tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67595590842056279532024-03-14T10:36:57.010-05:00A Growing VioletBehold, children are a gift of the LORD..."
Psalm 127:3Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.comBlogger623125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-47040710330225252762014-07-22T03:11:00.001-05:002014-07-22T03:11:41.685-05:00A Longing Fulfilled For nine years I rejoiced in the blessing that Violet is in our lives. She is our fertility baby who beat all the odds that were stacked against her. From the beginning, Violet fought to live and to come into this world. She fought through low progesterone levels that threatened miscarriage. We closely monitored a band of scar tissue that was dangerously close to her left hand, praying that it wouldn't attach itself to her. So many struggles were experienced during that pregnancy and in some ways it feels like Violet and I went to war for her very existence in this world and we came out victorious.<br />
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With everything we went through just to bring this precious child into the world, I felt a little guilty for longing for one more. I couldn't put myself through those complications again and run the risk of an extended hospital stay for a second child when I had a miracle baby at home. Yet, my arms ached for another child.<br />
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My heart would rejoice in my friend's and family's announcements of expectancy and break in the same heartbeat, as each one was a painful reminder that my family felt incomplete. It was painful watching my husband hold another person's infant. I would often leave the scene and go somewhere to cry in private. That is how deep this longing for another child ran within me. My heart was so broken during that time that I couldnt even bring myself to hold these precious babes that were in my life. Nursery duty at church and in our homeschool co-op were avoided at all costs. Needless to say, I felt so much guilt during this time period in my life.<br />
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In 2012, I was having some issues that required my doctor's attention. He naturally brought up my having a hysterectomy as it would keep me from developing any more ovarian cysts and stop the painful cycles that I was having. My doctor assumed we were done trying since it had been eight years since Violet's birth. He had no way of knowing that that sole question would pull the rug out from under me and bring on a flood of tears that he was not prepared for. And it was at this particular moment that my husband saw how deep this longing ran within me.<br />
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My doctor changed his course of action and instead of the mentioned hysterectomy he scheduled a laprascopic procedure to remove the cycsts and clear out any scar tissue that was there and ran a test to see if I had any healthy eggs left within me. That test would determine if I would have a hysterectomy or not. Waiting on those test results was the most excruciating week I've ever experienced. I asked friends to pray for either good test results or a change in my heart. When the results came back good my heart leaped with hope.<br />
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My surgery was scheduled the week before Thanksgiving in 2012. I was in a great deal of pain at this point. I was at the end of a rope that I didn't even realize I had. I was ready to be without constant pain and to be able to go on with my life. Crazy enough though, Gregg and I never discussed trying to get pregnant. I think we were too afraid to broach that topic and so it sat there, this thing that needed talking about but never addressed.<br />
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Surgery was supposed to be an easy one with an easy recovery but it wasn't. I was incredibly bruised and recovery took nearly twice as long than what was anticipated. I was given Lupron to aid in the healing from my surgery and the side effects were horrible. I experienced hot flashes that were so intense they were nauseating. They were so bad that it took me a while to realize I had experienced a bad case of food poisoning.<br />
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Three months after the food poisoning experience I thought I had gotten it again. My family went out to eat to celebrate a family member's sixteenth birthday. Everyone else was fine and so I figured it was the chicken I ate that caused my illness. I went to my family doctor and begged him for help. I was convinced that I must have been dehydrated because I was also very dizzy. I was so convinced that I had food poisoning again that I was completely unprepared for the news that I was actually pregnant! I will never forget my doctor's expression after he told me I was expecting when I asked him, "Expecting what?". He clearly thought I was a dunce, and I clearly felt like one when the reality of what he just told me sunk it. I cried such wonderful tears of joy afterwards!<br />
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My husband was so worried about me that he kept texting me, asking if I had seen the doctor and if I was okay. At some point I started ignoring his texts because I immediately called my OB/GYN. No way was I going to allow much time to go by after nearly miscarrying Violet due to low progesterone levels. This was a wise call on my part, which I'll explain at another time. My family doctor gave me to little stick test and gave me a gentle hug as I walked out the door. Hubby was waiting for me, with Violet in the backseat of the car, in the parking lot. As soon as I sat down, I saw the concern in Hubby's eyes. I gingerly handed him the test and he looked at me and said, " I don't know what this means" (we discovered Violet's pregnancy through a blood test, so there were no pee sticks), so I explained "one line means no, two mean yes". And with that, we headed toward home. Hubbybheld my hand so tightly during that short drive home. In some way, I think we both needed to feel anchored in this new reality. We were finally pregnant!<br />
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Once home, we set Violet up with a special video for her to watch so that Hubby and I could talk. I was so nervous waiting for him to come to our room. I knew he would be happy but a tiny part in me questioned that. I was so overwhelmed at that moment and fear tried to wiggle its way into my heart. When Hubby finally walked in our room he gave me the biggest, yet gentlest, hug he could give me. And with that one gesture my body relaxed. I could think a little more clearly while he held me in his arms. I don't remember much of what we said other than he asked me if I was okay. It was pretty clear that I was just a little shocked. I was also nervous, scared, excited and totally in love with the tiny baby that was growing inside me. But mostly, I was grateful. Grateful to God that He heard my cries for another child and he granted me the greatest desire of my heart. A baby. Our family would be growing and Violet would have the sibling that she has longed for.<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-57749382124933206672013-11-20T22:15:00.001-06:002013-11-21T02:49:05.299-06:00Generousity of StrangersI am completly amazed by the generousity of strangers. Someone we've never met before gifted us with a very important baby gift that we were yet to receive - a traveling car seat! A friend noticed someone was trying to sell a Graco Rittenhouse Car Seat, brand new and still in its box, for a great price and sent me a link to the sale. I responded quickly and asked if she would hold the car seat for us until Friday, when Gregg gets paid. This sweet lady sent me an email shortly afterwards and said, "My husband and I feel that we are supposed to bless your family by giving you this carseat." My heart leaped for joy because I knew that what we were going to pay for this particular car seat was about half of its retail value, and here we were getting it for free! Wonders never cease! So now, all we have to purchase is the actual Graco Rittenhouse Stroller.<br />
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I am still trying to process this generous gift from someone who is a complete stranger to us. And the car seat was not the only gift that they blessed us with - we also received several diaper disposal bags to fit in the Arm & Hammer diaper disposal system and a sweet gift bag filled with designer burp cloths, a sweet taggie blanket, headbands with clip on flowers, a Christmas Lullaby cd, and the most adorable socks for an infant girl.<br />
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My heart is overwhelmed by this family's generousity towards complete strangers. This is taking the act "Pay It Forward" to a whole new level. Just as I was starting to panic about this newborn necessity God moved and said, "I've got this covered. Trust in Me and I'll take care of things." To be perfectly honest with you, I'm slow to come around to things sometimes and will admit that I worry when I should just trust in my heavenly Father. This was such a time for me and God reminded me very clearly of the following verse...<br />
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<ol class="keyword-result-list text-html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px;"><strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:25-34&version=ESV" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: orange;">Matthew 6:25-34</span></a></strong></ol>
<ol class="keyword-result-list text-html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px;"><i>“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ..."</i></ol>
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To the family who so graciously donated this car seat to us... Thank you! I can never fully express what a blessing this was for us. We will be reminded of God providing for our needs through the generousity of strangers every time we place our little girl in this. May God bless you richly and abundantly.<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-9657115501703660222013-11-15T18:00:00.000-06:002013-11-16T22:50:06.851-06:00FaithTo say that I'm amazed that I'm experiencing the life changing event of pregnancy again would be an understatement. Yes, I'm amazed but I'm also shocked, blessed, scared, unsure of the future, and incredibly grateful. Our lives are going to change in one of the most dramatic ways possible once this little girl arrives. Not unlike when her big sister, Violet, entered this world and changed mine and Gregg's lives from a couple to a family of three.<br />
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This week I've hit a huge milestone in this pregnancy. I hit the 33 week mark a few days ago. The reason why this is such a big milestone - it was at this point in my pregnancy with Violet that she entered this world. My sweet girl was born 7 weeks early and, beyond severe reflux and jaundice, she was a healthy 5 pound baby girl, perfect in every possible way.<br />
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Violet spent five days in the NICU due to reflux and jaundice but we were blessed in that she got to come home with us when I was released from the hospital. Her release from the NICU was last minute and a surprise to us. As hard as it was, Gregg and I were prepared to leave our hearts at the hospital as we drove home. Ten minutes before the nurse came to wheel me out of my room, the NICU called and said they were bringing Violet to my room for release. Gregg had just returned to my room after taking all of our belongings to the car when I sent him back to get Violet's diaper bag. What a joy it was to call Violet's Grandmothers who were waiting on us at home to tell them Violet would be with us! There was a lot of rejoicing that day.</div>
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Violet's little sister is doing well and growing right on target. I had an ultrasound recently and she is measuring at 4 pounds 2 ounces. A full pound lighter than her big sister was at this point, which is a good thing. This means my gestational diabetes is not affecting her as much as her big sister. If Little Sister keeps at this rate, she will weigh somewhere around 6-7 pounds when she's born.</div>
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You may be wondering, "Does this little girl have a name yet?" and the answer to that would be a resounding YES! In keeping with not using Violet's first name on the world-wide-web, we will be sharing this little girl's life with you under the name of Faith. Just like Violet's name, Faith is this little girl's middle name which is from one of her Great-Great Grandmothers (just like Violet's name is).</div>
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I'm doing quite well considering that I feel like a beached whale. Ha! I tire easily now, which is to be expected at this stage in my pregnancy. And I'm getting to be quite uncomfortable. Faith is a very active baby and has quite a powerful kick for one so tiny. I've recently discovered tiny bruises up near my ribs. Contractions are starting to hit me but they are irregular and don't hit too often. Still, I'm ready for the next few weeks to pass quickly as I'm ready to meet this little girl. Yet, I'm scared too because there is so much to do and so many things to get before she arrives. Let's just say, panic is starting to set in that we won't get everything done in time. We'll be delivering in a few more weeks and are getting down to the wire. I can't wait!</div>
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-64753786412597453432013-10-28T01:34:00.003-05:002013-10-28T01:34:59.192-05:00The Miracle of Pregnancy<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes life comes along and blows you away when you least expect it. For several years, we have longed for another child, a sibling for Violet to grow up with. My arms and heart ached for a child that I never thought would happen. Gregg and I decided against fertility treatments after the difficult pregnancy I had with our beautiful girl and we left the decision up to God and tried to be content with whatever happened. Gregg handled the wait better than I did. At times, it was gut wrenching for me to be around little babies. It seemed like I was constantly around little babies. Our church is filled with young families and couples who are starting their little families. And in our home school group, our family was the only one with one child. No matter how happy I was for these families, my heart ached for another child. Not because Violet wasn't enough or perfect in every way, because she is, but because my family didn't feel complete. Growing up as an only child, I knew from an early age that I never wanted to just have one child. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just when I had finally given up the hope of another child I was faced with a surgery to remove yet another cyst on one of my ovaries and more endometriosis. During the initial consult with my doctor, he naturally brought up the option of a hysterectomy. As soon as he uttered that word, my world collapsed. Apparently, I still had hope. My doctor noticed the immediate tears that welled into my eyes and quickly started talking options. First, a test was in order to see if my body was still producing viable eggs. Then, surgery to remove the cysts and enometriosis. I've had this surgery before. Three times to be exact. And in four short months from the time of my surgery, we discovered that I was pregnant! Words still fail me at the emotions that ran through me at the news.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had gone in to see my family doctor because I thought I had gotten yet another case of food poisoning. Within a two month time frame I had gotten food poisoning twice and a stomach bug. So, I went to my doctor out of desperation. I begged my family doctor, "Please, give me something, anything, to make me stop getting sick!" The possibility of my being pregnant wasn't even a remote thought in my mind. My doctor ran a quick test without telling me what it was. When he came back into my exam room, my sweet doctor's next words are ones that I'll never forget. "Kimberly, I'm pretty sure this will come as good news to you. You're expecting!" I felt like I was in a vacuumed environment when he said that. All of a sudden, everything became tunnel vision as my mind tried to process what he had just told me. "Expecting what?" I asked. Yes, I was THAT clueless. Remember, I never thought this to be an actual possibility for me without fertility treatments involved. My doctor's face was priceless as he looked at me with caution in how to proceed. "Kimberly..." and then after sitting there for a few seconds it sunk in. "Oh. Oh! OH!!!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, my sweet husband was sending me text messages to see what the doctor had to say. I ignored his messages and immediately called my Ob/Gyn and was making an appointment. My pregnancy with Violet taught me to never wait to see my doctor in this situation. My family doctor smiled at me when he heard me making an appointment for the next Monday and getting lab tests arranged to check my progesterone levels. I had everything set up by the time Gregg arrived at the doctor's office to pick me up. He looked at me with such concern on his face, it was obvious he was worried about me. I couldn't just bust out the news that we were pregnant because Violet was in the back seat so I discreetly handed him the pregnancy test. My poor husband looked at me with confusion and said, "I don't know what this means." (We never had a pregnancy stick test with Violet as her pregnancy was confirmed with a blood test.) I quietly told him, "One line means no. Two means yes." Gregg looked at the stick again and said, "There's definitely two lines here." And with that, we drove home listening to Violet's chatter come to us from her seat in the back of the car while he clutched my hand and held on to me as if he was afraid I'd disappear somehow. Once we got home, we immediately put a movie on for Violet to occupy her time so that we could steal a few moments alone. Gregg and I sat on our bed and just held each other for the longest time. I think we were both in such a state of shock, and in awe of what we've just found out, that we were afraid to talk and break the magic of the moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been seven months since that fateful day and the shock still has not worn off. In some ways, this pregnancy has been easier on me than what I experienced with Violet but it has been quite challenging too. With Violet, I was...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1) put on bed rest after only knowing we were pregnant for two days due to extremely low progesterone levels. It took nearly a month for the levels to be brought up to where they needed to be in order to sustain her pregnancy. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2) I spent a few days in the hospital due to getting the flu and becoming seriously dehydrated. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And then...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3) the mother-load of complications hit me at 26 weeks, I was diagnosed with a severe case of <a href="http://www.preeclampsia.org/">preeclampsia</a> and <a href="http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html">gestational diabetes</a>. I spent a total of 31 days in the hospital just trying to eek out more time for Violet to develop and then another two weeks spent at home with home-health care monitoring me several times a day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This time around, my progesterone levels were low again but they were easier to bring up. I've dealt with debilitating dizziness and some morning sickness but nothing serious enough to land me in the hospital. And, through God's grace and the help of my doctor, I've managed to dodge preeclampsia so far (I'm five weeks past the point of when it hit me with Violet). I have gestational diabetes again but we've been able to manage it without insulin by following a diet that was provided by a nutritionist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I look at both of these pregnancies, it is impossible to not see how God's hand was in the details of everything. He protected Violet, and my health, during some of the worst things you can experience in a pregnancy. This time, God is protecting me from the very complications that made Violet's pregnancy so hard. Two totally different pregnancies, but God's hand is evident in both! We are so incredibly blessed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was never supposed to be able to have children according to one doctor that I saw many, many years ago. My endometriosis was too bad and my ovaries were a mess. I went several years without hope of ever having a child. And then I met Dr. Balat. Dr. Balat changed all of that with a couple of surgeries and then a low dose fertility medication. Sometimes it takes multiple tries with fertility meds to conceive, if you conceive at all, but we were fortunate to get pregnant with the very first dose! Oh, what an amazing blessing it was to hear the words I had so longed to hear, "Kimberly, you're pregnant!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward nine years... no pregnancies and my hopes were fading into the ether. Obviously, pregnancy didn't fix whatever was wrong and we weren't conceiving on our own. Yet, we still did not want to go through fertility treatments again. We were experiencing the phenomenon that's called "<a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/secondary-infertility/AN02135">secondary infertility</a>". When you've had one pregnancy and then struggled to conceive a second.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Glory be to God! Gregg and I were finally getting to experience for a second time the miracle of pregnancy! So, here we are now, I'm in my 31st week of my pregnancy and my estimated due date is Dec. 28, 2013. We know already that we will be delivering this little bundle of joyful blessings during the first week of December, for health and safety reasons. So, this little one will be here before we know it, in five short weeks! We couldn't be more thrilled with this tremendous blessing in our lives. Much like Sarah in the Old Testament, I began to believe that having another baby was impossible. And just like Sarah, God showed me that He was capable of doing anything for His children! And here we are, experiencing for the second time the absolute miracle and joy of pregnancy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank You Father for never giving up on me, even when I had personally given up hope. Your grace and Your mercy never ceases to fail or amaze me. </i></span></blockquote>
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-44983330701194280352013-08-28T19:29:00.002-05:002013-09-08T00:15:38.993-05:00Classical Conversations Unofficial Cycle 2 Book List compiled by Kimberly Wiltshire<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3ceabecf-c75b-5f30-25f8-c54f31441307" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello friends! It's that time of of year again where we're gearing up for our big homeschool adventure. One of my favorite parts about homeschooling Violet is that we get to read all kinds of books to ignite her imagination as we study certain topics. We follow<a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/"> Classical Conversations</a>' program for our educational journey and I always love researching the topics for each year and compiling a list of books to either buy or check out from our local library. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">We're very excited about this year as this will be our first year to repeat a cycle in Classical Conversations. Cycle 2 was when we joined this incredible program and it was an amazing year for our little family. Here is my little princess meeting the ill fated Anne Boleyn at the Texas Renaissance Festival four years ago. That day will forever be one of my favorite days of all time. We had such a wonderful time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a list of books that I have compiled after researching the topics for Classical Conversations Cycle 2. These books are recommended for children ages 4 to 10 based on the ratings and reviews either from Amazon or our public library. I have not read all of these books and cannot personally account for their material. These are generally Read-Aloud books that can be read individually or to a group of children. As with everything, please review these books before buying or checking them out from your library. I hope you enjoy this list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">* MSB = Magic School Bus</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Please note that each subject is missing a week or more due to the lack of books </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> found for that particular week. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HISTORY</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 1 Gisela’s Holiday Story (Gisela, Daughter of Charlemagne) - Lois Jarman</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Marvelous Blue Mouse - Christopher Manson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Elephant from Baghdad - Mary Tavener Holmes</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 2 William the Conqueror, Get a Life - Philip Ardaqh</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> William the Conqueror: Last Invader of England - Tom McGowen</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 3 Richard the Lionheart:Crusader King of England - Thomas Streissquth</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You Wouldn't Want To Be A Crusader!: A War You'd Rather Not Fight [Paperback] </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fiona-MacDonald/e/B001HMLDRO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fiona MacDonald</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 4 The Magna Carta - James Daugherty</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 5 Joan of Arc - Diane Stanley</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> You Wouldn’t Want to be Joan of Arc - </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 6 Leonardo and the Flying Boy</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 7 The Adventures of Martin Luther - Carolyn Bergt</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 8 Who In the World Was the Forgotten Explorer? The Story of</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">merigo Vespucci - Lorene Lambert</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Magellen’s World - Stuart Waldman</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 9 Peter the Great - Diane Stanley</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Three Musketeers - Alexander Dumas</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 10 The Fairy Tale about Ivan the Son of Czar and Firebird and about</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Grey Wolf - Elienne Burkatovskii</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 11 Marguerite Makes a Book - Bruce Robertson</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 12 Time Warp Trio: Meet You at Waterloo - Jon Sciezka</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Minstrel in the Tower - Gloria Skurzynski</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> A Medieval Fiest - Aliki</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 13 All About America: The Industrial Revolution - Hilarie N. Staton</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Bobbin Girl - Emily Arnold McCully</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 14 Where Poppies Grow: A World War 1 Companion - Linda Grarfield</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 15 Ten and Twenty - Claire Bishop</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Christmas In the Trenches - John McCatcheon</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 16 You Wouldn’t Want to Be a WWII Piolet - Antram</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Hannaha’s Cold Winter - Trish Marx</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Benno and the Night of Broken Glass (Holocaust) - Meg Wiviott</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 17 Teedie: The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt - Don Brown</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> TIME For Kids: Theodore Roosevelt: The Adventurous President</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> - Editors for TIME For Kids</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You’re On Your Way, Teddy Roosevelt - Judith St. George</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 19 My Freedom Trip: A Child’s Escape from North Korea - Francis & Ginger Poork</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 20 The Wall - Eve Bunting</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> My Grandpa’s War - David Volk</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 21 The Fall of the Berlin Wall: The Cold War Ends - Nigel Kelly</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 22 The Wall: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain - Peter Sis</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 23 Ashely’s Yellow Ribbon - Barbara Davoll</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 24 Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom - Chris van Wyk</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mandela: From the Life of the South African Statesman - Floyd Cooper</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SCIENCE</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 1 Tropical Rainforest - Donald Silver</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Frozen Tundra: A Web of Life - Philip Johansson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> What Is a Biome? - Bobbie Kalman</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Animals Sleep: A Bedtime Book of Biomes - Thomas A. Heffron</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 2 Carnivores - Aaron Reynolds</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bear Wants More - Karma Wilson</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 3 MSB Gets Eaten: A Book About Food Chains - Pat Reif</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Pond Circle - Betsy Franco</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Gobble It Up - Jim Arnosky</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 4 Down Comes the Rain - Franklyn Branley</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> MSB Wet All Over: A Book About the Water Cycle - Pat Reif</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Water Hole - Grame Base</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> MSB At The Waterworks</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 5 MSB Goes Upstream: A Book About Salmon Migration</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Going Home: The Mystery of Animal Migration - Merianne Berkes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Home At Last: A Song of Migration - April Pulley Sayre</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 6 The Wump World - Bill Peet</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Lorax - Dr. Seuss</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute (Anymore) - Stan & Jan Berenstain</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 7 Stars - Mary Lyn Ray</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> How the Stars Fell into the Sky - Jerrie Dughton</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 8 Brother Sun, Sister Moon - Katherine Paterson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(based on the writings of St. Francis Assisi)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 9 The Planets In Our Solar System - Franklyn M. Branley</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> National Geographic Readers: Planets - Elizabeth Carney</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Clarice Bean, What Planet Are You From? - Lauren Child</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 10 What the Moon is Like - Franklyn M. Branley</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Moon Book - Gail Gibbons</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 11 What’s Out There? A Book About Space - Lynn Wilson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> What Do You See? Our Solar System - Carme Sevenster</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System - Tish Rabe</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 12 My Grandpa Was An Astronaut</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Man on the Moon - Anastassia Suen</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon - Judy Donnelly</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 13 The Solid Truth About States of Matter with Max Axiom, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Super Scientist - Agnieszka Biskup</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Solids: States of Matter - Jim Mezzanotti</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> What Is The World Made of? All About Solids, Liquids and Gases </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> - Weidner Zoehfield</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 15 Energy Makes Things Happen - Kimberly Brubaker Bradley</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 16 A Crash Course in Forces and Motion with Max Axiom,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Super Scientist - Emily Soho</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 17 Forces Make Things Move - Kimberly Brubaker Bradley</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 20 All About Heat - Lisa Trumbauer</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 24 Charged Up: The Story of Electricity - Bailey</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> MSB And the Electric Field Trip - Joanna Cole</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Shocking Story of Electricity - Anna Clayborrne</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ENGLISH GRAMMAR </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 2 I And You And Don’t Forget Who: What Is a Pronoun? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Words are Categorical) - Brian P. Cleary</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 13 Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely: What Is An Adverb? - Brian P. Cleary</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 23 Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is An Adjective? - Brian P. Cleary</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GEOGRAPHY</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(The following books are not necessarily about the geography for the week listed. They are for your use to encourage children to look up the locations mentioned.)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 1 Little Dog Lost:The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic -Monica Carnesi</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 2 The Three Golden Oranges - Alma Flor Ada</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The Beautiful Butterfly: A Folktale from Spain - Judy Sierra</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 4 A Walk in London - Salvatore Rubbino</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> This I London - Miroslav Sasek</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 5 One Step At A Time (Hugo The Happy Starfish) - Suzy Liebermann</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Heidi - Johanna Spyri</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 9 Kite Flying - Grace Lin</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 10 Child of The Sun - Sandra Arnold</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale - Carmen Agra</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MATH</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 14 Benjamin Franklin and the Magic Squares - Frank Murphy </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 16 Sir Comfrence and the First Round Table - Cindy Neuschwander</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 17 Sir Cumfrence and the Dragon of Pi - Cindy Neuschwander</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMELINE</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 4 You Wouldn’t Want to Be an Assyrian Soldier!: An Ancient Army You’d Rather Not</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Join [Paperback] - Rupert Matthews</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 5 You Wouldn’t Want to Be in Alexander the Great’s Army!: Miles You’d</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Rather Not March [Paperback] Jacqueline Morley</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 9 You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Viking Explorer!: Voyages You’d Rather Not Make</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> (You Wouldn’t Want To) [Paperback] - Andrew Langley</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 14 The World Made New: Why the Age of Exploration Happened and How It</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Changed the World (Timelines of American History) [Hardcover]</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> - Marc Aronson</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 16 You Wouldn’t Want to Be an Aristocrat in the French Revolution!: A Horrible Time</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> in Paris You’d Rather Avoid [Paperback] - Jim Pipe</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 18 Trail of Tears (Step-Into-Reading) - Joseph Bruchac</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears - Alex W. Bealer</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wk 21 You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Secret Agent During World War II!: A Perilous</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mission Behind Enemy Lines [Paperback] - John Malam</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-47496384257754619472013-08-10T08:04:00.000-05:002013-08-10T08:04:42.751-05:009th Birthday Thoughts & Video<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It amazes me how quickly time passes in our lives. Our days blend together so easily as we get older. When we were children, time seemed to take forever. We couldn't wait for a special event to arrive, usually our birthdays or Christmas. And then, just as quickly as they came, we're longing for the next big event. Now, I wish time would slow down. If not down right stand still for a few moments. I want to enjoy the moments that we're in. The precious conversations with Violet as she shares some exciting tidbit that she learned or just something that made her happy. I want our early morning ritual of her climbing into bed with me, as her Daddy wakes up to start his day at work, to slow down so I can enjoy her deep breathing as she settles back into sleep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to fully enjoy each precious second that we are blessed to have as a family. Yet, time rushes by and before I know it, it's bedtime and we have to tuck our beautiful girl back into bed for the night. And moments of sadness always pricks my heart as I realize all of the opportunities I've missed that day. No matter how hard I try to prevent it, my days usually end this way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A moment turns into a day. The day turns into a week. That week quickly turns into a month. And before I know it, another year has come and gone. Such is the case today on Violet's birthday. At the stroke of 1:16 pm, CST, Violet will officially be 9 years old. It is such a bitter sweet moment for me. I miss the little girl whose fingers would gently curl around mine. Now, Violet's hands are nearly as big as my own. I'm so grateful that we have this day to celebrate though. So many families long for a birthday celebration that will never come. Time has literally frozen for them and their babies will always be babies. So, I rejoice on this incredibly special day in my daughter's life. Truly, life is very sweet for us and I thank God for all of it. Even the moments that are hard and leave us scratching our heads on how to proceed with discipline or heartaches. Each precious moment is a gift that I pray to never take for granted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So much has happened in Violet's 8th year of life. She completed her third year in<a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/common/what-is-classical-education"> Classical Conversations</a> and developed stronger friendships with her classmates. Violet fell and broke her nose, resulting in the need for her first (and hopefully last) surgery. She watched her Momma go through a surgery of her own, creating a stronger compassionate heart and a willingness to help more around the house. Violet had her first sleepover with two friends from her school and had the most incredible time! And, she has grown at least another foot taller bringing her close to shoulder height to me. My most favorite event in Violet's life this year though has to be Easter, the day her Daddy baptised her in front of our <a href="http://www.crosscommunitykaty.org/">church</a> and family. Oh, what a blessed event that moment in time was for us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each day I think I couldn't possibly love this child any more than what I already do. And each day, my heart is stretched to a greater capacity of love. A love that is so overwhelming that it can paralyze me or create a Motherly fierceness that would do anything to protect her child. A love that has caused me to push aside timidness and advocate for my child, protecting her from the onslaught of a harsh world. A love that caused me to confront a dentist when my daughter wasn't receiving the level of care that she needed and demanded that it be corrected immediately. A love that my concerned husband understood and spurred these parting words to me as I left to confront that particular dentist, "Don't do something to cause you to be arrested." FYI, I was calm but firm when dealing with the dentist and I achieved my goal of getting the help my daughter needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here I am, thinking about this past year and feeling quite nostalgic. And as in the past, I have created a video slide of Violet for her birthday. I hope you enjoy seeing how much she has changed over the years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Happy 9th Birthday, Violet! Your Daddy and I couldn't be more proud of the young lady that you are becoming. So many changes lie ahead for you and our family but we know that you will handle them with style, grace, and your particular flare that is all your own. No matter what the future holds, always remember this... your Daddy and I love you to the heavens and above. You are dearly loved and cherished more than anything in this world. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We pray that as you grow and mature, that you will hold fast to your faith and remember that Christ loves you. No sin is so great that it can ever separate you from the love of your Heavenly Father and the love of your parents. Your Mommy & Daddy will fail you and disappoint you many times in life but we will always be here for you, baby girl. Our arms and hearts are always open to you, no matter what life throws your way. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Have a blessed day Sweetheart! And may there be many, many more birthdays for you to celebrate in life.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Love always,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Mommy & Daddy </i></span></div>
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-87596808251227463822013-07-29T03:21:00.001-05:002013-07-29T03:21:24.977-05:00Easter 2013 & BaptismWe had an incredible Easter this year. This was by far my favorite Easter to ever experience in my life.<br />
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Gregg's parents flew down with Kiddo's favorite cousin, <a href="http://agrowingviolet.blogspot.com/2010/07/cousins.html">Miss. RC</a>. It so happened that RC turned 16 while she was here on her visit. And if you know me at all, you know that I tried to make it a special day for our Sweet Sixteen year old cousin! We ordered RC's favorite birthday cake - white cake with blue frosting. We also decorated the house for her arrival and then celebrated with all of us going out to the <a href="http://www.rainforestcafe.com/">Rain Forest Cafe</a>. The girls had a wonderful time and I was able to get the waiters to sing very loudly Happy Birthday to RC before we left. So much fun!<br />
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We were blessed to be able to share in this special time in RC's life. I can't tell you how much we love that young lady!<br />
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As special as RC's birthday was for us, and the joyous event of our Savior rising from the grave and accending into heaven, we had another reason to celebrate during this Easter. Violet was baptised on Easter Sunday. My beloved had the incredible honor of baptizing our beautiful girl right after our church's Easter service! Violet made her <a href="http://agrowingviolet.blogspot.com/2010/02/rejoicing-with-angels.html">profession of faith</a> three years ago but we waited on her baptism for a few reasons. First, we were without a church home at that time. And then, while we believed her decision was solid, we wanted to make sure she fully understood that decision.<br />
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Easter was an emotional filled day for our little family. My beloved struggled to get through Violet's baptism a few times as his heart swelled with joy over the moment. I stood on the side and was overcome with pride and joy over this special moment in our daughter's life.<br />
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Gregg reading Violet's statement of faith to our church family...<br />
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Gregg praying a blessing over Violet's life as she continues to grow in faith...<br />
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Look at the joy on my baby girl's face as she came out of the water!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Oh, what a joyous day this day was! I get emotional as I think of all the ways God has blessed our family. We've been given an incredible little girl to raise and we can't thank God enough for choosing us to be her parents.</span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-75252063524704026382013-07-18T23:55:00.000-05:002013-07-18T23:55:03.206-05:00Blessings & Prayers for GraceI have been a horrible blogger lately. The past few years have blown by at an alarming speed for me. I'm sitting here wondering how it just flew by. Where does the time go? I hope to be able to spend more time on here. So be on the look out for some posts in the near future.<br />
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Violet is growing up right before our eyes. It doesn't seem so long ago when our beautiful little girl was this little...<br />
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Yet, the camera doesn't lie. My baby girl is growing up....<br />
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I am in awe of the beautiful young lady that our precious girl is growing into. As I watch her, I can't help but wonder what incredible things her future holds for her. It is my deepest prayer that Gregg and I are doing the best by her and that we're raising her in a way that brings God glory. And when Gregg and I screw up (which is more often than I care to admit) that God grants us the grace we need to overcome our mistakes and correct them in time. <br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-69019145822690887782013-02-28T18:25:00.000-06:002013-02-28T18:25:23.534-06:00A Mother's TouchMy sweet hubby and I have been under the weather the past few days. Usually, we're able to take care of one another and Violet but this time it has been a "fend for yourself" type of illness. Gregg does a wonderful job of taking care of his girls when we need help and we try to do the same for him. Yet, there are times when you just want your mother's touch.<div>
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I remember, as a little girl, when I would get sick my Mom seemed like super woman. She always knew what to do, whom to call, and where to go in the midst of illnesses and emergencies. As a child, I'd walk up to my Mom and tell her I didn't feel well and immediately she would place a cool hand to my forehead and know, before the thermometer was ever taken out of its spot in the cupboard, whether I had a fever or not. There was no fooling Mom's hand.</div>
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After the appropriate dosage of whatever medicine was given, I would be quickly shuffled off to bed. If I was lucky, I got to lay on the couch and watch tv. But the greatest comfort was my Mother's touch. I loved lying next to her and feeling the soothing, rhythmic motion of her hand brushing my forehead and then into my hair. Even now, that is soothing to me. And, it is something that I find myself doing with Violet when she doesn't feel well.</div>
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I guess there is a part of us that never grows too old for our Mother's touch. We long for comfort and desire it in the ways that we are most familiar with. For some, that's chicken noodle soup in a mug. For others, it can mean being tucked in a warm fuzzy blanket. And hopefully, for most, that means a mother's soothing hand that is brushing all the pain and stress away.</div>
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-68329395389849089282013-02-09T23:46:00.001-06:002013-02-09T23:46:16.288-06:00ConversationsConversation between Violet and her Dad...<br />
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Violet - "Is that bacon in your burger?"<br />
Gregg - "It sure is."<br />
Violet - "That's like Manna from heaven, only in a burger!"<br />
Gregg - after he takes another bite of his bacon cheese burger, Gregg replies, "It sure is!"<br />
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Oh, how I love those two! It is never a dull moment in our home.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-77120728216565369512013-01-31T21:38:00.001-06:002013-01-31T21:38:34.675-06:00Welcome Tuli<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The day we have been waiting for has finally arrived! We have finally adopted a kitty into our home. It has taken us a long time to actually get to this day. </span><a href="http://agrowingviolet.blogspot.com/2009/12/we-will-forever-miss-you.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After our beloved Pepper passed away</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, it was just too difficult for me to even think about getting another pet. My heart was so broken over her passing. But here we are, three years later, with a new fur-baby to love and call our own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have been looking for a long time and kept coming against obstacles that were impossible for us to pass. The kitten would either be too far away for us to consider adoption or it had already been adopted out. Until, one day, when I came across this picture...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everything about this kitten spoke volumes to my heart. She reminds me of nothing about Pepper, which is a good thing, except for those sweet tufts of hair sticking out of her ears and her being a<a href="http://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/Maine-Coon"> Main Coon</a>. As much as we loved Pepper, we didn't want a kitty that would be a reminder of her. Those were big paw prints left in our hearts and no one could fill them. After inquiring about this sweet kitty, who was named Bellini at the time, I was saddened to hear that her foster mom didn't want to adopt her out without her brother, which we completely understood. As nice as it sounds, we're not in a place where we can adopt two kittens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took a break from our search and were about to start looking again when I got a call from the <a href="http://www.purrfectpet.org/">adoption agency</a> a</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bout a week later. The foster mom reconsidered our adopting Bellini on the basis that we homeschool and are home more throughout the day than the usual family. Were we still interested? Oh YES!!! We were most certainly interested!!! So, after filling out a rather lengthy application to adopt and going through a phone interview, we were told we could come meet Bellini. We hoped in our car and headed out towards Conroe to meet this sweet little baby. Violet was beyond thrilled and it was hard calming her down during our hour's drive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once we arrived at the adoption event, we went straight to this precious fur baby that had already stolen our hearts. After meeting her, holding her, and petting her for a while, we knew, without a shadow of a doubt that "She's the one!" Once the adoption papers were filled, we bought a pretty collar and tag for our new pet that we quickly renamed "Tuli" (it is Finnish for Fire). Tuli looks like she has a red flame burning across her forehead, hence the name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tuli is already fitting in with our family like a dream! She is so sweet and loves to play. And she occasionally lets us snuggle with her. I think we will get more snuggle time once she get used to us. In just four short days, Tuli has made her way into our hearts and we couldn't be happier about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to the family Tuli! </span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-37273975227522687432012-12-04T15:57:00.002-06:002012-12-04T15:57:58.170-06:00Broken & Restored<span style="font-size: large;">Our weekend blew by before we had a chance to digest any thing. Monday rolled around and we were taking Violet to <a href="http://www.texaschildrens.org/Locate/In-the-Community/West-Campus/">Texas Children's Hospital West Campus</a>. I'd be lying if I told you we were just fine. That it was just another typical day in our lives. Because we weren't fine. We were nervous and anxious. My baby was about to have surgery!!! Trust me, it is very unnerving to know you are entrusting your child's well being with a doctor who is practically a stranger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we were taken to pre-op, Violet was asked to change into some comfy scrubs for her surgery. Oddly enough, they didn't give her socks that had the treads on them. I immediately fixed that problem since running on a tile floor with just her socks on is what landed us in this situation in the first place! No repeats of that accident please!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to give it to Texas Children's Hospital. They know how to make the idea of a surgery one that isn't to be dreaded or afraid of. There were a couple of gaming stations there, as well as plenty of toys, board games, and movies. It was a childhood dream if you didn't count the surgery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Violet did okay for the most part. The games kept her interested up until a certain point. Reality began to sink in and fear started to creep it's ugly head. She was such a trooper though. Even as fear started to work its way into Violet's heart she was ready to have her nose repaired. Her beloved Floppsy was with her every single step of the way! Yes, the medical team even let Violet bring Floppsy into the operating room with her. And from my understanding, Floppsy was tucked under her arm as they put her to sleep, and she was there with Violet when she woke up in post-op.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This image is forever ingrained in my mind. Violet was trying to be a brave girl and her beloved Floppsy helped her through that waiting period.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp0NtAeK1p8m9BZt5xwHETAcZIIJhF2i8CGJdXDxkrb_UdAMCbxI_8ElcWQkaBYnXXaKnQ25vnyIzE5NE5t40SYix1uECerfCHWWJA-5qoK-vYhl5holYWcEhG2lnOfhOcn1eWRmraIk/s1600/jitters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp0NtAeK1p8m9BZt5xwHETAcZIIJhF2i8CGJdXDxkrb_UdAMCbxI_8ElcWQkaBYnXXaKnQ25vnyIzE5NE5t40SYix1uECerfCHWWJA-5qoK-vYhl5holYWcEhG2lnOfhOcn1eWRmraIk/s320/jitters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Violet's surgery didn't take very long. She was back in recovery within the hour of them taking her into the operating room. I couldn't sit still during that time and went to the gift shop to find something special for Violet. As providence would have it, I found a sweet little brown bunny that looks very much like </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-adventures-of-little-nutbrown-hare-sam-mcbratney/1108480904?cm_mmc=googlepla-_-book-_-q000000633-_-9780763658960&cm_mmca2=pla&ean=9780763658960&r=1" style="font-size: x-large;">Little Nut Brown Hare</a><span style="font-size: large;"> (one of our favorite bedtime stories). I grabbed him and a sweet balloon that would brighten her spirits. I went back to the waiting room and was sitting with Gregg for all of ten minutes when the doctor came in with the news that Violet did great and her surgery went better than the doctor had hoped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The purpose for Violet's surgery wasn't to make her look like she did before her accident. No, the purpose was to insure that her nasal passages weren't blocked and that she could breathe freely. Cosmetic stuff can be done later if that is a concern. <a href="http://www.bcm.edu/oto/index.cfm?pmid=20984">Dr. Musso</a> came in with a big smile and said that the bone snapped back into place almost immediately (remember, she wasn't trying for a full realignment). Her thought is that Violet will look pretty close to her regular self once the swelling goes down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Violet's recovery in post-op went very well and we went home after an hour or so. She did pretty well at home for an hour and then got sick. Dr. Musso said to call if she got sick three times and so I immediately made that call when that happened. Poor Violet was so distraught after her last stomach upset because Floppsy was in the direct path of the bucket that she missed. The tears that flowed from her were heartbreaking. Fortunately for us, Violet had a new bunny friend who stepped up and temporarily filled in for Floppsy. Thank you Little Nut Brown Hare! After cleaning Violet up, and changing the sheets on her bed, her medicine kicked in and she slept soundly throughout the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Violet is a very tough little girl. She had two doses of pain and nausea medicine when she declared she didn't want any more. I know part of that was because she didn't like how they made her feel. But still, she could tolerate the pain and began to go back to her perky little self. When she started sharing her knock-knock jokes was when I knew for certain she felt pretty good. Laughter really is the best medicine! </span><br />
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-10626223057346560212012-11-28T23:38:00.001-06:002012-11-29T04:53:39.128-06:00Broken: Part II<span style="font-size: large;">After getting some rest and sleeping late, we finally woke up and started to make phone calls. My first call was to the pediatric plastic surgeon who was recommended to us from the ER doctor. Unfortunately, his office wasn't open yet. So, that made our next call to the Ear Nose & Throat specialist, Dr. Musso. Thankfully, we got an appointment later that week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finding a dentist was a little more of a task. But even that turned out to be much easier than we anticipated due to a simple fact - Gregg's office just changed insurance companies and they've hired a service that is like a medical concierge service. You call your representative, tell them what you need, and they do the leg work for you. Within thirty minutes of my calling our service rep, we had a dentist appointment the following day. Truly, it was incredible. Our representative took all of the stressful elements of finding a dentist, a good one, and made an appointment for the next day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Violet woke up very stressed out on the day of her dental appointment. As we were getting dressed she asked me, "Momma, can we wear our CC (Classical Conversations) shirts?" My poor baby was seeking comfort in her "big-girl" way. Wearing matching t-shirts was a price that I was willing to pay if it gave her an ounce of comfort to get through her dental appointment. During the whole time we spent at the ER and at the following doctor's appointments, this well-love pink rabbit, dearly loved and known as Floppsy, was by Violet's side through it all. Oh, how I love this little toy that brings such comfort to my little girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We showed up for her appointment, both nervous as two people could be. (Violet's previous dental appointments were not good ones for either of us.) We were seen rather quickly and the dentist that she got was the youngest in this particular practice. He was so nice, incredibly gentle, and very assuring. He took x-rays and did an exam and said to watch for signs of tooth damage but that he thought the gum would firm back up. I breathed the biggest sigh of motherly relief I've ever exhaled in the eight years of Violet's life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The following day, Friday, was Violet's appointment with Dr. Musso. She took one look at Violet and confirmed what we already knew, "Yep, her nose is broken!" And then my heart stalled with her next words, "She needs to have surgery as soon as possible to correct it." Not what I was wanting to hear but as with all things, our heavenly Father is with us and will get us through this. Violet's appointment is the following Monday.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFeiYxknBuufHdA39ekySvH3eOc4nvpzXA9UCMyOxhTzilFixPQRDSWnhcpLRTAl_QzFSi0dDQgEu4XfIpP7d5WPOHXYtF6eEIP5dvcmJUYKvmLKNRcCbQAlkuqfw72BOvDK6rNhQKsU/s1600/drmusso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFeiYxknBuufHdA39ekySvH3eOc4nvpzXA9UCMyOxhTzilFixPQRDSWnhcpLRTAl_QzFSi0dDQgEu4XfIpP7d5WPOHXYtF6eEIP5dvcmJUYKvmLKNRcCbQAlkuqfw72BOvDK6rNhQKsU/s320/drmusso.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After Violet's appointment we rushed to our school to catch the ending of our co-op. We didn't stay for the afternoon program, a portion that I help out with, because Kiddo was given strict orders of no physical activities. We caught the last forty five minutes of class and then lunch. This turned out to be a sweet time for us. Violet's class prayed for her upcoming surgery as did the rest of the school during the dismissal. Let me just say, I love our home school program! It feels good to know that you are loved and being prayed for, that you are in fact a part of a community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing as this post is getting to be rather lengthy, I will end it here.The rest of the story will follow within the next day or so. </span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-18183000517819416262012-10-30T04:03:00.002-05:002012-10-30T04:03:31.328-05:00Broken<br />
Our lives have been crazy busy and down right hectic lately. School started back up nine weeks ago. This is Violet's third year with Classical Conversations. We started the school year with gusto, excited to learn, to see old friends and make new ones. Violet was super excited, as was I, to know that she had the tutor she was hoping to get. Then several weeks ago, only our third week into the new school year, Violet took a nasty fall and broke her nose.<br />
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Nothing prepares you for accidents. There is no training manual for these things. Little falls, bumps and bruises, are one thing. It's a whole different ball game when the accident is bigger than that. And you can only hope and pray that you have some sort of grace during those times. I don't think I did. Shock hit me and the first moments after Violet's fall are a bit of a blur. I just remember the scream, knowing that it was my daughter, and the icy chill that ran straight through my chest. Without having seen her yet, I knew that my baby was hurt.<br />
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We were at a friend's home when Violet fell. It took a little while to discern the seriousness of Violet's injury. She was bleeding and the instinct to protect herself from further injury had kicked in. After what felt like an eternity passed, but in reality was only minutes, Violet finally let us see the damage. She was already swelling and bruising. I couldn't process things and therefore had to judge the severity of the situation by the reaction of my friend. It was only until we were leaving that I realized how badly Violet was hurt. I think the shock was starting to wear off.<br />
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Once in the car, and headed to <a href="http://www.texaschildrens.org/Locate/In-the-Community/West-Campus/">Texas Children's Hospital West</a>, I called Gregg. My calls kept going directly to his voice mail and panic started to set in. After several calls, I finally thought to call our neighbor and, after a brief run-down, she went to get him. Not exactly the way you want to let your spouse know someone has been hurt. I managed to tell Gregg what happened, where to meet us, and that Violet asked to please bring her beloved Flopsy. My beloved moved quickly because he got to the hospital while I was still filling out the paper work. The rush of relief upon seeing him walk in was so great that it reminded me of an old western - the hero walked in to save the day. Our daughter, who was quietly crying and trying not to draw attention to herself, crumbled in her Father's arms. And my heart finally began to beat in a normal rhythm. She and I weren't alone in this anymore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwg08dpoqOvKGj7C6cMgOlJXN6jPdfzCn1TIRbI389SHEODp4baKU20sBEv6pN4woCO4W8xyVh3a-acNpkztOkAT1_umM6bwsAWl8N1ieioU8tFCh9VWYhtd9Tt5SOsPbzxjFfaTMTu8/s1600/comfort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwg08dpoqOvKGj7C6cMgOlJXN6jPdfzCn1TIRbI389SHEODp4baKU20sBEv6pN4woCO4W8xyVh3a-acNpkztOkAT1_umM6bwsAWl8N1ieioU8tFCh9VWYhtd9Tt5SOsPbzxjFfaTMTu8/s320/comfort.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We sat in an ice cold lobby for several hours, waiting for Violet's name to be called. It was close to 1 AM when she was taken back to a room. Another hour passed before we saw her doctor, who confirmed my worst fear, Violet's nose was indeed broken. We were sent home with care instructions and names of two doctors to call the next morning.<br />
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I'll share the rest of the story with you at a later date.<br />
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-26283417377168045302012-08-18T02:04:00.000-05:002012-08-18T11:35:25.937-05:00FirstsIt hasn't sunk in yet that Violet just turned eight. I look at my baby girl and am amazed at how quickly she is growing up. Seriously, where does the time go? <div>
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We celebrated Violet's birthday with family last weekend. Her Mimi and Pops flew down from Michigan and we got to spend her birthday with them and Gregg's sister and her family. We've not gotten to do that since Violet turned four, so that was a real treat for us. Beyond the special time spent with family, Violet's grandparents took her to Toys R' Us for a birthday shopping spree. They gave her a set amount of money she could spend for whatever she wanted within that price range. Within moments, it seemed like Violet was on a treasure hunt. Girlfriend was born to shop! </div>
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Violet's big request for her birthday this year was to have a slumber party. She has been asking to have one for over a year now. After deciding that having two friends over would be the best way to ease into the world of sleep-overs, it was time to figure out who to invite. We thought about it for a little while and figured two friends from our home school group would be fun. School starts in a few weeks and this would give the girls a fun experience to talk about at lunch. </div>
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I'm typing this as my precious daughter and two of her friends are sleeping in our living room. Violet's first slumber party. The girls seem to have had a great night so far - swimming, pizza, cake, movie, popcorn and lots of giggles. They've been so well behaved and after some gentle convincing to go to bed they have finally settled into sleep. It only took them an hour and a half to settle down after the lights were turned out. I think I've been pretty lucky so far!</div>
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As I'm sitting here, I am drawn to memories of other "firsts" in Violet's life - her first kick in my womb. Her first cries at birth. Her first words - Dada, duck and Mommy. Her first steps. So many firsts in her life and now this one. Each one so precious. Each one a gift from God. </div>
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-25218752002298451532012-08-09T23:45:00.001-05:002012-08-18T02:05:11.648-05:00Eighth BirthdayHow is it possible you are turning eight? My heart can't grasp how quickly you are growing up. Happy 8th Birthday Baby Girl! Your Mommy & Daddy love you beyond measure!<br />
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Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-1997925834697785352012-07-11T18:17:00.001-05:002012-07-11T18:17:41.530-05:00Conversation on Mommy & Daddy Dates<span style="font-size: large;">Violet has been taking part of the Vacation Bible School this week and we have been taking one of her friends along with us. It was raining pretty hard this morning and it threw a major kink in my timing. In other words, I was running late. Here is a tidbit of our conversation this morning while we were stuck in traffic...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Me</i> - I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Violet</i> - What?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Me</i> - I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Violet</i> - Mommy, you sound like that Dr. guy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Me</i> - You mean Dr. Seuss?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Violet</i> - Yeah, him!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friend</i> - You're weird.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Me</i> - Yeah, I get that a lot.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friend</i> - It's cool though.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Me</i> - Sweet!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Violet</i> - Mommy, you don't go on dates anymore.You're married.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Me </i>- Yes, I do! I go out on dates with your Daddy all the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friend</i> - Parents can SO date! Mine do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Violet</i> - But parents are already married. They don't need to date anymore!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friend </i>- You're crazy girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, fun times!</span><br />
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<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-81010738818267361142012-06-08T23:15:00.000-05:002012-06-14T17:57:18.644-05:00Classical Conversations, Cycle 1, Read Aloud Book List: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From a very early age we have tried to instill a love of reading in our daughter's heart. Her Daddy and I are voracious readers and we would be perfectly happy if the tv is never turned on. We'd much rather be reading or doing something with music than watching a show on tv.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my quest to encourage our daughter to read more books, I have tried to find read-aloud books that will tie in with her curriculum in the upcoming school year, which will be here before we know it! I've already posted a <a href="http://agrowingviolet.blogspot.com/2012/05/classical-conversations-cycle-1-book.html">list of books</a> that I've found so far. Well, the list has grown some since then! We will start from where we left off...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">45. You Wouldn't Want to Be a Pyramid Builder!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">46. You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Great Wall of China!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">47. Cleopatra (Time Traveling Twins) - P.Vennema</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">48. Storming A Castle: National Geographic Mas Adventure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - G. White</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">49. You Wouldn't Want to Live in Pompeii - J. Malam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">50. You Wouldn't Want to Be a Myan Soothsayer - R. Matthews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">51. You Wouldn't Want to Be a Greek Athlete - M. Ford</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">52. You Wouldn't Want to Be in Alexander the Great's Army </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - J. Morley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">53. Oh Say Can You Seed? All About Flowering Plants - B.Worth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">54. Oh Say Can You Say What's the Weather Today? - T.Rabe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">55. If You Find A Rock - P. Christian</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">56. The Stranger - Chris Van Allsburg (book on the seasons)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">57. Otis and the Tornado - Loren Long</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">58. The Magical Garden of Claude Monet - L. Anholt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">59. The Little Island - M.W. Brown</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">60. Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas - Cheryl Bardoe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">61. Are You A Spider? (wk 6) - Tudor Humphries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">62. An Egg is Quiet (wk 7) - D.H.Aston & Long</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">63. Are You A Snail? (wk 5) -J. Allen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">64. Insect Detective - Steve Voake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">65. Listening to Crickets: A Story About Rachael Carson </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - C.F. Ransom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">66. What Do You Do With A Tail Like This?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">67. Animal Grossology: The Science of Creatures Gross & </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Disgusting - Branzel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">68. For the Birds: The Live of Roger Troy Pretterson - P. Thomas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">69. Planting the Wild Garden - K.O. Galbraith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">70. The Life Cycle of a Flower - Molly Aloian</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">71. Balloons Over Broadway: True Story of the Puppeteer of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Macy's Parade - Melissa Sweet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">72. Art & Max (art book) - David Wiesner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">73. Fancy Nancy: Aspiring Artist - Jane O'Connor</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">74. Parus in the Spring with Picasso - Joan Yolleck</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">75. Michelangelo (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - M.Venezia (wk 17)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">76. El Greco (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - M.Venezia (wk 18)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">77. A Boy Name Giotto - Paulo Guarnier (wk 13)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">78. Mario's Angels: A Story About the Artist Giotto - Mary Arrigan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">79. The Magic Horse of Han Gan - C.J. Hong (wk 18)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">80. The Way We Do It in Japan - G.C. Iijima (wk 8)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">81. Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog - P.S. Turnner (wk 8)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">82. We All Went on Safari - Laurie Krebs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">83. Fatuma's New Cloth - Leslie Bulion (wks. 13, 14, 16)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">84. Day of Ahmed's Secret - F.H. Parry (wk 15)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">85. Canada Goose at Cattail Lane - J.Halfman (wks. 21-22)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">86. Magic School Bus Plant Seeds: A Book About How Living </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Things Grow (wk. 8-12)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">87. Magic School Bus Blows It's Top: A Book About Volcanos</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (wks. 16-17)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">88. The Jungle Book (wk 8 - British Controlled India)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you as excited as I am about the upcoming school year? I hope these books will help you and bring some of our curriculum to life for your children. Happy reading my friends! </span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-33152788910666813292012-06-08T17:22:00.000-05:002012-06-08T17:22:04.012-05:00High Tea<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4hfb0TMWE2gnT-cRxAU0y4nzBcbcjpRNCe22Yt7BL44IwIzgo0bBjRcYUS6zsNvjVcrFw72a_ja_kfyxUo6kR0GXT4KBk0Ibk2eOEL50rq_eGbXXBtKd-IGHHO8_1kOsMotav3UWerI/s1600/May+and+June+and+Tea+Party+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4hfb0TMWE2gnT-cRxAU0y4nzBcbcjpRNCe22Yt7BL44IwIzgo0bBjRcYUS6zsNvjVcrFw72a_ja_kfyxUo6kR0GXT4KBk0Ibk2eOEL50rq_eGbXXBtKd-IGHHO8_1kOsMotav3UWerI/s320/May+and+June+and+Tea+Party+051.jpg" width="240" /></a>Violet has been involved in <a href="http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/category/AnIntroductiontoKeepersClubs">Keepers of the Faith</a> this year, a program that was created to install Christian values and attitudes in our children while teaching them practical skills. It is a program that we have enjoyed be a part of. The girls learn a variety of skills as they participate in their club. Some of the skills the girls learn are gardening, embroidery, culinary arts, music and fine arts, nature studies, and recreational skills, just to name a few. For each task the girls complete they will earn either a silver or gold pin, depending on the level of the project and completion. So far, Violet has earned pins for card making, identifying ten types of trees, hospitality, butterflies, birds and grandparents. She is working on earning even more pins in the near future.<br />
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We ended this year's meetings by having a formal high-tea party for the girls. The night began with a beautiful devotional about how important our words and actions are when we deal with others. The words we say, and our actions, can be compared to styrofoam, ceramic or fine china. No one wants to be treated like stryofoam, something to be discarded easily and without a second thought. And while being treated like ceramic isn't terrible, as you still have to be careful with it, everyone wishes to be treated as if they are fine china. You take extra care of fine china, being gentle with it and respecting it. A beautiful analogy for a tea party, don't you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogj_RfNMNGSxnMw4nyUbP7buF_z8iG57i4_MjNc_-gduhFqc18grqa2Tc8uzAwJv2YfYYekp6iz5C2ZUJ39e5Bu6_HW2HyKHu5OTRzjW3q83EVYGyWwmxrt8lhgM2GN-fOP4PFGjwxdQ/s1600/May+and+June+and+Tea+Party+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogj_RfNMNGSxnMw4nyUbP7buF_z8iG57i4_MjNc_-gduhFqc18grqa2Tc8uzAwJv2YfYYekp6iz5C2ZUJ39e5Bu6_HW2HyKHu5OTRzjW3q83EVYGyWwmxrt8lhgM2GN-fOP4PFGjwxdQ/s320/May+and+June+and+Tea+Party+068.jpg" width="240" /></a>The girls, and their mothers, had a wonderful time at the tea party. The girls treated their china with delicate hands as they enjoyed tea sandwiches, scones, various fruits, cakes and of course hot tea. Lemon, cream and sugar cubes were set at each table, adding to the high-tea experience. And not a single piece of china was chipped, cracked or broken during the party. </div>
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I must admit, as I watched Violet and the girls enjoying themselves, it was hard not to get emotional. They are growing up so fast. Too fast actually. I remember when tea parties consisted of cute little tea cups, lemonade, peanut butter sandwiches and a tea pot that played "I'm a Little Tea Pot" as you tipped it's spout. Where did the time go? When did our daughters get old enough to use real china? Time is going by too fast for me. And to be honest, I'm not ready for my little girl to grow up.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-28736415568395440862012-05-31T00:17:00.001-05:002012-05-31T00:17:51.114-05:00Classical Conversations - Cycle 1 Book List for FoundationsIn my enthusiasm for next year's curriculum with <a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/">Classical Conversations</a>, I have been searching out books. More specifically, read aloud books! I just started researching the topics for Cycle 1 and have found a wealth of books that I am completely geeked out at this moment! Yes, I love my books. Yes, I love sharing books with others, especially children. And yes, I get so excited about books that I feel like a kid that has been let loose in a candy store! Yee-Haw!!!<br />
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My list of books doesn't correlate with the book list that Classical Conversations puts out. Although a few of my books are on that list as well. Enjoy the plethora of books for Cycle 1 that I have compiled thus far! Be sure to check back though because I plan on adding to this list of fun books!<br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.32027022424153984" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">*MSB = Magic School Bus</span></span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.32027022424153984" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.32027022424153984" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus - Aliki</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. The Pompeii Pop Up Book - David Hawoock (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. The Prince and the Spinx - Carl Meister</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Isis and Osiris - Carl Meister</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Who Was King Tut? - Roberta Edwards (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Ancient Egypt: An Interactive History Adventure - </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Heather Adamson</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. Black Ships Before Troy - Rosemary Sutcliff</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8. Gladiators and Roman Soldiers, Fierce Fighters -</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Charlotte Guillain</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9. Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Mary Hoffman</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10. Mystery of the Roman Ransom - Henry Winterfield</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth - K. Lasky</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12. Temple Cat - Clements</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13. Gilgamesh the King - Zeman</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">15. Archaeologists Dig for Clues - Duke</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16. The Trojan Horse: How the Greeks Won the War - E. Little</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17. Henry the Navigator: Prince of the Portuguese Exploration - </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Aniganello </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18. Fierce Fighters Aztec Warriors - C. Guillian</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19. Where Butterflies Grow - J. Ryder</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20. MSB: Inside the Earth</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">21. Let’s Go Rock Collecting - R. Gans</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">22. MSB: And the Climate Change - J. Cole</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">23. MSB: On the Ocean Floor</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">24. Snowflake Bentley - J. Briggs Martin (award winner)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">25. A Drop Around the World - B. McKinney (award winner)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">26. The Egyptian Cinderella - Shirley Climo</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">27. The 5,000 Year Old Puzzle - Claudia Logan (King Tut)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">28. The Great Wonder - Annabelle Howard</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">29. Mara, Daughter of the Nile - Eloise Jarvis McGraw</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">30. Tutankhamen’s Gift - Robert Sabuda</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">31. World History in Verse - David Manley</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">32. Multiplying Menace - Pam Calvert</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">33. Adventures in Ancient Greece - Linda Bailey</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">34. Alexander the Great: Ruler of the Ancient World -</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Andrew Langley (timeline)</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">35. Anthanasius - Simonetta Carr </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">36. Pompeii... Burried Alive - Edith Kunhardt (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">37. Saint Paul - David Self (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">38. Francis: The Poor Man of Assissi - </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Tomie DePaola (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">39. Joan of Arc - Dian Stanley (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">40. John Calvin - Simonetta Carr (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">41. The Making of a Knight - Patrick O’Brien</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">42. Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World - </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Paul L. Maier (timeline)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">43. Son of Charlemagne - Barbara Willard</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">44. Sir Cumfrence and the First Round Table - Neuschwander</span></b>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-14841007949458566102012-05-23T01:21:00.002-05:002012-05-23T13:59:05.758-05:00Campfires & FirefliesWe had the wonderful privilege to stay in one of the <a href="http://www.caddorivercabin.com/">Sundancer Cabins </a>, in Gleenwood Arkansas recently. Our particular cabin, the Dream Catcher, was incredibly beautiful and comfortable. When we arrived we felt like we had come home - that's how comfortable the cabin is. We were right on a river and the cabin was nestled between the forest and a big open field. Again, I must stress how beautiful and comfortable this place was!<br />
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A nice, and very welcomed, surprise was Violet had a lot of freedom to explore and roam around without her Daddy or myself watching over her like a hawk! She would spend her time either at the cabin or at the river, where her Daddy and Grandpa and Uncle were fishing. If Violet decided to return to the cabin, Gregg would either call or text me that she was on her way. And I did the same with him when she decided to go back to the river. Violet didn't know we were communicating this way but it sure was helpful at easing our minds and let us relax some.<br />
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Truly, Violet has never had that much freedom in her short seven years of life here on earth. We don't live in the same world that Gregg and I grew up in. There are hidden dangers lurking around every corner. Some of the dangers don't look dangerous at all! Without a prior record that you are personally aware of, how is it possible to know someone is a murderer or pedophile just by looking at them? Some of the biggest pedophiles in our history have a squeaky clean look about them! Call me paranoid, because I totally am, but it's mine and Gregg's job to ensure Violet's safety. In order to do that to the best of our abilities is to watch over her every move when we're outside our home. Knowing there wasn't anyone around us for miles gave us the opportunity to relax and allow Violet to have freedom to explore her surroundings and to somewhat be out from under the watchful eyes of her parents. It was a wonderful experience for all of us! Violet thrived in this environment and I hated to take her away from it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3qmxRXtchF_0vMLetiMzoAWDvu35SeeD0MyoCyPPmvJvcwdX4tZYE65vDKjgV3N8YTBpLIzL9yDDay9qnMmWmb_d3AX7pwdHoJxYuxECzCCmOfqD7nhWuZVEi_I5Kry1T16CDGisiiU/s1600/Dreaming+of+Fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3qmxRXtchF_0vMLetiMzoAWDvu35SeeD0MyoCyPPmvJvcwdX4tZYE65vDKjgV3N8YTBpLIzL9yDDay9qnMmWmb_d3AX7pwdHoJxYuxECzCCmOfqD7nhWuZVEi_I5Kry1T16CDGisiiU/s320/Dreaming+of+Fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZREYP57h8JjnVqI_DwKhxgh3WC86MXP1TMj0RW6bsNKMNDoNt5aw59U99Yhd31WrEYAUQ6sK1Tze-9CKvErkL2PE_4doTQwIflTCzRWiMyzmovqAIuFpsHEfknQGt6yGi2gPkjKSDyE/s1600/stairs+to+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZREYP57h8JjnVqI_DwKhxgh3WC86MXP1TMj0RW6bsNKMNDoNt5aw59U99Yhd31WrEYAUQ6sK1Tze-9CKvErkL2PE_4doTQwIflTCzRWiMyzmovqAIuFpsHEfknQGt6yGi2gPkjKSDyE/s320/stairs+to+river.jpg" width="320" /></a>Gregg, my Dad, and Gregg's Uncle, along with Violet, spent the majority of their time trying to catch some fish. I have to give her credit, Violet lasted a lot longer than I thought she would while fishing. And if tadpoles were counted as fish, she would have beaten the men in their great fishing adventure. The only fish we ate that week were the fish we consumed at a local restaurant in town! But it wasn't for a lack of trying. The men were at the river all day, every day, trying to catch fish.<br />
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My Mom and I hit almost every single consignment shop in the town. We found several great deals. Violet and I have a real tea party that we're attending next month. Everyone is to bring their<br />
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own tea cup and saucer. So, we had a mission while at the stores - find tea cups and saucers! We found three beautiful sets and I adore them. Those are mine and Violet's souvenirs from our trip. I found several great clothing finds for Violet. She should pretty much be covered for her summer attire. And I found a cute giraffe print purse with red trim - totally opposite from everything I own, but I love it!<br />
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These steps were a part of our scenery from the cabin's deck area. It was so tranquil.<br />
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The picture on the right is of a humming bird that is obviously preparing to lay some eggs. We kept trying to find her nest but never had any luck with that. She was a beauty!<br />
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One of our favorite things of our trip were the campfires we had each night. We would gaze at the stars that were shining so brightly and listening to the symphony of frogs, cicadas, crickets, birds, and the occasional coyote.There were nights that I debated sleeping outside so that I could soak up all the sounds but always ended up in the comfy bed that was in our room. And to be honest, I have never slept better in my whole life like as I did last week! It was hard to leave when our last day rolled around and I'd love to be back at the cabin right now!<br />
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If you ever have a chance to go to these cabins please do so! Trust me, you will not regret going. The cabins are fully furnished, have cable and wifi, are comfortable and are a great place to get some R&R.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-74009387487699338532012-05-20T22:31:00.004-05:002012-05-20T22:32:36.046-05:00Tonight's Conversations - Little Monsters<div>
While getting Violet settled into bed tonight, she asked me a series of questions. I have several teacher friends and family who would appreciate her response...</div>
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<i>Violet</i> - Mommy, what did you want to be when you grew up?<br />
<i>Me </i>- Well, I wanted to be a lot of things.<br />
<i>Violet</i> - Like what?<br />
<i>Me</i> - I wanted to be a veterinarian, a lawyer, a teacher, just to name a few.<br />
<i>Violet</i> - Why would you want to be a teacher? You would be surrounded by little monsters all day. </blockquote>
I busted out laughing with that response. I'm not sure where she picked that up from since we homeschool but I'm sure several of my friends and family might agree with Violet's assessment after having a rough day with their students.<br />
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<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-81008627890979765112012-05-09T11:33:00.003-05:002012-05-09T11:33:36.427-05:00Heart Issues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">The past few days have been a bit of a challenge for our little family. Violet has been testing her limits to see if she can get away with something she couldn't have a few months ago. As a result, we've been having to say NO a lot more than usual. And, unfortunately, we have to watch her more closely than what we've had to do in the past (which was constantly in the first place). Many people would say her actions are a behavioral issue and needs to be punished appropriately. While I don't think they are entirely wrong, there are consequences for our actions, I don't think they are entirely right either. No, the underlying issue here is a heart issue. My precious daughter has been looking at outward things, activities and items, as more important than her relationships and respect for them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> Look at how sweet and innocent she was at two months of age! Where has the time gone?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ124Hpdh8CE29YRoFLKeSwHJcU6oQsqRUqAKiF3HyuzQW8w0-Nuku9F-Am9Bt5qy_hHjonm3J1MJ4OYKn4cDP4xsvtJPCzH40QOBOsecf2WfRUMmLoH54AKsI7WGichIseJxhdGYwjw/s1600/img015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ124Hpdh8CE29YRoFLKeSwHJcU6oQsqRUqAKiF3HyuzQW8w0-Nuku9F-Am9Bt5qy_hHjonm3J1MJ4OYKn4cDP4xsvtJPCzH40QOBOsecf2WfRUMmLoH54AKsI7WGichIseJxhdGYwjw/s320/img015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, don't get me wrong, I have an incredible kid! But I also know that she is not a perfect creation. No one is. And we have to remind ourselves quite often, and others as well, that she is only seven years old. She looks older than she is (she's tall for her age) and is well spoken for a child her age. Because of that, people think she is closer to ten than eight. Unfortunately, because of these things, people expect more from her than what she is emotionally capable of. I'm not making excuses for her behavior. I'm just putting things into perspective. You can't expect a seven year old to behave like a ten year old!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Something that has been placed upon my heart lately is that parenting isn't always easy. It's not always pretty. Sometimes it is downright ugly. And most assuredly, it WILL be difficult at times! Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience, effort, selflessness, and the willingness to get down on your child's level and get messy with them. We can't expect great things from our children if we aren't first willing to pour all of ourselves into them! I want Violet to be the better parts of her father and myself and that means we have to give those things to her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To pour life affirming grace into our child it requires us to be there in their lives, actively participating in it. It means setting down your iPhone, book, dinner preparations, or whatever is stealing your time and attention, and listening to what your child is saying - whether that be with actual words or with their actions. What is your child doing? Who are they with? What are their dreams? What's their favorite color? Their favorite food? Just as it does with everyone in our lives, it takes work to get to know your child! And just as it is with every relationship in our lives, you get out of the relationship what you put into it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must confess, we have been greatly distracted around here the last two weeks. Violet's normal daily routine has been turned up-side down lately. And I have not been the mother I want to be or can be to the precious gift God gave me in a daughter. Some of the issues we are dealing with in Violet's behavior are the direct result of my not being more in-tune with my child. She is not the only one at fault here as I have my share of the blame. Ouch, that really hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't believe anyone could question whether I love my child, because I do. With my whole heart. But being in this human frame I am in, I often act, well human! I mess up. I screw up. Daily. Hourly. I am child of God living in a fallen world and I can't raise my daughter without the grace and mercy that Christ has provided for me on the Cross. If I am to make a positive, lasting impression on Violet's heart, one that will make a difference in her life and thus in this world, I have to love her the same way Christ loves me - mercifully, freely offering forgiveness and grace, and instructing her on how to live a life based on God's Word and the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. </span></div>
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<br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-90961857241827606952012-05-05T00:19:00.000-05:002012-05-05T00:19:53.445-05:00Stepping Through Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">My homeschool co-op had the privilege to tour the <a href="http://georgeranch.org/visit/general/">George Ranch Historical Park</a> today. We had a most wonderful day filled with demonstrations and home tours. If you ever find yourself in Richmond, Texas, I urge you to go check out this treasure of history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stepped back through time to the 1830's, the 1860's, the 1890's and the 1930's. So much history happened during those time periods and it was a real eye opener to see how families lived back then. The first home we visited was the 1930's George Ranch home. This home was my favorite for many reasons. There were so many details in the George Ranch home that had me mesmerized.</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This beautiful chandelier greets you upon entering the home...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCvTcJBjNGUzIm60tLkICVVUWnLvmsgPsdf3lLnfVRwu1h-BDnlvls6jrMgi74UTxs-yTSRt5RjRGQY8AFIR2LbdJ_n_NxVgzqjeJzAgF0531C8g6HLCuuNJXrhk191mEgebGgBwHiWw/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCvTcJBjNGUzIm60tLkICVVUWnLvmsgPsdf3lLnfVRwu1h-BDnlvls6jrMgi74UTxs-yTSRt5RjRGQY8AFIR2LbdJ_n_NxVgzqjeJzAgF0531C8g6HLCuuNJXrhk191mEgebGgBwHiWw/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+098.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The detail on this hallway entrance truly mesmerized me. Look at the detail, that was all carved by hand.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQt96e6bP73w0jIrEi08tGphzS_PhCfdYd1hUk5C5083sNyhZS0UkY75Pz7BgZnPrNUpmry1B_Qg4FR09V26TIqhde3MZHYsI-mc43j-n8hP-DICRCkxEbyPPSo3aSTUNrw_0ncZP7jo/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQt96e6bP73w0jIrEi08tGphzS_PhCfdYd1hUk5C5083sNyhZS0UkY75Pz7BgZnPrNUpmry1B_Qg4FR09V26TIqhde3MZHYsI-mc43j-n8hP-DICRCkxEbyPPSo3aSTUNrw_0ncZP7jo/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+178.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently A.P. George really enjoyed his Tabasco hot sauce. It seems that he used the sauce on everything from meats, soups, fruits and vegetables. I think he had figured out the heat from the sauce helped keep his sinuses clear! This is what an 82 year old bottle of Tabasco looks like...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ6AfFq11ZohuXA4eFbok4YmI0HLWjYyR3ONfTvpCwIgQGwvA3XylIWI77K6ybV2VcdWs1UgeCdNM12AMoI7U5DRmoXwfEXSk4HvyXDptuQokdVk8nS6fFRQkO0xexz2pV3G8NxScBAw/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ6AfFq11ZohuXA4eFbok4YmI0HLWjYyR3ONfTvpCwIgQGwvA3XylIWI77K6ybV2VcdWs1UgeCdNM12AMoI7U5DRmoXwfEXSk4HvyXDptuQokdVk8nS6fFRQkO0xexz2pV3G8NxScBAw/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+105.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a deep appreciation of old fans. What I wouldn't give to have one just like this...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSDjXWJvbiFN5NbIb7EBZlUXsx1r7Myd1R_mRv-BJ5CtQchPUZsZoTqRxDNowXwbOjCjCiKI0bVgJLzg30pQOqjNqEo0D2G5ln6hMqcTDrPGZZrzY0_FFkO0fT0pHYQkpDaPFxtgeCs8/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSDjXWJvbiFN5NbIb7EBZlUXsx1r7Myd1R_mRv-BJ5CtQchPUZsZoTqRxDNowXwbOjCjCiKI0bVgJLzg30pQOqjNqEo0D2G5ln6hMqcTDrPGZZrzY0_FFkO0fT0pHYQkpDaPFxtgeCs8/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+138.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 1870's Davis Victorian Mansion was beautiful. While the home was very pretty, I actually preferred the George Ranch House the most. This one seemed a little too stuffy for my tastes. This home is Victorian in style and the Davis family adhered to the Victorian lifestyle. Corssetts, suits and dresses required as dinner attire, and so forth. Like I said, it was too stuffy for me, yet I can appreciate the details of this home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JgFfcIRh7tD0-5OgtNYr4jeZav9exbYP9vFURPMzDUGNv_db1x5b1Dzyjq5eTEub2SlhyIV4C7ImCOc5hIZCQbXP9snItEnqUOCNAu-WLj2xMzQZEz7XSNaRTHez1-zJIkOvxbS2Qoc/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JgFfcIRh7tD0-5OgtNYr4jeZav9exbYP9vFURPMzDUGNv_db1x5b1Dzyjq5eTEub2SlhyIV4C7ImCOc5hIZCQbXP9snItEnqUOCNAu-WLj2xMzQZEz7XSNaRTHez1-zJIkOvxbS2Qoc/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+253.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a formal table setting with fine bone china and crystal goblets. They took their table etiquette very seriously. If a child broke one of the table rules, they would be dismissed from the table and not allowed to eat with their family for a month. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoetMMYBaFJRSi1guHgqR_IsPH-tQvw1UXleZaN-cor9jppkaAy7T0fBIm70Q-rLs8UIB6ctY-8vPP8oT6FnRFNj4EQrsP4kN4k8qttRUpuN-Px9QkpSGNayOKW3RvH4fLxCkcNJqfmAA/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoetMMYBaFJRSi1guHgqR_IsPH-tQvw1UXleZaN-cor9jppkaAy7T0fBIm70Q-rLs8UIB6ctY-8vPP8oT6FnRFNj4EQrsP4kN4k8qttRUpuN-Px9QkpSGNayOKW3RvH4fLxCkcNJqfmAA/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my favorite room in the Davis Victorian Mansion. This was a grandmother's room. The furniture in this room was beautiful. I loved the details on everything and the color of the wood. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7OLoEbXs6Ljrl1AkzaNsi7Zpn0mAS5nGCYOdFWyljkBQmjpY5vKZtwW1cA6p53bBq4zFl8mFt48YX5R-v8vLJ8g_jBdOqvfWrUR0n8OA1rAlTBfUBPxyx9KyFfPyIVPtqY5lyEZTHSE/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7OLoEbXs6Ljrl1AkzaNsi7Zpn0mAS5nGCYOdFWyljkBQmjpY5vKZtwW1cA6p53bBq4zFl8mFt48YX5R-v8vLJ8g_jBdOqvfWrUR0n8OA1rAlTBfUBPxyx9KyFfPyIVPtqY5lyEZTHSE/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+225.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Ranch is still a working ranch and farm. While we were there we got to see cattle...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccFLJJ6yC2w8HykvnpiSgH7dihiLIo3LnstsppPB2RKO2BoVVcrfSyRtTbdKcmVbunKM_rkc7gDFpRmCOWJWN_BJaxQQY69Wb42JZ7xLZxdEhHtNfKk_9xOQNTB5xz59bbZFT9et_Nm4/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccFLJJ6yC2w8HykvnpiSgH7dihiLIo3LnstsppPB2RKO2BoVVcrfSyRtTbdKcmVbunKM_rkc7gDFpRmCOWJWN_BJaxQQY69Wb42JZ7xLZxdEhHtNfKk_9xOQNTB5xz59bbZFT9et_Nm4/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We saw some horses and got to talk with a horse wrangler...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo54PpFPjt70-_7WSomAeB0bgCDAMqrp3X_UFL3hTMeBGu7Y1xCusX4ScqcztdXYTwWlNizEUgeZq-olKRBFzuwCUrk3d5eq_nVCTFD0HKnPO7-OFpC5cGC8BeopRBdTNvjM-y-5LMDPA/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo54PpFPjt70-_7WSomAeB0bgCDAMqrp3X_UFL3hTMeBGu7Y1xCusX4ScqcztdXYTwWlNizEUgeZq-olKRBFzuwCUrk3d5eq_nVCTFD0HKnPO7-OFpC5cGC8BeopRBdTNvjM-y-5LMDPA/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+167.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we even saw an alligator searching for his next meal...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rf4RH84fF52KNGt98Gj4TEZGpZUEnulIBcDsiKcqTB1S3bWnHCmAqpQ5HFGSFa3lrWMhuyc0eH9hbxPeoSzEKiJvJZic92HP-bb0IeCgZhpcVlZOOjvtwY9qfKJ2DFr0yhYDLFXTTf4/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rf4RH84fF52KNGt98Gj4TEZGpZUEnulIBcDsiKcqTB1S3bWnHCmAqpQ5HFGSFa3lrWMhuyc0eH9hbxPeoSzEKiJvJZic92HP-bb0IeCgZhpcVlZOOjvtwY9qfKJ2DFr0yhYDLFXTTf4/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, one of my absolute favorite things about the ranch - the trees! They are as old as the homes on the ranch and they are beautiful. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_QsdLoD_c1ZQtwzvRT49E3tbIb45LITEita7XQGwAUBe1fIyixcax3twagWKYI4t_2-td2VbqhfP_Y27pUEDi0j0Ebu4Gx-d0M-eeNtEitv98Y3ezbpb0NO7Zs2axU0SK8O5mCIcYzg/s1600/George+Ranch+May+2012+247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_QsdLoD_c1ZQtwzvRT49E3tbIb45LITEita7XQGwAUBe1fIyixcax3twagWKYI4t_2-td2VbqhfP_Y27pUEDi0j0Ebu4Gx-d0M-eeNtEitv98Y3ezbpb0NO7Zs2axU0SK8O5mCIcYzg/s320/George+Ranch+May+2012+247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can only imagine the stories these trees could share if they were able to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you ever have a chance to visit Richmond, Texas, you should take the time to spend a day at this historical treasure. It is well worth the trip and you won't leave disappointed!</span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759559084205627953.post-13467359164475238492012-05-01T15:17:00.000-05:002012-05-01T15:17:53.219-05:00Blame It On the Toe<span style="font-size: large;">I think I have now heard the funniest excuse ever. Violet's door just slammed and as I went to check on what happened, and if she was okay, she came running out of her room. The rush of words that came from her mouth still have me laughing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Mommy, I promise I didn't mean to slam the door! My toe tripped me!"</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think that should qualify as the best and funniest excuse of all time! </span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17851624245681072147noreply@blogger.com0