour momentum with simple achievements.<br /><br />I also need something that, even if I did make a mistake, it wouldn't have detrimental long-term side-effects. If mistakes did happen, I needed a resolution that was easy, or it to be so inconsequential that I could overlook it. That's one reason I refuse to learn to hem my own pants.<br /><br />Through my years of perusing craft/design-y websites, I've come across quite a few super cute felt creations. One that stuck out in my mind recently was a little ninja. Does that surprise you?<br /><br />So I set about making a little ninja template.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2nKEb4GwHc/TYdDHxJnB2I/AAAAAAAACpk/H8fU9_i5sCQ/s1600/Ninjatemplate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2nKEb4GwHc/TYdDHxJnB2I/AAAAAAAACpk/H8fU9_i5sCQ/s400/Ninjatemplate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586507663508178786" /></a><br />I had to cut out separate face and eye pieces to trace because I couldn't bring myself to cut Paper Ninja up.<br /><br />Then, I pinned him to a piece of black felt, making sure I didn't actually <i>pin</i> him. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xAQKpwT6-qk/TYdDkMvXt5I/AAAAAAAACps/65dDgGro5fs/s1600/Ninjapinned.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 352px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xAQKpwT6-qk/TYdDkMvXt5I/AAAAAAAACps/65dDgGro5fs/s400/Ninjapinned.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586508151950653330" /></a><br />At this point, I'm sure you think my affinity with Paper Ninja is getting a little out of hand. I assure you, it's completely healthy. I think.<br /><br />I cut his body out of the black felt, twice, slightly larger than the template.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fi0aaKMXeYk/TYdETk8KGdI/AAAAAAAACp0/RNSdhzaNMN8/s1600/Ninjabody.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fi0aaKMXeYk/TYdETk8KGdI/AAAAAAAACp0/RNSdhzaNMN8/s400/Ninjabody.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586508965900589522" /></a><br /><i>Note: You need to reserve some space between the edge of the fabric and the actual outline of your creation. I believe this is called the seam allowance.</i><br /><br /><b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#33CCFF">* * * * * * * </font></b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#33CCFF"><br /></font><br /><b>Sewing intermission!</b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_cEtkN99Xo/TYdEudSuhQI/AAAAAAAACp8/ylKUguI2ZpY/s1600/Intermission1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_cEtkN99Xo/TYdEudSuhQI/AAAAAAAACp8/ylKUguI2ZpY/s400/Intermission1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586509427704235266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1DUJLdrY-o/TYdE0J9AqhI/AAAAAAAACqE/1VvmvmEY2Gk/s1600/Intermission2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1DUJLdrY-o/TYdE0J9AqhI/AAAAAAAACqE/1VvmvmEY2Gk/s400/Intermission2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586509525592091154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7CIfrUULPY/TYdE7mmtGqI/AAAAAAAACqM/B8sv452SSp4/s1600/Intermission3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7CIfrUULPY/TYdE7mmtGqI/AAAAAAAACqM/B8sv452SSp4/s400/Intermission3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586509653542247074" /></a><br /><br /><b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#FF6600">* * * * * * * </font></b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#FF6600"><br /></font><br />And we're back.<br /><br />Once you've cut out all the pieces, it's time to sew! Put your pieces together so you can envision the final product if you need a little bit of motivation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg6nijxny7I/TYdFLHjV4lI/AAAAAAAACqU/j8AJzNKhvn0/s1600/Ninjaunstitched.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg6nijxny7I/TYdFLHjV4lI/AAAAAAAACqU/j8AJzNKhvn0/s400/Ninjaunstitched.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586509920084550226" /></a><br />I used a blanket stitch to sew his eyes to his face, then his face to his body.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvlQrpRlAsE/TYdFW9VH-qI/AAAAAAAACqc/6cIMJb2DPqc/s1600/Ninjaface.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvlQrpRlAsE/TYdFW9VH-qI/AAAAAAAACqc/6cIMJb2DPqc/s400/Ninjaface.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586510123498994338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtlhDiEtxDU/TYdFe8jaGUI/AAAAAAAACqk/H_jX4Ma0mek/s1600/Ninjablanket.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtlhDiEtxDU/TYdFe8jaGUI/AAAAAAAACqk/H_jX4Ma0mek/s400/Ninjablanket.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586510260729420098" /></a><br />I used a whip stitch to sew the front and back of him together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k86zb0FOph8/TYdFnKvQNsI/AAAAAAAACqs/ZyiZgbcBf9Q/s1600/Ninjawhip.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k86zb0FOph8/TYdFnKvQNsI/AAAAAAAACqs/ZyiZgbcBf9Q/s400/Ninjawhip.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586510401976153794" /></a><br />Then, very carefully, I flipped him inside out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTXvWqk4G0g/TYdFr6DGP6I/AAAAAAAACq0/Y1TAM1AkTJM/s1600/Ninjaflip.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTXvWqk4G0g/TYdFr6DGP6I/AAAAAAAACq0/Y1TAM1AkTJM/s400/Ninjaflip.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586510483395329954" /></a><br />And then because I didn't have stuffing, I let Nathan pretend he was a puppet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-CBxrJ_VDs/TYdF3as9KxI/AAAAAAAACq8/zdy4NSWYOuE/s1600/Felt%2BNinja.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-CBxrJ_VDs/TYdF3as9KxI/AAAAAAAACq8/zdy4NSWYOuE/s400/Felt%2BNinja.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586510681139391250" /></a><br /><br /><b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#FFCC00">* * * * * * *</font></b><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#FFCC00"><br /></font><br />Lessons learned:<div><ul><li>I <i>can</i> cut fabric (or similar material) without having a panic attack</li><li><a href="http://www.heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/my_favorite_knot/">This</a> is now my favourite way to knot thread</li><li>When using embroidery floss to sew/stitch, you separate it and use only 3 strands (or less if you want more detail)</li><li>I now know how to do a <a href="http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/09/tutorial-hand-sew-felt.aspx">blanket stitch</a> <i>and</i> a <a href="http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/01/tutorial-hand-sew-felt.aspx">whip stitch</a></li></ul></div><br /><i>I am an incredibly visual and hands-on learner and I highly recommend the tutorials I've linked. They were totally helpful to me.</i>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-15668051078730005092011-03-27T09:48:00.008-04:002011-03-27T10:32:21.917-04:00Nathan's 5th BirthdayMarch 27, 2011<br /><br />Here's a quick recap of Nathan's 5th birthday weekend:<br /><br />Yesterday, we had breakfast crepes, sweet <i>and</i> savoury.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4x0GWM6Su-o/TY9EnMVzl9I/AAAAAAAACtQ/wmTkQBJwE88/s1600/hambrieapplecrepe.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4x0GWM6Su-o/TY9EnMVzl9I/AAAAAAAACtQ/wmTkQBJwE88/s400/hambrieapplecrepe.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588761102708348882" /></a><br />Nathan opened his gift from Semele, who had spent hours trying to decide what to get him, and had two Skype dates with Andrew's side of the family. Then, our friends invited us over to their beautiful home for dinner and Nathan played Wii all night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0EUB4kdz60/TY9Ie-uFAJI/AAAAAAAACuA/BpJkVp3vctI/s1600/openinggifts.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0EUB4kdz60/TY9Ie-uFAJI/AAAAAAAACuA/BpJkVp3vctI/s400/openinggifts.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588765359659614354" /></a><br />This morning, we Skyped with my side of the family before church and Nathan got to have cake "with" them for breakfast. <br /><br />After church, we headed to Sunnybank for a dim sum lunch. When we got home, Nathan and Andrew got to work putting together his brand new bike from Andrew's parents. He took it for a spin after all that hard work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZuiodOaexE/TY9Fsj2zk4I/AAAAAAAACtY/Qp5Caz5GmDI/s1600/Nathanbiking.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZuiodOaexE/TY9Fsj2zk4I/AAAAAAAACtY/Qp5Caz5GmDI/s400/Nathanbiking.jpg" border="0" alt="Ben10 bike"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588762294431748994" /></a><br />When he was done riding, he came back in for some Lego Batman, then a quick birthday treasure hunt to find the present from Andrew and I. I based most of the clues on Nathan's current favourite books and he figured them all out so quickly without having to look at the books. Even the Cat in the Hat clue that I accidentally mixed up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fw_RzEdBg-o/TY9GnVskncI/AAAAAAAACtg/EyeCZEqhsqk/s1600/5lastclue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fw_RzEdBg-o/TY9GnVskncI/AAAAAAAACtg/EyeCZEqhsqk/s400/5lastclue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588763304243011010" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUsJhWdxUio/TY9Gvy-i6lI/AAAAAAAACto/Gi5My3GIfro/s1600/5lastspot.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUsJhWdxUio/TY9Gvy-i6lI/AAAAAAAACto/Gi5My3GIfro/s400/5lastspot.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588763449541978706" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GGq9pwtBSbs/TY9G3E7tnxI/AAAAAAAACtw/PciW8RSLulM/s1600/5foundgifts.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GGq9pwtBSbs/TY9G3E7tnxI/AAAAAAAACtw/PciW8RSLulM/s400/5foundgifts.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588763574621019922" /></a><br />We convinced Nathan to have a quick dinner before playing with his new Ninjagos.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-86787399964184801152011-03-26T09:08:00.000-04:002011-03-26T09:08:00.087-04:00Anticipating 5March 26, 2011<br /><br />Nathan is so incredibly excited to be turning 5.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JPFtpMf3C4/TYyUG7Q9g0I/AAAAAAAACsw/x8dQ55MNCVU/s1600/Nathan-5book1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JPFtpMf3C4/TYyUG7Q9g0I/AAAAAAAACsw/x8dQ55MNCVU/s400/Nathan-5book1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588004084368900930" /></a><br />so.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qavXKAh_mSM/TYyVXzQ0TiI/AAAAAAAACs4/Piqg8xYr50U/s1600/Nathan-5book2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qavXKAh_mSM/TYyVXzQ0TiI/AAAAAAAACs4/Piqg8xYr50U/s400/Nathan-5book2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588005473790217762" /></a><br />incredibly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MpKjbHM5z8/TYyVdA-J3EI/AAAAAAAACtA/Jv6WP9iWHK8/s1600/Nathan-5book3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MpKjbHM5z8/TYyVdA-J3EI/AAAAAAAACtA/Jv6WP9iWHK8/s400/Nathan-5book3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588005563369380930" /></a><br />excited.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-43842582641099849512011-03-25T08:46:00.007-04:002011-03-25T09:13:31.198-04:00Nathan's "5" BookMarch 25, 2011<br /><br />This is Nathan's scrapbook we made for him to share with his class in celebration of his 5th birthday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LN7KXC7F9is/TYyLZgq01uI/AAAAAAAACrI/eQzZLRhAjZA/s1600/Nathan5book-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LN7KXC7F9is/TYyLZgq01uI/AAAAAAAACrI/eQzZLRhAjZA/s400/Nathan5book-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587994508042491618" /></a><br />Andrew made the cover page. His huge (and I don't mean that sarcastically) contribution to this project. Looks like he caught <a href="http://purplescribbles.blogspot.com/2011/03/ninja-fever.html">Ninja Fever</a> too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ObG4p-sg5U/TYyLoGdM3EI/AAAAAAAACrQ/tjdpjIWiwvw/s1600/Nathan5book-2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ObG4p-sg5U/TYyLoGdM3EI/AAAAAAAACrQ/tjdpjIWiwvw/s400/Nathan5book-2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587994758704061506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V35z4UVDdIA/TYyLwagW-hI/AAAAAAAACrY/a-oc8hv3zz0/s1600/Nathan5book-3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V35z4UVDdIA/TYyLwagW-hI/AAAAAAAACrY/a-oc8hv3zz0/s400/Nathan5book-3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587994901524970002" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3QxTm2Ankc/TYyMdoXiNHI/AAAAAAAACrg/obLap_kpac8/s1600/Nathan5book-4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3QxTm2Ankc/TYyMdoXiNHI/AAAAAAAACrg/obLap_kpac8/s400/Nathan5book-4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587995678340166770" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W9psw_evy6w/TYyM6WuYqyI/AAAAAAAACro/-dmBvxhgMeY/s1600/Nathan5book-5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W9psw_evy6w/TYyM6WuYqyI/AAAAAAAACro/-dmBvxhgMeY/s400/Nathan5book-5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587996171820378914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dz9FaGg7VCs/TYyNPpdyllI/AAAAAAAACrw/tQYT5xwsfh0/s1600/Nathan5book-6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dz9FaGg7VCs/TYyNPpdyllI/AAAAAAAACrw/tQYT5xwsfh0/s400/Nathan5book-6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587996537628300882" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTddJYF_hs8/TYyNYkxJWRI/AAAAAAAACr4/d5p98n2gaMI/s1600/Nathan5book-7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTddJYF_hs8/TYyNYkxJWRI/AAAAAAAACr4/d5p98n2gaMI/s400/Nathan5book-7.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587996690986129682" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifgmxO8y5CE/TYyOhigRUeI/AAAAAAAACsA/zq7foiAdyNU/s1600/Nathan5book-8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifgmxO8y5CE/TYyOhigRUeI/AAAAAAAACsA/zq7foiAdyNU/s400/Nathan5book-8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587997944508928482" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ3v8RQ1MAs/TYyPfPSPLdI/AAAAAAAACsI/cFsQWQa1Wc0/s1600/Nathan5book-9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ3v8RQ1MAs/TYyPfPSPLdI/AAAAAAAACsI/cFsQWQa1Wc0/s400/Nathan5book-9.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587999004501683666" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GPkrmzF-ltE/TYyPl8S1gRI/AAAAAAAACsQ/OgGoCTqHmLs/s1600/Nathan5book-10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GPkrmzF-ltE/TYyPl8S1gRI/AAAAAAAACsQ/OgGoCTqHmLs/s400/Nathan5book-10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587999119663005970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWDoNE5wa6s/TYyP0vNXLhI/AAAAAAAACsY/5rQbwpina_o/s1600/Nathan5book-11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWDoNE5wa6s/TYyP0vNXLhI/AAAAAAAACsY/5rQbwpina_o/s400/Nathan5book-11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587999373848423954" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8cwyrvi8g8/TYyQB6rgjtI/AAAAAAAACsg/WiL3NYFce0A/s1600/Nathan5book-12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8cwyrvi8g8/TYyQB6rgjtI/AAAAAAAACsg/WiL3NYFce0A/s400/Nathan5book-12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587999600265957074" /></a><br /><br />Nathan was pretty proud and excited to share the book with his class.<br /><br />It's my first scrapbook and I finished it all in one night with limited supplies and tools. Turned out pretty well if I do say so myself!btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-61085223151718140032011-03-24T07:51:00.013-04:002011-03-25T09:03:06.979-04:00Preparing for 5March 24, 2011<br /><br />I finally have the time/motivation/pictures to make a scrapbook and I don't have any of my supplies. All those supplies bought for a project like this and they're sitting in boxes at my parents' place, thousands of miles away. Someone invent a teleportation machine already.<br /><br />Anyway, enough of the sulking. I have work that needs to be done.<br /><br />To celebrate Nathan's birthday at school, we were invited to find a way to share with the class about Nathan's life and also bring in one of Nathan's favourite books to give to the class.<br /><br />I got the idea of making a scrapbook in my head as soon as I heard about this, way back when Nathan first started at this school. I took my time over the past month, thinking of all sorts of scrapbooking ideas. Finally, I got the chance to choose pictures to print out and now, in the very last hours I am putting the book together.<br /><br />Being completely pressed for time has a way of eliminating any opportunity to sulk about not having the right supplies, or to worry about how things look.<br /><br />After a long night of hard work, we (yes, Andrew helped out too!) completed Nathan's book in time for him to bring it to school.<br /><br />Here's Nathan enjoying it a bit before school. I love before school time, especially when we're not rushing and we have some time to hang out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TG0_1fcrJFY/TYySGM7HzUI/AAAAAAAACso/py-Xs6GRTdo/s1600/Nathan-5book.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TG0_1fcrJFY/TYySGM7HzUI/AAAAAAAACso/py-Xs6GRTdo/s400/Nathan-5book.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588001872906014018" /></a><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">* * * * * * *</span></b><br /><br />Anyone care to guess which book Nathan chose to share with his class?btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-52902422296943528272011-03-23T08:06:00.000-04:002011-03-23T08:06:00.922-04:00Ninja FeverMarch 23, 2011<br /><br />We've been bit by the ninja bug. <br /><br />The first symptoms showed up like <a href="http://www.ninja-cowboy-bear.com/books/legend-ninja-cowboy-bear">this</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekykQsu0iXg/TYSdG1R15hI/AAAAAAAACoc/AR0onBSUQzI/s1600/ninja%2Bcowboy%2Bbear.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekykQsu0iXg/TYSdG1R15hI/AAAAAAAACoc/AR0onBSUQzI/s400/ninja%2Bcowboy%2Bbear.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585762178552948242" /></a><br />And our friends almost got infected.<br /><br />Nathan caught the bug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwvDxmmb8bU/TYSdrQbUz0I/AAAAAAAACok/NAshEol-9SI/s1600/Nathan%2527s%2BNinja.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwvDxmmb8bU/TYSdrQbUz0I/AAAAAAAACok/NAshEol-9SI/s400/Nathan%2527s%2BNinja.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585762804315770690" /></a><br /><br />Then, he passed it on to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0msK06Noo0k/TYSfK9i4pAI/AAAAAAAACos/UHyzXo4clnQ/s1600/Bee%2527s%2BNinjas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0msK06Noo0k/TYSfK9i4pAI/AAAAAAAACos/UHyzXo4clnQ/s400/Bee%2527s%2BNinjas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585764448514647042" /></a><br /><br />I had it bad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISeQlcr-fzs/TYSfn8EuOuI/AAAAAAAACo0/1F0pk2bkuG8/s1600/Felt%2BNinja.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISeQlcr-fzs/TYSfn8EuOuI/AAAAAAAACo0/1F0pk2bkuG8/s400/Felt%2BNinja.JPG" border="0" alt="felt ninja softie"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585764946335906530" /></a>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-80678748466839643362011-03-22T07:12:00.000-04:002011-03-22T07:12:00.534-04:00The Parklands, South BankMarch 22, 2011<br /><br />After Andrew emerged from his dungeon on Friday, we were faced with a little dilemma. What were we going to do with our <i>free time</i>? Andrew could finally take a break from his studying and we had no plans for the next day, other than a quick appointment at Mazda in the morning.<br /><br />It's been a while since we've had free time.<br /><br />A long while.<br /><br />We couldn't just let this opportunity pass us by. Some quick decisions were made an soon, we found ourselves at Stanley Street Plaza in <a href="http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/">South Bank</a>, aka my new favourite place to hang out.<br /><br />We probably would have discovered this hot spot sooner but after the floods destroyed the "main" attraction (Streets Beach), I figured we could just go check it out when everything was all fixed up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cjuSJrapFI/TYSWEOadJwI/AAAAAAAACoE/8imNZ3N11k4/s1600/Stanley%2BStreet%2BPlaza%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cjuSJrapFI/TYSWEOadJwI/AAAAAAAACoE/8imNZ3N11k4/s400/Stanley%2BStreet%2BPlaza%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585754437178959618" /></a><br />But when Andrew asked what I wanted to do, I just wanted to go out and <i>do</i> something. I didn't want to just go out and eat, which is what our "going out" has turned into. So I did a quick search and found that the <a href="http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/attractions/markets">South Bank Lifestyle Markets</a> were open on Friday nights.<br /><br />I love wandering around open-air markets. But that night, I wasn't too interested in going to the markets. I just wanted to go out and be in the night air. The markets just meant that places would be open.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPFcs8JQkc0/TYSbjvrzl4I/AAAAAAAACoM/Mu3qvzBcjfk/s1600/Stanley%2BStreet%2BPlaza.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPFcs8JQkc0/TYSbjvrzl4I/AAAAAAAACoM/Mu3qvzBcjfk/s400/Stanley%2BStreet%2BPlaza.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585760476244187010" /></a><br />When we emerged from the underground parking, I felt <i>so. free.</i> <br /><br />We were free to do <i>what ever</i> we wanted. <br /><br />We could go in <i>any</i> direction and it would be the right one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLwZaJGMZFY/TYSbwEJiuAI/AAAAAAAACoU/0a3eDgsDv8Q/s1600/The%2BArbour.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLwZaJGMZFY/TYSbwEJiuAI/AAAAAAAACoU/0a3eDgsDv8Q/s400/The%2BArbour.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585760687896049666" /></a><br />The temperature was perfect. The streets were filled with people but not crowded. Nathan loved being free to roam the walkways a couple steps ahead of us. Caleb enjoyed being in the carrier.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDh2P2J0j-s/TYSVeQSOKHI/AAAAAAAACn8/IuQ-V5ZnnQI/s1600/Stanley%2BStreet%2BPlaza%2B3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDh2P2J0j-s/TYSVeQSOKHI/AAAAAAAACn8/IuQ-V5ZnnQI/s400/Stanley%2BStreet%2BPlaza%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585753784846264434" /></a><br />It was a beautiful night.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-3362934817107969272011-03-21T21:04:00.000-04:002011-03-20T21:10:30.002-04:00Snow White?March 21, 2011<br /><br />On the way down to the car this morning, Nathan told me I looked like Snow White... <br /><br />Except that my hair is in a ponytail and her's is a bob.<br /><br />And her shirt part is yellow and mine is white.<br /><br />And she has a red bow in her hair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfI6CIPPh3Y/TYak6JBa1YI/AAAAAAAACpU/EG7yYNSDaKI/s1600/snowwhite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfI6CIPPh3Y/TYak6JBa1YI/AAAAAAAACpU/EG7yYNSDaKI/s400/snowwhite.jpg" border="0" alt="Ann Taylor Loft dress"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586333706560918914" /></a><br />After all that, I'm a little confused. Do I look like Snow White or not?btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-85570266561932551972011-03-20T06:42:00.002-04:002011-03-20T22:41:27.746-04:00Disturbing IssuesMarch 20, 2011<br /><br />This past Friday, Andrew asked Nathan and I if we had anything to say to him.<br /><br />He specifically asked me twice.<br /><br />I'm not sure why.<br /><br />Oh wait, I might have an idea why.<br /><br />We both said "no" so Andrew gave us this notice:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKsPa7YBcqU/TYSIqK3e_WI/AAAAAAAACn0/RTEOqhXoimU/s1600/Keep%2BOut.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKsPa7YBcqU/TYSIqK3e_WI/AAAAAAAACn0/RTEOqhXoimU/s400/Keep%2BOut.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585739695899213154" /></a><br />He said we weren't allowed to bother him for the next 65 minutes and promptly closed the door to his dungeon.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">* * * * * * * </span></b><br /><br />Andrew <i>may</i> have asked me twice because I have a small problem with having a whole lot of things to say to him when he needs to be left alone.<br /><br />Like when he was studying for his MCATs, Andrew had to do a bunch of timed practice exams. He asked me to not bother him for whatever amount of time he needed so he could focus on the test. As soon as he clicked the "start" button, all sorts of things filled my head. Things that I had to discuss with Andrew. Immediately.<br /><br />I did this almost every. single. time.<br /><br />Like I said, it was a small problem.<br /><br />After interrupting his concentration and being met with anxious and exasperated comments of how he had asked me not to bother him, and if I was kidding him, I learned to write things down to be discussed later.<br /><br />I also learned that some things are a lot funnier in the moment, and not so funny when I have to read it off a piece of paper, explaining why it was funny, an hour later. Oh well.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">* * * * * * * </span></b><br /><br />When Andrew finally opened his dungeon door again, Nathan hurriedly packed up all his toys and ran to Andrew, asking <a href="http://spog-blot.blogspot.com/2011/03/on-winning-and-losing.html">"Did you win?"</a>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-25041706519331308322011-03-19T12:32:00.002-04:002011-03-19T12:32:00.753-04:00Crossing RoadsMarch 19, 2011<br /><br />A couple days ago, after school, after Nathan was all finished playing in the playground, Nathan and his friend (who also happens to be named Nathan) ran along the path between the school and the parking lot. <br /><br />As both Nathans approached the edge of the parking lot, they both stopped. <br /><br />"Good," I thought, "Just like we taught him."<br /><br />But then, just as I finished that thought, both Nathans bolted across the parking lot. By then, other Nathan's mom and I caught up to them, and we both said quick goodbyes as we questioned our own Nathans about what they were thinking, running into the parking lot like that. <br /><br />Turns out, they stopped at the edge of the parking lot, looked both ways and when other Nathan said there were no cars (and there weren't), they decided it was safe to cross. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhDiJkbOmh0/TYSIODYkWvI/AAAAAAAACns/VmfkSprh5PE/s1600/Road%2BCrossing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhDiJkbOmh0/TYSIODYkWvI/AAAAAAAACns/VmfkSprh5PE/s400/Road%2BCrossing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585739212854156018" /></a><br />Just like we taught him.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-64638781508659899522011-03-18T03:35:00.001-04:002011-03-19T03:51:17.547-04:00Learning to SewMarch 18, 2011<br /><br />I've been itching to sew since <a href="http://purplescribbles.blogspot.com/2010/02/2-4.html">last year</a>, when I wrote my <a href="http://purplescribbles.blogspot.com/2010/02/2-4.html">101 in 1001</a>. <br /><br />I had dreams of sewing all sorts of awesome (and useful) things for myself and our home. And when Caleb came along, I had dreams of making my own baby blankets and bibs. Then, I figured being unemployed here in Australia might be a great time to learn. Somehow, some (sorely misinformed) people convinced me that I would have a lot of time on my hands with nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs.<br /><br />Then reality came along to set me straight.<br /><br />When exactly was I going to learn and actually do all this amazing sewing (plus all the prep work that's involved)? This mama doesn't have a lot of time on her hands. How, exactly, was I going to sew these amazing things without a sewing machine? I know hand-stitching is an option but like I said, this mama doesn't have a lot of time on her hands. <br /><br />Reluctantly, I put that dream on the back burner. It was a really tough decision and I really struggled with it. But taking care of my family comes first and my dreams can be realized later. There's no point in buying all the material and letting it collect dust because I don't have time to work on it, right? Besides, I already tried that approach with paper crafting. So I let it go.<br /><br />That was a month ago. <br /><br />For a month, I held myself back from buying anything, and for a month, I read up on sewing as much as I could. Then, yesterday, I couldn't hold myself back any longer. Even if I couldn't make some awesome blankets, bibs or bags, I had to do <i>something</i> with my hands. <br /><br />So after dropping Nathan off at school, I went and bought some felt but haven't really decided what I'm going to do with it... yet.btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-61314220307417685742011-03-17T23:55:00.000-04:002011-03-17T08:11:57.602-04:00Bartering, Among Other ThingsMarch 17, 2011<br /><br />Yesterday, while Caleb was crying inconsolably, Nathan wandered over to the couch and offered to hold him for a little bit.<br /><br />I thought to myself, "Wow, that's such a kind and thoughtful offer. How mature of him. Should I take him up on the offer? Maybe he can hold Caleb sitting on the couch. It's safe enough if they're sitting on the couch. Okay, I'll do it." (All in a matter of seconds because that's how long moms are allowed to think for.)<br /><br />Then, while I was propping Caleb up in Nathan's lap, he said, "Now you can go get me my ice cream!" What a sneaky fellow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2x9L3b2sz64/TYH2KXVvubI/AAAAAAAACnc/AaVHI29uDuE/s1600/Nathan%2527s%2Btrade.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2x9L3b2sz64/TYH2KXVvubI/AAAAAAAACnc/AaVHI29uDuE/s400/Nathan%2527s%2Btrade.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585015670840474034" /></a><br />In case you were wondering, he got his ice cream because anyone who relieves a mom from a crying baby, even if it's only for a couple seconds (or an ice cream), should be rewarded.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">* * * * * * *</span></b><br /><br />Nathan asked me to put a bandage on his finger today. He had to inspect each of his fingers to remember which one had the boo-boo.<br /><br />I asked him if I could take a picture. He agreed.<br /><br />And immediately after, sighed and said "Can you put it on already?!"<br /><br />Am I the only one who enjoys this whole picture-taking/blogging process?<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">* * * * * * *</span></b><br /><br />Those little green stars right there? That's the extent of my St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Oh, and I might watch that VeggieTales movie that talks about <a href="http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/historyofpatrick.htm">Maewyn Succat</a>. It's surprisingly informative!<div><br /></div><div>The end.</div>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-40006118205315707432011-03-16T00:23:00.003-04:002011-03-16T07:03:30.708-04:00Big CheeseMarch 16, 2011<br /><br />Nathan's only attending school half-day at the moment. Most days, I let him play on the playground with some of the other half-day kids until I get tired. Usually by the time we get home, Caleb's pretty hungry so sometimes I get Nathan to put together his own lunch.<br /><br />Today, we had cheese, crackers, ham and watermelon. <br /><br />I asked him to cut up the cheese and envisioned him cutting slices to stack onto the crackers with the ham. He had other plans.<br /><br />His plans involved cutting the block of cheese into 3 large chunks and putting <i>those</i> onto the crackers. <br /><br />Then he wanted to pose and pretend like he was eating.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzHu99IJhZY/TYCY1TyJn9I/AAAAAAAACnU/dt2mftQIXXg/s1600/Nathan_cheese.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzHu99IJhZY/TYCY1TyJn9I/AAAAAAAACnU/dt2mftQIXXg/s400/Nathan_cheese.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584631579550523346" /></a>btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120516.post-169941550627144782011-03-15T20:15:00.008-04:002011-03-16T07:01:10.901-04:00No. 77March 15, 2011<br /><br />This is how I accomplished goal number 77 on my 101 in 1001.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oiwxLqvgkA/TYCYXIQzWYI/AAAAAAAACnM/uq744f8bgjo/s1600/Blue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oiwxLqvgkA/TYCYXIQzWYI/AAAAAAAACnM/uq744f8bgjo/s400/Blue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584631061061785986" /></a><br />I painted this during our morning at Montessori.<br /><br />It's hard to believe how such a simple exercise could be so therapeutic, and so rewarding to complete.<br /><br />In fact, it's so therapeutic and rewarding that I'm going to go buy some paints for myself. Seriously!btsoi.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09837067944330100727noreply@blogger.com0