tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133611232024-03-12T19:46:28.763-04:00The Wyrd SistersSummer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.comBlogger486125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-42898705067161574452011-10-03T14:52:00.000-04:002011-10-03T14:52:37.129-04:00Lila News: 21 MonthsDear Lila,<br />
<br />
I started writing this post in March, and - can you believe it? - I got sidetracked and put it aside. This is what I wrote:<br />
<blockquote>You gave me a kiss for the first time last week (you had already smooched daddy and River a few days before and I was waiting anxiously for my turn). It was a slobbery open-mouthed face mash and just about the sweetest thing ever. It was evening, you were warm and cozy in your pajamas after bath time and your dad said, "Okay, Lila, it's time for bed. Give mommy and River a kiss." You hit us with your mushy love, waved and said "bye bye," and then led the way to your bedroom. Amazing. I think about the fact that you only just learned to walk a few short months ago, that it's even less time since you stopped putting EVERYTHING into your mouth, and I realize how quickly you've gone from baby to toddler.</blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S03Q3xs-xiE/Ton_GQMEGwI/AAAAAAAACdI/yFRPdxHHa7Y/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S03Q3xs-xiE/Ton_GQMEGwI/AAAAAAAACdI/yFRPdxHHa7Y/s400/IMG_1242.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtntXgIp50w/Ton_EG_eTzI/AAAAAAAACdE/ppmVNKZJ8jA/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><blockquote>My heart breaks a little bit to think of those baby days as "past." To know that you won't ever again be a little 8 lb beauty practically floating in my arms; that I can't repeat those precious moments watching you discover your own hands; that I'll never again kiss those impossibly tiny toes. Of course it's not a tragedy because I get to hold my 20 lb big girl as you chatter at me, and I can watch you discover how to hold a spoon or fork, and I can kiss those impossibly cute cheeks (and toes) anytime I want.</blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S03Q3xs-xiE/Ton_GQMEGwI/AAAAAAAACdI/yFRPdxHHa7Y/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtntXgIp50w/Ton_EG_eTzI/AAAAAAAACdE/ppmVNKZJ8jA/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtntXgIp50w/Ton_EG_eTzI/AAAAAAAACdE/ppmVNKZJ8jA/s400/IMG_1169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I wanted to share this with you because it's such a sweet little kernel of "Lila-life" and I don't want to forget it. You have become quite an adept - and frequent - kisser, and every exit and goodbye is accompanied by a sweet smooch from you. But should I try to request a kiss outside those parameters? <i>Don't even think of it, buddy.</i> I used to worry that you would never be a cuddly kid. You're so independent; you have never needed rocking and holding the way River did. You have always pushed away too much affection and demanded your personal space. But slowly, right about the time you finally deigned to let us have your sweet kisses, you started to allow a snuggle here, a hug there, until now, you will frequently occupy my lap for a long cuddle. The key is that YOU must initiate. If River or I go in for a hug (as we so often want to do), you will resolutely reject all advances. This affection thing will occur on your terms or not at all. It's something I love about you.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zba7wKhB94/Ton_HqtulrI/AAAAAAAACdM/cqaJa0vInaY/s1600/1000001276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zba7wKhB94/Ton_HqtulrI/AAAAAAAACdM/cqaJa0vInaY/s400/1000001276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Your ability to fend off unwanted advances extends beyond people. I remember a moment from last spring when we were at River's school to pick him up and one of the other parents had brought along their hyper, jumpy little puppy. She was bouncing around from kid to kid and when she approached you for a quick nuzzle, you looked sternly at her and gave her a little "no, no, no" wag of your finger. Every adult around dropped their jaw, then burst out laughing. "Oh my," said one of them, "you don't have to worry about her at all." We'll see.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ilkYQmn320/Ton_ND4yt9I/AAAAAAAACdc/w5lbggriO4Q/s1600/1000000568.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ilkYQmn320/Ton_ND4yt9I/AAAAAAAACdc/w5lbggriO4Q/s400/1000000568.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
While you don't want affection thrust upon you, you don't have the slightest compunction about thrusting your affection on animals. Our long-suffering kitties have born the brunt of your rough love, enduring full-body tackles, sticky finger petting, and the occasional fur-pull. Poe is smart enough to move away when she's had enough of your "love," but Edgar is too lazy to move; or perhaps so needy for affection that he is willing to put up with all sorts of indignities to get it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VIGdKgTu6c/Ton_JbNkJpI/AAAAAAAACdQ/vmRYuzdWU-w/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VIGdKgTu6c/Ton_JbNkJpI/AAAAAAAACdQ/vmRYuzdWU-w/s400/IMG_1099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
You love all kinds of animals! You gravitate toward animal picture books and whenever we're outside you're sure to point out the birds and squirrels and bugs that you see. For a while you used the "bird" sign to point out small creatures, making a little "cheep cheep" sound as you pressed your thumb and index finger together. Ducks made the "quack quack" sound, which you imitated quite well, but all other animals were ferocious beasts who made a deep-throated growl. Elephant? <i>Growl</i>. Tiger? <i>Growl</i>. Alpaca? <i>Growl</i>. After learning a series of real and made-up signs, you now know how to distinguish a monkey from a fish from a dinosaur. For all the other myriad creatures you don't know the name for, we now sign "animal." I miss the growl a little bit.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3fQUSlwiCo/Ton_Lv1QvpI/AAAAAAAACdY/q646YBqAMTQ/s1600/1000000496_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3fQUSlwiCo/Ton_Lv1QvpI/AAAAAAAACdY/q646YBqAMTQ/s400/1000000496_1.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
You are a little expert at sign language. I know we could be having full conversations in sign by now if I could learn it more quickly, because you pick up a sign within the first few uses. It's helped us tremendously in communicating with you. You let us know when you're hungry or thirsty, when you need to potty or sleep; you point out things you see like flowers and helicopters (for which you've created your own sign of "air train"!). And while you're moving at your own pace in speaking, you are definitely not missing out on sharing your ideas with us. Sign came in handy a few months ago when you insisted on calling any grown-up mommy, even your father. I taught you the sign for daddy and instantly you were able to say the word. Now grown-ups are divided by gender into "mommy" and "daddy" - which is pretty amusing when you attack a stranger with a hug and an exuberant "Daddy!"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b6LgbjAdCg/Ton_Oq2O9WI/AAAAAAAACdg/H3j6Y6qGE-Y/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b6LgbjAdCg/Ton_Oq2O9WI/AAAAAAAACdg/H3j6Y6qGE-Y/s400/IMG_0687.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
I mentioned your use of the sign for "potty" above and I don't want to skip over the fact that at 21 months you have effectively potty trained yourself. River loves to hear the story I tell about how this came about, so here it is: You followed me into the bathroom one afternoon having nothing on but a diaper. We had taught you the "potty" sign in anticipation of using it down the road, and you signed it to me then. I said, "Yes, mommy is going to go potty." You kept signing and started pulling your diaper off. Finally it clicked and I asked if you wanted to try to go potty. You gave a resounding head nod, so I pulled out River's old training seat and set you up. I figured you'd be there for a few minutes and get off. When I asked if you were done you shook your head no, so we waited a bit more. Finally, I heard a little tinkle tinkle in the pot and I couldn't believe my ears. We decided to seize the opportunity and get you into panties for a training weekend. It went so well that you're now in them all the time (except sleeping), and we have lots of days with no accidents at all. I'm so proud of you.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0adeE5JGzE/Ton_R3cR_kI/AAAAAAAACdo/xnaH21b8tAQ/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0adeE5JGzE/Ton_R3cR_kI/AAAAAAAACdo/xnaH21b8tAQ/s400/IMG_0719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There is still one area where your independence waivers a bit, and that is blankie. River has his stuffed bear as a sleeping companion but for you, it's always been the little <a href="http://summerdoyle.blogspot.com/2010/03/lilas-punk-rock-quilt.html">punk rock quilt</a> I made for you. You've never taken a pacifier to sleep, and as I mentioned above, you're not really a cuddler, so most nights your bedtime routine is a few books and songs in a chair, then we lay you down with blankie, you pop your thumb in your mouth and fall asleep. But blankie is such a comfort item for you, you've started carrying it around whenever we let you. And when you have it in your hand, you almost always want to lay down on it with your thumb in your mouth. It's the cutest Pavlovian response I've ever seen. It's really the only time you suck your thumb - but you simply can't resist when you have the pink and black blankie in your arms.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQmRU90ED4M/Ton_Q-GiXLI/AAAAAAAACdk/I0Qmo_E3ClE/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQmRU90ED4M/Ton_Q-GiXLI/AAAAAAAACdk/I0Qmo_E3ClE/s400/IMG_1728.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8tJjPxxpuEc/Ton_KYcumlI/AAAAAAAACdU/KUDTwlzUYLg/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Lila, you are growing into such a fun and amazing person. I've loved watching you transition from teeny baby to independent toddler. You love to follow River around and try to do everything he does. As a result you're quite a good climber and have surprising dexterity. You love music and will dance to the beat anytime you hear it. You are funny and happy and so easy-going. And while the two's are on the horizon, and I know they won't pass us by unscathed, you have already shown us your basic approach to the world: enjoy life, laugh a lot, and don't let the little things stress you out.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVwLjemwrWg/Ton_UlzBoVI/AAAAAAAACdw/zejx5Bn0sNA/s1600/1000000812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVwLjemwrWg/Ton_UlzBoVI/AAAAAAAACdw/zejx5Bn0sNA/s400/1000000812.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XACgbu-V7I/Ton_WQ-73zI/AAAAAAAACd0/PL3mm95kZcQ/s1600/1000000744.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XACgbu-V7I/Ton_WQ-73zI/AAAAAAAACd0/PL3mm95kZcQ/s400/1000000744.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love you my baby girl. To the moon and back.<br />
<br />
<br />
xoxo,<br />
Mommy <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtntXgIp50w/Ton_EG_eTzI/AAAAAAAACdE/ppmVNKZJ8jA/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-66683048629315640802011-08-14T11:27:00.002-04:002011-08-14T14:10:38.920-04:00High-flying adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In spite of keeping pretty close to home this summer, we've had some great adventures in and around Boston. This Friday we took a little drive to <a href="http://www.kimballfarm.com/">Kimball Farm</a> in Westford with a few friends from Cambridge. Three moms, six kids, and a crazy amount of fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First on the agenda was a hot air balloon ride! I've never been up in a balloon and this was quite an experience. As the kids and I drove up to the parking lot, our friends were already there and waiting in line. The plan was for Hilary and myself to take the 4-year-olds up in the balloon while Sarah stayed down with the three toddlers. I didn't have much time to prepare River or myself for the experience, which was for the best since it didn't give me a chance to get nervous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfp6aiqmgOI/TkfThwfuoZI/AAAAAAAACbo/Iu91TcOCEQU/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfp6aiqmgOI/TkfThwfuoZI/AAAAAAAACbo/Iu91TcOCEQU/s400/IMG_0818.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> River hopped into the doughnut-shaped bucket willingly, we got all the kids hooked onto their safety lines; then, before we knew it, the tether was loosening and we were floating up into the sky. My stomach dropped out from under me and I looked over to River, who showed no signs of stress. Personally, I felt much better knowing we were tied to the ground and wouldn't be going higher than 300 feet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0So2rrxZ6w0/TkfTt5t02XI/AAAAAAAACbs/8bdEKQBGwBo/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0So2rrxZ6w0/TkfTt5t02XI/AAAAAAAACbs/8bdEKQBGwBo/s400/IMG_0819.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The other kids did amazingly, and also showed no signs of fear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><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=AD6v5dxKjmBGTsueJd7O3UYEA2BLmSkXx7Rr4gLaBCXWC_D0PgOJsjyvpd_Snyfy6f4K6V3VjcqNtenYADU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> We got some video of the adventure. I was terrified I was going to drop my phone, so it's pretty short and sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j__V27th5AY/TkfTxoscUhI/AAAAAAAACbw/90DhrpepOys/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j__V27th5AY/TkfTxoscUhI/AAAAAAAACbw/90DhrpepOys/s400/IMG_0825.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And here's our shadow as we were pulled down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next, we wandered through the farm to see what was available and discovered a fantastic mini golf course. I was drawn to the bumper boats, but the logistics just seemed too difficult to work out. Instead we got three balls and clubs for the big kids, extra balls for the toddlers and we set them loose.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3PlMuJGoa4/TkfT0p-AxSI/AAAAAAAACb0/jlwab3HMX-w/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3PlMuJGoa4/TkfT0p-AxSI/AAAAAAAACb0/jlwab3HMX-w/s400/IMG_0828.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> What followed was pretty unrestrained chaos. Everyone was on the green at the same time. The little ones kept stealing the big kids' balls; which didn't actually matter that much as the game they were playing could be considered "golf" in only the loosest of terms.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_PAIcWa0c8/TkfT4vVozvI/AAAAAAAACb4/r1kE5mtQPOs/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_PAIcWa0c8/TkfT4vVozvI/AAAAAAAACb4/r1kE5mtQPOs/s400/IMG_0833.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Basically we'd let them knock their balls around the course until a group came up behind us, then we'd move on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tYfvXS9MScI/TkfYiyqa_9I/AAAAAAAACb8/VLDnhF464r0/s1600/IMG_0835.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv2.nonxt7.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D67b6c036d0ec5f1a%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1313352939%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D2156A4E7043CEB6E2EC1F34BCFC9FFB7C29654A4.8B41604FD99F4B5C55F82B049BF20166932071E5%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv2.nonxt7.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D67b6c036d0ec5f1a%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1313352939%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D2156A4E7043CEB6E2EC1F34BCFC9FFB7C29654A4.8B41604FD99F4B5C55F82B049BF20166932071E5%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Here's a typical moment from our game.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drN2rH-WYo0/TkfYyVhxb9I/AAAAAAAACcE/UnksCQRNoXw/s1600/IMG_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drN2rH-WYo0/TkfYyVhxb9I/AAAAAAAACcE/UnksCQRNoXw/s400/IMG_0837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was by far the best mini golf course I've ever been on. There was a little river running next to the course, with bridges, waterfalls, and little gullies. The course went up and down hill and in and out of caves. The kids were never bored, and we wore them out plenty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9kXqV3fYak/TkfYz2iNDyI/AAAAAAAACcI/RWahGTToFJ0/s1600/IMG_0840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9kXqV3fYak/TkfYz2iNDyI/AAAAAAAACcI/RWahGTToFJ0/s400/IMG_0840.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A brief moment of calm with River and his friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDnXlA5hK_Y/TkfY0lKHV6I/AAAAAAAACcM/ZCE70xJSDzA/s1600/IMG_0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDnXlA5hK_Y/TkfY0lKHV6I/AAAAAAAACcM/ZCE70xJSDzA/s400/IMG_0842.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila already had a sense for how to hold the club and was desperately trying to play along. (After a short t-ball session yesterday, I can say with near certainty that she is going to be the jock of the family.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7TCp2DcD0Y/TkfY2JV016I/AAAAAAAACcQ/GwgqZoSr4RA/s1600/IMG_0848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7TCp2DcD0Y/TkfY2JV016I/AAAAAAAACcQ/GwgqZoSr4RA/s400/IMG_0848.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We made it about 2/3 of the way through the whole course before hunger and fatigue took over. We ate at the little outdoor grill nearby while the kids watched the chickens, goats, and ponies play. Of course, some special treats were involved, and River picked out some candy buttons that were a big hit with the whole gang.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWBhW7DPKQs/TkfY3K0M1LI/AAAAAAAACcU/hQ9jk6GaRdI/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWBhW7DPKQs/TkfY3K0M1LI/AAAAAAAACcU/hQ9jk6GaRdI/s400/IMG_0851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tired, happy kids, at the end of the day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had such a great time. I'm so glad to have made friendships like these in our time in Cambridge.</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-63540876329676488262011-08-04T10:23:00.005-04:002011-08-04T18:43:38.251-04:00A day in the sun<div style="text-align: center;">One of the really lovely things about where we live is our proximity to the ocean. We haven't spent much time on the water this summer, so we were thrilled to have an invite from River's pre-school teacher to visit her and her husband at their cottage on the cape last Sunday. Thom was out of town on a ridiculously short trip to Europe, so it was just the kids and I (and I could imagine nothing better than to spend the day with a pre-school teacher while doing the solo parenting thing!).</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Toni and Derek's house is right on the water, and when we weren't under the shade of the porch snacking and chatting, we were down on their tiny beach enjoying the sand and gentle surf.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQz5zFGJbik/TjqhuN-80II/AAAAAAAACZs/KKp2XA5zU-Y/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQz5zFGJbik/TjqhuN-80II/AAAAAAAACZs/KKp2XA5zU-Y/s400/IMG_0763.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Derek has a couple small boats - one that is designed for teaching kids to sail. River went out with him solo before some other guests arrived (another family that goes to River's school), and he just loved being on the water. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2VOCDPvjQU/TjqhwYwUAHI/AAAAAAAACZw/pb4HtV1TYbI/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2VOCDPvjQU/TjqhwYwUAHI/AAAAAAAACZw/pb4HtV1TYbI/s400/IMG_0770.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Given River's history with boats, I wasn't sure he would last long (he's always been slightly afraid of the water). Whether it was Derek's reassuring demeanor or the boost of confidence from wearing a life vest, River was happy and secure the whole time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iKJmey72_0/Tjqhx7Kj5qI/AAAAAAAACZ0/QRiXaKgCFa0/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iKJmey72_0/Tjqhx7Kj5qI/AAAAAAAACZ0/QRiXaKgCFa0/s400/IMG_0777.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After the little sailing expedition, we all took a walk up the beach to a little inland river created by the tides. River and Derek walked quite a ways, exploring the creatures in the shallow water.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cW2FIgHKG-Q/TjqhzeQ_gNI/AAAAAAAACZ4/M-K-xZruMoQ/s1600/IMG_0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cW2FIgHKG-Q/TjqhzeQ_gNI/AAAAAAAACZ4/M-K-xZruMoQ/s400/IMG_0781.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila loved chasing the swarms of crabs which made their home on the beach. I wish I had gotten a picture of them all together - there were so many it looked like the sandy beach was rippling. By the time Lila got close, of course, they had scattered.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6wF20urbDQ/Tjqh2N5YyfI/AAAAAAAACZ8/9LqoHYU8TlY/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6wF20urbDQ/Tjqh2N5YyfI/AAAAAAAACZ8/9LqoHYU8TlY/s400/IMG_0782.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She did manage to chase one around for a while before he too escaped the reaches of the terrifying toddler.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ137cSyod0/Tjqqg7LkDFI/AAAAAAAACaY/CP-pV1Bocrc/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ137cSyod0/Tjqqg7LkDFI/AAAAAAAACaY/CP-pV1Bocrc/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">* <i>Edit: That's funny. I just reread the text here. It's supposed to say "Her Cuteness MUST Be Stopped" but I'm too lazy to change it.</i><br />
<br />
In spite of being forced to skip her nap entirely, she was adorable and happy (with only a few momentary lapses) the whole afternoon. She loved the sand and rocks, but steered pretty clear of the water. She was especially disturbed by the squishy feel of the seaweed on her toes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzDi0uFvMrQ/Tjqh6fA_rUI/AAAAAAAACaE/Ij-jDadWNbg/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzDi0uFvMrQ/Tjqh6fA_rUI/AAAAAAAACaE/Ij-jDadWNbg/s400/IMG_0792.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After a fantastic lunch, we headed back out to the beach. Before it was their turn to go out on the boat, River and his friends waited excitedly for the guys to set up a little skiff for Daniel (the boys' father) to take out on the water.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UHyZNpxTiA/Tjqh72HYE3I/AAAAAAAACaI/dzjAMtFFIrI/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UHyZNpxTiA/Tjqh72HYE3I/AAAAAAAACaI/dzjAMtFFIrI/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think River has new best bud - he was pretty much attached to Derek the whole day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBsthklk2n8/Tjqh-etNefI/AAAAAAAACaM/mix1AoqdeoM/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBsthklk2n8/Tjqh-etNefI/AAAAAAAACaM/mix1AoqdeoM/s400/IMG_0800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Derek got Daniel out on the water while River bravely trudged back to the shore. Once the second boat was ready, River and his friends went out with Derek to a little island across the way. Apparently, River swam for a long time (his bravery boosted by that life vest).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBKKOAPJfSI/TjqiBNukz9I/AAAAAAAACaQ/0TlZ5teLNgM/s1600/IMG_0737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBKKOAPJfSI/TjqiBNukz9I/AAAAAAAACaQ/0TlZ5teLNgM/s400/IMG_0737.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back on shore, the rest of us enjoyed some more time in the sun and sand. Our pale skin was all pink by the time we left around 5pm, and Lila sacked out on the car ride home. What a memorable, fantastic day!</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-12374531234029909702011-07-19T09:24:00.001-04:002011-07-19T09:27:55.577-04:00Estes ParkOn our last full day in Colorado we visited the town of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park with my parents, grandparents, my brother and niece. Estes Park is a charming little town with a creek running right behind the shops on their main street. We enjoyed a little window shopping and lunch before trekking out to the nearby National Park.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckKZqxt1AJU/TiV-EAJXe9I/AAAAAAAACXA/zx2ET9SOjMY/s1600/997003856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckKZqxt1AJU/TiV-EAJXe9I/AAAAAAAACXA/zx2ET9SOjMY/s400/997003856310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The whole gang (from the left): Gordon, Frankey, Nelse, Sydney, Terry, Me, River, Janie, Lila, Thom</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AChd1iirT9A/TiV-FGP1ZsI/AAAAAAAACXE/18oE9EuQJFI/s1600/605892856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AChd1iirT9A/TiV-FGP1ZsI/AAAAAAAACXE/18oE9EuQJFI/s400/605892856310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was so glad my grandparents could fly out from Nebraska to come visit us. It had a been a while since we last saw them and they had never met Lila. We had a great time re-hashing old stories and playing <a href="http://www.pagat.com/rummy/3-13.html">3 to 13</a> late into the evening while they were there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p2jY_F5LUDc/TiV-J-hjCAI/AAAAAAAACXI/inCn-syHyWo/s1600/805892856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p2jY_F5LUDc/TiV-J-hjCAI/AAAAAAAACXI/inCn-syHyWo/s400/805892856310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila loved the little creek and was intent on sharing her sign for "water." After lunch we separated in to two groups. The altitude of the hikes in the National Park was going to be a bit much for Grams and Gramps, so they took a tour of the town with Dad while the rest of us tried to figure out the park shuttle system.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The information site in Estes Park was ill-equipped to handle our questions; after asking for the best shuttle to take for an easy hike for our little ones, the ladies at the desk suggested we "just drive up there" or "just skip the national park and head to the playground up the street."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needless to say we worked it out on our own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sD3yyS9vJ8g/TiV-LXkDiCI/AAAAAAAACXM/-DZgquJtp3c/s1600/312103856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sD3yyS9vJ8g/TiV-LXkDiCI/AAAAAAAACXM/-DZgquJtp3c/s400/312103856310.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila was thrilled, THRILLED to be in the forest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2-Tl89fCNs/TiV-PTtpDSI/AAAAAAAACXQ/hMZlxQ61s2w/s1600/1000000640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2-Tl89fCNs/TiV-PTtpDSI/AAAAAAAACXQ/hMZlxQ61s2w/s400/1000000640.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> As requested, River found giant boulders to climb...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqzgo9hGvdQ/TiV-TDH1grI/AAAAAAAACXU/YXkIhodEZQY/s1600/622103856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqzgo9hGvdQ/TiV-TDH1grI/AAAAAAAACXU/YXkIhodEZQY/s400/622103856310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ... and treacherous waters to navigate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKLdtf5ZvIE/TiV-YQyr6sI/AAAAAAAACXY/pczzOo-ioFM/s1600/248003856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKLdtf5ZvIE/TiV-YQyr6sI/AAAAAAAACXY/pczzOo-ioFM/s400/248003856310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We saw a beautiful bull elk munching leaves just off the trail.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOJA5Vcv5U/TiV-bVh86eI/AAAAAAAACXc/Wkh8QATztU4/s1600/192103856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOJA5Vcv5U/TiV-bVh86eI/AAAAAAAACXc/Wkh8QATztU4/s400/192103856310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After a long hike we made it to the top of Alberta Falls. It was a gorgeous view next to a precipitous fall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58MwsBY6SIw/TiV-hzG60XI/AAAAAAAACXg/LGK3YVTRyBg/s1600/338003856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58MwsBY6SIw/TiV-hzG60XI/AAAAAAAACXg/LGK3YVTRyBg/s400/338003856310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After a wonderful day we headed back to home base and ate Chinese food while screening <i>Independence Day</i>. All around, pretty perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next day we had to say our goodbyes and head home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ0Y6f4wH1I/TiV-jhl6zwI/AAAAAAAACXk/hytFrM-SDWk/s1600/1000000650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ0Y6f4wH1I/TiV-jhl6zwI/AAAAAAAACXk/hytFrM-SDWk/s400/1000000650.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> River and Lila were troupers on the flight. Lila even took a nap!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcPf7J_hK74/TiV-oNsGtUI/AAAAAAAACXo/ysChqmBwXSA/s1600/1000000649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcPf7J_hK74/TiV-oNsGtUI/AAAAAAAACXo/ysChqmBwXSA/s400/1000000649.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here she is on the floor of our plane, curled up in her standard sleeping pose: thumb in mouth, favorite blankie gripped tight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a wonderful vacation and one we'll remember for a long time.</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-30260269364538467552011-07-17T20:47:00.000-04:002011-07-17T20:47:58.650-04:00WeddingWe traveled to Colorado earlier this month to attend the wedding of my cousin, Sara, and her beau, Jordan. The weather had been beautiful all week, but of course, as it was time to leave for the wedding site (on the beautiful grounds of a local home) the skies darkened ominously. An hour before the ceremony was to start, it started to sprinkle and the wind whipped around so fiercely tablecloths flew off their stands and my hair decorated my face like Chewbacca. I was certain we'd have a late ceremony or a drenched bride.<br />
<br />
Then somehow the clouds cleared and the next thing I knew there stood the groom next to a beautiful, wind-free canopy, and soon after the bride walked toward her man under a clear blue sky. Magic.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_RydmJjPwJo/TiLJren7h-I/AAAAAAAACWo/snKYTXRCPpU/s1600/614449956310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_RydmJjPwJo/TiLJren7h-I/AAAAAAAACWo/snKYTXRCPpU/s400/614449956310.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We got seated pretty early, to make room for our large crowd.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKvOhZ9fQm0/TiLJtsCh1NI/AAAAAAAACWs/E3b_Cotb_BA/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKvOhZ9fQm0/TiLJtsCh1NI/AAAAAAAACWs/E3b_Cotb_BA/s400/IMG_1785.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila entertained her great-grandparents, Frankey and Gordon...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20iBx9lLP7A/TiLJvxYh3vI/AAAAAAAACWw/1ihftzaGiAM/s1600/IMG_1790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20iBx9lLP7A/TiLJvxYh3vI/AAAAAAAACWw/1ihftzaGiAM/s400/IMG_1790.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ... and auditioned for the part of the flower girl.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGURR5VW6mg/TiLKEFrKSzI/AAAAAAAACW8/68VJybxUMEY/s1600/IMG_1782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGURR5VW6mg/TiLKEFrKSzI/AAAAAAAACW8/68VJybxUMEY/s400/IMG_1782.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Uncle Nelse (and the iphone) helped keep River busy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWlaZh81r5U/TiLJ18ko9ZI/AAAAAAAACW0/pTzZLZIdttM/s1600/234449956310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWlaZh81r5U/TiLJ18ko9ZI/AAAAAAAACW0/pTzZLZIdttM/s400/234449956310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jordan looked calm and handsome as he waited for his bride.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8QTVlQflQY/TiLJ3cYowgI/AAAAAAAACW4/OiQ5JlvdUFw/s1600/544449956310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8QTVlQflQY/TiLJ3cYowgI/AAAAAAAACW4/OiQ5JlvdUFw/s400/544449956310.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sara was just gorgeous, of course, and so happy. The ceremony was lovely and unique, written entirely by the couple and presided over by their close friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After kisses and congratulations were passed around, Lila spent most of the evening doing this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><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=AD6v5dy6XsIEGUH5xiPP_TdKZ2CImz4YnP2Sa_nDTUyT4sPBT_RbmFdZjYLIGqQMYQN3A8VKBm8A4mg_u1s' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I had a fantastic time at the reception. The food and company was fantastic. After the kids were fed, we hit the dance floor with the kids and didn't leave until well after their usual bedtime. There is something about dancing with kids that is just so liberating. You don't really care what you look like out there because everyone is just having so much fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a wonderful, memorable event. Thanks so much, Sara and Jordan, for sharing it with us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-30636999578105718662011-07-15T09:54:00.000-04:002011-07-15T09:54:09.789-04:00BoulderWe traveled to Boulder, Colorado over the 4th of July weekend to visit family and attend my cousin's wedding. With 14 of us crammed together in one house it could have been a complete disaster, but the rental house was spacious, the company fantastic, and the bathrooms plentiful, so we did just fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxNsvHu1LeI/TiA9ztU6hgI/AAAAAAAACWE/kX3CtE_lS0E/s1600/607572856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxNsvHu1LeI/TiA9ztU6hgI/AAAAAAAACWE/kX3CtE_lS0E/s320/607572856310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We got a ton of use out of the backyard which featured a beautiful deck, lots of grass for the kids and dogs to run around, and a hot tub (!!) for the little ones to enjoy during the warm afternoons. The first evening we were there, we hosted the groom's family at a BBQ for nearly 60 people. Above are Thom, myself, and my brother, Nelse. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keFBeJ9ZlZ0/TiA953vKrRI/AAAAAAAACWI/MGuSOLpKa8M/s1600/IMG_1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keFBeJ9ZlZ0/TiA953vKrRI/AAAAAAAACWI/MGuSOLpKa8M/s320/IMG_1765.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila is in a super daddy phase right now. She pretty much wanted to spend every waking minute with him during this trip. It was pretty cute - and made more hilarious by the fact that she insisted on calling him "mommy."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKUANjLLvuQ/TiA96uis-AI/AAAAAAAACWM/GKa72lnqYMA/s1600/652309956310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKUANjLLvuQ/TiA96uis-AI/AAAAAAAACWM/GKa72lnqYMA/s320/652309956310.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> River had so much fun with his cousins, Sydney and Chloe. He followed the older girls around for hours and hours, and they never seemed to tire of him. It was the first time I was able to really just let go of keeping track of him every second. I knew he was occupied and safe while playing with them, and that freed up my attention to catch up with family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzP5VStqrFU/TiA-A0NdsBI/AAAAAAAACWQ/ZaZf49AdYlU/s1600/284892856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzP5VStqrFU/TiA-A0NdsBI/AAAAAAAACWQ/ZaZf49AdYlU/s320/284892856310.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dadu, of course, was a big hit with Lila. She just loves that goofy guy and he adores her. Lila was particularly clingy with mom and dad this trip (thank goodness River was occupied or we would never have had a hand free), but she did let Dadu keep her company.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_L9_OnUZ08/TiA-Dtul7TI/AAAAAAAACWU/hAeRMna98OQ/s1600/568092856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_L9_OnUZ08/TiA-Dtul7TI/AAAAAAAACWU/hAeRMna98OQ/s320/568092856310.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was really glad to be able to spend some time with my mom. We prepped meals together, went hiking, and hung out chatting long into the night. Sydney and I took a special Auntie-Niece trip to the nail salon for a mani-pedi before the wedding. I was so glad to introduce her to a key girlie ritual.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2khDUL6xuws/TiA-GYyFMAI/AAAAAAAACWY/s7X5z10zJoA/s1600/769682856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2khDUL6xuws/TiA-GYyFMAI/AAAAAAAACWY/s7X5z10zJoA/s320/769682856310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The first hike we did together was a short trek up the Ironside Mountains in Boulder. It was a brutally hot day and the little kids got wiped out pretty quickly. A couple of us hung back with Lila and River while the group went on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHrxM6zrX48/TiA-P0JUurI/AAAAAAAACWg/Ap-kAaLEMRo/s1600/278092856310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHrxM6zrX48/TiA-P0JUurI/AAAAAAAACWg/Ap-kAaLEMRo/s320/278092856310.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> While we were waiting River worked on a fairy house (that little bundle of sticks and leaves at the base of the tree). It's something he's been introduced to at school, and now whenever we're in a woodsy place, he likes to construct a home for the wee folk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That was the first part of our adventure. I'll be back with more on the wedding and a trip to Estes Park soon!</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-64737389678315435982011-07-14T11:45:00.000-04:002011-07-14T11:45:44.147-04:00Hello againI feel like I've lost my ability to say anything of import. Maybe it's the sweat and sand and exhaustion of these long summer days, but the last thing I've wanted to do these past few months is sit down here and write. Here we are, the year half over, and I feel like the only accomplishment I have to show for it is having survived the winter.<br />
<br />
I need a change, some motivation, SOMETHING to help me mark the passage of time (and on this end of 32, time is just cruising along in the carpool lane). Some speed bumps would help, I think.<br />
<br />
I am going to try to touch base here (or at LittleSage) every few days. And maybe I'll find my voice again.Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-42750306675920707562011-06-06T18:39:00.000-04:002011-06-06T18:39:50.107-04:00River's latest haircut<div style="text-align: center;">Before:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtfMx95hhKc/Te1VpsgsyKI/AAAAAAAACVU/iMy6ZG5OPh4/s1600/IMG_1655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtfMx95hhKc/Te1VpsgsyKI/AAAAAAAACVU/iMy6ZG5OPh4/s400/IMG_1655.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsEj4qgc6Gs/Te1VtEolRwI/AAAAAAAACVY/7bTi_9kF5Uw/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsEj4qgc6Gs/Te1VtEolRwI/AAAAAAAACVY/7bTi_9kF5Uw/s400/IMG_1656.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After:</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7fO3xCVOVg/Te1Vws8sG3I/AAAAAAAACVc/DYrvARxedPk/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7fO3xCVOVg/Te1Vws8sG3I/AAAAAAAACVc/DYrvARxedPk/s400/IMG_1658.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOkD4ME9PuE/Te1VzubUX4I/AAAAAAAACVg/VBWMxyEhLvo/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOkD4ME9PuE/Te1VzubUX4I/AAAAAAAACVg/VBWMxyEhLvo/s400/IMG_1661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He can see again! This should last through the summer, so he'll be a hippy again when school starts in the fall.</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-63786234383502906392011-05-16T13:47:00.001-04:002011-05-16T13:48:35.812-04:00mini me<div style="text-align: left;">Thom and I had reason to get a hold of our preschool photos recently and they are truly stellar. Thom's knee-high black socks and my gap-toothed smile are reason alone to share, but I thought I'd take it a bit further.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Behold</span>:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMxTj-vNZwU/TdFhjGviWtI/AAAAAAAACVE/rIMd2QmFZ9g/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMxTj-vNZwU/TdFhjGviWtI/AAAAAAAACVE/rIMd2QmFZ9g/s400/Untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5xqVjFsOt0/TdFhl8FrPuI/AAAAAAAACVI/dO9Wzxbmh2I/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5xqVjFsOt0/TdFhl8FrPuI/AAAAAAAACVI/dO9Wzxbmh2I/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FoDBxL4A2gQ/TdFeosPtDzI/AAAAAAAACVA/15dFKh4HrBI/s1600/1000000496_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a>It's bit eerie, no?</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-15353164372367365802011-04-28T10:58:00.002-04:002011-05-17T12:40:47.510-04:00smelly rainbow dough<div style="text-align: center;"> This week, River and I made a batch of homemade playdoh with a special twist: scented dough! I got the tip from River's preschool teacher, who used cinnamon to enhance her batch a few weeks ago. When I found a shelf full of awesome extracts at a local market this week, I had just the inspiration I needed. We tried our best to coordinate color to smell, but in lieu of making brown or white dough, our chocolate scent is purple and vanilla is blue.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BABgaYICBlk/Tbl4pCHdu2I/AAAAAAAACUg/mpXjO5eUGrY/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BABgaYICBlk/Tbl4pCHdu2I/AAAAAAAACUg/mpXjO5eUGrY/s400/IMG_1423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">River had a fantastic time playing with this stuff and has even made an effort to keep the colors separate (for now). The downside is that this dough is not as great for my toddler, as it smells so much like food, she immediately wants to taste it. However, it's made of natural food ingredients, so she's not going to be hurt if she swallows some.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqlzMl9PVZU/Tbl4s7vn0CI/AAAAAAAACUk/STxnGsuZuHg/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqlzMl9PVZU/Tbl4s7vn0CI/AAAAAAAACUk/STxnGsuZuHg/s400/IMG_1424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Next time, I'll skip the chocolate - which we liked the least - in favor of cinnamon. And I'll make sure to include almond. That would work perfectly with a pink/red ball since almond is the smell I always associate with maraschino cherries. If you'd like to make your own, see the recipe below. It's super easy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luX9d_G8cgw/Tbl4vWRSOkI/AAAAAAAACUo/khUVEw30ZSY/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luX9d_G8cgw/Tbl4vWRSOkI/AAAAAAAACUo/khUVEw30ZSY/s400/IMG_1425.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Homemade Scented Rainbow Dough</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Combine in large saucepan: </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups flour </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 cup salt </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tsp. cream of tartar </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Add and whisk until smooth: </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups water </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 Tbsp oil </div><div style="text-align: center;">(If you're only doing one color, add 1/2 - 1 tsp. of food coloring now; otherwise, mix it in when dough is cooled) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cook over medium heat until playdough is nearly set. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remove from heat and let cool. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Break into 5 balls and put each in a bowl (I used the plastic containers they were going to be stored in to save on dishes).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Add 1/4 tsp. extract to each ball along with 5 - 15 drops of food coloring.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Knead well with spoon until liquids are mostly incorporated, then finish kneading by hand. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Store in Ziploc bag or air tight container.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Will keep for months if refrigerated. </div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-54356154857459162842011-04-15T14:33:00.004-04:002011-04-15T17:21:10.267-04:00River's 4th BirthdayEarlier this month we celebrated River's 4th birthday with a superhero party for 20 kids. We <i>might</i> have gone a little over the top...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgfWrU6VAgg/Tah8DKq1aRI/AAAAAAAACTk/Y4-FvinAK4s/s1600/1000000401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgfWrU6VAgg/Tah8DKq1aRI/AAAAAAAACTk/Y4-FvinAK4s/s400/1000000401.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A little back story: we're usually in Las Vegas sometime during March and end up celebrating the plethora of March birthdays in our clan (Uncle Nelse, Thom, cousin Finn, me, River, among others...) with one or two large family gatherings. This leaves us back in Cambridge celebrating the actual day with a simple dinner or fun day out. Since we didn't travel in March this year, I realized it was an opportune time to host a party for my boy, and with a few weeks to plan we shot for the stars.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We've also been in the process of re-decorating a <a href="http://summerdoyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/lilas-new-room.html">few</a> <a href="http://littlesagedesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/sewing-room-paint-and-furniture.html">rooms</a> in the house, the last of which was the kids' playroom in the basement. The party was a good excuse to finish the work on that room, so in addition to sewing <a href="http://summerdoyle.blogspot.com/2011/03/superhero-capes.html">capes</a> and baking cupcakes for the party, we out-fitted a tumble room with giant soft blocks and a huge mural.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I accomplish half as much in as short a time for the rest of the year, I'll count it a win. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See more after the jump</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On River's actual birthday the three of us celebrated with River's favorite dinner and present opening.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXmkz21CW5E/Tah8GT9vrMI/AAAAAAAACTo/AwvMkyLKmVE/s1600/1000000354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXmkz21CW5E/Tah8GT9vrMI/AAAAAAAACTo/AwvMkyLKmVE/s400/1000000354.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">No idea where the kids' wild hair comes from... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcMnu82Gh4A/Tah8ITPkCHI/AAAAAAAACTs/mr-Kib_LsQg/s1600/1000000371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcMnu82Gh4A/Tah8ITPkCHI/AAAAAAAACTs/mr-Kib_LsQg/s400/1000000371.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He had a wonderful day. His dad got to spend the morning at school with him, he got a special trip to Chuck E. Cheese with mommy, and he capped it all off with a ride on his new balance bike.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next weekend was the party, and we worked and worked to get everything looking nice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avOVI1CtGRA/Tah8POXzrEI/AAAAAAAACTw/j_OiRiYIxv4/s1600/1000000394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avOVI1CtGRA/Tah8POXzrEI/AAAAAAAACTw/j_OiRiYIxv4/s400/1000000394.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Superhero capes all in a row.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the scene greeting our guests as they entered the house, and each kid got to pick a cape off the hook to wear that day and take home with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOtY9xsA7-Y/Tah8RDNBNWI/AAAAAAAACT0/74lmMI9H9WA/s1600/1000000395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOtY9xsA7-Y/Tah8RDNBNWI/AAAAAAAACT0/74lmMI9H9WA/s400/1000000395.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I sewed this bunting out of some leftover fabric from the capes, and the box in the background was for used books and games for a gift swap. (My friend Sarah gave me the fantastic idea to do a swap instead of gifts for River. River received plenty of presents from family and we certainly didn't need anyone to buy more stuff for him.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vedgelBtQ3M/Tah8pwmxBtI/AAAAAAAACUM/_-OW_Lhd9fg/s1600/1000000402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vedgelBtQ3M/Tah8pwmxBtI/AAAAAAAACUM/_-OW_Lhd9fg/s400/1000000402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">With coats off and capes on, the kids moved downstairs, which was the main scene for the party. Here's the snack table set up and a photo collage of River and his family on the wall. The frames on the table feature pictures of River throughout the years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x46pM0sNXVw/Tah9CQ6C4II/AAAAAAAACUY/zf4HUHvAGrs/s1600/1000000403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x46pM0sNXVw/Tah9CQ6C4II/AAAAAAAACUY/zf4HUHvAGrs/s400/1000000403.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the playroom as it looked on the day of the party. Easy streamers and balloons made for festive decoration. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jG1E6TEMMKk/Tah8W8YI1SI/AAAAAAAACT4/yniOscH39LY/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jG1E6TEMMKk/Tah8W8YI1SI/AAAAAAAACT4/yniOscH39LY/s400/IMG_1393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here's a couple shots of the room as it is today (streamers still up, balloons long gone). I painted the mural over the course of a week. I'm really happy with how the stylized landscape turned out. River says it looks like a stage, which is the perfect response, as far as I'm concerned.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jG1E6TEMMKk/Tah8W8YI1SI/AAAAAAAACT4/yniOscH39LY/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNqNufN8Rt0/Tah8Y7LV2rI/AAAAAAAACT8/UDoxT2V7aCQ/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNqNufN8Rt0/Tah8Y7LV2rI/AAAAAAAACT8/UDoxT2V7aCQ/s400/IMG_1396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">When we decided to make this a rough house space, we knew we would need some flooring that would keep the kids safe enough to launch, jump, and fall. So we got heavy-duty mats like you'd find in a gymnastics class. The soft blocks are the heart of the room, allowing for all kinds of construction and gross motor play. Both are a sizable investment, but from the way the kids use this room (every day) it seems worth it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not pictured: Bean bags I made last year and a mini trampoline (Christmas present) that offer even more opportunities to get the wiggles out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One final word on this room; a huge factor in buying this house was the space available for a kids' playroom. It's taken nearly three years to accomplish that vision, and now that we have, I could not be happier.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQH_sg03kUw/Tah8eEGajtI/AAAAAAAACUA/OjiWUWDEDw8/s1600/1000000407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQH_sg03kUw/Tah8eEGajtI/AAAAAAAACUA/OjiWUWDEDw8/s400/1000000407.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The party in full swing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids all seemed pretty excited by the tumble room and made great use of it throughout the day. River's room which is usually the loudest and wildest at any gathering ended up being the quiet room in this case. It was nice to have a space for kids and grown-ups to escape to for some less rambunctious activity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After a bit of free play time, we had pizza for lunch and then all the kids were instructed to get their capes on for a super secret mission.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fexaPCp25cE/Tah8hz0EtWI/AAAAAAAACUE/yC05AIXXN_Y/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fexaPCp25cE/Tah8hz0EtWI/AAAAAAAACUE/yC05AIXXN_Y/s400/IMG_0629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thom had prepared a fantastic scavenger hunt for the kids, complete with a video of himself dressed up as the super villain Badger Beard threatening to ruin the party by detonating dynamite. The kids broke into teams and scoured the house and backyard for the sticks we'd made the day before.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPJjWuWpuqA/Tah8w6G2pgI/AAAAAAAACUQ/TNarKDz-Yow/s1600/1000000413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPJjWuWpuqA/Tah8w6G2pgI/AAAAAAAACUQ/TNarKDz-Yow/s400/1000000413.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After a successful mission, the kids were rewarded with cupcakes featuring chocolate medallions.</div><div style="text-align: center;">After all my work to get the room ready and party decorations done, I was going to skip on that detail, but the crafty queen inside got the better of me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rU6aTGMX1Uc/Tah_UmmeWCI/AAAAAAAACUc/O9ewdOh-ZpI/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9mZfugjpCw8/Tah85XwI4tI/AAAAAAAACUU/CifcjYQLOCg/s1600/1000000416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9mZfugjpCw8/Tah85XwI4tI/AAAAAAAACUU/CifcjYQLOCg/s400/1000000416.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">As soon as the cupcakes were brought out the table was immediately swarmed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WazFoCPTeUU/Tah8lSxMl8I/AAAAAAAACUI/JTuxT27yuJQ/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WazFoCPTeUU/Tah8lSxMl8I/AAAAAAAACUI/JTuxT27yuJQ/s400/IMG_0637.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of River's playgroup friends enjoying their treats. It was fantastic to have a mix of school and playgroup friends there to celebrate and I only wish we could have included more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rU6aTGMX1Uc/Tah_UmmeWCI/AAAAAAAACUc/O9ewdOh-ZpI/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rU6aTGMX1Uc/Tah_UmmeWCI/AAAAAAAACUc/O9ewdOh-ZpI/s400/IMG_0634.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x46pM0sNXVw/Tah9CQ6C4II/AAAAAAAACUY/zf4HUHvAGrs/s1600/1000000403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, my little man blew out his candle and we enjoyed the rest of the party as it wound down. It was a memorable event and definitely worth the effort. Happy Birthday, River! </div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-57616910182702369402011-04-10T13:06:00.000-04:002011-04-10T13:06:15.282-04:00New Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5971lBW_bds/TaHjU3DJWQI/AAAAAAAACTg/k07wOa08ncQ/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5971lBW_bds/TaHjU3DJWQI/AAAAAAAACTg/k07wOa08ncQ/s400/IMG_1382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">New post over at Little Sage! <a href="http://littlesagedesign.blogspot.com/2011/04/fractured-rainbows.html">Check it out!</a></div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-48117447185989143602011-03-24T21:42:00.001-04:002011-04-01T22:58:47.390-04:00Superhero capes<div style="text-align: center;">River's birthday is coming up and we'll be having a party with a superhero theme per the little man's request. What kind of overworked mom would I be if I didn't take this as a direct challenge to make 20 capes as party favors?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YnHj7AWBiU8/TYvmJevNVSI/AAAAAAAACS0/w4rO7C2L6k8/s1600/photo%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YnHj7AWBiU8/TYvmJevNVSI/AAAAAAAACS0/w4rO7C2L6k8/s400/photo%252812%2529.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Amazingly, I finished the project in three days and there should be enough superhero mojo for each little guest plus a few left over for the preschool dress up closet. River got to model one of the finished products tonight before bed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5YxnMXH5BxE/TYvmOcMZRAI/AAAAAAAACTE/VEafqLSTiaA/s1600/photo%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5YxnMXH5BxE/TYvmOcMZRAI/AAAAAAAACTE/VEafqLSTiaA/s400/photo%252814%2529.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course Lila got in on the act, too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a little breakdown of how I made the capes (which is a SUPER easy - <i>see what I did there?</i> - project that would take about 30 minutes, if you're not crazy and making 20 of them). Even with that many I found ways to streamline so, if you're proficient with a sewing machine multiple capes are totally manageable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, I found this <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2010/12/super-easy-superhero-cape-tutorial.html">great tutorial</a> for a quick and dirty cape, and I calculated I'd need about 10 yards of bright fleece for 20 capes. My math was totally off, so if you have any suggestions for what I can do with 3 yards of leftover fleece, by all means pass them along. :) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WEKzviJ5eUQ/TYuGVMV4rAI/AAAAAAAACSY/LJZS85ikcB4/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WEKzviJ5eUQ/TYuGVMV4rAI/AAAAAAAACSY/LJZS85ikcB4/s400/IMG_1288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I followed Amy's instructions pretty closely with two exceptions. First, before cutting I layered four pieces of fleece so I could cut multiple capes at once. Second, I used a rotary cutter instead of scissors. I imagine this saved the project because I turned 3+ hours of work into 45 minutes. (If you do this method, do not forget to put a cutting mat under the fabric. Your floors will thank you.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For detailed instructions, please see <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2010/12/super-easy-superhero-cape-tutorial.html">Amy's tutorial</a> - it's very clear. After I assembled the capes, I started on the superhero emblems for the back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't want to make replicas of existing heroes because I like the idea of the kids making up their own. So I made card stock templates of four different symbols and traced them onto sheets of fusible web. Basically fusible web sticks one fabric to another fabric (in this case, felt) when you iron it on. Remember that any image you draw will be reversed when you're done.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KieIvzt0WeA/TYuGXLc-yMI/AAAAAAAACSc/oKqV913wiu4/s1600/IMG_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KieIvzt0WeA/TYuGXLc-yMI/AAAAAAAACSc/oKqV913wiu4/s400/IMG_1295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After I had 20 symbols traced, I cut around them, leaving about 1/4 inch outside the line. I situated these onto different colored felt, covered them with scrap fabric (VERY IMPORTANT IF WORKING WITH FELT!) and ironed them on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XlfpcuZFp98/TYuGZR7esAI/AAAAAAAACSg/eEcE3M3YuAs/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XlfpcuZFp98/TYuGZR7esAI/AAAAAAAACSg/eEcE3M3YuAs/s400/IMG_1296.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Once they were secured to the felt, I cut them out on the line and I had my symbols.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VlQ392v9wEg/TYuGby-Jw5I/AAAAAAAACSk/eSKycs7HifA/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VlQ392v9wEg/TYuGby-Jw5I/AAAAAAAACSk/eSKycs7HifA/s400/IMG_1293.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I removed the backing paper, placed them where I wanted on the back of the cape, and (again, using a piece of scrap fabric) ironed it in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ay8YbvtRHUE/TYuGe8gzBnI/AAAAAAAACSo/iPtpmlsPyIU/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ay8YbvtRHUE/TYuGe8gzBnI/AAAAAAAACSo/iPtpmlsPyIU/s400/IMG_1292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Voila! Wings!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Considering I was making 20 of these things, I was going to cut myself some slack and stop there. These capes are supposed to be quick and dirty after all, not lifetime keepsakes. But I knew one trip through the wash and that decal would be shot. So I decided to stitch the felt to the cape for extra durability, and I'm really glad I did.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pYJHckMytnU/TYuGh8SfL3I/AAAAAAAACSs/Lev62zUUnPk/s1600/IMG_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pYJHckMytnU/TYuGh8SfL3I/AAAAAAAACSs/Lev62zUUnPk/s400/IMG_1301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Doesn't this look better? Once I had an assembly line going, it was actually quick work and I'm glad these will stand up to lots of rough play.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2XwhAoxBQk/TYuGkQCaFFI/AAAAAAAACSw/3C-NbFNUvmo/s1600/IMG_1306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2XwhAoxBQk/TYuGkQCaFFI/AAAAAAAACSw/3C-NbFNUvmo/s400/IMG_1306.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here they are - don't they look pretty? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hMyO81jysy8/TYvmKtj2lSI/AAAAAAAACS4/TjNfmxkTl6o/s1600/photo%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hMyO81jysy8/TYvmKtj2lSI/AAAAAAAACS4/TjNfmxkTl6o/s400/photo%252815%2529.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lila's cape is a bit smaller than the others (it was from some leftover purple fleece that was just a couple inches shy of Amy's measurements). It worked out perfectly for toddler size. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BLtCRGmLQ7Q/TYvmL4-JsBI/AAAAAAAACS8/S-38bUtq964/s1600/photo%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BLtCRGmLQ7Q/TYvmL4-JsBI/AAAAAAAACS8/S-38bUtq964/s400/photo%252811%2529.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">River made goofy hero faces in the mirror for about 20 minutes before I ushered him to bath.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N5xmKkPjqwc/TYvmNVLQGLI/AAAAAAAACTA/6djy6YdhRTA/s1600/photo%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N5xmKkPjqwc/TYvmNVLQGLI/AAAAAAAACTA/6djy6YdhRTA/s400/photo%252813%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My handsome little hero and his friends are going to have such a blast at his party. I can't wait!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BLtCRGmLQ7Q/TYvmL4-JsBI/AAAAAAAACS8/S-38bUtq964/s1600/photo%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BLtCRGmLQ7Q/TYvmL4-JsBI/AAAAAAAACS8/S-38bUtq964/s1600/photo%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BLtCRGmLQ7Q/TYvmL4-JsBI/AAAAAAAACS8/S-38bUtq964/s1600/photo%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-81638923126423995942011-03-01T13:47:00.000-05:002011-03-01T13:47:21.027-05:00River News: Month Forty-SevenDear River,<br />
<br />
I think it's nearly a year since I've written an update on you. In that time your sister has turned from an infant to a toddler, you started your first year of preschool, your cousin Kian arrived, and both he and Finn moved away. I feel like our home has finally settled after the tsunami of changes your sister brought with her. And you, my little boy, have made some Hulk-sized changes yourself.<br />
<br />
Your introduction to school has been such an enormous source of inspiration and growth for you, and in a short time you have learned to navigate new friendships, new authority figures, physical and intellectual challenges, and your role as both leader and student. Our greatest hope for you, as we walked out of preschool that first day, was for you to learn how work with kids your age, letting go of the "this is what I want to do!" mentality and into a space of negotiation. And wow! have our expectations been exceeded. Those first few weeks were hard for you and you spent a lot of time playing alone or trying to strong-arm others into carrying out your grand visions ("We have to make a sand tunnel this way! No, the bulldozers dig here!") <br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vMExM2KZhec/TW08TMPBYnI/AAAAAAAACR4/_n4U8632KNM/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vMExM2KZhec/TW08TMPBYnI/AAAAAAAACR4/_n4U8632KNM/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
But it only took a few weeks for you to realized that collaborating with the other kids brought about much better results, and some of your strongest friendships formed in the sandbox as you plotted designs together with a new ally. You quickly learned to trust your teachers - two wonderful women who listen to you and respect your ideas while deftly imparting the knowledge that you are not the only person in the universe. You are now seen as a strong force in your school and your attention sought out by other classmates. Of course you have idols, some of the bigger kids more adept physically and further along the road to reading. I love to see you emulating their nobler habits (and yes, cringe when I see you emulating their annoying ones.)<br />
<br />
One of your most memorable moments came a few weeks before Christmas break while your class was gearing up for the harvest festival. You had been reading a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Soup-Jamaica-Orchard-Paperbacks/dp/0531070972">Tiger Soup</a> that inspired the class to create its own imaginary concoction. Your teachers had written down and posted all the fantastic ingredient ideas your classmates came up with and at the bottom of the list I saw with a bit of surprise, "River: cumin." To be honest I was so proud that you had such a sophisticated palate, that some of my cooking knowledge had rubbed off on you. That night I asked you to tell your father what you added to the "Tiger Soup." You replied with glee, "HUMAN!"<br />
<br />
<i>Oh. Well that sounds more like you.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8yDahYAw1hg/TW08VbL2Q2I/AAAAAAAACR8/s_FNqOEuu7E/s1600/IMG_1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8yDahYAw1hg/TW08VbL2Q2I/AAAAAAAACR8/s_FNqOEuu7E/s400/IMG_1245.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
This year you have really learned how to be an excellent big brother, taking great care of Lila's safety and happiness. You've come to the realization that Lila takes up some of our time as parents, and you are very patient (within reason) of her demands. Of course you lucked out with an exceptionally undemanding sister, one who basically wanders around looking cute and entertaining herself, so it hasn't been that difficult a task for you. Her adorableness is a huge source of pride for you and you love to show her off and pronounce her victor in imaginary battles having used only her "Cute Ray." <br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dU3MA1kGBpg/TW08YVIavII/AAAAAAAACSA/3mOE7JsOQPY/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dU3MA1kGBpg/TW08YVIavII/AAAAAAAACSA/3mOE7JsOQPY/s400/IMG_0847.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Of course, your need for affection has not waned, and the constant bear hugs and physical displays aimed at Lila are met with joy (occasionally) or annoyance (frequently). You've become accustomed to defending yourself after a squeal from Lila elicits the question, "River, what did you do?!" I'm working very hard not to jump immediately to blame, but come on, you really are the source of most of her outbursts. As for your affection for mommy… let just say I am The Woman in your life and you might just shrivel up without snuggles from me.<br />
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The great tragedy of this year has been the relocation of your beloved Finn to Las Vegas. The devastation seemed to hit you in waves and weeks would go by before we would hear the requests to "go visit Finn tomorrow." Your disappointment that it wasn't possible was heartbreaking and the few times you have seen him since have been occasions for great celebration.<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PBQ7kQcmbgU/TW08a1rZxtI/AAAAAAAACSE/A3WqvrTfMjc/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PBQ7kQcmbgU/TW08a1rZxtI/AAAAAAAACSE/A3WqvrTfMjc/s400/IMG_1017.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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As for your interests, in the past year you have gone from an obsession with garbage trucks to dinosaurs, and you have become quite the little paleontologist. It is an ongoing joke between you and I to distinguish a Stygimoloch from a Pachycephalosaurus and you rattle out those names with authority and ease. You know the characteristics of a carnivore vs. a herbivore and are familiar with dozens of dinosaurs and their traits. Your love of knowledge and ever-searching mind is such a source of pride for your father and I. We love that you are a learner, and we are so proud of your curiosity.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ed4-Ukdrhu0/TW08chTDkxI/AAAAAAAACSI/zAckYUp5XAQ/s1600/1000001223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ed4-Ukdrhu0/TW08chTDkxI/AAAAAAAACSI/zAckYUp5XAQ/s400/1000001223.JPG" width="298" /></a><br />
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Of course, as I write this dinosaurs are being edged out by superheroes in your affection, and you are quickly becoming an expert in those as well. You love the idea of a person with amazing powers, someone strong enough to beat evil and avert death. I came to comic books late in life and usually my choices were off the mainstream superhero tales. But I'm loving sharing this new obsession with you, and both your dad and I willingly read you endless comic adventures.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YziPNsGsRls/TW08d8Ey1sI/AAAAAAAACSM/bfpz663bp_s/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YziPNsGsRls/TW08d8Ey1sI/AAAAAAAACSM/bfpz663bp_s/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" width="281" /></a><br />
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It has opened the door for robust physical play - great scenarios of good vs. evil you enact with anyone willing. Your dad is your favorite punching bag, and he's often greeted with a tackle and an exclamation, "Let's roughhouse!" When you aren't throwing yourself around an imaginary battleground you love to build with legos or create elaborate forts. You have a designer's mind and you are always full of innovation and creation.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P4AXm7x6fcE/TW08g7tiubI/AAAAAAAACSQ/cyDwLMKKw3k/s1600/1000001203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P4AXm7x6fcE/TW08g7tiubI/AAAAAAAACSQ/cyDwLMKKw3k/s400/1000001203.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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There is so much more I could say about how you've changed and grown this year, but I think I'll close with some of my favorite quotes:<br />
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During a sleepover, after ushering Finn out of your room with the same flimsy excuse for the third time in a row: "I don't know why Finn has to go pee so many times."<br />
Your favorite way to say yes for about three months: "Yes-a-tootie rumbo!"<br />
Your warning every time Lila would crawl toward Edgar to tackle him with hugs: "Edgar, run for your life!"<br />
The way you tell me you love me more than anything in the world: "I love you to the bellies of Hogar."<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YxoBcu9rrFM/TW08kmmjv2I/AAAAAAAACSU/pFJFBnKSNYg/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YxoBcu9rrFM/TW08kmmjv2I/AAAAAAAACSU/pFJFBnKSNYg/s400/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Well, my boy, I love you to the bellies of Hogar and I always will.<br />
xoxo,<br />
MommySummer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-81424221131529380472011-01-22T16:00:00.001-05:002011-01-22T16:02:56.627-05:00Lila's new roomAfter Megan moved out, we thought about how we might rearrange our space to utilize it better. My sewing room is currently in the open space in the basement and Lila was upstairs close to Thom and I. Megan's room, the guest bedroom, is downstairs next to River, so we decided to move Lila down there to be close to her brother. Then we can move my sewing space upstairs to Lila's old room, and open up the old sewing space as a playroom for the kids. That way I get a space to work in with a door that closes, the kids have a much larger space to play in, and no rooms are unused.<br />
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Last week we worked on the first part of the change: moving Lila downstairs. It was a slow process, but it's turned out pretty nice. We touched up the old lavender paint on the walls and painted the white bricks chartreuse. I added some huge leaves to the walls to complete the garden theme already in place with flower and bug decals on the walls.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs9t3qYWEI/AAAAAAAACP4/eBj66JPgRF4/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs9t3qYWEI/AAAAAAAACP4/eBj66JPgRF4/s400/IMG_1127.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>On the right is the entry door and the left is her closet door. The changing table and diaper pails fit nicely in the little alcove at the entryway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs9xtdBgHI/AAAAAAAACP8/g00BUbEtG7s/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs9xtdBgHI/AAAAAAAACP8/g00BUbEtG7s/s400/IMG_1126.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Here's her closet - which still needs a little organization - but the dresser fits nicely and right now her hanging clothes fit fine on the bar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs9z6wdyeI/AAAAAAAACQA/ssVvvBDY31Q/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs9z6wdyeI/AAAAAAAACQA/ssVvvBDY31Q/s400/IMG_1124.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the opposite corner is her crib and rocking chair. You can't see it here, but there's actually some floor space for her to play on. I think eventually we'll need to get rid of the chair to open it up some more, and the room is just begging for a fun new rug.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs91Z6cwcI/AAAAAAAACQE/Lipb-7vwtaE/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTs91Z6cwcI/AAAAAAAACQE/Lipb-7vwtaE/s400/IMG_1120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>To the right of the crib is the door to the storage closet/tool room. She has an assortment of toys in the fun zoo baskets and plenty of board books to keep her entertained. Of course both kids have more toys than they know what to do with, and most of those will eventually end up in the playroom.<br />
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So step one is done. Next I need to do some work on Lila's old room. I've removed the decals from the walls and it needs a fresh coat of paint. I'll add some shelving to the closet then move my sewing table and accessories in. We'll get a couch with a pull-out bed and use it as a guest room when needed. Much better use of space than keeping a queen size bed in an unused room.<br />
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We already have some fun ideas for the playroom and I'm pretty excited for the kids to have a designated play space. When we moved into this house I always imagined downstairs as the kids' den and we're definitely making strides in that direction.Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-17978594623933963212011-01-19T10:40:00.000-05:002011-01-19T10:40:13.281-05:00Don't let those sweet faces fool you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTcFdpFRq-I/AAAAAAAACP0/F7hXTfHt_ss/s1600/IMG_0724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TTcFdpFRq-I/AAAAAAAACP0/F7hXTfHt_ss/s320/IMG_0724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I've been searching for a new sitter since December, and I think I'm close to finding one. I had an excellent phone interview with someone a few days ago and I'll be meeting her in person this afternoon. I got off the call and said to Thom, "I love her. She seems perfect. Please, God, I hope she's the one." Can you hear the desperation? If she doesn't show up with a hook for a hand and a bag of dead puppies, it should be a lock.<br />
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Without any help this past month, I've been basically surviving the daily grind. No time for sewing, no time for blogging, and without a date night with Thom to remind me I'm more than a mommy machine, I'm kind of going crazy. I've had more than few days of feeling ready to be strapped down in a padded room, but the end is in sight. I thought I would enjoy my solo time with the kids a bit more, but this past month has brought some insane developmental changes in Lila and a whole new round of monstrous testing and tantrums from River. So what I thought might be leisurely days at the library or playing dress-up have turned into nearly non-stop screaming matches with a 3 year old broken only by the occasional trek through the house to picking up EVERY. SINGLE. ITEM. pulled from our drawers, cabinets, and shelves by Lila.<br />
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So if you've noticed an absence here in Summerland, now you know why. Hopefully, my sanity and I can make an appearance again soon.Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-80210060731422356192011-01-02T21:25:00.004-05:002011-01-03T09:12:38.231-05:00Christmas wrap-upWe had a wonderful Christmas holiday in Las Vegas with the extended family. Here are some highlights.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu1ogAnYI/AAAAAAAACO0/IzuEpCDkkL0/s1600/IMG_0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu1ogAnYI/AAAAAAAACO0/IzuEpCDkkL0/s400/IMG_0840.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> River wore his new super hero cape pretty much everywhere, including this trip we made to the Natural History Museum. Here, he and dad are hot on the trail of a T-rex in the NHM parking lot.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu5nYi75I/AAAAAAAACO4/KJJ0e7QiTrU/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu5nYi75I/AAAAAAAACO4/KJJ0e7QiTrU/s400/IMG_0856.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The kids had a blast in the aquarium section of the museum. Lila, Nanu, River, and Thom especially loved the shark tank.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu7sr1FQI/AAAAAAAACO8/or6vkgAKMAU/s1600/1000000967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu7sr1FQI/AAAAAAAACO8/or6vkgAKMAU/s400/1000000967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We all got to meet little Kian Doyle for the first time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu-AiEE8I/AAAAAAAACPA/QmMCW-2Bj08/s1600/1000000989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEu-AiEE8I/AAAAAAAACPA/QmMCW-2Bj08/s400/1000000989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dadu set up this awesome cardboard playhouse and of course the big kids had to get in on the decorating. I was so happy to see Jenn and Alex during their short trip to town.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvABHPliI/AAAAAAAACPE/etwl0e9BhRo/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvABHPliI/AAAAAAAACPE/etwl0e9BhRo/s400/IMG_0930.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Syd and River enjoying some brief outside time between days of rain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvByHoEyI/AAAAAAAACPI/ULOyfH5ZRTM/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvByHoEyI/AAAAAAAACPI/ULOyfH5ZRTM/s400/IMG_0935.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila got ready for her big birthday bash with a million balloons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvDuSLTWI/AAAAAAAACPM/1x38LVeLGho/s1600/1000001045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvDuSLTWI/AAAAAAAACPM/1x38LVeLGho/s400/1000001045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Christmas morning at my folk's place. Mommy and Lila opened her stocking together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvGgdh1vI/AAAAAAAACPQ/8VF9sMDylW4/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvGgdh1vI/AAAAAAAACPQ/8VF9sMDylW4/s400/IMG_1005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Nanu and Dadu looked through their photo album from us.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvJFOflnI/AAAAAAAACPU/77MBseplxME/s1600/1000001059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvJFOflnI/AAAAAAAACPU/77MBseplxME/s400/1000001059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Finn spent some quality time with his new brother, Kian (on the right I think), and cousin Quentin. The little ones share the same birthday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvLtq4UWI/AAAAAAAACPY/yLEB5fGIPeo/s1600/1000001064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvLtq4UWI/AAAAAAAACPY/yLEB5fGIPeo/s400/1000001064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Christmas morning was so exciting!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvOcmQ_wI/AAAAAAAACPc/LjI73x6dvEc/s1600/1000001070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvOcmQ_wI/AAAAAAAACPc/LjI73x6dvEc/s400/1000001070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dinosaurs were the theme at Oma and Opa's house. River got two buckets full of them, two huge figurines, and a dino shirt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvRROpSGI/AAAAAAAACPg/8nvftYrohzM/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvRROpSGI/AAAAAAAACPg/8nvftYrohzM/s400/IMG_1029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The remote control buggy was a favorite present.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvVXPJ5vI/AAAAAAAACPk/2pv6MTPuw4o/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvVXPJ5vI/AAAAAAAACPk/2pv6MTPuw4o/s400/IMG_1035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Doyle men (and Kian).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvYFG9wqI/AAAAAAAACPo/AlIjwyC4xIQ/s1600/1000001095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvYFG9wqI/AAAAAAAACPo/AlIjwyC4xIQ/s400/1000001095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mommy and River relaxing with a morning snuggle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvZs47wEI/AAAAAAAACPs/y7lW1Q8TcXE/s1600/1000001130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvZs47wEI/AAAAAAAACPs/y7lW1Q8TcXE/s400/1000001130.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Little Jawa Lila playing outside at Oma's house.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvbjA6TEI/AAAAAAAACPw/PyN4Nc6UZCI/s1600/1000001096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TSEvbjA6TEI/AAAAAAAACPw/PyN4Nc6UZCI/s400/1000001096.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Footy pajamas! My Christmas darlings had a wonderful time in Vegas, and now we're all glad to be home (except for that pesky time adjustment).</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-26313229343653485512010-12-18T08:44:00.001-05:002010-12-18T08:46:10.951-05:00The Dress-Up Closet pt 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyWspoEkI/AAAAAAAACOI/hgNCy8sVl9M/s1600/IMG_0817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyWspoEkI/AAAAAAAACOI/hgNCy8sVl9M/s400/IMG_0817.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was inspired by an old armoire that's been taking up space in River's room since we moved in. I've always thought it would make a great dress-up closet, so I decide this year my big Christmas gift to the kids would be to outfit it for them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Starting in November, I scoured used clothing stores for costumes, accessories, and clothes I could easily convert into costumes. Since we're leaving for Vegas tonight (and I can't really carry a closet in my luggage), I had an early deadline. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyZv9DgxI/AAAAAAAACOM/m1AdCnbFnKY/s1600/IMG_0819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyZv9DgxI/AAAAAAAACOM/m1AdCnbFnKY/s400/IMG_0819.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My first find at an antique store was a fantastic vintage hat and a pair of gloves (the hat is wrapped in tulle and is just the kind of thing I would have loved as a girl). I took a child's skirt and added some straps to make a fancy dress.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyycwdltoI/AAAAAAAACOQ/mAicXyZQfSU/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyycwdltoI/AAAAAAAACOQ/mAicXyZQfSU/s400/IMG_0820.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The tutu's were a yard sale steal ($1 for both!) from last summer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyygfSGGSI/AAAAAAAACOU/uFp56Q6miWM/s1600/IMG_0821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyygfSGGSI/AAAAAAAACOU/uFp56Q6miWM/s400/IMG_0821.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Another fancy dress and a fairy cape I made from an adult skirt. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyykERdJEI/AAAAAAAACOY/sNKaTFkewoc/s1600/IMG_0822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyykERdJEI/AAAAAAAACOY/sNKaTFkewoc/s400/IMG_0822.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I found the knight costume at the Garment District and cobbled together two different pieces from the Salvation Army to make a martial arts outfit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyym4DbNdI/AAAAAAAACOc/REufvTD3o74/s1600/IMG_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyym4DbNdI/AAAAAAAACOc/REufvTD3o74/s400/IMG_0823.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Blue from Blues Clues also came from the Salvation Army, and the turtle was River's Halloween costume from 3 years ago complete with homemade shell.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyqWpOkEI/AAAAAAAACOg/EZXaqqAwSZc/s1600/IMG_0824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyqWpOkEI/AAAAAAAACOg/EZXaqqAwSZc/s400/IMG_0824.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Two capes made from adult skirts.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyuMXiXUI/AAAAAAAACOk/r0i8nv65FLM/s1600/IMG_0825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyuMXiXUI/AAAAAAAACOk/r0i8nv65FLM/s400/IMG_0825.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Magician/Evil Villain and Super Hero.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyx6wgibI/AAAAAAAACOo/-wuLJOLD67I/s1600/IMG_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQyyx6wgibI/AAAAAAAACOo/-wuLJOLD67I/s400/IMG_0827.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And a last minute Fairy costume from the Garment District, which needed a little work around the seams.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And that's it! In all I think it cost maybe $30 and I'm sure it's a present that will get use for years to come. I know River will probably lean toward the hero costumes and Lila (once she's older) toward the girly ones. But I love that there are options and if River wanted to be a fairy and Lila a knight I would be delighted! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We gave the kids their big presents last night, so I'll have some reaction shots to show you.</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-60574395115509197792010-12-12T21:50:00.000-05:002010-12-12T21:50:58.805-05:0020 pictures and this is the best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQWJuTafx7I/AAAAAAAACN0/5LlBh2HTyAo/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQWJuTafx7I/AAAAAAAACN0/5LlBh2HTyAo/s400/IMG_0756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">River's response to the holiday family photo</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-5542022582369301182010-12-12T12:17:00.001-05:002010-12-12T12:18:23.056-05:00doing stuff<div style="text-align: center;"> Lots of adventures this week!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUCCNUwdQI/AAAAAAAACNo/aUX7W_8iGCs/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUCCNUwdQI/AAAAAAAACNo/aUX7W_8iGCs/s400/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> River and I baked Christmas cookies - we even managed to decorate most of them before devouring the batch!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUCFRoiKrI/AAAAAAAACNs/Ajizh25GlzY/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUCFRoiKrI/AAAAAAAACNs/Ajizh25GlzY/s400/IMG_0715.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila got into the cabinet and opened a box of Bisquick all over the floor. Her brother helped to clean up (by which I mean he posed for the picture with a broom). Good work kids!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUB_-vwfVI/AAAAAAAACNk/B2SaLARESvA/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUB_-vwfVI/AAAAAAAACNk/B2SaLARESvA/s400/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We met up with some friends at the Science Museum and River had a blast in the K'Nex exhibit.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUCHuZszWI/AAAAAAAACNw/namiKoCethY/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TQUCHuZszWI/AAAAAAAACNw/namiKoCethY/s400/IMG_0736.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Lila enjoyed her time in the fishbowl at the Discovery Center.</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-61482279884636914572010-12-07T11:14:00.000-05:002010-12-07T11:14:54.348-05:00Hey Lila...<div style="text-align: center;">Let's go to the library.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5ac6ow8ZI/AAAAAAAACNI/DcAkjrMej70/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5ac6ow8ZI/AAAAAAAACNI/DcAkjrMej70/s400/IMG_0698.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> I love the library!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me too. Why don't you pick out a book?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5asUJQ2BI/AAAAAAAACNM/oMqLYJvMyxU/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5asUJQ2BI/AAAAAAAACNM/oMqLYJvMyxU/s400/IMG_0693.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Hmmmm.... what to pick...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5a7iTa2BI/AAAAAAAACNQ/rcKGneHBk_s/s1600/IMG_0695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5a7iTa2BI/AAAAAAAACNQ/rcKGneHBk_s/s400/IMG_0695.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Got one! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Good. Let's find a comfy spot to read.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bHTxO5kI/AAAAAAAACNU/uCfTu27VA1I/s1600/IMG_0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bHTxO5kI/AAAAAAAACNU/uCfTu27VA1I/s400/IMG_0710.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Okay. What now?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, open it up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bVWGWhwI/AAAAAAAACNY/mOaImB2uG0g/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bVWGWhwI/AAAAAAAACNY/mOaImB2uG0g/s400/IMG_0705.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Hrmph. This is hard.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll get it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bhENmulI/AAAAAAAACNc/wh1wtC6_S9g/s1600/IMG_0706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bhENmulI/AAAAAAAACNc/wh1wtC6_S9g/s400/IMG_0706.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Got it! Now what?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">We read it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bs9og8BI/AAAAAAAACNg/Eq3l9O44AvA/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TP5bs9og8BI/AAAAAAAACNg/Eq3l9O44AvA/s400/IMG_0708.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Like this?!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes. Yes, that's perfect.<i> </i></div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-75193324961332091412010-12-07T09:24:00.000-05:002010-12-07T09:24:18.152-05:00Lila on the moveThese kids sure are in sync. River took his <a href="http://summerdoyle.blogspot.com/2008/03/were-in-trouble-now.html">first steps</a> just a few weeks before his first birthday and Lila-girl has done the same thing! I take full credit for the poor cinematography here - but the star of the show is top notch!<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XPa6I2DPT1o?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XPa6I2DPT1o?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Double click on the video to see the whole screen.Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-85333429048190865662010-11-26T16:15:00.000-05:002010-11-26T16:15:07.429-05:00... and oh yeah!How could I forget one of the most memorable parts of our Thanksgiving, our annual trip to the fire station!? This was the third year we've gone on an after-dinner walk to the firehouse to bring dessert to the guys (and gals!) and say thanks. The firefighters are always so nice, showing us around and letting River climb on the trucks. They seem to appreciate the visit as much as we enjoy making it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TPAgh19I1fI/AAAAAAAACNA/vSgHfQtiG6Q/s1600/Driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TPAgh19I1fI/AAAAAAAACNA/vSgHfQtiG6Q/s400/Driver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As we arrived last night two of the trucks had just gone out on an alarm, but there were a couple guys still on duty. They seemed excited by River's enthusiasm, and he had a great time asking questions and checking out the equipment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TPAgndOH0cI/AAAAAAAACNE/PWyYsx3nlLM/s1600/Big+Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TPAgndOH0cI/AAAAAAAACNE/PWyYsx3nlLM/s400/Big+Hat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I'm so thankful for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us - firefighters, police officers, our military - no matter what the day. I know they must miss being with their families, but their work is appreciated. THANK YOU!Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-83944601677738424932010-11-26T10:28:00.003-05:002010-11-26T10:32:00.298-05:00Scenes from ThanksgivingWe celebrated Thanksgiving at home this year; just our little group, including Megan. We had a lovely, mostly mellow day. Some of us are still recovering from colds and River has completely given up sleeping in his own bed - preferring instead to kick dad in the head and suffocate mom all night. Lots of sleepless nights plus no outdoor time made River a wee bit manic, but we managed to corral him, play with Lila, and cook a 10-dish meal! And we made it to the table only an hour and a half past our estimated dinner time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OFLf1qtI/AAAAAAAACMY/hGMuGxzo9X0/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OFLf1qtI/AAAAAAAACMY/hGMuGxzo9X0/s400/IMG_0630.JPG" width="400" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">River and I made these pumpkin centerpieces yesterday. He did a great job arranging flowers and loved the cat tails. I love that he's big enough to do these arts and crafts projects with me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OBhKrpfI/AAAAAAAACMU/hSVr-rTjWm8/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OBhKrpfI/AAAAAAAACMU/hSVr-rTjWm8/s400/IMG_0627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After wrestling him out of his pajamas (around 3pm) he sullenly agreed to help set the table (by which, I mean he threw the place mats on the floor and let Megan and me set it). Did I mention the kid hasn't slept in a week?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OIcj7BdI/AAAAAAAACMc/ntt9uj7K_wk/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OIcj7BdI/AAAAAAAACMc/ntt9uj7K_wk/s400/IMG_0629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Megan looking lovely with my little fox.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OLbI5mzI/AAAAAAAACMg/HdccgM7aUus/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OLbI5mzI/AAAAAAAACMg/HdccgM7aUus/s400/IMG_0632.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Now here's someone who enjoyed the whole day. My sweetie Lila.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OOoXnUHI/AAAAAAAACMk/KwO1PvebB6Q/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OOoXnUHI/AAAAAAAACMk/KwO1PvebB6Q/s400/IMG_0637.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Yup. The best group shot we could manage. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OSrSZorI/AAAAAAAACMo/GcwwPt9eNFg/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OSrSZorI/AAAAAAAACMo/GcwwPt9eNFg/s400/IMG_0646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lila needed a little cranberry fix before dinner. After watching <a href="http://www.amctv.com/originals/The-Walking-Dead/">The Walking Dead</a>, all I can think is <i>BRAINS</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OVGCrR-I/AAAAAAAACMs/PLQJ5-cvxcQ/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OVGCrR-I/AAAAAAAACMs/PLQJ5-cvxcQ/s400/IMG_0647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My handsome chef.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OXKU_6uI/AAAAAAAACMw/tOIf9hgHQQw/s1600/IMG_0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OXKU_6uI/AAAAAAAACMw/tOIf9hgHQQw/s400/IMG_0651.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ornery booger.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OagcnmLI/AAAAAAAACM0/JgUWyGb_9FA/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OagcnmLI/AAAAAAAACM0/JgUWyGb_9FA/s400/IMG_0653.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Aaahhh! Get the giant forks away from him!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_Of2eUlMI/AAAAAAAACM4/giuJXcY7pXM/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_Of2eUlMI/AAAAAAAACM4/giuJXcY7pXM/s400/IMG_0660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our massive feast... for three adults, one preschooler, and a baby. Even after taking part in so much of the cooking, River stuck with rolls for the night. Thank goodness we love leftovers!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OiyqauYI/AAAAAAAACM8/Y2KV2r5nb5M/s1600/IMG_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TO_OiyqauYI/AAAAAAAACM8/Y2KV2r5nb5M/s400/IMG_0638.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thanksgiving from the Doyles! Hope your holiday was as fun and memorable as ours!</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13361123.post-85369953871479428972010-11-09T20:23:00.002-05:002010-11-09T21:07:15.179-05:00River's GalleryWith two years of art classes under his belt and now daily access to art at preschool, River has made countless paintings, sculptures, and collages. I can't bear to throw any of his creations out just yet, but we are amassing quite a pile and more comes home everyday. I display what I can and store the rest, but I was inspired to take it a bit further during a conversation with the little artiste last night.<br />
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He was telling a story in which one of his sculptures was displayed in a museum and everyone came to look at it. I told him we could do that at home: pull key pieces of his work out and display it like a gallery. We could even have an opening with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. With the mention of snacks he was sold and with the thought of cocktails I was.<br />
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Together, River and I worked on choosing the artwork and hanging it (at least until he got bored). Then the whole family assembled to mingle and enjoy his hard work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwRdKF2ZI/AAAAAAAACLg/oIZx-aMClhM/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwRdKF2ZI/AAAAAAAACLg/oIZx-aMClhM/s400/IMG_0476.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Thom and River prepare our snack table.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwUHXB45I/AAAAAAAACLk/vCmBFsePDmE/s1600/IMG_0479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwUHXB45I/AAAAAAAACLk/vCmBFsePDmE/s400/IMG_0479.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Helping to pour sparkling cider. One wall of paintings in the background.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwXIjKRkI/AAAAAAAACLo/xq_a0QW06lM/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwXIjKRkI/AAAAAAAACLo/xq_a0QW06lM/s400/IMG_0483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The sculpture table. The clay piece is entitled "a-bug-a-bug"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwaHfjslI/AAAAAAAACLs/G-iFWvYGQTo/s1600/IMG_0485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwaHfjslI/AAAAAAAACLs/G-iFWvYGQTo/s400/IMG_0485.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "Good guy ship with rain protection"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwf9C9xQI/AAAAAAAACLw/CB217AzW_cs/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwf9C9xQI/AAAAAAAACLw/CB217AzW_cs/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "My Family" from this September and two untitled finger paintings from 2009 (his early work)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwj132XyI/AAAAAAAACL0/O4q7VeQ7gtc/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwj132XyI/AAAAAAAACL0/O4q7VeQ7gtc/s400/IMG_0488.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> River's favorite, "Untitled" in sand</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwolhCYmI/AAAAAAAACL4/5m9zV0MSJxM/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwolhCYmI/AAAAAAAACL4/5m9zV0MSJxM/s400/IMG_0490.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our sitter, Megan, joined the festivities. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwtecFCQI/AAAAAAAACL8/CinhO-Mbves/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVMKzywNZF4/TNnwtecFCQI/AAAAAAAACL8/CinhO-Mbves/s400/IMG_0494.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lila was very "into" the art; her brother was patient with her hands-on approach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall it was a great success. We had a wonderful time looking at some of River's past and current creations. He really enjoyed talking about his work and I loved celebrating it in a memorable way.<br />
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If I had planned this more in advance, I would have taken the time to make cards with the name of each piece (if titled), the medium, and the artist's thoughts. As it is, I think this will be just the first of many gallery openings our home will see.</div>Summer Ryan Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12644322684613175023noreply@blogger.com4