tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45768356080859964882023-11-16T10:23:28.549-05:00Mallard Cove Mommymaking memories...one project at a timeMallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-11705562919720470262015-07-31T08:46:00.001-04:002015-07-31T08:46:10.415-04:00Our Baby is THREE!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzRryC5Thm-bHIyu4X83iqvp38z4giNkstgdrfs7lwgmwhO0_YjMyyRqWltTzcKdhnOLMdUp9RwCThaFBWvscCbR6TZn6cajER2dLcVc_w_LrJaAS82iwhR93zcjCChwkpfysnxpofAAn/s1600/Wren+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzRryC5Thm-bHIyu4X83iqvp38z4giNkstgdrfs7lwgmwhO0_YjMyyRqWltTzcKdhnOLMdUp9RwCThaFBWvscCbR6TZn6cajER2dLcVc_w_LrJaAS82iwhR93zcjCChwkpfysnxpofAAn/s400/Wren+03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>In Wren's own words:</b></div>
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My favorite color is...yellow</div>
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On TV, I like to watch...commercial</div>
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My favorite book is...The Bunny Book</div>
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My favorite movie is...Veggie Tales Christmas</div>
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I like to eat...blueberries</div>
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I feel happy when...I play</div>
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I feel sad when...when I fall off</div>
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I like to...shake (dance)</div>
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I don't like to...walk up down stairs</div>
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I think Daddy is...silly</div>
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I think Mommy is...weird</div>
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I think Elena is...funny<br />
I think Kate is...happy</div>
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I think Sanford (our dog) is...white</div>
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I think Gracie (our cat) is...fluffy</div>
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I like to play with...the turtle game</div>
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My favorite toy is...Buzz Lightyear</div>
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I am really good at...spitting</div>
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I get excited...when play with daddy</div>
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I like to go to...Great Wolf Lodge</div>
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My best friend is...Gabbie</div>
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I love...Mommy</div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-52493243754825021892015-04-11T07:01:00.001-04:002015-04-11T07:01:22.793-04:00Five years!Our sweet, spunky, God-lovin' Katie-Bug turns FIVE today!<br />
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<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2010/10/kates-birth-story.html">Five years ago</a> today, our second little angel came into our lives. This little one is our "live wire." She is a ball full of energy, has her own look and her own way. Quiet possibly the best way to describe our Kate is sincere: whether she is happy, sad, angry, excited, she can not hide her emotions and feels them to the max!<br />
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<b>In Kate's own words:</b></div>
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My favorite color is...pink</div>
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On TV, I like to watch...Wild Kratts</div>
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My favorite book is...My Princess Book</div>
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My favorite movie is...the movie theater Cinderella (Disney's new live-action movie)</div>
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I like to eat...tootsie rolls</div>
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I feel happy when...Elena kisses me</div>
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I feel sad when...I fall off my bike on the road</div>
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I like to...go to the movies</div>
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I don't like to...eat chocolate cheesecake (really?!?!)</div>
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I think Daddy is...a fun daddy</div>
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I think Mommy is...a sweetheart</div>
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I think Elena is...the sweetest sister I ever had<br />
I think Wren is...the funniest baby, I mean toddler</div>
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I think Sanford (our dog) is...the funnest doggie I ever had</div>
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I think Gracie (our cat) is...a laying cat</div>
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I like to play with...Elena</div>
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My favorite toy is...my playhouse</div>
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I am really good at...giving Katie-bug hugs</div>
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I get excited...when we go to the movie theater</div>
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I like to go to...Great Wolf Lodge</div>
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My best friend is...Elena</div>
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I love...Elena</div>
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I am forever amazed that the Lord would allow me to be a mom to this little one! What a joy it is to have her in our lives. My prayer for you, sweet Kate is the same today as it always is:<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What an awesome privilege God has given me to be your Mommy.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you forever grow in His Grace.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will grow to Love Him more each day</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will grow to show His love to others</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will have all the joys your heart desires</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that I will always be able to guide you along the right path</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will always know how very much you are loved</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that no one ever quenches your zeal for life</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that your enthusiasm is always used for God's glory</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray for His wisdom in raising you to be all that God designed you to be.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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You are your Mommy's joy, precious Kate!</div>
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I love you with all of my heart. Happy Birthday to my sweet girl.</div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-13417969468652454972015-03-11T06:46:00.000-04:002015-03-11T06:46:50.812-04:00Married WITH children<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This seventh birthday of our firstborn marks a milestone for our family: my husband and I have officially been married with children longer than we were married without and I am so very thankful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2010/09/elenas-birth-story.html">Seven Years ago</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Slab; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> today, this little girl made my life-long dream of becoming a Mommy a reality for the first time. I'm so thankful the Lord allowed us the </span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 17.7777786254883px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;">privilege</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Slab; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> of being her Mommy and Daddy.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoPuxuem4r9YD9qj2EnH2R1fqd8b8mNykdW_-vfuPH9Migc3S34g08RJuGrcp2I8JRRlZvuLjN8IBleyrWPANQF9mkemkfw957uZeIvGv_PDG6eoEA-y-h3zGiENOlJqul8fJOQybxZfZ/s1600/Elena+seven+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoPuxuem4r9YD9qj2EnH2R1fqd8b8mNykdW_-vfuPH9Migc3S34g08RJuGrcp2I8JRRlZvuLjN8IBleyrWPANQF9mkemkfw957uZeIvGv_PDG6eoEA-y-h3zGiENOlJqul8fJOQybxZfZ/s1600/Elena+seven+page.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Birthday to our oldest, Elena Nicole! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seventh Birthday interview:</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite color is...pink</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">On TV, I like to watch...Odd Squad</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite book is...Junie B. Goes to Hawaii</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite movie is...Mr. Peabody and Sherman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to eat...tacos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel happy when...my sister hugs me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel sad when...somebody takes my toy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to...look for bugs and insects</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't like to...get hurt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Daddy is...special</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Mommy is...sweet</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Kate is...loving</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Wren is...silly</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Sanford (our dog) is...rascally</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Gracie (our cat) is...scared</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to play with...Kate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite toy is...my kitty cat</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am really good at...skating (?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I get excited...when I see something I like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to go to...The Clock</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My best friend is...Madison & Alina</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I love...my family</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2011/03/three-years.html">third</a> birthday interview</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2012/03/four-years-ago.html">fourth</a> birthday interview</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2013/03/five-years-ago.html">fifth</a> birthday interview</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2014/03/six-years-ago.html">sixth</a> birthday interview</span></div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-70181913584808709262014-04-11T10:54:00.000-04:002014-04-11T10:54:05.964-04:00Kate is FOUR!!!Our sweet, spunky, God-lovin' Katie-Bug turns FOUR today!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY2ZaJlue_b-CyuOd_mJm1-xHrljkgKzfWEpAG-x1Qhj7ANpUfP7Sk_xsMhhX8qHsFELunPtPb3r8m_SKgNXP_-HYeDztQIV8U2YqwlYkMr0BZNB71IoVK_pMJMdChnnBXxEZPOafvpGO/s1600/Kate+04+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY2ZaJlue_b-CyuOd_mJm1-xHrljkgKzfWEpAG-x1Qhj7ANpUfP7Sk_xsMhhX8qHsFELunPtPb3r8m_SKgNXP_-HYeDztQIV8U2YqwlYkMr0BZNB71IoVK_pMJMdChnnBXxEZPOafvpGO/s1600/Kate+04+Page.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2010/10/kates-birth-story.html">Four years ago</a> today, our second little angel came into our lives. This little one is our "live wire." She is a ball full of energy, has her own look and her own way. Quiet possibly the best way to describe our Kate is sincere: whether she is happy, sad, angry, excited, she can not hide her emotions and feels them to the max!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>In Kate's own words:</b></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite color is...pink</div>
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On TV, I like to watch...Monkey George</div>
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My favorite book is...Stuffie Book</div>
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My favorite movie is...Peter Pan</div>
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I like to eat...healthy food</div>
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I feel happy when...Daddy comes home</div>
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I feel sad when...Daddy is away</div>
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I like to...play with Daddy & Elena outside</div>
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I don't like to...tear up my shirts</div>
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I think Daddy is...handsome</div>
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I think Mommy is...beautiful</div>
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I think Elena is...beautiful<br />
I think Wren is...beautiful</div>
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I think Georgia (our dog) is...big</div>
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I think Gracie (our cat) is...little</div>
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I like to play with...Elena</div>
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My favorite toy is...the doll house</div>
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I am really good at...playing soccer</div>
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I get excited...when Daddy comes home</div>
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I like to go to...Great Wolf Lodge</div>
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My best friend is...Elena</div>
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I love...Elena</div>
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</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
I am forever amazed that the Lord would allow me to be a mom to this little one! What a joy it is to have her in our lives. My prayer for you, sweet Kate is the same today as it always is:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What an awesome privilege God has given me to be your Mommy.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you forever grow in His Grace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will grow to Love Him more each day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will grow to show His love to others</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will have all the joys your heart desires</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that I will always be able to guide you along the right path</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will always know how very much you are loved</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that no one ever quenches your zeal for life</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that your enthusiasm is always used for God's glory</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray for His wisdom in raising you to be all that God designed you to be.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
You are your Mommy's joy, precious Kate!</div>
<div>
I love you with all of my heart. Happy Birthday to my sweet girl.</div>
</div>
</div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-57046820508192363432014-03-11T09:21:00.000-04:002014-03-11T09:21:11.361-04:00Six years ago...<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2010/09/elenas-birth-story.html" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Josefin Slab'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">Six years ago</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Slab; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> today, this little girl made my life-long dream of becoming a Mommy a reality for the first time. I'm so thankful the Lord allowed us the </span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 17.77777862548828px; line-height: 23.999998092651367px;">privilege</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Slab; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> of being her Mommy and Daddy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Josefin Slab'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Birthday to our oldest, Elena Nicole! </span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Josefin Slab'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYOyo9jPwfx6Gp51X8p3Pgi9y_l_1sZQeGMSV4lmofKUUFZKhYsOjgKUGLWzM00bORYb9V9RkxSaTJePrEGkqjOX4dUsFgR3K3CpmFjO07iG43DVOY3HN97e_0aFJijxTRnxdSfypLC05/s1600/Elena+06+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYOyo9jPwfx6Gp51X8p3Pgi9y_l_1sZQeGMSV4lmofKUUFZKhYsOjgKUGLWzM00bORYb9V9RkxSaTJePrEGkqjOX4dUsFgR3K3CpmFjO07iG43DVOY3HN97e_0aFJijxTRnxdSfypLC05/s1600/Elena+06+Page.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Josefin Slab'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sixth Birthday interview:</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite color is...pink</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">On TV, I like to watch...Monkey
George</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite book is...princess
books</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite movie is...Frozen</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to eat...apples
and cherries</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel happy when...I can
come home from school</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel sad when...someone
gets hurt</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to...make up
stories</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't like to...be
outside in long sleeves when it's hot</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Daddy is...the
best person in the world</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Mommy is...my
hero</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Kate is...special
to me</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Wren is...a cutie</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Georgia (our dog)
is...always hungry</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Gracie (our cat)
is...scared of us</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to play with...my
doll house</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My favorite toy is...my
iPad</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am really good at...painting</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I get excited...when
Daddy comes home</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like to go to...The
Mall</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My best friend is...Chandler
and Caleb</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I love...my family</span><span style="font-family: 'Josefin Slab', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Josefin Slab'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2011/03/three-years.html">third</a> birthday interview</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2012/03/four-years-ago.html">fourth</a> birthday interview</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2013/03/five-years-ago.html">fifth</a> birthday interview</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-43073566544927422922013-10-10T12:18:00.000-04:002014-03-11T10:26:48.029-04:00Our Littlest Love, Carrington WrenLooking over my blog, I just realized (now that she's almost 15 months old) I have NEVER posted about our darling baby girl, Carrington Wren! I'm not sure if I've ever even mention her here (though my FB page is flooded with updates about how she blesses our family each day). In a few short words and pictures, here's a wrap up of her first year. This one's for you, our little Wren!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The nursery:</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9v76WVlYsnke4GoIsVx7lWHDF7weJ8nh2xpwSlOsUB8ZSo55Iwp3OBDZCUUVVkPZgeMFvbFC3F_C5gZX3JrI_GHMEcq81WYAdhQcldOsO1cJ6i6CAY5ctacuFdRZdXdzUJ1fx299Q6_J/s1600/book+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9v76WVlYsnke4GoIsVx7lWHDF7weJ8nh2xpwSlOsUB8ZSo55Iwp3OBDZCUUVVkPZgeMFvbFC3F_C5gZX3JrI_GHMEcq81WYAdhQcldOsO1cJ6i6CAY5ctacuFdRZdXdzUJ1fx299Q6_J/s400/book+case.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookcase/reading nook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz8GZq5L1mCFORQIC88NHVMaBrjLxFdKxX8KgGRfSlfuFDMGZ4uAmyuJ76d7FB11DzAsqAweIRMp2WrRzgMcxYEQJCQTncoaH3qXkp65jNZURy-jaDkLi-0i2SwXBqJSNmzhQfH-Zsf_j/s1600/changing+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz8GZq5L1mCFORQIC88NHVMaBrjLxFdKxX8KgGRfSlfuFDMGZ4uAmyuJ76d7FB11DzAsqAweIRMp2WrRzgMcxYEQJCQTncoaH3qXkp65jNZURy-jaDkLi-0i2SwXBqJSNmzhQfH-Zsf_j/s400/changing+table.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Changing table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IyWLY1stqREUBrs9kr2srGO-DWShooncRrepd1Ogb_7N2xbl4UeMmUlarxMcY4BofqSH4RxNoruPA2qWDdtS2HVIe9fiZXhfFcYi47fQP5QZE-o2i8hWfgf5lA7kY8pUy6Eeig-fdQam/s1600/couch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IyWLY1stqREUBrs9kr2srGO-DWShooncRrepd1Ogb_7N2xbl4UeMmUlarxMcY4BofqSH4RxNoruPA2qWDdtS2HVIe9fiZXhfFcYi47fQP5QZE-o2i8hWfgf5lA7kY8pUy6Eeig-fdQam/s400/couch.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">couch/lounging area for Mommy's late nights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzSpmgnYb4Z4FeTBCxnwjYwQ2A6mpPDr5GTR00ud_6iTXGlvOVLQIrhwgybTfR-S0T8n4GUZAslbGZlhramxspTV_3RHTzX5r05PXLKk8GWma-mpb6s2-84V40o6u23b3qMaxZFJwxJcC/s1600/crib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzSpmgnYb4Z4FeTBCxnwjYwQ2A6mpPDr5GTR00ud_6iTXGlvOVLQIrhwgybTfR-S0T8n4GUZAslbGZlhramxspTV_3RHTzX5r05PXLKk8GWma-mpb6s2-84V40o6u23b3qMaxZFJwxJcC/s400/crib.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crib details</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Mommy the day before our littlest love was born:</b></div>
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<b>Our third precious gift from God arrived in our lives </b></div>
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<b>on July 31st, 2012 at 1:13 pm weighing in at 7 pounds 10 ounces:</b></div>
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<b>Her Announcement video:</b></div>
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<b>A little run down on how her first year went:</b></div>
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<b>First Birthday Celebration:</b></div>
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We love you, baby girl, and thank God for blessing our family with your sweet little life!Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-92005779333401870192013-08-19T13:25:00.000-04:002013-08-20T12:19:57.813-04:00We have a Kindergartner!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Having been in education for seven years before the girls came along, I have seen many first days come and go. I watched as the Kindergarten parents walked their little dears down to the classrooms: tissues in hand with red noses and bleeding mascara. Most of the time I thought to myself that will NEVER be me! Even up until last week, I still felt that way...then it happened. My husband offered to go with us to take Elena on the first day. I lost it...I mean, ugly cry lost it...then never really got it back. I have been an emotional wreck since then, crying "happy tears" as we call them around here, each time I thought of letting her go.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'm a planner...not because I feel like it always has to be just so, but more so I can be mentally prepared for what may happen. God is teaching me some things about that and today was one of those days where He showed me just how much I need to work on letting go and trusting Him instead.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I began my day in Romans 12:9-16. This is my prayer for Elena and her class this year. Then I poured out my heart to God (pretty sure I stained that page in Romans with some spilled coffee and tears as I prayed). I confessed my lack of faith and pleaded with Him to lift me up today. Before I was ready, it was time to wake the girls and get the morning under way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Per Elena's request, we had home-made blueberry pancakes for breakfast. I started working on them then went into the girls' room to wake them. She bounced out of bed, made her bed without complaining and got herself dressed (I'm not snowed into thinking this is how it will be every day, but I'm glad today was that way). She insisted I put her hair up and she wear a bib so she didn't get syrup in her hair or on her new "music" shirt. (Then she asked that I not comb her hair because it looked BEAUTIFUL just the way it was). It was unintentional, but that's just what happened! I completely ran out of time to brush her hair and put it up again so she went with a funky pony-tail of un-combed hair this morning. She was happy as a lark, and I am learning that happiness is sometimes more important than having a perfect appearance.</span><br />
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I know that every good parent's goal is to have their child grow up to be a responsible adult who is able to think and do for themselves. That begins with allowing kids responsibilities and choices, sometimes earlier than we would like. Elena picked out her outfit, dressed herself, designed her book bag, and packed her own lunch for this morning...and I have NEVER seen this girl more proud! Tough for me to let go (and none of the choices I would have made myself), but totally worth it to see the satisfaction on her face.</div>
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I'm STILL not used to getting three kiddos ready and out the door to go ANYWHERE (much less trying to do it about an hour earlier than we ever have before, without Daddy in the house to urge everyone on). We got to school later than I would have liked, in the rain, without a rain coat. We arrived at her classroom door where I was hoping to snap a couple of pictures of her with her teacher, maybe get a shot of her with Patrick and me, and be able to have a minute of hugs and well wishes for the day.<br />
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Instead, there was a MASS of kids, teachers, and parents in the hallway, all trying to go different places and of course we couldn't get anywhere with a baby stroller and 3 year old in tow. Elena walked into the classroom on her own (after a few questioning glances to me about what she should do while I returned her looks with uncertainty myself), the teacher's assistant helped her put her things away and a clump of parents huddled together near the door snapping last minute photos as their little ones gathered on the carpet and the teacher waved to us.<br />
<br />
And that was it! In that flurry of activity, my little girl officially started her job as a student. It wasn't until I got to the car that I realized I never even said goodbye to her. I worried about whether I caused her to be nervous, if my insecurities affected her, if she knew how very much I loved her. Then I got home and loaded this picture onto my computer:</div>
<div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5UKSvTpPYppJWU7gr7B-mnjOyxz6iJdO34y5ZdAZ0m37XGbTAiszJUsRBvoYSESuyefk743uszo59SgpE2gYoO9kouvQ_6zoKuvV68mnSuN6NJrcNCJiKdNzrRBHJ90tezwXYiqN9vb-/s1600/in+class.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5UKSvTpPYppJWU7gr7B-mnjOyxz6iJdO34y5ZdAZ0m37XGbTAiszJUsRBvoYSESuyefk743uszo59SgpE2gYoO9kouvQ_6zoKuvV68mnSuN6NJrcNCJiKdNzrRBHJ90tezwXYiqN9vb-/s640/in+class.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And again the tears began to flow. But this time, it was because of what the Lord revealed to me through this image. In SO many ways, this picture tells the entire story. She wasn't looking at me. She didn't <i>need</i> to look at me. She was intent on her teacher. She had a smile on her face and was excited about what lay ahead for her, never once looking back.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Though our job is FAR from done as Mommy and Daddy, today has taught me that we've done pretty good this far. She is a happy, confident, responsible little girl who knows she is loved and knows she has a job to do. That was evident in the way she walked into the classroom this morning, and evident in her prayer last night, "God help me to show love to my friends and teachers in my class and help me to put others first." I think I am truly learning what it is to have your heart outside your body today. But as much as I love this girl, I know that God loves her more. She isn't mine, she is His, and He has just entrusted her to us for a short time.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Lord for this precious, crazy gift of parenthood and for teaching me so many things through my children. Thank you for being faithful and answering my prayer today. You were there with me the entire way. You reminded me of her sweet and simple prayer last night that so perfectly mirrored my own prayer for her this morning and even when the master deceiver tried to trick me into thinking I had it all wrong, you blessed me with this beautiful image of this strong 5-year old little girl that belongs to you.</div>
</div>
</div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-54277941788187854902013-05-29T16:18:00.000-04:002013-05-29T16:18:01.453-04:00Scissors and Stuff-VBS 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn6NrdQ9y5hTeSj-23oe_nJSAO_GtSHJhsGrZtfUSfJH4yLy3o1oEkLAL1pYHLz8ILgvPVfNbPCwuuR5Xxnqu7kraQqDtW7t6HWfwXRwRaYVzNiZsjJ-WHdZuWQGMTEk6TrTa0VgIiaK_/s1600/scissors-stuff.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn6NrdQ9y5hTeSj-23oe_nJSAO_GtSHJhsGrZtfUSfJH4yLy3o1oEkLAL1pYHLz8ILgvPVfNbPCwuuR5Xxnqu7kraQqDtW7t6HWfwXRwRaYVzNiZsjJ-WHdZuWQGMTEk6TrTa0VgIiaK_/s320/scissors-stuff.png" width="320" /></a></div>
In prepping preschool crafts for Colossal Coaster World VBS this year, I decided to take a few pictures and share what we are planning. I started with our packet of info from Lifeway and then moved on to Pinterest (you can view my board <a href="http://pinterest.com/heatherlowery/vbs-2013-scissors-and-stuff-emporium/">here</a>). Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see tutorials for anything in particular (though most of the activities are self-explanatory). Click on the links below for specifics for each day.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2013/05/scissors-and-stuff-day-1.html">Day 1- Dare to Change</a><br />
<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2013/05/scissors-and-stuffday-2.html">Day 2- Dare to Speak Up</a><br />
<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2013/05/scissors-and-stuff-day-3.html">Day 3 - Dare to Believe</a><br />
<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2013/05/scissors-and-stuff-day-4.html">Day 4 - Dare to Stand Strong</a><br />
<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2013/05/scissors-and-stuff-day-5.html">Day 5 - Dare to Trust</a><br />
<br />
I plan to post pics of the room decor in a couple of weeks once we are finished but I also wanted to share what the workers in our room will be wearing:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL8LdkbKM_sdRwhTverkOHcihgpr4-Mfpx028f2ACX9BbstTprBu5oi5Id-gN33_XMK7_vz5EC2sjqtbniEuEh4n8dUZ7_99AxPgn6nk37Lch2pIvtgV5EcvwBhy4hNa2q7Z19SMKsg4X/s1600/IMG_8952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL8LdkbKM_sdRwhTverkOHcihgpr4-Mfpx028f2ACX9BbstTprBu5oi5Id-gN33_XMK7_vz5EC2sjqtbniEuEh4n8dUZ7_99AxPgn6nk37Lch2pIvtgV5EcvwBhy4hNa2q7Z19SMKsg4X/s320/IMG_8952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-75302961639197363782013-05-29T16:07:00.000-04:002013-05-29T16:07:13.193-04:00Scissors and Stuff-Day 5<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>DAY 5</u></b><b><u>-Dare to Trust</u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Crafts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Ship in a Bottle<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySbQWGn6JKAQ4k68x5nf4zFvjxD0G7N1Q3q6-H4dGXpQKlxTtjrzkbOPB7kVU47LxLofgqL6t0BJR15cpNZoITY4mg4wfQpabHO08VSnq23OOCHIOC8roGgn2NiKPKxCD9Fu69zxA7WcT/s1600/IMG_8978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySbQWGn6JKAQ4k68x5nf4zFvjxD0G7N1Q3q6-H4dGXpQKlxTtjrzkbOPB7kVU47LxLofgqL6t0BJR15cpNZoITY4mg4wfQpabHO08VSnq23OOCHIOC8roGgn2NiKPKxCD9Fu69zxA7WcT/s320/IMG_8978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
(complete unfinished crafts)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible verse</b>:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me. I
will not be afraid.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
~Hebrews 13:6</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Life application</b>:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can believe God
has a plan for me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible Story:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Kids will hear how
Paul's boat was shipwrecked when a huge storm came. God took care of Paul and
the people, and they swam to an island.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Kids Need to Know:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can believe God
because His words are true.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God has a plan for
me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God will help me
know what to do.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Materials:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
water bottles</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
blue food coloring</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
baby oil</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
duct tape</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
ship beads</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
glitter (optional)</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
ribbon</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
verse tags</div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-62492489604113056802013-05-29T16:06:00.000-04:002013-05-29T16:06:05.666-04:00Scissors and Stuff-Day 4<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>DAY 4</u></b><b><u>-Dare to Stand Strong</u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Crafts:</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
"I am This Tall" Measurement chart<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFGuT4J-6f0Z0RZ3lo-gVhwPMfqnk-XPkvogGcM3lWxT6faMGb9YKBdqHsTpjY8XZZXJ43IfTEDVr3jHjDspMf-p_jaH3InCwBCEaGZIq0DqFULdHaRW7konN66b87jWqiXoBiaA6BWGU/s1600/IMG_8975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFGuT4J-6f0Z0RZ3lo-gVhwPMfqnk-XPkvogGcM3lWxT6faMGb9YKBdqHsTpjY8XZZXJ43IfTEDVr3jHjDspMf-p_jaH3InCwBCEaGZIq0DqFULdHaRW7konN66b87jWqiXoBiaA6BWGU/s320/IMG_8975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Tell Others Megaphone</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT-87CdswRXcLZcBPrP12ttM6VS6xkaHyZjPSpwLUF45zW1-gBpJrT2njuLCqQBT57yehlMuoH7HU8VV60yay98dzmIiX15dZA6o8T3n1BUhRAgOC8w_WUaptuu1GwnK7vn31u_6pKn4W/s1600/IMG_8974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT-87CdswRXcLZcBPrP12ttM6VS6xkaHyZjPSpwLUF45zW1-gBpJrT2njuLCqQBT57yehlMuoH7HU8VV60yay98dzmIiX15dZA6o8T3n1BUhRAgOC8w_WUaptuu1GwnK7vn31u_6pKn4W/s320/IMG_8974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible verse:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me. I
will not be afraid.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
~Hebrews 13:6</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Life application:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can tell what I
know about Jesus.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible Story:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Acts 21:37-23:11</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Children will hear
how Paul stood up for Jesus when he spoke to the people. Paul was not afraid to
tell others about Jesus.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Kids Need to Know:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me tell
what I know about Jesus.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God will help me
not be afraid.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Materials:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
8.5" x 11" cardstock megaphones w/verses</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Height sign print outs</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
straws</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
markers/crayons</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Prep:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut out megaphones</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
print out "I
am This Tall" sheets on red paper</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Cut out 66"
of calculator tape for each child</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut straws in half</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tape strip to straws ahead of time</span></div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-14109727359735708102013-05-29T16:03:00.000-04:002013-05-29T16:03:15.753-04:00Scissors and Stuff-Day 3<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>DAY 3</u></b><b><u>-Dare to believe</u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Crafts:</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Coaster Creations<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE7KBB8VddOKbNYxTAEmdD9-5mxbuIzt8_InRZFWOA8vjWS6VFwiU4nP3dTracVy4SZzb-mKsRa6ZWvl8qsw4oscPy6BM8dZ712lgynC7F_SrhFguHkh2TO8NxoYs899wXTIHD0wglsrH/s1600/IMG_8967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE7KBB8VddOKbNYxTAEmdD9-5mxbuIzt8_InRZFWOA8vjWS6VFwiU4nP3dTracVy4SZzb-mKsRa6ZWvl8qsw4oscPy6BM8dZ712lgynC7F_SrhFguHkh2TO8NxoYs899wXTIHD0wglsrH/s320/IMG_8967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Paul and Silas's Handcuffs<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGIvDR9XjLnTXTes1tbe47Ob5uYzLo5_6JjU-p-KuaPRo40StF3HPUQMmx5yJkCUCbAe8ruS7huLwv43HeijpnpqzTOSQJ1Ob60AoxEPLileXPpfBB86og-hfqThwjaR-W5iortMKlDRJ/s1600/IMG_8970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGIvDR9XjLnTXTes1tbe47Ob5uYzLo5_6JjU-p-KuaPRo40StF3HPUQMmx5yJkCUCbAe8ruS7huLwv43HeijpnpqzTOSQJ1Ob60AoxEPLileXPpfBB86og-hfqThwjaR-W5iortMKlDRJ/s320/IMG_8970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
"I Love You" hand<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlRMnOI6wzg2HE9Pzh5zTjLK0_Qa7mg4begQsi2A6j9mRQSWxPw27q9YqXwtcg3XLnqHpQsZ0gDm8rQJJwyn90_nhCGDxYSdifHqPPKVuST-O1_-LHXdxGK9uOTbLaQjwTaX-69q_zZOs/s1600/IMG_8969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlRMnOI6wzg2HE9Pzh5zTjLK0_Qa7mg4begQsi2A6j9mRQSWxPw27q9YqXwtcg3XLnqHpQsZ0gDm8rQJJwyn90_nhCGDxYSdifHqPPKVuST-O1_-LHXdxGK9uOTbLaQjwTaX-69q_zZOs/s320/IMG_8969.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible verse:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me. I
will not be afraid.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
~Hebrews 13:6</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Life application:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can show love to
others</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible Story:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Acts 16:22-34</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Children will hear
about an earthquake that happened while Paul and Silas were in prison. Paul and
Silas showed love and told thee jailer and his family about Jesus.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Kids Need to Know:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I don't have to be
afraid.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God will always
take care of me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can show love to
people who aren't my friends.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Materials:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
black construction
paper</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
colored strips of
paper</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
glue or glue sticks</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
toilet paper rolls</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
brown twine</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
hole punch</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Prep:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut out hand
prints from previous day</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut out stripes of
colored paper</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut out verse
stripes to glue on coaster paper</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut out verse
stripes to go on "I Love You" craft</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut toilet paper
rolls to make hand cuffs</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut stripes of
twine for cuffs</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
punch holes</div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-44515039973457200752013-05-29T16:00:00.001-04:002013-05-29T16:00:33.457-04:00Scissors and Stuff...Day 2<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>DAY 2-</u></b><b><u>Dare to Speak Up</u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Crafts:</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Friendship Salvation Bracelets<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGqtb6nWPlCMuvOXdq_EqgA6xjlRLR98ejSTisOGD70b_xOSkTwnbP-CAekWWRJ-i0Tp5yk8BYBKpzkn-J2pVgq8b5iipkBS-dCRZ4nuiCXD2PiU-rpBkso0yDUWFNlSohQaDiyi2PTSQ/s1600/IMG_8962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGqtb6nWPlCMuvOXdq_EqgA6xjlRLR98ejSTisOGD70b_xOSkTwnbP-CAekWWRJ-i0Tp5yk8BYBKpzkn-J2pVgq8b5iipkBS-dCRZ4nuiCXD2PiU-rpBkso0yDUWFNlSohQaDiyi2PTSQ/s320/IMG_8962.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
VBS Photo Frames<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk2zHBG3qf5209stN5RVMZRiOBZfPRg9e2w6s3s5Mso4mM-GYvVfGXZAFZn2MzwQ5EJhE4zR9kN8HEt86By8g6q3ckyZFqxf8Dl0uaSIfy4OqGtl-1MwXzQ2iYcQk_5T-9AhFDe-_kdSb/s1600/IMG_8963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk2zHBG3qf5209stN5RVMZRiOBZfPRg9e2w6s3s5Mso4mM-GYvVfGXZAFZn2MzwQ5EJhE4zR9kN8HEt86By8g6q3ckyZFqxf8Dl0uaSIfy4OqGtl-1MwXzQ2iYcQk_5T-9AhFDe-_kdSb/s320/IMG_8963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
trace hands on Construction Paper for next day craft prep</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible verse:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me. I
will not be afraid.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
~Hebrews 13:6</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Life application:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can know that
God gives me friends who help me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible Story:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Acts 9:20-31</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Children will hear
how Paul's friends helped him escape in a basket. Later, Barnabas spoke up for
Paul by telling the disciples about the change in Paul's life.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Kids Need to Know:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God takes care of
me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God gives me
friends who help me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me tell
others about His Son, Jesus.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Materials:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
photos of each child</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
ticket frames</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
thick card stock
for back of picture</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
glue sticks</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
magnet tape</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
yellow, green,
blue, white, red, black, clear beads</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
twine for
bracelets (2-12" pieces per child)</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
ziplock baggies</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
verse sheets to go
in bracelet bags</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Prep:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
print and cut
out ticket frames</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut stripes of magnet
tape</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut photo backs</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
print out photos</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
verses for
friendship bracelets</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
cut bracelet twine</div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-2621342835044254022013-05-29T14:11:00.000-04:002013-06-02T21:23:25.767-04:00Scissors and Stuff-Day 1<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Day 1: Dare to Change</u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Crafts/activities:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Blinded" Artist Crayon Resist<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4GdrXBO6EFfA3V6COWflJJ6ptJArOKwn2eju3aJ9TfF90isTQ6o7O6IdbUpYvEFU0tj2MfzwWf4v57AWOkLz519Y2wbNEaJNgl7xMimmxVz_blvJawcX7hpNUs3QBejNSdDmIFpB270H/s1600/IMG_8956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4GdrXBO6EFfA3V6COWflJJ6ptJArOKwn2eju3aJ9TfF90isTQ6o7O6IdbUpYvEFU0tj2MfzwWf4v57AWOkLz519Y2wbNEaJNgl7xMimmxVz_blvJawcX7hpNUs3QBejNSdDmIFpB270H/s320/IMG_8956.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
Color Colossal Coaster T-Shirt<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBbwNuDqcKb5-hPEC_0o4wAdwCvoMzS6FKub-OahnidMHDUeBBZzxbcmyWnzzruDNgxzYM_l1okCDF2DEzx8xjh-H42vC_6WFJo1Q02hqTLzlnLyhG_jKdx5FqI7YnKRLIGrnn211R-OZ/s1600/IMG_8946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBbwNuDqcKb5-hPEC_0o4wAdwCvoMzS6FKub-OahnidMHDUeBBZzxbcmyWnzzruDNgxzYM_l1okCDF2DEzx8xjh-H42vC_6WFJo1Q02hqTLzlnLyhG_jKdx5FqI7YnKRLIGrnn211R-OZ/s320/IMG_8946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">
Take Picture for Photo Frame<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY1XcZ_eqM8ue-7dM3K4s9SVG72LSHWlyjoFeis1Y8CMZCyM2HgyGvJ7aTlWQCCJGJp8I0PGm2Vo3r58Af2_kkW4n5xcoZqqRyjMi2Fkckoq5ihtpJMifbLSluy6QEFibLQ6keICLPFSh/s1600/roller+coaster+ride+Elena.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY1XcZ_eqM8ue-7dM3K4s9SVG72LSHWlyjoFeis1Y8CMZCyM2HgyGvJ7aTlWQCCJGJp8I0PGm2Vo3r58Af2_kkW4n5xcoZqqRyjMi2Fkckoq5ihtpJMifbLSluy6QEFibLQ6keICLPFSh/s320/roller+coaster+ride+Elena.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Label "Souvenir Bags" with Names<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EaD7xZZutrNjURUeEqOa40s7klGVGjrp6ebLCVI3ZHS93ucR69_uAQB7RPfXC4XNd0rYDur8n-SlOVEuKk1QlUKKCHjfSnqxU_SVoTIlwwPURmT_F0hbLC6UKL5M_NblBMmeBxH1xxzO/s1600/IMG_8949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EaD7xZZutrNjURUeEqOa40s7klGVGjrp6ebLCVI3ZHS93ucR69_uAQB7RPfXC4XNd0rYDur8n-SlOVEuKk1QlUKKCHjfSnqxU_SVoTIlwwPURmT_F0hbLC6UKL5M_NblBMmeBxH1xxzO/s320/IMG_8949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bible verse</b>:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me. I
will not be afraid.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
~Hebrews 13:6</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Life application</b>:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can know that
God loves me and helps me</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bible Story:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Acts 9:1-21</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Kids will learn
how Paul was blinded by a bright light on a dusty road. Paul later did the
right thing when he told people everywhere that Jesus is God's Son.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Kids Need to Know:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God Loves Me.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
God helps me do
the right thing.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
I can obey God.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Materials:</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
verse stickers</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
1/2 sheet white tag board<br />
black construction paper<br />
glue sticks</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
brushes</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
white crayons</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
yellow and orange tempera paint</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
T-shirts (with iron on design)</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Fabric Markers</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Camera for pics</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
photo booth
backdrop</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Bags</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Prep:</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
iron on T-shirt
design</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
have photo booth
backdrop ready</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
have backpack bags ready to label</div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-41423185159041771072013-04-11T07:05:00.001-04:002014-04-11T10:40:28.602-04:00Kate is THREE!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfxYVhKw1ZF-Ko0ezqgAPqL2sFkr1Ag59eFwId7G14s-0uCQXxaSH3hpl3RPUK6E0XzYVdhZNZxIXbwl3mJ1M6vifMiBVdN9WZQmlbI-8ZZVUWwxMmZ8Ou9DCGHK-yie_1JJRN6pJw57z/s1600/Three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfxYVhKw1ZF-Ko0ezqgAPqL2sFkr1Ag59eFwId7G14s-0uCQXxaSH3hpl3RPUK6E0XzYVdhZNZxIXbwl3mJ1M6vifMiBVdN9WZQmlbI-8ZZVUWwxMmZ8Ou9DCGHK-yie_1JJRN6pJw57z/s640/Three.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2010/10/kates-birth-story.html">Three years ago</a> today, our second little angel came into our lives. This little one is our "live wire." She is a ball full of energy, has her own look and her own way. Quiet possibly the best way to describe our Kate is sincere: whether she is happy, sad, angry, excited, she can not hide her emotions and feels them to the max!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
In the past year you have grown from a little toddler to a precious little girl and Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div>
<i>I love the sound of your voice when you are playing pretend</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>I love those random hugs you give throughout the day</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>I love all of your silly faces</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>I love your pretty curls (especially as I learn to tame them)</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>I love when you stick your cheek out for me to kiss it (and how one kissed cheek is never enough)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I love to hear your sweet prayers at bed time</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I love giving and receiving your "Ugga-Muggas" (nose kisses)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I love giving you piggy-back rides to bed</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I love watching you play with your sisters</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I love your passion for life!</i></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>In Kate's own words:</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite color is...purple</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On TV, I like to watch...Monkey George</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite book is...BB Wolf</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite movie is...Tangled</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I like to eat...carrots</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel happy when...somebody plays with me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div>
I feel sad when...someone takes my toys away</div>
<div>
I like to...sprinkle (put sprinkles on a cake)</div>
<div>
I don't like to...write</div>
<div>
I think Daddy is...brown</div>
<div>
I think Mommy is...pink</div>
<div>
I think Elena is...a sister<br />
I think Wren is...a baby sister</div>
<div>
I think Georgia (our dog) is...dark</div>
<div>
I think Gracie (our cat) is...hiding</div>
<div>
I like to play with...balls</div>
<div>
My favorite toy is...my play food</div>
<div>
I am really good at...throwing balls</div>
<div>
I get excited...when I see Grammy</div>
<div>
I like to go to...Grandpa's</div>
<div>
My best friend is...Elena</div>
<div>
I love...Elena</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
I am forever amazed that the Lord would allow me to be a mom to this little one! What a joy it is to have her in our lives. My prayer for you, sweet Kate is the same today as it always is:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What an awesome privilege God has given me to be your Mommy.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you forever grow in His Grace.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will grow to Love Him more each day</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will grow to show His love to others</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will have all the joys your heart desires</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that I will always be able to guide you along the right path</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you will always know how very much you are loved</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that no one ever quenches your zeal for life</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that your enthusiasm is always used for God's glory</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray for His wisdom in raising you to be all that God designed you to be.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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You are your Mommy's joy, precious Kate!</div>
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I love you with all of my heart. Happy Birthday to my sweet girl.</div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-55216685772343398822013-03-11T09:01:00.000-04:002013-08-20T16:32:12.073-04:00Five years ago...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2010/09/elenas-birth-story.html">Five years ago</a> today, our first little angel came into our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Birthday to our oldest, Elena Nicole! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp-1sjE23GfcY40kirudPXphSJzdjKt_FX8DJDjELB3cX6YEZK2TjPxGrL11lgdL1MGDqTtiYWKY8t3pMFlKhU_Ra9KKAfvzVkRmBC57SmcgrXrncQTmdqJ0AFWKj7OqHbt7CHwR0I-_m/s1600/five.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp-1sjE23GfcY40kirudPXphSJzdjKt_FX8DJDjELB3cX6YEZK2TjPxGrL11lgdL1MGDqTtiYWKY8t3pMFlKhU_Ra9KKAfvzVkRmBC57SmcgrXrncQTmdqJ0AFWKj7OqHbt7CHwR0I-_m/s640/five.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fifth Birthday interview:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite color is...green</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On TV, I like to watch...Word World</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite book is...Monkey George</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite movie is...Star Wars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to eat...bananas & bagels</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I feel happy when...I make new friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I feel sad when...Kate takes away my toys</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to...paint</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't like to...eat pea casserole</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Daddy is...good to me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Mommy is...sweet to me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Kate is...beautiful</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Wren is...sweet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Georgia (our dog) is...a dog</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Gracie (our cat) is...soft</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to play with...all my stuffed animals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite toy is...my train set</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am really good at...reading a little bit of books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I get excited...when Daddy comes home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to go to...The Mall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My best friend is...McKenna & Caleb</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love...Wren and my stuffed animals</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2011/03/three-years.html">third</a> birthday interview</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2012/03/four-years-ago.html">fourth</a> birthday interview</span></div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-10470056743093957342013-03-05T16:32:00.000-05:002013-03-05T16:32:19.030-05:00Galaxy in a Jar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vPvtAlLWkxgQ2blLwlVdwdFvwnsEB-d8zigCBb9HmFx2BZ8DYT3TxPRifrLxw_izge-bhUzGhLfyIrUtD8oXWWjE-mSz2QkY31VCjMHCaYVqP3TVPkY1TsVznuTHxz3fGLs97lTnhS7Y/s1600/Gallaxy+in+a+jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vPvtAlLWkxgQ2blLwlVdwdFvwnsEB-d8zigCBb9HmFx2BZ8DYT3TxPRifrLxw_izge-bhUzGhLfyIrUtD8oXWWjE-mSz2QkY31VCjMHCaYVqP3TVPkY1TsVznuTHxz3fGLs97lTnhS7Y/s400/Gallaxy+in+a+jar.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My two oldest girls have birthdays exactly one month apart. With that in mind, we decided to go for a joint party this year. After tossing around numerous themes, the girls both finally settled on Star Wars. Truthfully, I enjoy Star Wars, and we've watched the older ones with the girls a few times, but I never imagined that my soon to be 3 and soon to be 5 year old GIRLS would want to have a Star Wars party! With that being said, I am all about allowing their input and making it fun not only for them, but all that we invite.<div>
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To go along with the "Star" theme, we are having our local Science Center bring their <a href="http://www.spartanburgsciencecenter.org/programs/starlab">Star Lab</a> for the kids and parents to "explore their galaxy." I was looking for an easy craft project for the kids to do as they arrived that went along with the theme and this is what I came up with: Galaxy in a Jar.</div>
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<b>You will need:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62HgqogtBSo1woIQx2WRnTuJGMcoJLwYkdli6VqFKrxqgfRVesC4TVneVKyhqxYjz5gTExqK8t6Nd4-XEpG3KWm7AFy-VEbeA0nh40_g1fjS3MOFcGyDqvhiGx_ddP9vgdyy9ybjCVFZn/s1600/IMG_8502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62HgqogtBSo1woIQx2WRnTuJGMcoJLwYkdli6VqFKrxqgfRVesC4TVneVKyhqxYjz5gTExqK8t6Nd4-XEpG3KWm7AFy-VEbeA0nh40_g1fjS3MOFcGyDqvhiGx_ddP9vgdyy9ybjCVFZn/s320/IMG_8502.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Photo paper (dollar tree) and printer</div>
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Scissors</div>
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Push pins (dollar tree)</div>
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Cardboard or foam board (dollar tree)</div>
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Led push light (dollar tree)</div>
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3 AAA batteries (dollar tree)</div>
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LARGE MOUTH pint canning jar with lid</div>
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Start by printing the FREE constellation file <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByXLImDHWfEjV3ViZWRwYnVTcVE/edit?usp=sharing">here</a> on your photo paper. The photo paper is thick enough to block most of the light, but thin enough to allow the constellations guides and terms to show.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAPg89LxwVfzMn0oQPKjde7LTtfFXJorjYwcloupgLdDoEVFG40nEzooIqZUVolIiCozr7PTFYV3HLyD1T9NNBGnml7-Lk-G5vNm4Z4J8Vj9C20g1jyWaW0lgR_nkZdNPVYb9JMl4CgFS/s1600/IMG_8498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAPg89LxwVfzMn0oQPKjde7LTtfFXJorjYwcloupgLdDoEVFG40nEzooIqZUVolIiCozr7PTFYV3HLyD1T9NNBGnml7-Lk-G5vNm4Z4J8Vj9C20g1jyWaW0lgR_nkZdNPVYb9JMl4CgFS/s320/IMG_8498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cut out one image.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvRFRFIn7rxXRtQCUwsyuWJXdvPRjVnxvZ_Ejmq19eDAqI58Om7DYb0zppF_Hye17wna6UEtge1DyPs0SQheD_88BlaIijYHAhZP6QjtWi722qUpkaSTBgXcpmVFjaq-UrN5Im63SF_CC/s1600/IMG_8499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvRFRFIn7rxXRtQCUwsyuWJXdvPRjVnxvZ_Ejmq19eDAqI58Om7DYb0zppF_Hye17wna6UEtge1DyPs0SQheD_88BlaIijYHAhZP6QjtWi722qUpkaSTBgXcpmVFjaq-UrN5Im63SF_CC/s320/IMG_8499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lay your cut out on your cardboard or foam board and use your push pin to puncture the white dots. Feel free to pick the constellations you like best (if you do them all, you will be there for a while and your hand might get tired). You can make smaller holes for the smaller stars and larger ones for the larger stars to make it appear more realistic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzyo5KD6fUcpu6kxM5Xp02eH4o9WQXx0aB2qBYnSF_-BKQyspbyIHncxPW3HTD3-SeT2LquAbD3NCOaVD6Y6pPNl6DBoEqZtYNPh-iTiHKpAz20luRniQPznJGve0ziExuOF-NTUsqAw2/s1600/IMG_8500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzyo5KD6fUcpu6kxM5Xp02eH4o9WQXx0aB2qBYnSF_-BKQyspbyIHncxPW3HTD3-SeT2LquAbD3NCOaVD6Y6pPNl6DBoEqZtYNPh-iTiHKpAz20luRniQPznJGve0ziExuOF-NTUsqAw2/s320/IMG_8500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Install the batteries in your LED push light.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sycelzF_KkC5oGpFG68l9JMQR3XMP13fScL3LrLKcsyBiH5MZjc9gYozqb3tjCA4G5OAgvqstFr2N8XNjzru0__pWNtc4819QwPihR9HaPdm0QMzS7jYhwX8viTc79c_VKaTkFcFTEPc/s1600/IMG_8507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sycelzF_KkC5oGpFG68l9JMQR3XMP13fScL3LrLKcsyBiH5MZjc9gYozqb3tjCA4G5OAgvqstFr2N8XNjzru0__pWNtc4819QwPihR9HaPdm0QMzS7jYhwX8viTc79c_VKaTkFcFTEPc/s320/IMG_8507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Remove the sticky back and secure the light in the bottom of the canning jar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeSFPLAeJ2QCaFvRhykJqNueCywUhL51gWBefyozApGP_ju-0MSXdhdbsnVGX6KD-IViwQdqMt91L65O2kJy4UNKGI-q0sncFk8hNOrYe7kKwIwEX0lA2Pgr7pJlUqN4ayYrvRT75JykP/s1600/IMG_8509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeSFPLAeJ2QCaFvRhykJqNueCywUhL51gWBefyozApGP_ju-0MSXdhdbsnVGX6KD-IViwQdqMt91L65O2kJy4UNKGI-q0sncFk8hNOrYe7kKwIwEX0lA2Pgr7pJlUqN4ayYrvRT75JykP/s320/IMG_8509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpsCWAclpClEw9N_oMk8ZWdnSviOsgtCTPm0ddZQvJ2LXZUosi7Y6OShuhso1Ynv2aYMab4FnULI_QaaL7T8UqvHch52KQZqc50oCmlbsr9MaZ9jX_gVHn01XEQWc3k72xYDxcDtO98Mn/s1600/IMG_8510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpsCWAclpClEw9N_oMk8ZWdnSviOsgtCTPm0ddZQvJ2LXZUosi7Y6OShuhso1Ynv2aYMab4FnULI_QaaL7T8UqvHch52KQZqc50oCmlbsr9MaZ9jX_gVHn01XEQWc3k72xYDxcDtO98Mn/s320/IMG_8510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Insert your punched constellation map so it lines the jar and the bottom is between the light and the jar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_Q7D54T88IJBwPX-4PaqkbqxOwlQ0Vv2ug9QaK_VoldCPmMG9C4nOTkQWRcofbrsU-UKZWXL-_JcG9I5UT6wJy6x6tZDCXZ8soV5QN8POS0d6lZXCVHpLsK2Ma2kFy59TvTn_Uhyphenhyphenwb5o/s1600/IMG_8514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_Q7D54T88IJBwPX-4PaqkbqxOwlQ0Vv2ug9QaK_VoldCPmMG9C4nOTkQWRcofbrsU-UKZWXL-_JcG9I5UT6wJy6x6tZDCXZ8soV5QN8POS0d6lZXCVHpLsK2Ma2kFy59TvTn_Uhyphenhyphenwb5o/s320/IMG_8514.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Turn on the light and replace the lid.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURPMIB7U-LMISxCmnXx4x-kAtTTf8di4iPdIpdyR_SyHccH_xVaUL1t27gG_JiGim1MOJsAw3Nui3ScFiBzxDX5B9hUjYjfwhp40eR0xWwBe6flKGvZy-RvCj97N3ihbuEfyswu8xlqig/s1600/IMG_8519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURPMIB7U-LMISxCmnXx4x-kAtTTf8di4iPdIpdyR_SyHccH_xVaUL1t27gG_JiGim1MOJsAw3Nui3ScFiBzxDX5B9hUjYjfwhp40eR0xWwBe6flKGvZy-RvCj97N3ihbuEfyswu8xlqig/s320/IMG_8519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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View your "Galaxy" or constellations in a dark room.</div>
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<div>
For FREE monthly sky maps and what to look for in the sky, visit <a href="http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html">Skymaps</a></div>
<div>
Another more kid-friendly site with free maps is <a href="http://www.kidsastronomy.com/">Kids Astronomy</a></div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-82956517175155910082013-02-25T08:49:00.001-05:002013-02-25T09:14:04.440-05:00Hope Blankets...a FREE Taggie Lovey tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcFq4HmBhZYz145WZW0-a8JxwTPJJbfVXR-MCB7J3MU9Fk_XAIVJXy7W_Gouip70FdiA96X2o_DVh9wFBpmNJDV_m4ZmBbM_w085cBBdqkMv5eLSqZr1cQ8b3BlUMvQNwwgl7inTjQdIe/s1600/hope+blanket+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcFq4HmBhZYz145WZW0-a8JxwTPJJbfVXR-MCB7J3MU9Fk_XAIVJXy7W_Gouip70FdiA96X2o_DVh9wFBpmNJDV_m4ZmBbM_w085cBBdqkMv5eLSqZr1cQ8b3BlUMvQNwwgl7inTjQdIe/s640/hope+blanket+%25232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel so honored to be a part of what the Lord is doing for orphans through a dear family at our church. They are getting ready to make the journey to China to pick up their TWO precious babies! To see their story, follow their blog <a href="http://journeytomeili.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In preparation for their journey, the ladies at our church will be making Hope Blankets for them to take to China. People will be able to sponsor a blanket and pray over them. The funds raised from the sponsorship will go directly to providing formula and diapers to the orphans there. What an amazing way to bless some babies!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is a step-by-step tutorial for the Taggie Lovey blankets we will be making. The tutorial is designed for a beginning sewer so it should be pretty easy to follow. You can also download a pdf copy <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByXLImDHWfEjZ3lVZTZKSVRJbTg/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>. Let me know if you have any questions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Materials:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOobfR0s0yl5Zz4l9opX2zQxfWHGX-LMINlzArT3HnXA9Hb7C8dGB3woZZXA_tUeTsck60r5gxguv2D9iF51shhsYdP-qRGpDIUiO7dCU_HH8Alo4gNOH7IDWqb0aCaHttSZY0B9okS9Q/s1600/IMG_8218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOobfR0s0yl5Zz4l9opX2zQxfWHGX-LMINlzArT3HnXA9Hb7C8dGB3woZZXA_tUeTsck60r5gxguv2D9iF51shhsYdP-qRGpDIUiO7dCU_HH8Alo4gNOH7IDWqb0aCaHttSZY0B9okS9Q/s320/IMG_8218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">13"
x 13" Square of Solid color fabric<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">13"
x 13" Square of printed fabric<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4
contrasting & complementary ribbons (20" of each)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sewing
machine<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">pins<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">needles<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">scissors<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a
pencil, chop stick, or pen for turning the corners<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ruler/measuring
tape<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">iron/ironing
board<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Fabrics:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">solid
color soft or textured fabric like fleece, minky, velvet, corduroy etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">colorful,
bright, fun printed cotton fabric</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cutting and Preparing:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cutting the fabric<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First,
make sure the cotton print is pressed and neat. This will make it easier to
cut and work with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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id="_x0000_i1071" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8269.JPG" style='width:109.5pt;
height:164.25pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8269" blacklevel="1966f"/>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Align
one corner of the fabric with a straight edge and trim the edges to even them
out if needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1070" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8269.JPG" style='width:111.75pt;
height:167.25pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8269"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5Zhv6F9G2RE8ZKyuDdiifnbYQyTHWSCZizw6ZdUtedBO5T6JW9NrA2-TSvbkdwEl_0byMYoWZTCODginNNPIFO2tqh1AUARuoMFigTD4OxYRdtn95FrSEUZhmShbSJ7C1v0sr74l0Sg-/s1600/IMG_8241edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5Zhv6F9G2RE8ZKyuDdiifnbYQyTHWSCZizw6ZdUtedBO5T6JW9NrA2-TSvbkdwEl_0byMYoWZTCODginNNPIFO2tqh1AUARuoMFigTD4OxYRdtn95FrSEUZhmShbSJ7C1v0sr74l0Sg-/s200/IMG_8241edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Measure
a 13" x 13" square and cut the length and width<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BRcXCfX3K9EoAP9Zzuej-Kqbr2wb3JC_oAAeYcJfztreBeEDTAidfuV7PF3xledGN6rzHI9VwGvTAdowJjxFuMZMox2M9SRIp6PPMe37dyN4pk7elHJtYcLfUo_Ijr95hYB4qxY3AsSy/s1600/IMG_8242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BRcXCfX3K9EoAP9Zzuej-Kqbr2wb3JC_oAAeYcJfztreBeEDTAidfuV7PF3xledGN6rzHI9VwGvTAdowJjxFuMZMox2M9SRIp6PPMe37dyN4pk7elHJtYcLfUo_Ijr95hYB4qxY3AsSy/s200/IMG_8242.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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</td>
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<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Repeat
the above steps for cutting the solid color, textured fabric. (do NOT press
the textured fabric)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtB56Gy59gAnNLlzPtN6iRf-T2C1lgYvkJzZZgMy16pj9MsMcbqafEQYhqiBDrx6vN-9RJnW5t1CWusBVw4-5KzbpGzFpyEvbsJSsjcFwwtO-70ef6eb8_IJMUEICPlES48Q-ooKjRayH/s1600/IMG_8256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtB56Gy59gAnNLlzPtN6iRf-T2C1lgYvkJzZZgMy16pj9MsMcbqafEQYhqiBDrx6vN-9RJnW5t1CWusBVw4-5KzbpGzFpyEvbsJSsjcFwwtO-70ef6eb8_IJMUEICPlES48Q-ooKjRayH/s200/IMG_8256.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1068" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8269.JPG" style='width:162pt;
height:108pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8269" blacklevel="5898f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cutting the Ribbons<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
quick way to cut the ribbon is to stack them all up together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Measure
5" lengths and cut with scissors or rotary cutter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut
four 5" lengths of each of your four ribbons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWLVMltQ68vGNZNTKG-RxSHOLWzEM_nDsH4Lr0O7nkTCHVeBacOWkGmnb_ZzGrvjSBNMauolAXlXeNHdsD-3PJPoMkjMkfWrJxJNYjsZkFnyHUs-euzx90vIdBtpbFpbaO7O9edgZo0XY/s1600/IMG_8265edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWLVMltQ68vGNZNTKG-RxSHOLWzEM_nDsH4Lr0O7nkTCHVeBacOWkGmnb_ZzGrvjSBNMauolAXlXeNHdsD-3PJPoMkjMkfWrJxJNYjsZkFnyHUs-euzx90vIdBtpbFpbaO7O9edgZo0XY/s200/IMG_8265edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1067"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8269.JPG" style='width:184.5pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image011.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8269" blacklevel="3277f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1066"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8270.JPG" style='width:186pt;height:123.75pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image013.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8270"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pinning the Ribbons:</span></b></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On
the RIGHT side of the PRINTED fabric square, space out your four ribbons
evenly starting and ending 3" from the corners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOO2Z2aKo297wiuRRnB5yy3m5WXw0f0NiofAbagQNbCKIkgukj_YFKKWsY6z83GHkBnyCtquRP6eqFDIUZO2rIPup1kCXHhtF2mWxZelQ-igk3ukyUfx-_toAAZfWSSVDhi8laGQ6qbaR/s1600/IMG_8268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOO2Z2aKo297wiuRRnB5yy3m5WXw0f0NiofAbagQNbCKIkgukj_YFKKWsY6z83GHkBnyCtquRP6eqFDIUZO2rIPup1kCXHhtF2mWxZelQ-igk3ukyUfx-_toAAZfWSSVDhi8laGQ6qbaR/s200/IMG_8268.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1"
o:spid="_x0000_i1065" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8269.JPG" style='width:184.5pt;
height:123pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image015.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8269" blacklevel="4588f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2"
o:spid="_x0000_i1064" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8270.JPG" style='width:186pt;
height:123.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8270" blacklevel="3277f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fold
your ribbons in half, RIGHT sides out, and pin to the RIGHT side of the
PRINTED fabric square.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make
sure the cut edges of the ribbon are even with the cut edges of the fabric.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pin
with the sharp point of the pins facing outward (this keeps the large part
from interfering with the presser foot of the machine in later steps).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1063"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image019.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="7209f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1062"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image021.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sewing the Blanket:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Securing the Ribbons<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">Starting on one corner, use a regular straight stitch
around one edge of the fabric about 1/4″ from the edge to secure the ribbons.</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1061"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image023.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPZ3xnuckK7efHqzR1dALnmF28Afi5NCEU9YOkKehcJzIVXiRAuUvUWSACFOX_Ilfn-iRnjbc_k9kFYBRLS4UpPDTwQBdN7NveonzvjZslIFfcfBNIqIfGmaH681G5keXXfdY7y_EzzAn/s1600/IMG_8274edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPZ3xnuckK7efHqzR1dALnmF28Afi5NCEU9YOkKehcJzIVXiRAuUvUWSACFOX_Ilfn-iRnjbc_k9kFYBRLS4UpPDTwQBdN7NveonzvjZslIFfcfBNIqIfGmaH681G5keXXfdY7y_EzzAn/s200/IMG_8274edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSGhCgVLIxVIOUFrqUpCNqy6MrqCbhPlesdwDwx1ktLp8_NLyuEHVZbdkPD6ZueBQKY5810fkvQzULwmz_CSkd46Lm_pZ-8bCz2DrA_Sm99BlwFZzJHq3NR1bWArOx2NcR4H-N2uFXcOr/s1600/IMG_8276edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSGhCgVLIxVIOUFrqUpCNqy6MrqCbhPlesdwDwx1ktLp8_NLyuEHVZbdkPD6ZueBQKY5810fkvQzULwmz_CSkd46Lm_pZ-8bCz2DrA_Sm99BlwFZzJHq3NR1bWArOx2NcR4H-N2uFXcOr/s200/IMG_8276edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">When you get 1/4" from the first corner, leave your
needle in the downward position and raise your presser foot.</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1059"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image027.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5e5TESgH7G_N6mSBQKYupvp7vGQ3qYM_dT1UEnrJyjtBpLOJazsXkTcILu7kA7iHi_kvA8OxxAq5bbGHevtcwTAyftXi50Z7NSwhVqbheSNHm4Bppdw_eUmto4duhU_KslbmN7hMGg_I/s1600/IMG_8278edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5e5TESgH7G_N6mSBQKYupvp7vGQ3qYM_dT1UEnrJyjtBpLOJazsXkTcILu7kA7iHi_kvA8OxxAq5bbGHevtcwTAyftXi50Z7NSwhVqbheSNHm4Bppdw_eUmto4duhU_KslbmN7hMGg_I/s200/IMG_8278edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">Rotate the fabric, lower the presser foot, and continue
along the next side</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1057"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image031.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5MG8cozxA4v0JDuIebubNGzR4eLOVET1yAl5ux9opZWbar2FzItGW8VmMCDD1GZ7XwS48lSFVaUszZzakQX5boz1L27eVsbFUOoN27Wdpnuv6ujwW9hUMBtXBEj7KNUcCq6NJmXREW4e/s1600/IMG_8287edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5MG8cozxA4v0JDuIebubNGzR4eLOVET1yAl5ux9opZWbar2FzItGW8VmMCDD1GZ7XwS48lSFVaUszZzakQX5boz1L27eVsbFUOoN27Wdpnuv6ujwW9hUMBtXBEj7KNUcCq6NJmXREW4e/s200/IMG_8287edit.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">repeat the steps above until you have completed all four
sides</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1054"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image037.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="3277f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlGJGIeQEPeE9cgioua3mjRHLa_LqDQiRYRdllUYaDLWusdO5HpByyxhXumMg8L6nUpBGKee2FuKGj6R_LLSFvGFyl3gCIe2tufy_LpELsAANqFqOvva8cYwdlshtWjf3zVVlxp6zq6-w/s1600/IMG_8288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlGJGIeQEPeE9cgioua3mjRHLa_LqDQiRYRdllUYaDLWusdO5HpByyxhXumMg8L6nUpBGKee2FuKGj6R_LLSFvGFyl3gCIe2tufy_LpELsAANqFqOvva8cYwdlshtWjf3zVVlxp6zq6-w/s200/IMG_8288.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove
pins and trim threads<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1053"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image039.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="2621f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIAbbRcyHz-tlKxygSrTsHVcbJbLAx3_ohnQsdhOPe31knkWLyhOo5LShANhqVZByKXc8vfw289jE9bHb7wDGdHjuh_k03n1f-t_Me1SR17y8l96JgagBGcEu6RSH_JgS6N4c-9ulpA1m/s1600/IMG_8290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIAbbRcyHz-tlKxygSrTsHVcbJbLAx3_ohnQsdhOPe31knkWLyhOo5LShANhqVZByKXc8vfw289jE9bHb7wDGdHjuh_k03n1f-t_Me1SR17y8l96JgagBGcEu6RSH_JgS6N4c-9ulpA1m/s200/IMG_8290.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinning it all Together<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lay
your second piece of fabric on top of the piece with the ribbons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make
sure the RIGHT sides are TOGETHER, so that the ribbons are sandwiched in
between.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqNfN7B-6D-vFSJi_ioP_Cp0qMIwU2vtvEh6j4TsP_5d6kupgKAwTCmYux1oDOS5VD-cL2WbiUH25NOEY9nuXI2ZxlHNgay7UtlSsvB0lPaUEG5Ppeis4HhirVhAjtqG8rAx2xrXrzmqV/s1600/IMG_8291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqNfN7B-6D-vFSJi_ioP_Cp0qMIwU2vtvEh6j4TsP_5d6kupgKAwTCmYux1oDOS5VD-cL2WbiUH25NOEY9nuXI2ZxlHNgay7UtlSsvB0lPaUEG5Ppeis4HhirVhAjtqG8rAx2xrXrzmqV/s200/IMG_8291.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1052"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image041.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="3277f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pin
the two pieces together around the edges with the sharp points of the pins
facing out. <span style="background: #FCFBF4;">(The more pins the better on
this step to keep that pesky fabric from moving around too much as you sew).</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUYFc8saFahRORTTwXUMvyvsQB9XuN6RrUWPiIwHshZuFi-oTM5bDtH2k9vW9fTo-LshupdbIwaIWgydB9HEZsNWai0CID5wDDKlD0ofu-6Jz0u3xGv1GEQ66AHlj-fxX3WuAwzV0DpzP/s1600/IMG_8293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUYFc8saFahRORTTwXUMvyvsQB9XuN6RrUWPiIwHshZuFi-oTM5bDtH2k9vW9fTo-LshupdbIwaIWgydB9HEZsNWai0CID5wDDKlD0ofu-6Jz0u3xGv1GEQ66AHlj-fxX3WuAwzV0DpzP/s200/IMG_8293.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1051"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image043.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="3277f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
the middle of one side, leave about a 3" gap between the pins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
will act as your guide for where you leave the hole for turning later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1LJjiGR0jqemBMah6c_bNa_RXZ5ffpdX2S9mnNf8ToVbtyvOfY5CXnYuFdlkm7nhhNX9XApaMiUTSUzyk8mKEW_dmYLMUKaOUFyJ1Pf4ZmhtPFBUFf6Ke4qHc-qLJNK_PJymj8Mc3qxy/s1600/IMG_8297edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1LJjiGR0jqemBMah6c_bNa_RXZ5ffpdX2S9mnNf8ToVbtyvOfY5CXnYuFdlkm7nhhNX9XApaMiUTSUzyk8mKEW_dmYLMUKaOUFyJ1Pf4ZmhtPFBUFf6Ke4qHc-qLJNK_PJymj8Mc3qxy/s200/IMG_8297edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1050"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image045.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sewing the two Together<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">Use a 1/2" seam and start in the MIDDLE (to the outside
of the SECOND pin in the 3" gap).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE-SjwgSYS2dalU4JXLfpi2plIjI26O45AMB7FUMEFTuvqn4yyQXcXw1dp1DR-E6LhGtfCvnwGtVmj-5LFPchfUIkhuk02zmeCsCOoyKrI2y-F3aOWWOcADOgJ1l8SJsSRXRDbuMRdzrf/s1600/IMG_8299edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE-SjwgSYS2dalU4JXLfpi2plIjI26O45AMB7FUMEFTuvqn4yyQXcXw1dp1DR-E6LhGtfCvnwGtVmj-5LFPchfUIkhuk02zmeCsCOoyKrI2y-F3aOWWOcADOgJ1l8SJsSRXRDbuMRdzrf/s200/IMG_8299edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWxyWOC-7Slpjq4B8Yf_B_4jvh6FjJDnyMrmHyTKUFSQk_ZVquOH4Siu6uRgo08vB4wTQG0JgUOEFnQ0qnmFMu1PSkDvd4wOcchBj8A6dxLuOzCLe4MEmVNdLhNGtA2YdBPRLhpEgQ3l7/s1600/IMG_8303edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWxyWOC-7Slpjq4B8Yf_B_4jvh6FjJDnyMrmHyTKUFSQk_ZVquOH4Siu6uRgo08vB4wTQG0JgUOEFnQ0qnmFMu1PSkDvd4wOcchBj8A6dxLuOzCLe4MEmVNdLhNGtA2YdBPRLhpEgQ3l7/s200/IMG_8303edit.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using a straight stitch, sew forward two or three
stitches then back stitch 2 or three stitches to secure the seam<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s1600/IMG_8306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s200/IMG_8306.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continue
sewing all the way to the first corner until you are 1/2" from the edge<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
you did when sewing the ribbons, leave your needle in a downward position and
raise your presser foot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_55Poz1M5k6B708TeZgS_deSaYet91K2WpX8koJqDzUezx2pwOe0JjVQRpUwmARqNbUprBnQjN_0ezTqmWxfQPch2PXjOHsxY8n2NI9m0Y7ktD73XpVSbDNE8AgFfRa8tkSFaoYWiX3r/s1600/IMG_8307edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_55Poz1M5k6B708TeZgS_deSaYet91K2WpX8koJqDzUezx2pwOe0JjVQRpUwmARqNbUprBnQjN_0ezTqmWxfQPch2PXjOHsxY8n2NI9m0Y7ktD73XpVSbDNE8AgFfRa8tkSFaoYWiX3r/s200/IMG_8307edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh2AtdYuvqbNKfPmxOL8RiBFapoVJ6HWIuptnNSi0aBZQ83Oe2hh6Zjwt0xpmPW9D4blKPlhzDRPaM1nD1zX5gaONqIL5H9cGdhQY3cCj5-vbfbyYn8Owq0fnxTuVuX7MtqrtNnHgo7-8/s1600/IMG_8309edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh2AtdYuvqbNKfPmxOL8RiBFapoVJ6HWIuptnNSi0aBZQ83Oe2hh6Zjwt0xpmPW9D4blKPlhzDRPaM1nD1zX5gaONqIL5H9cGdhQY3cCj5-vbfbyYn8Owq0fnxTuVuX7MtqrtNnHgo7-8/s200/IMG_8309edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">Rotate the fabric and continue along the next side.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfixoqhn332LrTi2UvubTTdlml7_NdZxL7LWElvPRbowTnp9UcF_UpM0keBYo8QFLtye6jhLodFAIKNGjkXerCtgfFQQyXonZdyxrzwKBJgLNOI9LVU_bcrJGwYGbCImJKIl1vWVmee4mX/s1600/IMG_8313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfixoqhn332LrTi2UvubTTdlml7_NdZxL7LWElvPRbowTnp9UcF_UpM0keBYo8QFLtye6jhLodFAIKNGjkXerCtgfFQQyXonZdyxrzwKBJgLNOI9LVU_bcrJGwYGbCImJKIl1vWVmee4mX/s200/IMG_8313.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Repeat the steps above until you get about 3" from
the start of your seam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back stitch and forward stitch a couple of stitches to
secure the end of the seam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1042"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image051.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s1600/IMG_8306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s200/IMG_8306.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove your pins and trim your threads.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PHV0qzwnlXhi3EA9xG9JyrWPQ5fRXG6ggJk8Dg18rDhBd8MfGvRHraB2KNemZuXI9ig2V3fs98nuSW5BT_xKNSl2_M-QwVYkTuzaaIT2HHg3Yfyw5Rj8M8jAfjJ_5WBOFKF8inD5oVnX/s1600/IMG_8322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PHV0qzwnlXhi3EA9xG9JyrWPQ5fRXG6ggJk8Dg18rDhBd8MfGvRHraB2KNemZuXI9ig2V3fs98nuSW5BT_xKNSl2_M-QwVYkTuzaaIT2HHg3Yfyw5Rj8M8jAfjJ_5WBOFKF8inD5oVnX/s200/IMG_8322.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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</td>
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<b><i><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turning the Blanket<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut the four corners of the blanket close to the
stitching to make the points less bulky when it is turned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq0P71mbEaN8O67mqAbJsLXVXc_rBzkPc6jtmIWLAhutTpb6ApQevJLx8MWmV3BlroqyBDM33BLRb1bNXhSH4DZt2IjU7XHOgkNqv9cuhulONCzM4xvQcWE-edGCAM1l_kIPmD2rVczdX/s1600/IMG_8323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq0P71mbEaN8O67mqAbJsLXVXc_rBzkPc6jtmIWLAhutTpb6ApQevJLx8MWmV3BlroqyBDM33BLRb1bNXhSH4DZt2IjU7XHOgkNqv9cuhulONCzM4xvQcWE-edGCAM1l_kIPmD2rVczdX/s200/IMG_8323.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turn the entire blanket right side out through the hole
left when sewing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cmmhAraUTZ2PHKLsOQ3hSZWz4g2zo1hIm1bEMal9MdJS9EAtS-elm0h4oHQDDs3R614MUeWVUf6L8R0UTqATne_pvsnV28ZOm3Zz30clYxE_OivSId7ILHDbfsJkkFf1pT-brR9-ndda/s1600/IMG_8330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cmmhAraUTZ2PHKLsOQ3hSZWz4g2zo1hIm1bEMal9MdJS9EAtS-elm0h4oHQDDs3R614MUeWVUf6L8R0UTqATne_pvsnV28ZOm3Zz30clYxE_OivSId7ILHDbfsJkkFf1pT-brR9-ndda/s200/IMG_8330.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using a pencil, chopstick, or pen with cap, carefully
push out the corners of the blanket from the inside until they are nice and
square.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5RWGIrD0o9KlGr-ZMVuuK4tb1gQ9m3ATZoT4BmuCzEbbH3M8XkUyNkKD7-ymdzYJ8cGrce_Gdqhe34LDvsVp7nCkjE0FJfRQXUtyQqrnVUhOE-S30idXoSiXhPIg5vTsqKpl96SaqA96/s1600/IMG_8332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5RWGIrD0o9KlGr-ZMVuuK4tb1gQ9m3ATZoT4BmuCzEbbH3M8XkUyNkKD7-ymdzYJ8cGrce_Gdqhe34LDvsVp7nCkjE0FJfRQXUtyQqrnVUhOE-S30idXoSiXhPIg5vTsqKpl96SaqA96/s200/IMG_8332.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Flatten out the blanket and finger press
the edges.</span><span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zCnkCiDx1HCEGYuNd14QwiIb-D6zqWt_DUcr9kEUpKj1PFUH2jdenbyx5fTREXWdfp1T9NKNYjgSGxwmG0h_0C68WTBq5GYSDxO2eZ0MEq9F3MxSFVJBehUyqRmG4Fc_QcaXgyY6cNqN/s1600/IMG_8333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zCnkCiDx1HCEGYuNd14QwiIb-D6zqWt_DUcr9kEUpKj1PFUH2jdenbyx5fTREXWdfp1T9NKNYjgSGxwmG0h_0C68WTBq5GYSDxO2eZ0MEq9F3MxSFVJBehUyqRmG4Fc_QcaXgyY6cNqN/s200/IMG_8333.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfbf4; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Line up the area where you left the opening
for turning and pin it generously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.5pt;" valign="top" width="414"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1036"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image071.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaSOzKpMpkwjTUWKQvvuC97YQyLIqVjxF7dJO0f7287m3CqKIsIZGY0_3NdpiGMF1_bvm6FSlNIewXqHqjKJ6WUgHdSULe_VGkd1_1yPU1K3Bho-WNxnoTVCcbZ-Py3GtKDw10Vajl0Nf/s1600/IMG_8337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaSOzKpMpkwjTUWKQvvuC97YQyLIqVjxF7dJO0f7287m3CqKIsIZGY0_3NdpiGMF1_bvm6FSlNIewXqHqjKJ6WUgHdSULe_VGkd1_1yPU1K3Bho-WNxnoTVCcbZ-Py3GtKDw10Vajl0Nf/s200/IMG_8337.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1035"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image073.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="1311f"/>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlhYjmFLajBleJrI7fh_anzcfP6WHOKl3dGISa5pGkwr5L3xVWSEqQMBg_SMW-Q2NHGLIY-hmQg8FdbHdyrTZ2ubkdJKb89CxlCbisNM65RtGIUqFW28cqpEOHRIFZBdxuAyfAdB5yCfJ/s1600/IMG_8338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlhYjmFLajBleJrI7fh_anzcfP6WHOKl3dGISa5pGkwr5L3xVWSEqQMBg_SMW-Q2NHGLIY-hmQg8FdbHdyrTZ2ubkdJKb89CxlCbisNM65RtGIUqFW28cqpEOHRIFZBdxuAyfAdB5yCfJ/s200/IMG_8338.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnsjlT3PIpyIo_NfSFsCpJinoqInIYH0hC8v1vXQL0hT-f8qe-DOMxVqG_nfgdBGltheZJkEPFtrb0f7UoBJOIfH_yYAGZCROCVPdw37E62Aubu3Yb4HCIKSRHabqlW8RVcDRUb-CH6mo/s1600/IMG_8339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnsjlT3PIpyIo_NfSFsCpJinoqInIYH0hC8v1vXQL0hT-f8qe-DOMxVqG_nfgdBGltheZJkEPFtrb0f7UoBJOIfH_yYAGZCROCVPdw37E62Aubu3Yb4HCIKSRHabqlW8RVcDRUb-CH6mo/s200/IMG_8339.JPG" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1034"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image075.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finishing the Blanket<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If
you want your thread that is seen to match, now is the time to change your top
thread or your bobbin thread)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With
1/4" seam, start at one corner and top stitch (sew a straight stitch across
the top edge of the fabric).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Begin
with a forward and back stitch to secure the seam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1033"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image077.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNd8tw1ZRqkB88bpG0RqYjuc6w2gMAHePhm9_wUgOSxBdmecReZh4fE2KYWrhIWTwdT6tb-wLQiEJ0tkAL6MFyBScXZa1hsdfldo4KcGVYMR-vUHxNDIwb9fKbuz8mI73bCBba7hKqW8k/s1600/IMG_8341edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNd8tw1ZRqkB88bpG0RqYjuc6w2gMAHePhm9_wUgOSxBdmecReZh4fE2KYWrhIWTwdT6tb-wLQiEJ0tkAL6MFyBScXZa1hsdfldo4KcGVYMR-vUHxNDIwb9fKbuz8mI73bCBba7hKqW8k/s200/IMG_8341edit.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s1600/IMG_8306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s200/IMG_8306.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be
sure that the 3" opening is sewn securely when you reach that point
(edges are pinned nicely and not coming out).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1031"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:134.25pt;height:201pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image079.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8OewiGRkQds4WiZDxnVNDinxYouUP4CDxW8AGDvBaTF-2786hpj19nowFphJIm0QVeTt8TjuCZ8URrqb7MgqBK3e1Bm1NZOuPhLoGZjV0rqyhwkWd1u55d9Nvc34A-pwyJnZObC3F07t/s1600/IMG_8340edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8OewiGRkQds4WiZDxnVNDinxYouUP4CDxW8AGDvBaTF-2786hpj19nowFphJIm0QVeTt8TjuCZ8URrqb7MgqBK3e1Bm1NZOuPhLoGZjV0rqyhwkWd1u55d9Nvc34A-pwyJnZObC3F07t/s200/IMG_8340edit.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pivot
at each corner as you did in previous steps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1030"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;height:123pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image081.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="4588f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOpezHblc88F_bSg8WGiMXGHpKcDEixzj3vV0YQ5zKuRu_66JItqoPp10y54IyDvThqJHQvn_lUZWHc-lt39mMMTSjFT8hN-dDyvdN_CCO-lL7Psze6N3MTQ5ahw2y4MkMzsrIaxeXxwB/s1600/IMG_8341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOpezHblc88F_bSg8WGiMXGHpKcDEixzj3vV0YQ5zKuRu_66JItqoPp10y54IyDvThqJHQvn_lUZWHc-lt39mMMTSjFT8hN-dDyvdN_CCO-lL7Psze6N3MTQ5ahw2y4MkMzsrIaxeXxwB/s200/IMG_8341.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd-VhAZpWCuZKPJedressbXZj_dEFbhqUyq6aHmVbWwORxM0luZCxOMjXwEtKtAhImnHBohpupdZAQdEZB8zTuip0CebZu9SUVSAXx8B4SI7gAGN6S5w0Nr-_J_rZmvBY9O-cuBWH404l/s1600/IMG_8346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd-VhAZpWCuZKPJedressbXZj_dEFbhqUyq6aHmVbWwORxM0luZCxOMjXwEtKtAhImnHBohpupdZAQdEZB8zTuip0CebZu9SUVSAXx8B4SI7gAGN6S5w0Nr-_J_rZmvBY9O-cuBWH404l/s200/IMG_8346.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1028"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:125.25pt;height:187.5pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image085.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="2621f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continue
until you reach the corner where you started.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxtqlM0TSCX8kcg28vRgyaUFb89fkxdkIlYCH1xlkRFa3x7S4QimgfmKKe66xcoESgiXfYRhkROJoZnmORsl8VEdSwnvaTjzXpvlXf39kZPv9tJmJkvHsqazeBiGaXr3gjV_ABiSOP9te/s1600/IMG_8348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxtqlM0TSCX8kcg28vRgyaUFb89fkxdkIlYCH1xlkRFa3x7S4QimgfmKKe66xcoESgiXfYRhkROJoZnmORsl8VEdSwnvaTjzXpvlXf39kZPv9tJmJkvHsqazeBiGaXr3gjV_ABiSOP9te/s200/IMG_8348.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forward
and backstitch to secure the seam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s1600/IMG_8306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLtjY7hyphenhypheny3SYfrumUg_72ZR7DhLMvXFIG8sNMjuwK73KqVMToPtrjPEa3GbXGBWUI1XsKg4O1DrIbafY_fe4aDoFgXdOKOGCbZZiOi7ONTJxqyTbLOZP2A4daknEs1L8iOVOQ3GJTfPtX/s200/IMG_8306.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trim
the threads, remove the pins and you are done!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.25in;" valign="top" width="408"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3"
o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMG_8290.JPG" style='width:185.25pt;
height:123pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image089.jpg"
o:title="IMG_8290" blacklevel="3277f"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJITJK-SJOTPDPRiE33X8DTve5Tod8ObHrP5Z6x3YnDJPrgW4nsAiwgimTXZLJyWBedlynB-rcKq1sL6HE0b9rtVPeWPnYHGC2XuqyOldnboOYfKxV9pDXcnNzijQL3U_bN8C5DUMZ4tiA/s1600/IMG_8350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJITJK-SJOTPDPRiE33X8DTve5Tod8ObHrP5Z6x3YnDJPrgW4nsAiwgimTXZLJyWBedlynB-rcKq1sL6HE0b9rtVPeWPnYHGC2XuqyOldnboOYfKxV9pDXcnNzijQL3U_bN8C5DUMZ4tiA/s200/IMG_8350.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8grmEH8qTHaqdG7jMvYdbb1AUKl_FqHnpIZCJRatAwB79fFASRvWVG2Db8qYlKCEVFrPlKgSBvV1tRZj_wvZbFfk2DtFYVajHKLrdH55ADEMzBzR3MCkDld-RyLaNi1lXekq6c_dgzWD/s1600/IMG_8351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8grmEH8qTHaqdG7jMvYdbb1AUKl_FqHnpIZCJRatAwB79fFASRvWVG2Db8qYlKCEVFrPlKgSBvV1tRZj_wvZbFfk2DtFYVajHKLrdH55ADEMzBzR3MCkDld-RyLaNi1lXekq6c_dgzWD/s200/IMG_8351.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some other helpful Links to Get to Know your
Machine and Sewing Terminology<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Sewing-Machine">http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Sewing-Machine</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1931901729">http://inspirewireblog.com/basic-sewing-terms-for-beginners/<o:p></o:p></a></span></span></div>
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Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-67615400253738796562012-03-15T16:05:00.002-04:002012-12-03T07:41:41.824-05:00Girly Dinosaur Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfDdxSLS5SBIci6702_9jGbTuz0FwXipAly7cJCarEIpAFdKxALgaXOlLoII0fbUcyPcY2cVYQjhH5DWTIhLrnz7kfjY03cN2Zd_7N2OBWC6zOuz20qa72rEn-WbBx1VPLvhbdcIUT4R2/s1600/249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfDdxSLS5SBIci6702_9jGbTuz0FwXipAly7cJCarEIpAFdKxALgaXOlLoII0fbUcyPcY2cVYQjhH5DWTIhLrnz7kfjY03cN2Zd_7N2OBWC6zOuz20qa72rEn-WbBx1VPLvhbdcIUT4R2/s400/249.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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First, let me give credit where credit is due! My dear sweet friend agreed to take photos of the party so all of these beautiful shots are due to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-York-Photography-An-Adoption-Fundraiser/248534551842592">Beth York Photography</a>. Please take a moment to check her out on Facebook. She does AMAZING work and her photography business is strictly an effort to bring home their darling daughter from China. Even if you aren't local and can not take advantage of her photography skills for your family, please take a moment to visit her <a href="http://michaelandbethyork.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, read her inspiring stories, and consider supporting them through their<a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E1382598&from=MYEVENTS&verify=true"> 31 fundraiser</a> that is going on this month. You will be truly humbled and blessed by this precious family's testimony!<br />
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In our family we don't go overboard with birthday presents but instead this creative mama probably goes a bit overboard with parties. I am so thankful that I have a husband who understands my need to be creative and supports me in that. I will admit, that a lot of what I do is for fun, but while working hard on this particular party, I was convicted about my motives. It scared me to think that it might be for my own glory and not for my little girl or for the friends we were inviting. After searching my heart, I truly feel that most of my efforts were with the children in mind.<br />
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When I began her party planning, there wasn't much question about what the theme would be. This girl LOVES dinosaurs! She knows the different names better than anyone I know and can tell whether they are herbivores, carnivores or omnivores. She can tell you whether they are bipeds or quadrupeds and what a track wave is and can also explain how fossils are made. Pretty good for a four-year-old!<br />
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I started by creating this <a href="http://pinterest.com/heatherlowery/elena-s-4th-dinosaur-party-for-girls/">Pinterest board</a> dedicated to her party and collecting ideas from the NUMEROUS dinosaur parties out there. There were so many wonderful inspirations. I wasn't able to use them all but it was a great springboard for making her party unique.<br />
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<b>Birthday Outfit</b></div>
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I took Elena with me to pick out the fabrics for her birthday outfit. I gave her some peramiters and let her give me suggestions/tell me what she liked best (if you read my earlier birthday post, you know how opinionated she is getting about what she wears). She found some orange dot fabric, the green fabric that I also used for some other party favors, and fixated on a pink ruffle fabric that was WAY too pricey. I told her no on the pink until I found a remnant that was marked down because of a pull. I found a hot pink T shirt at the Dollar Tree and used this <a href="http://www.planetapplique.com/all-appliques/dinosaur-alpha/prod_745.html">adorable dino alphabet</a> to applique her shirt with the green and orange fabrics. I also used the green to make her pants with the pink ruffle around the base of each leg. She has insisted on wearing this outfit almost every day since her party (we've washed it almost every night). It certainly is not what I would have chosen, but she LOVES it, and that is what is important.<br />
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<b>Location</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Rk_OJTAT17TGr2Cg4JadtR_XWroWv0thhyphenhyphenOnlcjTGv-jOf4vdE3o_gmXxcgZH7_wQQKWanN3o5UaeGWbNPWCdjpL34vCb_kmb4q_DNM0TYpCLHRA0bKpxFlUoOKtEKfZyzbGWHhaNkzd/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Rk_OJTAT17TGr2Cg4JadtR_XWroWv0thhyphenhyphenOnlcjTGv-jOf4vdE3o_gmXxcgZH7_wQQKWanN3o5UaeGWbNPWCdjpL34vCb_kmb4q_DNM0TYpCLHRA0bKpxFlUoOKtEKfZyzbGWHhaNkzd/s320/002.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Normally we have the party in our home, but I decided to investigate off-site locations because I knew we would be inviting more guests this year. I found the perfect location in our local Science Center. It was a beautiful facility that was the perfect size, educational, affordable, and provided the perfect community outreach that we like to include in our birthday celebrations. We are trying to teach our girls that it is better to give than to receive so we ask for donations instead of gifts. The Science Center provided us with a list of needed materials and guests were asked to bring those in place of presents (trust me, these girls have enough toys and clothes).<br />
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<b>Decorations</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWElWqy3B0_Cseb6vRh4Aq5yzkdqa6mhlywbIPtdDFG5X-nTKS_zwHfXrR9tOhyyEnQTshB2ll6sffdjPVPNnkZz5gj_IQglE_KbREA0Z6j1hT0QN-zjvXKrHSE6urpBpGFNGWMFTzLgAF/s1600/029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWElWqy3B0_Cseb6vRh4Aq5yzkdqa6mhlywbIPtdDFG5X-nTKS_zwHfXrR9tOhyyEnQTshB2ll6sffdjPVPNnkZz5gj_IQglE_KbREA0Z6j1hT0QN-zjvXKrHSE6urpBpGFNGWMFTzLgAF/s320/029.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Next, I decided to start with color choices. Elena has more friends that are boys than girls, but I wanted the party to have a girlish feel. I chose lime green, hot pink, and bright orange. Polka-dots, tulle, and ribbons increased the girly feel. I always like to have the personal touches with names & birthday wishes, and enjoy any opportunity to use my design skills, so I make my own party printables. I designed her invitation first. The simple dinosaur silhouettes were from a <a href="http://www.dafont.com/ding-o-saurs.font">free dinosaur font</a> download.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRLBcwCvSeK0y8kLioQMFriLcxyGkMopxlvxR0LRU_iY1NeaiZ_3WjttclSpPX3P1e3XCSrH1dzgl3dV1UWpD4bqoGOy1x5KoTG1Vwaz_c-dJCRDp22CpNRqF71KaK9aoxGKZgJGRaXPm/s1600/Dinosaur+invitation+2c+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRLBcwCvSeK0y8kLioQMFriLcxyGkMopxlvxR0LRU_iY1NeaiZ_3WjttclSpPX3P1e3XCSrH1dzgl3dV1UWpD4bqoGOy1x5KoTG1Vwaz_c-dJCRDp22CpNRqF71KaK9aoxGKZgJGRaXPm/s320/Dinosaur+invitation+2c+edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Science Center is located in our "Cultural Center" along with the local ballet, artist guild, and symphony offices in a group of three buildings. Finding the location can be a bit of a challenge if you've never been there so I used hot pink polka-dot, orange and lime balloons outside and inside to direct guests to the right location.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM32r23asrHk9VW8G6vDPKo4zcDJPa0MdjapgIDDATXOkXFt0K2g1rz3H3NW5QwrBsuoZK1U5fooGD02oF5KhwbOWVXE1nxQWQdzm2sLZvn4tNfye_BGW3G4tORIYdADq4AM_m1rHcskHo/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM32r23asrHk9VW8G6vDPKo4zcDJPa0MdjapgIDDATXOkXFt0K2g1rz3H3NW5QwrBsuoZK1U5fooGD02oF5KhwbOWVXE1nxQWQdzm2sLZvn4tNfye_BGW3G4tORIYdADq4AM_m1rHcskHo/s320/009.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I also posted a sign on the door with further directions. It read "Stomp Rumble and Roar! Elena's party is on the second floor. Track the Dino Prints through the door.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjxI3ein8t0dDU1QlwjunzSlRCQMD9xvfloEfnXjKkGLtvVQtl-CPvGe_mO5IOCa6IP6xQclOIaleMrzSMX94Kj4crD_7DSkkqBEd1qiaXWxbeQFJofvkSTjHmC8xLd0Zdx1uGhWyUHDw/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjxI3ein8t0dDU1QlwjunzSlRCQMD9xvfloEfnXjKkGLtvVQtl-CPvGe_mO5IOCa6IP6xQclOIaleMrzSMX94Kj4crD_7DSkkqBEd1qiaXWxbeQFJofvkSTjHmC8xLd0Zdx1uGhWyUHDw/s320/006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Using my Silhouette Cameo, I cut out small dino foot prints which I taped to the floor creating an obvious path to the Science Center.<br />
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Using the same stripe and dinosaur elements from the invitation, I added a polka dot background to pink and orange to create coordinating cupcake toppers, food labels, party hat labels, table centerpieces, favor toppers, dino dig labels, etc. Since helium was not in our budget, I wanted to come up with a creative way to use the pink polka dot balloons in the party room. The day before the party, I made the impromptu "balloon topiaries" for centerpieces on the table (you can see my tutorial on how to make them here).<br />
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<b>Party Favors</b></div>
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The main party activity also served as a party favor. Each guest had their own dinosaur excavation site which included "paleontologist tools," a dinosaur skeleton to excavate and a dinosaur fossil to keep (you can see my earlier post about how to make your own <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-dino-dig-kits.html">here</a>). Each guest also had a few other special treats to take home with them. I knew the instant I saw <a href="http://projectsbyjess.blogspot.com/2011/03/dinosaur-tails.html">this post </a>that I HAD to make dino tails for Elena's party! Using a lime green fabric I found at JoAnn on the clearance table, I made 20 tails (total cost to make all 20 was about $30)The girls' tails had pink spikes and the boys' tails had orange. It took me the better part of two days to make them but it was well worth every bit of the effort when I saw how much everyone enjoyed them.</div>
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I also used my Siloette Cameo to cut out dino feet that slipped over their shoes. I cut out matching pink and orange claws for the tips to coordinate with the tails.<br />
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To top off the dino set, I was inspired by <a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.235279247.jpg">this find</a> on Pinterest. I purchased solid green party hats online and added the pink and orange spikes to the back. Each hat had a guests "dino" name on the front and these were also used as place cards at the tables.<br />
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I also had to include dino eggs. Elena helped me sort some Easter candy so we had only pink and white eggs to match her decor. I made simple toppers for small ziplock bags and put a handful in each container.<br />
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Finally, we continued our magnet tradition where each guest was given a "Thank You" magnet with Elena's picture. It has been neat for us to see how she has grown each year through this little memento.<br />
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<b>Agenda</b></div>
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The first 30 minutes of the party were spent enjoying the facilities at the Science Center. From the live animal exhibits to the hands-on experimenting exhibits, there was plenty for them to do. I was a little afraid that some of the exhibits would be over their heads, but they seemed to enjoy it all!<br />
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Next, everyone gathered in the party room where a sweet intern delivered a quick lesson on fossils. She passed around actual dinosaur fossils and talked with them briefly about how fossils are formed. She then explained what a paleontologist does.<br />
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Then, the kids moved to their seats at the table where I had their dino-digs waiting on them. After some brief directions, they dug up their dino bones and discussed with their parents what dinosaur they had discovered.<br />
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We poured the extra sand into buckets and it was used for the turtles living in the science center. I had bags prepared for the guests to carry their dinosaur bones, fossils, and tools home with them so they wouldn't get sand all over their cars (as a mama, you try to think of those things).<br />
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The kids then put on their party hats, dino tails and feet, and gathered around the intern once more to see, touch, and hold a live snake (a special request by the Birthday girl) while the parents cleaned up the table for food.<br />
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After singing Happy Birthday to Elena, the food was enjoyed and more fun was had exploring the exhibits and dancing in dinosaur regalia.<br />
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<b>The Menu</b></div>
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The party was held from 10-12 so I planned a light lunch. I started with the "Herbivore" food and served a <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/beautiful-salad/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=mandarin%20orange%20salad&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page">Mandarin Orange Salad</a> and a <a href="http://www.publix.com/aprons/meals/AllRecipes/SimpleMeal.do?mealId=870&mealGroupId=21">Lime-Kissed Fruit Salad</a> (though I forgot the honey and it ended up just being fruit salad). The salad containers were Walmart finds that I am sure I will use time and time again.</div>
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Next came the "Carnivore" food which was Publix party platters. We served ham & cheese roll ups and pizza roll ups. For the "Watering Hole" I made my <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2011/04/sparkling-strawberry-limeade.html">Sparkling Strawberry Punch </a>and labeled small water bottles. I purchased lime green cups and made coordinating stickers for each cup. Each cup and water bottle had a place for guests to write their name so drinks weren't mixed up or discarded prematurely.</div>
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Finally, for desert, I made <a href="http://apronofgrace.com/2011/rose-bouquet-strawberry-birthday-cake/">strawberry cupcakes</a> and vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese icing. I made the cupcake wrappers and toppers using my Silhouette Cameo.</div>
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When Elena caught a glimpse of the cake on the site where I got her cupcake recipe, she insisted on a "rose" cake for her party so that is what she got!</div>
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Keep checking back in the next couple of weeks...once I get my computer out of the shop, I hope to post some FREE dino party printables as well as my designs for cutting out the dinosaur feet and cupcake wrappers via your Silhouette Cameo!</div>
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<b>FREE Silhouette Files:</b></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByXLImDHWfEjZkcwQXNTdHpFWTQ">Dino Feet</a></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByXLImDHWfEjNC1OeVVBSGxrdFU">Dino Claws</a></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByXLImDHWfEjT1dST21tYm56ZU0">Small Dino Feet</a></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByXLImDHWfEjMGhBc0VJQXlRUHc">Dino Hat Spikes</a></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByXLImDHWfEjbWRua1pEdV94YzA">Cupcake Liners</a></div>
Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-68195587704292493042012-03-15T09:22:00.000-04:002012-03-15T09:22:59.948-04:00Four Years ago...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflu3nzJQXySCL7TjqqNNYprwYr8ZiB-7SLZ7CaUJsh4IlnwFUh5tmedIpzc9zTu-aZIOkfaDTkt2GFwx-alYsPMZ84N1OYEyEznJIz_JyUO62IRt8_zxAgeuy9y9PxsM7tIU0aO5J43uZ/s1600/0+to+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflu3nzJQXySCL7TjqqNNYprwYr8ZiB-7SLZ7CaUJsh4IlnwFUh5tmedIpzc9zTu-aZIOkfaDTkt2GFwx-alYsPMZ84N1OYEyEznJIz_JyUO62IRt8_zxAgeuy9y9PxsM7tIU0aO5J43uZ/s400/0+to+4.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br />
On March 11, 2008 our lives changed forever. Elena Nicole Lowery<a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2010/09/elenas-birth-story.html"> came into this world</a> and we haven't been the same since. This little girl forever amazes me:<br />
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<ul><li>She loves: dinosaurs, trains, playing T-ball with Daddy, watching Star Wars, digging in the dirt and building things.</li>
<li>She must sleep with "Bear, Ted, & Doll" every day at naps and bed time</li>
<li>She does her chores willingly most days (except for cleaning up her toys)</li>
<li>She dresses herself in the mornings and is very decisive about what she will or will not wear. Her Daddy says that she is opinionated like her Mommy with the fashion sense of her Daddy...not a good combination!</li>
<li>She is an independent little soul. Whether she's entering her Sunday school room or visiting a new play ground, she enters the place as though she owns it.</li>
<li>She approaches every task with intention</li>
<li>She is a perfectionist about some things and gets very frustrated when she can't make things work EXACTLY how she thinks they should be</li>
<li>She LOVES tying knots (and has tripped up Mommy on more than one occasion with her "webs"</li>
<li>Though she's outgoing, she is cautious about more physical activities like slides, tumbling, swinging, etc.</li>
<li>She enjoys ballet but I learned the hard way that she's a bit modest...she didn't want to go for the longest time because she was "showing her underwear." After purchasing a pettiskirt, she hasn't complained once!</li>
<li>She knows more things about dinosaurs than I do (and I LOVED them when I was little)</li>
<li>She loves to learn new things and is starting 4K in the fall</li>
<li>She is a loving big sister (MOST of the time)...the words "Come on, Kate!" ring through our home all day</li>
<li>She's SO easy going (as she has always been). She didn't even cry yesterday when she got her 4-year shots! At times my mother's heart worries about her bottling up her feelings.</li>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>All about Elena in her own words via her Yearly Birthday Interview</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>(you can see last year's interview answers <a href="http://mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com/2011/03/three-years.html">here</a>):</b></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite color is...yellow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On TV, I like to watch...Word World</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite book is...The Easter Story (from her children's Bible)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite movie is...Star Wars</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to eat...chicken & rice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I feel happy when...I eat doughnuts</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I feel sad when...Kate pushes me (yep, her little sister is already showing her who's boss)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to...climb up trees</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't like to...eat onions</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Daddy is...special</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Mommy is...so pretty (melt my heart)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Kate is...really happy</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Georgia (our dog) is...funny</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Gracie (our cat) is...happy</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to play with...Grandpa</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite toy is...my train set</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am really good at...playing with toys</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I get excited...when a train comes by</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to go to...Hobby Lobby (that's my girl for the second year in a row!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My best friend is...Averi & McKenna</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love...my bears (that she sleeps with every night)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I thank God each and every day for choosing me to be her mother. What a precious child and an amazing responsibility He has given us as parents. I pray that I would live each day showing her the love that He has for us and what a jewel she is both to her family and her God.</span> </div></div></div>Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-84075806350958397682012-02-21T13:05:00.006-05:002012-03-07T14:01:53.713-05:00DIY Dino Dig KitsWe're getting all geared up for Elena's big 4th Birthday bash early next month. When asked what kind of party she wanted this year, there was absolutely no hesitation before her emphatic declaration..."a DINOSAUR party!" (which was a good thing, because Mommy had already created a Pinterest board dedicated to her 4th birthday dinosaur party).<br />
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I knew that I wanted to do a dino dig but we scheduled the party at our local science center. We needed something portable, individual sized, and a dig that would take no more than 20 minutes (due to the other activities they had planned and the attention span of our age group). I found some really neat<a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/small-dinosaur-dig-kits-a2-59_1064-12-1.fltr?Ntt=dino+dig"> kits at Oriental Traders</a> but after reading the reviews, I realized it might be too time consuming and challenging for 3-5 year olds (plus the price didn't exactly fit into my budget).<br />
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</div><div>I began my search for the perfect DIY kits online. I found some great resources for <a href="http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Dinosaur-Fossils.html">DIY fossils</a> but I wanted the kids to leave the party with more than an imprint of a dinosaur skeleton (that's not as much fun to play with as a dinosaur action figure). I also wanted the dig to be a bit more authentic than just sifting through a bit of sand to find a plastic dinosaur. I found a great recipe for <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/treasure-stone-673739/">treasure stones</a>, but I liked the idea of being able to use a brush to clean the surface of the bones and I didn't think the doughy consistency of the treasure stones would have the same effect. I even found a dino <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/dinosaur-excavation-cake/">excavation cake</a> that I considered doing. There were a few sites that had directions for <a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2007/07/make-your-own-f/">plaster dig kits</a>, but once again, that activity wouldn't fit within our time frame and could be a bit more of a challenge for little hands.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Finding no results I was completely satisfied with, I decided to combine several of the ideas I discovered into my own version of a dino dig kit. At best guess, they ended up costing just over $2 each.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: x-large;">THE TUTORIAL:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz4GH_B154EPgKltxrZFqeWAG18gLn4PtMBZiwPIFKI3Cu4vQTlNpLMu9v9kbZM6HVD5JjScI3kzV-iwg7C9gsaeE4-IVL8Cx5UVfWX31vAzx1vOOBoOanNuUxVagy0Jt6zRIdI5Ld7MY/s1600/page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz4GH_B154EPgKltxrZFqeWAG18gLn4PtMBZiwPIFKI3Cu4vQTlNpLMu9v9kbZM6HVD5JjScI3kzV-iwg7C9gsaeE4-IVL8Cx5UVfWX31vAzx1vOOBoOanNuUxVagy0Jt6zRIdI5Ld7MY/s640/page.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><b>Materials:</b></div><div>Miniature <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Assorted-Dinosaur-Fossil-Skeleton-Figures/dp/B001M2FNH0/ref=sr_1_42?ie=UTF8&qid=1320709696&sr=8-42">dinosaur skeletons from Amazon</a> (12 for $9)<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I have since found similar ones in 2 packs at Dollar Tree</span></i></div><div>Small aluminum baking tins (Dollar Tree purchase three for $1)</div><div>Salt dough (see recipe below)</div><div>Digging tools (see list below for what I included)</div><div>Printed dinosaur cards from <a href="http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/games/fieldguide.html">Dinosaur Train's Field guide</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I started with a simple salt dough recipe that I modified a bit for my needs. One batch made enough for two tins.<br />
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<i><b>Ingredients:</b></i><br />
1/2 cup salt<br />
1/2 cup play sand<br />
2 cups all purpose flour<br />
1 cup luke warm water<br />
1 heaping Tablespoon dried, used cofee grounds<br />
2 drops each of red, yellow, and blue food coloring<br />
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<i><b>Directions:</b></i><br />
1. Preheat oven to 300<br />
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, sand, and coffee grounds together until combined well<br />
3. tint water with food coloring to get a brownish color (it will look more purple but turns out to be more brown when combined with the other ingredients)<br />
4. Gradually mix in the water (you may only need 3/4 cup because you don't want your dough to be too wet)<br />
5.With your hands, form a ball with your dough and kneed it for at least 5 minutes. The longer you kneed your dough, the smoother it will become.<br />
6. Divide your dough into two even balls and roll out each to about a 1/2" depth, about 4" x 6.5" (the size of the bottom of the tins)<br />
7. Place the dough in the bottom of the tin and press a dinosaur skeleton into the dough until you get a nice impression of the dinosaur (I rocked it back and forth to make sure all of the skeleton appeared in the dough).</div><div>8. Bake for about 1 hour or until dough becomes hardened (do not over cook because the dough may begin to shrink)<br />
9. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.<br />
10. When dough has cooled a bit but is still somewhat pliable, press the dinosaur back into the mold just to insure that the dough doesn't shrink too much as it cools.<br />
11. Allow dough to cool completely.<br />
12. Cover over the top of the dinosaur and dough with play sand.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSxoFM2e-x78Xlsh1-4mUW-Vw-cb3OgQdCs80mRERVS23PDpjB-tEjSVtHrycgtKoCH026lNaj1Jct67PRWG4FQLYClLqWmijKBjYByXjF3mjdLET5tC3HCTxIx-wVczZGk3fZQKZvdsz/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSxoFM2e-x78Xlsh1-4mUW-Vw-cb3OgQdCs80mRERVS23PDpjB-tEjSVtHrycgtKoCH026lNaj1Jct67PRWG4FQLYClLqWmijKBjYByXjF3mjdLET5tC3HCTxIx-wVczZGk3fZQKZvdsz/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbQlDLq0zz3yoQZdfr0N_ggbQMruJ1NonnMIhG7RREzwV_S89INubh-9Z5RyPEvvkz58WGNf2tbni3xdYq6X9hDwHP4lSKmUZVOnimF7HffQS5N2GZmHEQxnws5btkOSzaPVpgBw9eigQ/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbQlDLq0zz3yoQZdfr0N_ggbQMruJ1NonnMIhG7RREzwV_S89INubh-9Z5RyPEvvkz58WGNf2tbni3xdYq6X9hDwHP4lSKmUZVOnimF7HffQS5N2GZmHEQxnws5btkOSzaPVpgBw9eigQ/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkCyKO_pR__prSupueuJINJb3FO1nU2R3I9SVp5ljwqxkprPVWZV9mXjsV6yGRdkY_kORM09dNELyC-c4ucs1pxZfOpcXVfNHj8Y2abRyqMC1jpXgvK6O7ytcNDHsSnHNqX6er0txoawj/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkCyKO_pR__prSupueuJINJb3FO1nU2R3I9SVp5ljwqxkprPVWZV9mXjsV6yGRdkY_kORM09dNELyC-c4ucs1pxZfOpcXVfNHj8Y2abRyqMC1jpXgvK6O7ytcNDHsSnHNqX6er0txoawj/s320/030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After the dig, I plan to have bags for the kids to put their "kits" in if they want to take them home and enjoy them again, with or without the dinosaur skeleton. I love that it will function both as an activity at the party and a favor.<br />
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I also wanted the kids to know exactly what kind of dinosaur they unearthed, so I found <a href="http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/games/fieldguide.html">FREE printable information cards</a> on the Dinosaur Train website. I found matches to all of the skeletons and glued the cards to the lid on the inside of each tin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvOJI1Z-SRwaSnshGwdZH-PlbxSgPmCLb4yECJJT78AzLzn2xsJ1F_3x5gVrFkA17OkI79Z_LcRUxXcrKkMobCWN2x9JViBDSILboMpuQKt89IdPHSw4Ix_9ulLHwBXBt6tHEcH00nTKX/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvOJI1Z-SRwaSnshGwdZH-PlbxSgPmCLb4yECJJT78AzLzn2xsJ1F_3x5gVrFkA17OkI79Z_LcRUxXcrKkMobCWN2x9JViBDSILboMpuQKt89IdPHSw4Ix_9ulLHwBXBt6tHEcH00nTKX/s320/028.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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Next I tied up each tin with pink and orange tulle (that matches our color scheme) and printed out color-coordinating tags the read "Dinosaur Excavation Site." I also tied their excavation tools to the top with the tulle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAMp7InPHwSR9TfxNrTuan537m1fO7BG9ILJn2vMxXpc7kqzixfLCK8Yv834IHMSCzaNRIn_Ehqnzbg9WcCqnnRw4qatwtj0Wcq5AktRR9XC3w7SCWtCf1Nk3FIXSNvTng1Fey_z_XzNN/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAMp7InPHwSR9TfxNrTuan537m1fO7BG9ILJn2vMxXpc7kqzixfLCK8Yv834IHMSCzaNRIn_Ehqnzbg9WcCqnnRw4qatwtj0Wcq5AktRR9XC3w7SCWtCf1Nk3FIXSNvTng1Fey_z_XzNN/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<b><i>Excavation tools included:</i></b><br />
Plastic Spoon for digging<br />
1" brush ($0.59 each from Joann)<br />
Small Magnifying Glass ($0.35 each from Party City)<br />
Bamboo Fork (75 for $1 at Dollar Tree)<br />
Bamboo Pick (25 for $1 at Dollar Tree)</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhGP5QZr2ArjF6_b2fEWxMP6F2wWaWPIF8cSrzqy9nPGbr3boLjffBoz6gN-bC-rgAxDXXrzSEtslzMxtzeE2o575oGLHOrM5YpwVFTwpVQHUTE1uZF832qidTqebwz40WSCu_nloKa1c/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhGP5QZr2ArjF6_b2fEWxMP6F2wWaWPIF8cSrzqy9nPGbr3boLjffBoz6gN-bC-rgAxDXXrzSEtslzMxtzeE2o575oGLHOrM5YpwVFTwpVQHUTE1uZF832qidTqebwz40WSCu_nloKa1c/s320/034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Keep your eyes pealed because I am sure I will be sharing more details to her party as the date gets closer like the party hats, dino tails, and dino feet as well as cupcake decorations, menu items and invitation design! This Mama LOVES to plan a party!<br />
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<center><a href="http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy351/jdsmit21/SMAbuttonWDIWargylecopy-1.jpg" /></a></center><center><br />
</center><center><center><a href="http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/j5z2f8.jpg" /></a></center></center></div>Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-38429619525930354502012-02-09T11:33:00.001-05:002012-02-09T11:39:46.168-05:003+2=5 Ye of little faith...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xNIi-vT75Zd_i1ei5kV4ZEgyCJRts0tb1Nf_q6pv6TVnWy8-bGrFoe51RrRyqqc-b6MyQt18m5oQ4Xw-V-iQ0aW5ErSsPs0GULDmYMofcF_OBwKl4DTmANwJhgELIReR-xhCOyAUsj-3/s1600/announcement+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xNIi-vT75Zd_i1ei5kV4ZEgyCJRts0tb1Nf_q6pv6TVnWy8-bGrFoe51RrRyqqc-b6MyQt18m5oQ4Xw-V-iQ0aW5ErSsPs0GULDmYMofcF_OBwKl4DTmANwJhgELIReR-xhCOyAUsj-3/s640/announcement+photo.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We've known since November, but just announced to the general public a couple of weeks ago...August 6th (or based on our previous two experiences late July) we will be adding a third and final little one to our family! Knowing this is likely the last time I will experience the joy of pregnancy and delivering a new life into the world, I started a pregnancy journal early on (something I thought of doing with both girls, but neglected to do for whatever reason). I looked back on some of my early entries today and it hit me square in the face how little faith I have sometimes. Here is the first excerpt from my journal, right after we took the first pregnancy test:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We went back and forth for SEVERAL months discussing whether we wanted a third child, what practical differences it would make in our daily life, would we be able to provide for three in college and school, etc., etc., etc....Patrick was worried about being an old father and I somehow never imagined that Kate would be our last baby, but we both agreed that if we had a third, that would be it for us. We finally agreed that three would be a good number for our family and felt that God wouldn't put the desire in our hearts if it wasn't within His will. As teachers, we saw first hand the benefits of siblings who were closer in age so we knew that we didn't want the baby and Kate to be three years apart in school. With that knowledge, we decided to start trying in May or June.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">With Elena and Kate, we were successful on our first and only try each time so when we decided to start trying for number three, we assumed it wouldn't be any different. We were wrong. After five months of trying and no success, we started believing maybe we were wrong, and God didn't intend for us to have any more children. We decided to give it one more month of trying and we began to prepare ourselves for the reality of only having two children. We were beginning to accept the idea and I didn't want to get my hopes up again, so I waited to calculate a possible due date and take an early pregnancy test until that "P" date on the calendar. I didn't want to hope, but with my first two babies, I remember one of the very first signs was thirst. For a few days I had been craving ice water and guzzling it by the glass fulls. I honestly chalked it up to the fact that I had been doing some work outside and a lot of dusting (yet again, I didn't want to get my hopes up). But finally, on the night before the big "P" date on the calendar, I asked Patrick if he thought I should take a test the next morning. He asked if it would be accurate and I told him I thought it would.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">November 27th, 2011:</b><br />
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I woke up having to use the bathroom so I lay in bed for a while trying to decide if I wanted to take the test. I told Patrick I had to go and asked him if I should test. He said go ahead. I went in the bathroom and took the test. I tried to keep my eyes closed and count the three minutes you are supposed to wait but of course I couldn't wait. I think I made it to 46 seconds before taking that first peek. Totally expecting to see a single pink line instead of two (as had been the case month after month before) I was shocked to see a VERY faint pink line next to the darker one. The first word I uttered was a very soft "baby" which then turned to a second louder "Baby" and finally a third loud "BABY!" I felt warm all over, weak and shaky. I showed Patrick and he didn't see it. We turned on more lights and he asked "Isn't it supposed to be darker than that?" I told him that it didn't matter how light or dark, a second line meant we were pregnant. We spent the day thinking about how our lives would change and re-adjusting to the idea that three was indeed a good number.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isn't it just like our Lord to place a desire in our hearts, then wait until we completely let go and humble ourselves before Him to answer those long-awaited prayers? We know of so many who tried and tried and could not have children, or struggled for YEARS before having a child. Here we were with two beautiful, healthy girls. Who are we to question God and His perfect timing? I write this now as a reminder to myself in those times when I lose faith, or try to take control of the situation myself, that no matter how hard I try, HE is the one in control and HIS timing is always perfect. I need to trust Him even when I am in the "thick of things" and don't understand.</div><br />
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</div>Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-20478375068006904402012-01-06T08:06:00.001-05:002012-01-06T08:07:04.679-05:00My little Dinosaur-lovin' Ballerina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGBAaTrwd0ivi66lFxwOvJpagYJwPgwKFB98slO18wt-AZIpI9si2Sr8_quMMfqTT0vcQ721oIsIXec1vFZdHECrx8AcZWavyE_ijwlHrDIM5fEYNlu4iQbNsicdyBmRQUNp3LvY_BtNw/s1600/IMG_5136mcm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGBAaTrwd0ivi66lFxwOvJpagYJwPgwKFB98slO18wt-AZIpI9si2Sr8_quMMfqTT0vcQ721oIsIXec1vFZdHECrx8AcZWavyE_ijwlHrDIM5fEYNlu4iQbNsicdyBmRQUNp3LvY_BtNw/s400/IMG_5136mcm.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love that my girls seem to be well rounded. On the top of their Christmas list this year was a train set and Toy Story action figures. Though there were a few dolls in the mix and some new clothes, by far their favorite has been the train table mingled with the bucket of dinosaurs. They have spent hours having the dinosaurs attack the trains and having Woody and Buzz come to the rescue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDSSrbZZPVYNgG03_ppPoMVnl-000np5d6hvUAxJlxVQ5I1hfpn_Vmn3_FZGdaQyI3UVjsT5YZBZZYzGDivErs15-WxFWdesF5zfi1E1u0mouEA-KYIzamawWMoh1T6_pGX3z3Evd5MJD/s1600/IMG_5110mcm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDSSrbZZPVYNgG03_ppPoMVnl-000np5d6hvUAxJlxVQ5I1hfpn_Vmn3_FZGdaQyI3UVjsT5YZBZZYzGDivErs15-WxFWdesF5zfi1E1u0mouEA-KYIzamawWMoh1T6_pGX3z3Evd5MJD/s400/IMG_5110mcm.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elena Showing off her new pose</td></tr>
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As a little girl, I always dreamed of taking dance lessons. Elena has always enjoyed moving to music and she is finally old enough, so we signed her up. Part of her Christmas was a semester of lessons, ballet shoes, tap shoes, tights and leotards. With all her interest in trains and dinosaurs lately, I was concerned about her losing interest in dance but lately her motivation for remembering to always use the potty has been dance class. She's been so excited all week and keeps asking when she gets to go "do ballet."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJlwDmI-3leaLs3EbVd2xgZa-R6lTZUVDucoOiZIPv8wBKwxTcxdOw6mufxwOLnHalWWYrNatUZ3N3ZvJobt19o3Wu09hVzLpgJECg03ClT1xh42wlQn6gO50XI4zxzr1H82aUCRiczLc/s1600/IMG_5126mcm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJlwDmI-3leaLs3EbVd2xgZa-R6lTZUVDucoOiZIPv8wBKwxTcxdOw6mufxwOLnHalWWYrNatUZ3N3ZvJobt19o3Wu09hVzLpgJECg03ClT1xh42wlQn6gO50XI4zxzr1H82aUCRiczLc/s400/IMG_5126mcm.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing Kate what she learned</td></tr>
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Yesterday was her first class (and though I was less than happy with her ability to follow directions in the portion of class that I observed) she LOVED it! Her biggest complaint was that she had to leave and unfortunately, she kind of took it out on her instructor by pouting on our way out and refusing to say "thank you." I guess it could have been worse. There are five little girls in the class and I couldn't feel more blessed to start her out with <a href="http://www.palmettoenpointe.com/">Palmetto En Pointe</a> and their dear, sweet instructors. I just know she is going to have a positive experience and develop a love for dance and movement for years to come!Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-38985578365896776912012-01-01T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-01T08:00:47.783-05:00Happy New Year!Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! My first resolution is to try to do a better job keeping my blog this year. Pray you all have a happy and blessed year.Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-67737217873460266962011-12-07T11:06:00.031-05:002011-12-07T15:37:28.367-05:00Creating our own Christmas Traditions...to Santa or not to Santa?Long before our girls arrived, Patrick and I would sit and discuss the Christmas traditions that we grew up with and dream about how we would make the season special for our children. Our common wish was that we remember the true reason we celebrate and not get too caught up in all of the glitz and glamour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvyZN4PBPWc6iVBG3Lv8-mRzEXOEEeakg6FcTAqGEMRaRGf_gALMBBYmOEt8XmIJ9qqb6WSoc0R_7MKh12vs-E88TGIWecDgyKHfWD9i6yyFKq-zsObVbWPNZJhyphenhyphenwva-kpx82s3B1Ao2i/s1600/105edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvyZN4PBPWc6iVBG3Lv8-mRzEXOEEeakg6FcTAqGEMRaRGf_gALMBBYmOEt8XmIJ9qqb6WSoc0R_7MKh12vs-E88TGIWecDgyKHfWD9i6yyFKq-zsObVbWPNZJhyphenhyphenwva-kpx82s3B1Ao2i/s320/105edit.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our most current family photo</td></tr>
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We both grew up believing in Santa. We remember the excitement of setting out cookies for Santa and waking up to a bunch of presents around the tree and filled stockings. Our relationship with Christ did not suffer as a result but personally, we struggle with the idea of telling "white lies" to our children. Maybe it's a little bit selfish on our part because we don't want to deal with the guilt or maybe it's that we don't want to have to explain why some things we've asked them to believe in are true and other's are not. We even have a sweet little book (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Special-Place-Santa-Legend-Time/dp/0961628618">A Special Place for Santa</a>) that my mom found for us. The book includes the history of Santa (his Christian roots and origin). In the story, Santa is concerned about taking away from Christ at Christmas: but, when I read it to the girls, I feel as though I could be leading them astray.<br />
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Admittedly, we're still on the fence about our "Santa" decision.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have come to some conclusions:</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-we're not telling the girls what they can and can not believe in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-we're going ALL OUT with Christmas decorations</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaUYxxZgl_GAUY0Mr68DEzvpdxm77JSzA7oia2JvRTU59X1Z-D_TlyP4oO1f6XmlOj2_B4u6uC9wBIFIOZRN9JMfuYexDPqoyrrsTl4MA_xAjkiu1THjpghG5GvZwKx4Gk9McGbuWGW4g/s1600/172edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaUYxxZgl_GAUY0Mr68DEzvpdxm77JSzA7oia2JvRTU59X1Z-D_TlyP4oO1f6XmlOj2_B4u6uC9wBIFIOZRN9JMfuYexDPqoyrrsTl4MA_xAjkiu1THjpghG5GvZwKx4Gk9McGbuWGW4g/s320/172edit.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elena adding her 4th year ornament to the tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWNbixtgOJtdtjqtC0uWCys4Pwma7oqAveb0HDtmQw3rSAda9QBDM04YZ3r7EHPwAr6kj7MPL9fzf53Uhq4Kz37jKfUJnyV7Lmx7VvmFw_C6QtYJYsHAzWwdBQZyJYn9wC6skoX7MZZ7d/s1600/176edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWNbixtgOJtdtjqtC0uWCys4Pwma7oqAveb0HDtmQw3rSAda9QBDM04YZ3r7EHPwAr6kj7MPL9fzf53Uhq4Kz37jKfUJnyV7Lmx7VvmFw_C6QtYJYsHAzWwdBQZyJYn9wC6skoX7MZZ7d/s320/176edit.JPG" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate getting a good look at her 2nd year Christmas ornament</td></tr>
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-we're hanging stockings as part of our decorations</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-presents will still "appear" on Christmas morning</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(<i>though we're not telling them they are from Santa</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-traditional movies and "stories" are still O.K.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(<i>as we're finding them very hard to avoid</i>)</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUpV0pWP-D8yO37S7SOQF9s7RY4G1gpbOwWqbnYUEMqyAi58aT18zltDjo4Peu8pZ0ssQPU-d2IQGLp22b25JPkzVq-jmjEt8wCGYg0LskMjAl8X6fGECyMGU-NA4JrHxEAgjTYDewx9g/s1600/189edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUpV0pWP-D8yO37S7SOQF9s7RY4G1gpbOwWqbnYUEMqyAi58aT18zltDjo4Peu8pZ0ssQPU-d2IQGLp22b25JPkzVq-jmjEt8wCGYg0LskMjAl8X6fGECyMGU-NA4JrHxEAgjTYDewx9g/s320/189edit.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sipping Hot Chocolate while watching the Polar Express</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-most importantly, activities that focus on Christ and the Nativity are at the forefront every day</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For now these activities are out:</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-letters to Santa</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-scheduled pictures with Santa</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-cookies and milk for Santa</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-purchasing an elf</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We don't want to be scrooges or have children who are "know-it-alls;" who go telling all the other children in their classes that there is no such thing as Santa. We don't want to take the "magic" out of Christmas for our girls either. For the time being, we are just allowing them to assume that there is a Santa but we are not confirming that it's true. One of my dear college friends told me that is how her parents handled it. They never once told her there was a Santa but always stressed that she was allowed to believe in whatever she felt in her heart to be true. I always admired her strong family ties and most importantly, their family's devotion to Christ.<br />
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It is increasingly a challenge to avoid Santa when other children and adults are constantly asking that age-old question, "What is Santa bringing you for Christmas." When Elena says things like, "Santa is going to bring me a train set!" We reply with, "Do you think so?" and "Is that what you believe?" Ultimately our goal is for our children to be excited about CHRIST, always put HIM first, and remember that it was the tiny baby in the manger that gave us all we have.<br />
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Last year, I stumbled upon a book at Publix, <a href="http://www.familyfiction.com/authors/renae-brumbaugh/books/christmas-stories-for-bedtime/">Christmas Stories for Bedtime</a>. I loved the way it took a new verse each night, explained it simply, and included a prayer and a song. It is a wonderful, sequential and Biblical way to share the Christmas Story (I hesitate to even call it a story when it is absolute TRUTH). This year Patrick and I sat down and picked out 25 of the 31 devotionals that we felt would have the most impact on our girls and I made ornaments to go with each one (I got the idea for the ornaments I made <a href="http://www.loriwhitlock.com/blog/nativity-christmas-ornaments/">here</a>).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG60-JA04b7ueV1qjNOLyZLXbQ8HXwV7m2sKxZoh5dN4nQgSnuAzmwfbTCn7GZ__HCmbJZw8K5OeR4egxcwSCniO3dN-ByXQwpkZE7iPpUgbFDWRZk6aJ7GHcHMB0a6IhsRbHcrxiuLfKZ/s1600/IMG_5043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG60-JA04b7ueV1qjNOLyZLXbQ8HXwV7m2sKxZoh5dN4nQgSnuAzmwfbTCn7GZ__HCmbJZw8K5OeR4egxcwSCniO3dN-ByXQwpkZE7iPpUgbFDWRZk6aJ7GHcHMB0a6IhsRbHcrxiuLfKZ/s400/IMG_5043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Each day of December leading up to Christmas, we read the verse and lesson, pray the prayer (but make it our own) sing the song, and place our ornament on our special little tree. The book is designed for children ages 5-8 and even though Elena is only three, the Biblical truths are explained so simply that even she is able to understand. Elena LOVES putting the ornaments on the tree each night and we all enjoy singing the songs together as a family (and again throughout the next day).<br />
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I also found a wonderful FREE <a href="http://overthebigmoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/nativity-pre-k-pack.html">pre-school nativity pack</a>. Elena (and eventually Kate) will do some activities during the day that relate to the evening lesson. As the girls get a little older, I would love to incorporate giving to others in need or an outreach activity for every day as well. Another fun tradition that we learned from a former Sunday School teacher of ours is purposely keeping the baby Jesus out of all of our nativity scenes (we have a few around the house) until Christmas morning. The first thing we do on Christmas (even before presents and breakfast) is read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Story-Christmas-Tim-Dowley/dp/0802417582">My First Story of Christmas</a> which ends with the following powerful statements:<br />
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"Each year we remember that first Christmas, when Jesus was born in a stable. We give each other presents, just as the wise men gave presents to Jesus and just as God sent Jesus as the best gift of all."<br />
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After reading this and praying together, we place the baby Jesus in the manger scenes as our first "gift" of Christmas. Then we begin the fun of opening presents and playing together as a family.<br />
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<b>Here are some other great ideas I have found for keeping Christ the center of Christmas with your kids:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/christmas.html">Daily Scriptures and Crafts</a><br />
<a href="http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2nov2007.htm">Gingerbread Nativity</a><br />
<a href="http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2010/12/symbols-of-christmas.html">Similarities between Santa and Jesus</a><br />
<a href="http://greenjellowithcarrots.com/onlinecoloringpages/">Online Christmas Coloring Book</a><br />
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<b>Some great links my dear friends and family sent my way after I posted this:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-family-devotional/">FREE Jesse Tree Family Devotional</a>-if I had seen this before making my ornaments, I think I might have gone this route instead. I love how there is an "outreach" included in every day's activities. We will probably be doing this devotion when our kids get a little older!<br />
<a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/">Who is St. Nicholas?</a>-a great online resource that explains the Christian origin of St. Nicholas.<br />
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I would LOVE to hear other believers' Christmas traditions. Please share your ideas, suggestions, etc.Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576835608085996488.post-44616551510800238122011-08-15T13:27:00.000-04:002011-08-15T13:27:29.666-04:00Ponies, Pillows and a Parachute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RZP5oXnLBo0JTAkuivSXFrHytQ4rnEXTSUeapptSMnTPRhcdy_vqTF3OIzocyADoYZZdKAWEILPay0sWhezHCEhjO1TSwnklvTE-bQE1KUuLlbYVstKL-Z_dbmKhe7kDb2t7g78XVKHG/s1600/IMG_4079edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RZP5oXnLBo0JTAkuivSXFrHytQ4rnEXTSUeapptSMnTPRhcdy_vqTF3OIzocyADoYZZdKAWEILPay0sWhezHCEhjO1TSwnklvTE-bQE1KUuLlbYVstKL-Z_dbmKhe7kDb2t7g78XVKHG/s400/IMG_4079edit.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
I know it has been FOREVER since I posted, but today the hubs went back to work and I guess I kind of did as well. Last week I saw an amazing <a href="http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2011/08/bubble-boy.html">idea</a> on <a href="http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/">Play at Home Mom's blog</a> and I knew we MUST try this. Well, completely on accident last night, Elena went digging through some of my old teaching supplies and re-discovered my 16-person parachute. We began playing with it (as best we could with one adult, one 3-year-old and one 16-month-old). We have a box fan at the entrance to our playroom (since it's a lot warmer than the other rooms in our house). Quiet by accident we discovered that our little box fan, a few close walls, and the parachute create the perfect bubble hut!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ7FSEyXu7eYH9oKM2D2hZyE9L9eLoH8tspqinKADAtaZRBxS4xN9QJB6RxBxett-VmxF70XBurtZVTs9lzoo0cTDe9KkngZZt93LyiaZR5ZeWjmQ_zy23CephJbkyOHxXKL_tu2wOPAj/s1600/IMG_4082edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ7FSEyXu7eYH9oKM2D2hZyE9L9eLoH8tspqinKADAtaZRBxS4xN9QJB6RxBxett-VmxF70XBurtZVTs9lzoo0cTDe9KkngZZt93LyiaZR5ZeWjmQ_zy23CephJbkyOHxXKL_tu2wOPAj/s400/IMG_4082edit.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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We played in it for a while last night before dinner time. Of course, first thing this morning, Elena was asking for the parachute again. This time we set it up in the hallway between the girls' rooms. They immediately began filling it with pillows and of course the ponies had to get in on the action.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVWp8FXOeBoUNZXzyEpgqWDwXl_zL2Xr-bjy9CmjkDZcd_u4DWqPYA-l0gGqoZjtCLaRnOzqiU_rs_W5VtUZUxCbBaZqvfSNMteX41uHNgq8CKmb3k4zGAVbuEWruwxHlrisk0DjKEL5f/s1600/IMG_4073edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVWp8FXOeBoUNZXzyEpgqWDwXl_zL2Xr-bjy9CmjkDZcd_u4DWqPYA-l0gGqoZjtCLaRnOzqiU_rs_W5VtUZUxCbBaZqvfSNMteX41uHNgq8CKmb3k4zGAVbuEWruwxHlrisk0DjKEL5f/s400/IMG_4073edit.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It's not a "bubble boy" bubble, but it ended up being a lot cheaper for us with no trip to Lowe's. I have a feeling we'll be doing this a lot in the coming winter months!Mallard Cove Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208176359384352315noreply@blogger.com1