tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77310377971151780102024-03-19T03:21:51.752-07:00My Own Gold StarThe hardest part about being a mom is that most of our accomplishments go unrecognized. There's no pay, or bonuses, or glory. So, this is my little space where just by talking about it I feel I get "my own gold star".krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-91754400282593603032015-07-05T13:06:00.000-07:002015-07-05T13:08:13.468-07:00A Hiking Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love hiking. When the girls were too small to walk it was easy to put them in a jogger. I chose wide open trails. But next came a phase when they can walk but not as long or far as I wished. Neither one of us gets a work out really. I don't want to be mean mommy but since when does a 3 year old have less energy than me? I found a trick that has worked with both of my girls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned the hike into a treasure hunt and it's amazing how long they'll keep going. I gather up a bunch of the kids small toys. The kind of things we get in birthday goodie bags, marbles, toy soldiers, lego men/women, jacks, shrink-a-dinks, dinosaurs, anything the kid is into. I stash them in a pocket as I hike and when I hear "mommy I'm tired" I stealthfully start dropping them one by one along the trail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my oldest, I would say "There's pirates in this land and they dropped their treasure on their way to higher treasure!" She would come running....and keep running to find the next treasure! For my youngest I say "The pirate princess came by here and she left you a trail to find her!" It's amazing how well it works! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How well does it work you ask! I've done 2 hour, straight up the mountain kind of hikes in Big Sur on our way to waterfalls. And last week we did a 3 hour hike in Griffith Park to find the Japanese Teahouse! I didn't pick up the 3 year old once and the 7 year old wishes she could run the trails by now. I have a bad back so it's kind of a necessity for me to have them walk on their own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I make sure you keep the kids well hydrated and fed! Snacks are the other thing I keep well stocked in a backpack! Both girls have built up quite a bit of stamina over the years/months. My oldest can now do my usual hikes. Except, she prefers to run them and so I'm the one struggling to keep up with her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-8715294702507705992015-06-24T16:55:00.001-07:002015-06-24T16:55:29.649-07:00I've Changed My Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm totally mesmerized watching teen aged girls these days. It won't be long before P is there and I'm curious and scared for what is coming down the pipe. I'm also wondering who will P be? What kind of girl will she be? What will her style be like? Who will her friends be? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week we were in the waiting room in P's dentist's office. It seemed like all the patients that day were teenage girls and they were there with their moms. I looked around and noticed all the girls were pretty much a younger version of their mothers. They almost even dressed the same. I've noticed this almost everywhere I go: church, friend's play date and parties. As mothers we are the main role model for our daughters. And that's when I changed my mind about not letting P wear nail polish until she is 16. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wouldn't say I'm unstylish. In fact, I know I can put an outfit together when need be. For an event I can look very good. However, on a day to day basis I'm more of a mess than polished. In fact, this week as I clean out college and high school pictures I noticed my hair was always messy. My look was very casual. Too casual. My mom was definitely a hippie. I followed suit to a big extent. That's not what I want for my girls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To me the ideal woman is one who can be casual and dressed up. She can look good in make up and without. Whether she's going for a run or to a black tie event she looks good, great even. Her hands look manicured even without polish. I guess ideally, I'd like my girls to be a better, more polished version of me. I didn't start wearing makeup regularly until I became a mom. My girls are blonde/light hair with blue eyes. With my dark hair I was constantly mistaken for their nanny. In an effort to rectify that I started wearing make up and not wearing sweats. It was such an effort. Too much of an effort at times. Now P is older and I put myself together for her behalf really. I don't want her to be embarrassed of her mother when I go to pick her up from school or when we bump into her friends. But I wish I could take it up a level. Unfortunately, I've been too much of a tomboy for so long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so, in an effort to support my girls' "girlieness" (each is more girlie than the next) I've decided I'm going to let them paint their nails. I wasn't allowed to wear any kind of make up until I was 16. I liked that rule because as I've said to my chiquitas "If you want people's attention you first must learn to do it with your own personality and accomplishments. When you've learned that skill set then you earn the right to use all the colors of the rainbow." I've liked the rule in the past. Now I don't like the all or nothingness of it. I think allowing them to play in stages might be better: first nail polish, later pink lip gloss, then mascara, eye brow highlighter and eye highlights until they can start using more and continue to use it all appropriately for the right time and place. If I want women who are a bit more aware of their presence and appropriate appearance I must allow them to develop that part of themselves and to be comfortable with it. I must give them the freedom to play with their looks and to enjoy this process of becoming a woman. As women we go through such drastic changes with our bodies growing up. Going from nothing to all make up seems like another drastic change at a very awkward and ever-changing time in their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I had my own company one of the lessons I learned was that nothing works in absolutes. In business you must always be analyzing and ready to make adjustments and changes to better your company's position. I think I'm using that same advice for parenting. I've analyzed who I am, where I wish my daughters to be and making adjustments to my rules to better their future positions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in any case, I'm a woman. I'm allowed to change my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-24019653149955568872014-11-09T23:09:00.000-08:002014-11-09T23:14:40.723-08:00Today was HUGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was huge. Today was the last meet of the 2014 San Fernando Catholic School League Swim Season. It's been a good swim year for P. She medaled in the breast stroke in every meet. Half way through the season she started competing in all four events: back, breast, free and fly. She was never disqualified for improper technique which is huge at 6 years old. Last year she was the only one in her class on the team, this year she gained 5 first grade team mates. It's been a fun and productive year but today was huge! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we had a break through and not just in swimming. Today she learned a life lesson. All season P has had an issue with finishing strong or putting in 100%. In practice she was cutting off the beginning and end of each lap AND stopping half way. I let it go until I noticed that in meets she was starting out strong and practically coming to a halt at basically the very same spot where she was stopping in practice. She was performing the same way she was practicing. So we had a talk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We talked about what giving 100% looked like: swimming wall to wall and not stopping half way. I told her I preferred her to give 100% for half an hour instead of giving 50% for an entire hour. She promised to give 100% and I promised that if I saw her short change her practices I'd pull her out of the pool. I also promised to listen to her as she listened to her body. If she was feeling tired or sore we would skip swimming that day. Our open communication was working well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next meet came and again I saw her nearly stop half way in every single event. One of the parent-coaches said it could be lack of strength which was normal for her age. The issue would resolve itself with time. But to me there was a mental aspect I saw missing. She had a couple bad practices. I called her out of the pool once it was so bad. She returned to practicing strong. We incorporated a few fun core strengthening exercises but still I felt the issue was mental more than physical. I felt that if she could power through the moment she starts to feel tired or the burn it would only take once for her to see it was worth it. But how could I get her to do it on her own? No way was I going to get her to do it with threats or harsh discipline. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, the night before her last meet, we were having fun and getting her pumped up. She was listening to her favorite music. I started thinking about what use to get me fired up. Rocky! I wasn't sure the music without the movie would do much for her. But thanks to YouTube I found a compilation of all the training scenes from all the movies put to the Rocky theme song and Eye of the Tiger. P was so into it! I was able to point out how Rocky pushed through the tough tired moments to train harder and that's what got him stronger. I could see something was clicking but who knew if it would translate to the pool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meets start out with the backstroke. We did our usual little routines which includes a little pep talk before staging. I reminded her of Rocky. I reminded her to push through. These were the last four races she had to do and she could give them her all. And then the breakthrough came! She pushed off the block and she swam hard. The half way point came and she continued to swim hard without slowing down! I was literally on the verge of tears. It clicked! It finally clicked and I knew the feeling she had just had. That sense of accomplishment that tells you I control my body! When she got out of the water she was out of breath and tired in a way I had never seen before. They gave her her time and it was 6 seconds faster than her previous best time. I was so proud. She was so proud. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other 3 strokes were the same. She swam hard wall to wall. She knocked nearly 6 seconds off all her strokes except her best stroke, the breast stroke. But I was expecting it. Breaststroke came two events after backstroke and she was still tired. She needed to gain her mental strength again, also something new to her. By the third event she was able to gather herself back together and give it her all once again. At the end of each race she was exhausted and I'd ask her "did you leave it all in the pool" and she'd say "there's nothing left". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of the day I had to sit and talk with her. To me this was such a momentous occasion and I wanted to make sure she understood why. I told her i was incredibly proud of her. I explained that it wasn't just about the swimming. It was about her knowing she gave it everything she had. She would never wonder if she "coulda, woulda, shoulda" done something more could she had finished better? And the same thing applied to all things in life. If in everything she did she did her best she would have no regrets or wonder if it could have been better. I also explained that the more she pushed through the tough parts, or when it starts to burn, the stronger she would become. It wouldn't necessarily become easier but she would find comfort in knowing she could break through the tough barriers. And the uncomfortable point would become comfortable. The life lesson was clicking in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today she finished:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10th in breaststroke with a time of 39.32</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15th in butterfly with 45.52</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20th in freestyle with 30.82 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25th in backstroke with 35.09</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was huge!</span><br />
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krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-10929503752355061362014-07-05T17:20:00.001-07:002014-07-05T17:20:52.734-07:00A Bee sting and Cake<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P stepped on a bee yesterday morning. Her foot started itching in the evening and then it swelled overnight. She has spent most of the day on the couch. I've been doing a round of homeopathic solutions: epson salt soak, garlic taped on the location of the sting, cotton pads soaked in apple cider vinegar and placed all on the swollen area. Next I'll try Manuka honey and mud. She says it doesn't itch anymore, only when I massage it. It still feels pretty tight when I feel it underneath. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the mean time I'm thinking how much TV can a kid watch in one day? Dave took G to Ikea so I had to take advantage of this one on one time and try to distract her from her foot some how. We can bake...even though it's a thousand degrees outside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also 4th of July weekend. We should have something special right? Cake! Vanilla bundt cake with fresh whipped cream and strawberries! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P and I made<a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/lemon-cake-with-raspberries-and-pistachios" target="_blank"> this</a> recipe together from Bon Appetite, except I didn't add the raspberries since we'll eat it with fresh strawberries. I also don't plan on doing the icing. The whip cream is good enough. I like that the cake uses olive oil. Seems healthier as far as a delicious cake goes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every time I cook with the girls I remember how great it is for them. I try to say everything in Spanish so that's a bonus. Then there's the whole following instructions thing, the measuring, counting, problem solving. Just getting the beater attachment to hook onto the Kitchen Aid is an exercise in problem solving. I try to keep my mouth shut and let her solve it on her own. Hard though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also hard to cook a meal that needs to be on the table within 30 minutes AND patiently work with a child. It's why I end up making cakes or leisurely food with them. I need to summon my inner zen more often. Cooking is a valuable tool in so many ways for all people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's blazing hot. I need to get in the pool while that cake is baking!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pistacho</span><br />
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She learned the difference between mixing and folding. <br />
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G helped by adding vanilla to the cream.<br />
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<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-2897054397751818542013-11-14T21:34:00.001-08:002013-11-14T21:35:18.358-08:00Baby G <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_hyphenhyphenaoabJ_qPC9x3J8lGY8OthA0aPaYmC6ryG8DVo4SdJy5GnM2rHtDtLx3Ey2r724UCMqXT5wt9I0F-oQUMNX2FYtCZk8GB-zNrqQoTTwsgmIfeU4ywE7kQcGc25XKszckbSGP96UFpb/s1600/baby-g+292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_hyphenhyphenaoabJ_qPC9x3J8lGY8OthA0aPaYmC6ryG8DVo4SdJy5GnM2rHtDtLx3Ey2r724UCMqXT5wt9I0F-oQUMNX2FYtCZk8GB-zNrqQoTTwsgmIfeU4ywE7kQcGc25XKszckbSGP96UFpb/s400/baby-g+292.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suspect hese are the pictures that'll melt my heart the most as the girls get older. That belly! That bare belly in diapers with those cute toes and hands! The simplicity of a warm morning in the fall. How easy and calm life is now before pre-school and kindergarten and homework and a million activities that I feel I should be having them do. Maybe this is the real activity. Playing a little computer game after snuggling and watching the birds feed from our bedroom window feeders. I love this today. I'll miss it tomorrow. </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-38371369859915175402013-11-14T21:28:00.000-08:002013-11-14T21:28:02.339-08:00Her Buddy Owen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9KZCOPqbqdVTjgtSpu0u54by83h7zXGI9WOSSvJ2raP1_8z7KMcENWBJFQZ9vWpIYX_hYPxg_1fYncpii1NhPLUWhUNisOI54paPcLn74iUqPHVeqXLJItauP9nuS7LUNulc_KXw2vu1/s1600/buddy-owen+289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9KZCOPqbqdVTjgtSpu0u54by83h7zXGI9WOSSvJ2raP1_8z7KMcENWBJFQZ9vWpIYX_hYPxg_1fYncpii1NhPLUWhUNisOI54paPcLn74iUqPHVeqXLJItauP9nuS7LUNulc_KXw2vu1/s640/buddy-owen+289.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their chemistry is unique. I can't quite explain it. Both are super active, whitty, sassy, and smart. They met in preschool. I've never heard anyone make Annika laugh as hard as Owen. I'm not sure what the future holds but i've told Brigitta, I hope Annika marries someone who make her laugh and think the way Owen does now. She lights up but in the most organic and natural way when they are together. I love, love, love that he has never told her she can't play with him and the boys because she is a girl and girls aren't super heroes. He may be the only boy who hasn't said that to her. There is something to their chemistry. </span></div>
<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-65146682439546756572013-11-06T23:28:00.000-08:002013-11-06T23:28:52.231-08:00Violin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkHj3fg00go8lIzIRqrcvm7bWmh8l-OEFcosEgeoBYTL-m3ueEE-_AixhdJU-DqfJLscsrCJTKv-CDHVDcLKkgUYsu7XeYeyphE6FyyUazoRn6OIPQkPi9fkzNH0_BT8xFFPsdqzkm4o0/s1600/1398435_10151994547669656_1623919966_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkHj3fg00go8lIzIRqrcvm7bWmh8l-OEFcosEgeoBYTL-m3ueEE-_AixhdJU-DqfJLscsrCJTKv-CDHVDcLKkgUYsu7XeYeyphE6FyyUazoRn6OIPQkPi9fkzNH0_BT8xFFPsdqzkm4o0/s400/1398435_10151994547669656_1623919966_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Annika has been playing the violin for one year. She started in October 2012. She has had one recital and one event where she has had to play in front of people. It's been good and with each performance she gets more comfortable in the public eye. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She loves it. She hates it. I see too many good things coming from the violin to let her stop. It's developing her focus and her awareness that doing something everyday, even for a little bit, has a huge impact. We practice about 5 days a week for anywhere from 15-20 minutes. I saw her hold a cup the other day and realized she has developed dexterity and strength in ever single finger in both of her hands. She has violin hands! I love it. Today I saw her play with a sense of ownership i've never seen before. Confidence is building. This is why we do it. Personal growth and confidence. </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-33640329564592918472013-10-19T00:08:00.001-07:002013-10-19T00:08:11.119-07:00Team Ferdig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight P had a private swim lesson. This coming weekend she has her last meet of the season and we thought a little bit of technique could help her get a little faster. It was her first lesson with Laura and it went really well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the highlight of the night was when Gemma went over and asked P if she wanted "wa wa?" and brought over the water bottle to the pool's edge and fed it to P. Dave and I looked at each other and our hearts melted. We both almost started crying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gemma gets into all of P's swim practices. She is so excited. She runs to the edge of the pool and cheers her on. It's sweet and wonderful. She's part of the team. Today she is side lined because of her age but tomorrow Gemma will be in the pool as well. Until then she is absorbing all the things P is being taught. </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-42396949495578492762013-05-20T21:45:00.004-07:002013-05-20T21:45:52.441-07:00First Sleep Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P had a friend sleep over for the first time ever. He is a classmate. We've had him over to the house a few times. He is so sweet and kind. His family just moved here in January from Spain. We've connected on some of these common Latin roots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's interesting to have a friend over. Her buddy is so independent and different than P and they are both basically the same age. P would not do a sleep over right now. She also still wets the bed at night. She's very independent in other areas but the night time routine is not one that she would let go of. And, she still crawls into bed with us anywhere between 3-5am. There are moments I wish I had more freedom to go away. But for the most part I'm glad we still have that closeness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, we'll see how well everyone makes it through the night. </span><br />
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<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-19266912743341762302013-05-20T21:13:00.000-07:002013-05-20T21:13:57.107-07:00Jubees Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was Jubees 36th birthday. I'm horrible with sending cards out on time. Peanut and I decided to take pictures and send him a note via email. I love this one of her. Her spark and funny bone have not gone away. That I am grateful for. </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-69592098131190576442013-02-02T23:08:00.000-08:002013-02-02T23:08:09.336-08:00Gett'n Dooown!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little someone has found her independence! Today Gemma started getting down off our bed very confidently. I love it! I taught her how and helped her out for about two weeks maybe, and today she finally went for it without me being around..or so she thought. It was pretty wild to see and fortunately I had my iphone right next to me in bed. </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-68477029091674255022013-01-30T20:45:00.000-08:002013-01-30T20:45:21.362-08:00Notes to G<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr5p0QPxAY1ptQg9Tq42VvZj0AVE6IfJPqR_vor4oO_ScS3VlLZ1Uz4pOKmivWCVbHaqZDxsnCPPJL7H8zbHabM-p6ujf5ZDp-VF-FXXN89_LcvJF1KuFc-zYfAK-Z6OlT9r2xlkzvPYw/s1600/clapping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr5p0QPxAY1ptQg9Tq42VvZj0AVE6IfJPqR_vor4oO_ScS3VlLZ1Uz4pOKmivWCVbHaqZDxsnCPPJL7H8zbHabM-p6ujf5ZDp-VF-FXXN89_LcvJF1KuFc-zYfAK-Z6OlT9r2xlkzvPYw/s400/clapping.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear G,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday you started clapping. It's not a big deal but it's just so cute to see you do it! You clap at things you do and you clap for others. I just wanted to remember the day you started clapping! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mama</span></div>
<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-7192434947883045022013-01-20T09:04:00.000-08:002013-01-21T09:06:11.353-08:00Notes to G<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Gems, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today you fed me for the first time. I gave you a piece of banana and after taking a few bites you took it and fed it to me. I think this is so exciting. I don't know why but I do. Well... actually I think it's exciting because I feel it shows you have an awareness outside of yourself. It also tells me you are mimicking my actions; I fed you, you feed me. I think it shows signs of empathy...although I'm not sure you quite fully understand the feeling hunger outside of your belly. I found this small action as a sign of huge development. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love watching your little details. For example, I like watching you move your food around and pick different things out. I wonder what's going on inside your little head that makes you do what you do. Your experience in life is very limited so I wonder what primal, unaltered part of your brain makes the choices it does. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week you decided me feeding you was no longer going to work. You have always wanted to take the spoon out of my hands, even when you were still having trouble directing your own hand in any direction at all. I've tried to let you feed yourself chunks of food. However, with things like yogurt or apple sauce I can't do it or else we'll end up with food on our walls. This week it was chunks or nothing. You are very independent. I like it. I hate it. It means my services could be rendered not so useful in the not so distant future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But for right now my services are quite needed and I really enjoy getting to watch you find your path and make your choices even when it's just between a banana or an O. </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-59272961783695616852013-01-18T23:12:00.000-08:002013-01-18T23:12:04.241-08:00Notes to G<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Gemma, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the face you make when you are beyond excited. When I pull out a food you like you make this face and your feet start moving a mile a minute! It's the most amazing thing to watch. But then you want what you want right away and if I haven't peeled that mango in 10 seconds flat you get mad! Oh, the squeaking and shrieking and crying that follows is pretty harsh. But the excited face is well worth it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love you my Gemma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo Mama</span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-51677927677210742062013-01-17T21:06:00.002-08:002013-01-17T21:06:45.004-08:00It's NOT about the violin.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzXRO8_xp93VRxrYLCNFx60JKUVAcjHKAkiflj0PSZmwGpR6Lhf_kjDZoCCHjFTUA7xBEDJexkgX9IQGZtygw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
What a breakthrough! Annika has been taking violin since October. Until yesterday she had only done many different finger and muscle strengthening exercises. To be honest it's been a struggle. I got mad at her after last week's class and came close to quitting classes all together. I know I sound like a tiger mom but you have to hear where I'm coming from.<br />
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We started violin because we feel....and know that music is a huge aspect of learning. But, also like sports there is so much a skill like playing an instrument can teach you about life. Annika chose the violin. She was excited about it and then it got hard and I saw her focus fly right out the window. One of Annika's weaknesses is that she only wants to do something if she's good at it. I'm hoping to help her get comfortable being outside of her comfort zone. Or at least to not run away from it. You can't accomplish much if you only want to stay in your comfort zone. <br />
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So, one thing Annika does very well is steer her ship and everyone in it to where she wants to go. In violin class she started making jokes, hiding under chairs, talking in funny voices, entertaining her teacher to do anything butt proceed with class. I talked to her about it. I tried to help her get comfortable. I tried to motivate her with rewards. And every class was torture...for me. Even the teacher said she could see this bothered me more than her. But I had never seen Annika behave like this. <br />
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After last week's class I put my foot down. I sat her down and was very stern because it's all kind of a joke to her. Mostly what I wanted, and hoped, I got through was that I didn't care if she failed, if she didn't play it right or whatever. I was mad because she wasn't trying. She wasn't even giving herself the chance to fail or succeed. That's all I wanted from her. To just try and give herself a chance. <br />
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With that conversation I at least got her to practice easier. We practiced every other day for 15 minutes. Gemma is always crawling up on Annika's legs when she's playing the violin. We used her as a focus tool. If Annika could play with her baby sister at her feet then a solo performance with her teacher would be a breeze. <br />
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She had her class again yesterday and what a breakthrough! During the week she finally practiced stroking the strings with her bow. And during class Annika actually played a song along with her teacher on the piano for the first time! Her teacher was impressed and surprised with her focus. And I was happy to see her focus come through in a way I've often seen before. I was mostly happy with the confidence she had acquired throughout the week. I was happy she found the courage to give herself a chance and I was blown away by how impressive she was. Honestly, I did not expect her first time playing to sound that....competent, for lack of a better word. Her teacher has been impressive with the way she built her muscle memory to hold the bow and violin and tuned her ear to hear the melodies. <br />
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So, <a href="http://myowngoldstar.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-not-about-bike.html" target="_blank">again</a> here I am saying that it's not about the violin and her playing. It's about the lessons she is learning. She must have courage and try. Being outside one's comfort zone is actually a thrilling place to be. To gain confidence she must practice. A little effort with consistency goes a long way. She has tremendous ability when she stops worrying about failing.<br />
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The icing to my cake was when I talked to Annika's teacher at school today. Turns out her behavior at school is exactly the same as what it's been like at violin when she is challenged. So, I'm hoping I can now take the lesson learned in violin and apply it to school without me being there. <br />
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At any rate, I love watching the video above. And I love hearing Gemma in the background. <br />
<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-22541368460155611582013-01-17T20:16:00.000-08:002013-01-17T20:16:02.442-08:00Gemma's Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In so many little and big ways I see the difference between Annika and Gemma. The biggest indicator that these two girls will be two very different women with different process on tackling problems and projects is the way they are learning to sit up, crawl and walk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I originally thought that Gemma was developing faster. She started her attempts to crawl and stand a good month or two before Annika did. But then I noticed the major difference between them. While Annika won't tackle anything until she's pretty sure she can succeed at it, Gemma likes to take things on a little at a time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two months ago Gemma started trying to stand on her own but only on our bed. She clearly knew she was falling often so she would only do it where the landing was soft. She started out by holding onto to me, pulled herself up and then let go. She repeated the process over and over. The next step was to pull herself up the wall and let go. Then she worked her way up by going up on her own but resisting against me with her knees or shins. She repeated the process on any floor that was soft. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About two weeks ago I started seeing her hold onto to furniture, let go and then slowly and very controlled squat back to sitting. And again she would only do it on a carpeted or soft floor. Last weekend she made progress by coming up on her knees. She was working the balance from all fours to only two points! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, while at Annika's violin class all of a sudden I saw her standing on her own for about a minute. She had gotten to standing on her own from a squat position. Today she stood up on her own again on the tile floor which is not soft. She is baby stepping her way to standing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has yet to take steps. I can tell she's making sure she can stand comfortably before she takes a step forward. In fact, I'm now seeing her do the one-foot crawl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same meticulous process was applied for crawling. First it was swaying back and forth on all fours. Then she did this routine that looked like a Pilates class. One hand up, then down. Other hand up, then down. One foot up, then down. Second foot up, then down. And soon enough she crawled and now it's crawling with speed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love how Gemma goes about learning new things. I love how she has this determination to practice and get comfortable at each stage before moving on. I can relate to how she is doing it very well. I recently learned to ski and I wanted to do the bunny slopes over and over until I felt comfortable before moving onto the next slopes. I needed to feel control before tackling a new feeling. I'll be able to relate to Gemma's learning process very well which is good. And it also lets me know I must have patience and understanding with Annika as she learns new things because we tackle things in a different manner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, for the first time I was able to photograph Gemma standing. It is a blurry picture but I got it. Her face tells you how excited and proud she is with herself. I love it!</span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-37508474306146246572013-01-13T21:18:00.000-08:002013-01-13T21:18:21.039-08:00Ronald Reagan Library<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to the Ronald Reagan Library today. It's been a while since we last visited. When we pulled up to the parking lot I remembered Annika was crawling and pulling herself up on things but not yet walking when we were there last. So she must have been somewhere around 10 months....the very same age Gemma is now! I found the pictures from that day back in August 2008. It's was a little bittersweet to compare then to now. I'm thrilled I have two girls but sad my dad is no longer with us. I'm amazed to see how much these little people change in four short years. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2008: Annika holding onto these glass panels they have in one gallery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013: Gemma doing the same thing today but her sister is always close by.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcKLeiLhfOlBTot7zZXDDRx9zrdA5UZZ5lTgoDlriiFQSa1_oXytSsRYSAlYD6svEIfsUoxOZv9-6hkpA7qoU6EOsY7uEInzRv_RVV9UAZr2fLGNX6kym5bC08Z_QWPXjWJPUPM3nXn8V/s1600/picture-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcKLeiLhfOlBTot7zZXDDRx9zrdA5UZZ5lTgoDlriiFQSa1_oXytSsRYSAlYD6svEIfsUoxOZv9-6hkpA7qoU6EOsY7uEInzRv_RVV9UAZr2fLGNX6kym5bC08Z_QWPXjWJPUPM3nXn8V/s400/picture-37.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2008. My dad and mom with Annika. They were visiting from Florida. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013: This time it was Dave and me with the girls. My dad is no longer with us....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKghaxaKkERlR8otlcuRGZCJBqLAWa9ztXweHdYnESCcOJxdjDGax3WQnrw8qkxHYiaC_cMeKyCYHeZ_-M0cd8Lg3ABpsAmpNUNX0k4ucl3NsO4OS8tF2Gpl7z81VAkvun1uCPfF_zKXW8/s1600/picture-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKghaxaKkERlR8otlcuRGZCJBqLAWa9ztXweHdYnESCcOJxdjDGax3WQnrw8qkxHYiaC_cMeKyCYHeZ_-M0cd8Lg3ABpsAmpNUNX0k4ucl3NsO4OS8tF2Gpl7z81VAkvun1uCPfF_zKXW8/s400/picture-35.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2008: Annika holding herself up. I think this was the place where she really started to pull herself up. The panels helped her feel more comfortable for some reason. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013: Gemma pulling herself up. She's been doing it for about 2 months now. Annika entices her to be more active and to mature faster. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2008: My dad holding Annika up over this table so she could see the ball roll around the maze. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013: Dave playing the maze game with Annika. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBJtiiyYDXua-iyh9lDaY15WFy7kYNFfT-RzQq9nZBqzhnHE9oa-QqUrZSIBQcW6-kmf5zM9wFGR7_Q_XLEWvtnly6YX8H9k5mrwPDvsWzt5wFU-O27V3xudoTfDD8qs-8YU825wpXdye/s1600/picture-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBJtiiyYDXua-iyh9lDaY15WFy7kYNFfT-RzQq9nZBqzhnHE9oa-QqUrZSIBQcW6-kmf5zM9wFGR7_Q_XLEWvtnly6YX8H9k5mrwPDvsWzt5wFU-O27V3xudoTfDD8qs-8YU825wpXdye/s400/picture-39.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2008: My mom on the opposite side with Annika</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013: Annika on the other side with Gemma. </span></div>
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krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-30303033443581275392013-01-13T12:00:00.000-08:002013-01-13T12:00:02.200-08:00Co-sleep Training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP0E_LQKhW2npTAa2R514H-4NroK-9iJQgW_Mmg7kIPyDgsa-6_tj_uYcOMT0BCRovlEKgPqWFSZ9iLwXjxmv3lcKwQ6nsmIcr-JQFjYebZs_c16jah7GnRgAf5B6VZtdVjmiI77W0OBY/s1600/co-sleeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP0E_LQKhW2npTAa2R514H-4NroK-9iJQgW_Mmg7kIPyDgsa-6_tj_uYcOMT0BCRovlEKgPqWFSZ9iLwXjxmv3lcKwQ6nsmIcr-JQFjYebZs_c16jah7GnRgAf5B6VZtdVjmiI77W0OBY/s400/co-sleeper.jpg" width="390" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Co-sleeping is such a personal choice. Sometimes people ask me why I do it or <i>how</i> can I do it. This picture always comes to mind and I'm glad I finally found it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was about 5 or 6 years old. I believed with all my heart that my dolls and stuffed animals had feelings. I couldn't put them to sleep on the floor! They would be heart broken! So, they slept with me and I remember getting as close to the edge as possible just so THEY could be comfortable. I've been training to co-sleep with my babies my whole life! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've traded a twin bed for a king and three dolls for a husband and two girls. So don't ask me to put my 10 month old in a crib. Or to kick my 5 year old out of our bed at 4am. I can't do it! They have feelings and will be heart broken if I don't have them in bed beside me. Seriously...they do!</span></div>
<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-29577151528840883942013-01-12T21:43:00.000-08:002013-01-12T21:43:20.805-08:00Three Years Gone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three years ago today my dad passed away. About a month after, a friend told me that the void of a parent never goes away. Most other losses get easier with time but the loss of a parent is different and time doesn't do much to fill the hole. Three years later I find the statement to be very true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss my dad at the oddest times. Never on his birthday or my parents anniversary or even on the anniversary of his death. My mom had to remind me about today. It happens out of the blue and it hits me like a sucker punch. I get the desire to talk to him but I can't. Then I feel like I can't breathe. His absence is all encompassing. Sometimes I cry and I feel better after the tears have run their course. Other times I sit and talk to him and then imagine what he would say back. But mostly, because I am a mom to a 10 month old and 5 year old I hold the feelings inside and move on. To be hones that's what my dad would tell me to do if he was here...move on and focus on what's in front of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more I parent my two girls the more I realize how much my dad influenced my life. What I've come to notice in the last few years is how much he influenced how I see the world. He was a patient man, specially when I was a young child. His strength was patience with the old and the young. The middle was where he had trouble. When I was little he spent a lot of time with me explaining how the world ticked. I saw the world from a man's perspective. I remember wanting to be Tarzan, not Jane. I got Batman, not Catwoman. I saw myself in the role of all the boy heroes not the women. Not that in the 1970's there were any heroines except for Wonder Woman. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm glad for this perspective. I feel pretty lucky I had it along with the confidence and fearlessness boys are given. I see the same attitude in P. Somehow I've managed to take my dad's lessons and pass them on to my girls. P sees herself as one of the boys. Like me, she identifies with the male cartoon figures not the females. The other day she was watching Tarzan and she told me she wanted to be Tarzan not Jane for Halloween. I felt so proud. The most important thing I got from my dad is the very thing I'm some how passing onto my two young girls. My dad lives on. </span></div>
<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-45466489904544320492013-01-06T20:36:00.000-08:002013-01-06T20:36:39.458-08:00G's Baptism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">December 18, 2012, exactly 9 months after her birth G was baptized. It was a very small affair. Only our immediate family, Anthony her Godfather, and our cousin with her family were there. 12 people in all. It was perfect, small and private. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We flew to Florida so G could be baptized by Father Oscar Alonso. He has been a friend of the family's since I was in elementary school. He is a priest who takes his position as a man of God very seriously and prays daily to have a pure heart and mind above all else. His devotion to God and to the community is admirable. I couldn't imagine anyone else baptizing either one of my girls. I love this man. He has been a foundation and a moral compass for me on several occasions. I'm not very religious but I do find solace in the traditions of the church. My culture and family background are closely tied to religious traditions during Easter, Christmas, throughout the year and in the steps we take to becoming men and women. So even though I may not agree with the church on everything I don't turn my back on it because my religion is intertwined with my culture and the essence of where I come from. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I've been disappointed with the Catholic Church since P attended St. Mel preschool. I feel there is an arrogance to the way they handle kids. It's left me very frustrated. What I've experienced with the Archdiocese here in Los Angles in not what I grew up with in Florida. This is a general statement but I feel that the Archdiocese in Florida hold it's position as educators more sacred. You see their sense of responsibility for molding the minds of young people and honor and respect for the parents. Anyway, Father Oscar is well aware of my feelings and his advice was so kind. He didn't take a stand for or against the church. It was more of an understanding of how I felt and a respect for my choices. It was humbling. I am grateful for people like Father Oscar who help me feel faith again in my religion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both girls have the same Godfather. My dear friend Anthony. We've known each other since high school. I think it's the longest friendship I have sustained. We have been many things for one another throughout the years so it is only fitting that he now be my daughters' Godfather. Anthony is the kind of person who can fit anywhere and make everyone around him feel comfortable and happy. He could dine with kings or paupers and be engaging and joyful to both. I am grateful for his presence in the lives of both girls. He is the perfect mix of Dave and me. We have many of the same beliefs. He knows where I come from and has always accepted me as I am. What else can I want for in the person who could essentially replace me? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCttyv1QbEVC7l2tPIx5mfeiqn81iFaTFH4nfsihqsea6hY6ELY69ucIcPhANR41cwPofgOFKPaAvN-5N06D4xyJJHcYXvKHm4q1JVIs-xxjkyQ0QSsWXVDjawn0tA1l3-3gk6DzZpbb1H/s1600/IMG_6884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCttyv1QbEVC7l2tPIx5mfeiqn81iFaTFH4nfsihqsea6hY6ELY69ucIcPhANR41cwPofgOFKPaAvN-5N06D4xyJJHcYXvKHm4q1JVIs-xxjkyQ0QSsWXVDjawn0tA1l3-3gk6DzZpbb1H/s400/IMG_6884.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day of the baptism was beautiful. The event was great, except for G crying her head off through a good part of the event and then falling asleep right after! I now understand why kids should be baptized as babies. When they're older it's harder to hold them through the entire ritual if they're wiggly! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm very happy G is now part of the family of God. And I'm so glad the baptismal gown fit her! I was first baptized in the gown, then my brother, then P and now G. Even though the primary gown was for 3-6 month olds it still fit her at 9! Phew! </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-33952141464565562052013-01-05T22:14:00.000-08:002013-01-05T22:14:00.832-08:00Christmas Performance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGE98A3vGt29TLq4nm2Z8juWWqRcikTugZUTtTij6GXvDNwQDsuw6DfpUk-DjsIOEahg1KQhaOf09kj99rlVaazVZs00xJO9YUQnaBWR1RwyhHH9iB30a7ET23_XNt1GFJFpDgIyYDjhC/s1600/schoolplay02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGE98A3vGt29TLq4nm2Z8juWWqRcikTugZUTtTij6GXvDNwQDsuw6DfpUk-DjsIOEahg1KQhaOf09kj99rlVaazVZs00xJO9YUQnaBWR1RwyhHH9iB30a7ET23_XNt1GFJFpDgIyYDjhC/s400/schoolplay02.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three weeks ago we went to P's Christmas performance at school. Dave and I held back tears of pride throughout the whole event. Once it was just the two of us in the car, we let the tears flow. It was one of those moments that you live for as a parent. The kind of scene you see on TV and movies that makes parenting look so awesome! And the moment really was. P was so charismatic up on stage. I must admit she looked so damn cute in her holiday dress. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day was going to hold a happy memory forever for me. Then, on our ride home I saw Facebook postings about this thing happening in Connecticut. No one posted specifics so I Googled it. My stomach sank. While were having a happy parenting moment others across the country were having the worst parent moment imaginable. Later, when I went to pick P up from school it felt like a privilege. I thought about the mothers who would never pick up their kids from school again. I cried. I cried for days. I can usually brush off sad news events but this really shook me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P goes back to school on Monday. Lucky for us, our holiday break started after that Friday three weeks ago. Time has mellowed the rawness of the event but I'm still rather nervous about P going back to school. Logically I know she should be fine but emotionally I feel like I should keep her home. There was something about all of us being at school at the same time that this horrible thing happened that makes me feel vulnerable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We haven't discussed the event with P. It has not been brought up. We don't watch regular TV so she has not seen it on the news. We threw out front pages of the paper for a few days. Anyone who has referenced the event has only mentioned it by other random terms; the Connecticut thing or that school thing. No specifics and never said anything other than referencing it. I'm debating if we should talk about it. She has not asked about it so I figure it may not be a good idea to bring it up specially now that she's about to go back. I think she is too young and the kids too close to her age. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm trying to keep the memory of that day a good one. I'm trying to just remember the fun or funny moments. Like this one:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kindergarten classes were the last to go. The minute the kids hit that stage all the parents filled the first 20 feet of space right in front of it. We were all like a big crowd of groupies! I was standing up holding G so I got towards the back to not block anyone. I wished I had my camera on me. The picture would have been amazing: the kids looking at all us parents and all us parents looking at them with camera phones, video recorders, long lensed SLRs, etc recording every single moments. It was priceless! Dave was off to the side getting great shots like this one. Just priceless. I will try with all my might to keep this memory in my mind forever! </span></div>
<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-13903864515761540872012-12-02T22:25:00.001-08:002012-12-02T22:25:52.198-08:00Baby Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm in the middle of making a whole lot of baby food. Gemma seems to have a pretty developed palette. She prefers a combination of flavors instead of just plain carrots or peas. For a while I was blending whatever we were eating or I was making soups like butternut squash. But Gemma is eating more and I feel better knowing I have stuff ready to go. So I steamed and blended away. <br />
I made:<br />
carrot, fennel, potato and zucchini. <br />
spinach, mushroom, garlic and onion<br />
green beans, carrot, potato and sage<br />
beets and goat cheese<br />
roasted garlic, eggplant and rosemary.<br />
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She is digging the first three combinations and we'll soon find out about the last two. I'm digging our NutriBullet! It's blending really well! The freezer is stocked up with frozen cubes of each meal. Dave and I are happier knowing we both have food ready to go for her. He can spend longer stretches of time alone with she if she is well fed! And meal times are easier if I just have to pull out cubes instead of thinking of what could work for an 8 month old! <br />
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krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-21995939314890636572012-10-15T23:46:00.000-07:002012-11-08T23:53:29.918-08:00Gemma Stands!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Im so far behind in posting so many events. They're happening very fast and I'm also very sleep deprived. I'm going to back post starting with this major event! Gemma stood on her own for the first time!</div>
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I was putting laundry away. I usually leave Gemma on her playmat and check in on her as I go in and out of the living room. I came back after 10 seconds to find her doing this! She was standing on her own. I think what I love the most about Gemma is that she is very aware of her accomplishments and always has a huge smile on her face. She beams with pride. I love that she is so aware, so soon of her progress! </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It seemed she was standing much earlier than Annika. But as I looked back on Annika's diary I realized they're about the same. The difference is on how they approach things. While Annika won't something until she feels 100% confidence she can succeed, Gemma baby steps things until she has it all down. Completely different approaches. I need to keep this in mind as I teach them each new skills. </span>krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-46441900929794660452012-10-07T22:53:00.000-07:002012-10-07T22:53:27.470-07:00Trampoline Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Papa this is my dream come true"- is what she said to Dave when she got to bounce on it for the first time last weekend. </div>
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The Olympics weren't that exciting to P. The one event to capture her attention was the trampoline. After watching the women's event she said "I'd like to have a play date at their house. Can you call them up and see if they have kids?" After that, it seemed every kid's house we went to had a trampoline. So, of course she was determined to have a trampoline of her own. We kept pushing it off because it was so hot. The last thing I wanted to do was set this thing up and then tell her she couldn't jump on it because it was 107 degrees outside. That would have been torture. So we waited until it started to cool off and finally ordered it. We pushed it off so much that one day she said "I know I'm getting a trampoline. You don't have to tell me anymore. The question is when? When will I get my trampoline?"</div>
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Thanks to one of Dave's buddies it was put together last weekend. She has had a blast. Today I jumped for the first time and realized why she's so tired after jumping. It's kind of exhausting after a while. It'll be perfect for the winter months when it's too cold to be in the pool. </div>
<br />krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731037797115178010.post-43109079961058409562012-09-20T22:44:00.000-07:002012-09-20T22:44:01.578-07:00Homework and Noni<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of P's homework assignments this week was to ask a parent or grandparent about their childhood and see if it was similar or different to hers. Since my mom, Noni, was just here last week I thought a conversation with her would be more entertaining. We called Noni this evening to find out about her childhood. The conversation went like this:</div>
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P: Noni what was your childhood like?</div>
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N: Well, it was hard. We had a revolution when I was your age.</div>
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P stares blankly into space and I can tell her attention has left after one question. </div>
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Me: P ask Noni if she had a TV (thinking she'd say a small one)</div>
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P: Did you have a TV?</div>
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N: No.</div>
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P: Did you have a phone?</div>
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N: Just one for the whole house.</div>
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P: What?! What about the cell phone?</div>
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N: No. Just one phone for the whole house. No cell phones. They didn't exist. </div>
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P: Did you have a car?</div>
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N: No. </div>
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P: What?! So were you poor?</div>
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Silence from my mom who is not getting why she'd ask that. </div>
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Me: P, Noni didn't have those things because they didn't exist or because they just came out. Kind of like ipads did not exist when you were born. It's not so much a sign of having money or not. It's that they simply didn't exist.</div>
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P: OH! So, did you have a toilet?</div>
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N: (she doesn't quite understand what P is asking so there's a silence but she finally answers) Yes!</div>
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P: Phew! That was close! I thought you were going to say no!</div>
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N: But we just had one.</div>
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P: For the entire house?! Wow! We have two. </div>
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P: Did you have a bed?</div>
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N: Yes, we all had beds. </div>
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P: Phew! That's good. That would be tough to not have a bed. </div>
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P: Did you have shoes?</div>
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N: Yes but only two or three pairs. </div>
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P: That's it? Why so little?</div>
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N: We didn't need more. </div>
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Me: You have more shoes for yourself than Noni's entire house had for all of them. </div>
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N: You know when I was a child we had milk delivered to our door every day. </div>
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P: Did you have Whole Foods?</div>
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N: No. We had farmers markets.</div>
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P: I've been to one of those!</div>
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N: Yes, and we got our bread, meat, beans in different places. There was a store for each of those things, called a bakery and butcher and mill store. </div>
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P: That's a lot of shopping. </div>
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P: Did you have toys?</div>
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N: Yes! We had dolls. That was it though. Just dolls. </div>
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P: Why didn't you play with the boy toys then?</div>
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N: Because they just had cars. </div>
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P: I like cars. Why didn't you play with cars?</div>
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N: Because back in my day girls were not allowed to play with boy's toys.</div>
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P: That's terrible! I'd play with the boys toys. </div>
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N: We also had marbles. </div>
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P: Did you have a marble run?</div>
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N: What's that?</div>
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Me: A track for marbles you build yourself. </div>
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N: No. Just marbles and only a couple. Only the very wealthy kids had more than one or two. </div>
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P: Wow! </div>
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It was such an interesting conversation. I can't believe how much things have changed in the time between my mom and my daughter. I know TV was invented relatively not that long ago but I forgot that my mom, just one generation back, lived during a time before TV. How different the attitudes of what girls can and can't do from my mom to P. It was such a great homework assignment and something I never would have thought to have P ask my mom! I'm glad I was there to hear it and now am documenting it on this blog...something that wasn't around when I was a kid!</div>
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krisel keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09680952549097890392noreply@blogger.com2