tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15840832300079486482024-03-05T14:20:55.352-08:00Just living life...This family's journey across countries, language and cultureKiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-17623995411568504132015-09-20T08:40:00.000-07:002015-10-04T06:52:25.623-07:00First Hike in Singapore - November 2013 Divali Day Off!Last Monday, 4th November, with a day off school for Divali, an Indian "Christmas" holiday, Elijah and I went on an amazing hike with his friend Adam and mama Mindy. Who needs a zoo when instead you can walk the Petai trail on the MacRitchie Reservoir?! We enjoyed the many monkeys, turtles, lizards and butterflies all along our path and these little guys were the first to greet us!<br />
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<span style="color: black;">Really, these guys we're Elijah's first inkling that this would be a pretty cool hike!</span></div>
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The meticulousness of the cleaning was loving and so heartwarming...</div>
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and so we're off...</div>
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Turtles, lizards... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax55WqfC8_jropALPrJWBDJwsUz4R6PO-LBPEX2OHuJ9pTx0ZjV4GUQ2cjfsL86-9pj26e7iAOdPIww1Z5KcONLd3RaitcsXIJA0i_eef8CnvUXXGuGZFRfoR76T-oeUyOMJg3OAGo7Q/s1600/DSC_3512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax55WqfC8_jropALPrJWBDJwsUz4R6PO-LBPEX2OHuJ9pTx0ZjV4GUQ2cjfsL86-9pj26e7iAOdPIww1Z5KcONLd3RaitcsXIJA0i_eef8CnvUXXGuGZFRfoR76T-oeUyOMJg3OAGo7Q/s400/DSC_3512.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...vistas</div>
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...flora, fauna and</div>
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...really cool root systems!</div>
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This was an interesting sight to come upon...after our initial intro to the monkeys, at first glance, we thought that these trees were full of more monkeys! They were, in fact, huge dried leaves, apparently having fallen from above landing in the branches below. </div>
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They were pretty big.</div>
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There were new sights at every turn...</div>
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...and height...</div>
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This...was an awesomely cool tree!...who knew? chewing gum!</div>
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...and yet another monkey approaches...</div>
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"don't let him see the whites of your teeth"</div>
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Seriously, these guys are amazing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMRHM9m7V9wEgKc8bzi4o-SkrGRp7FRPuvPczWQWjyV_YykPY9xfCW3u-BaJjQTQmiqsWo_-TKn8aJ26_V9XciLfeKzxXOl85f-O_TY0v03bRKS8OWqrjNByB-9UXi6vbM0eUyf8o91E/s1600/DSC_3572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMRHM9m7V9wEgKc8bzi4o-SkrGRp7FRPuvPczWQWjyV_YykPY9xfCW3u-BaJjQTQmiqsWo_-TKn8aJ26_V9XciLfeKzxXOl85f-O_TY0v03bRKS8OWqrjNByB-9UXi6vbM0eUyf8o91E/s640/DSC_3572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9lWmj3UqFtxsU9Qyfu6H0DfNXLjhSi2ep1sRLCAPFl-nGxFsKIBt9aFi3Nm-gaXm2bSqwniGV2HqQI-7iO-HixMiEOPo4_wry_EcrKCifWRGZgHGfDepLMsv4pmQUy2wRutqpP-UcOs/s1600/DSC_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9lWmj3UqFtxsU9Qyfu6H0DfNXLjhSi2ep1sRLCAPFl-nGxFsKIBt9aFi3Nm-gaXm2bSqwniGV2HqQI-7iO-HixMiEOPo4_wry_EcrKCifWRGZgHGfDepLMsv4pmQUy2wRutqpP-UcOs/s640/DSC_3569.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnLEp_NirCd5b4t8iGR9mghwlY83CeAhQjr56GGvW2lnvRAMtosIeZc1BB2khS3C4pG7eszBmSh1h6ROodTdQgjnvtlU2h5NzgLfA5UjcJShOAq8AobHOmfmxuHDnyv6KB_03w4938oA/s1600/DSC_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnLEp_NirCd5b4t8iGR9mghwlY83CeAhQjr56GGvW2lnvRAMtosIeZc1BB2khS3C4pG7eszBmSh1h6ROodTdQgjnvtlU2h5NzgLfA5UjcJShOAq8AobHOmfmxuHDnyv6KB_03w4938oA/s640/DSC_3576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and we come to the end of the Petai trail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr7uyaNaVR7bxK-bKfZHiud-aLUjxDuwULOK99ZlAXcu3NpLpSr-9gwXgVRpiYBIhhRfmWG38LCWyOOuVTd8-vonyqC7vkIMUBbQGoTKBOhcQE6peG4cXAsS2R8VyDN3ORcbrYBacdSQ/s1600/DSC_3586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr7uyaNaVR7bxK-bKfZHiud-aLUjxDuwULOK99ZlAXcu3NpLpSr-9gwXgVRpiYBIhhRfmWG38LCWyOOuVTd8-vonyqC7vkIMUBbQGoTKBOhcQE6peG4cXAsS2R8VyDN3ORcbrYBacdSQ/s640/DSC_3586.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and make our way onto the Prunus trail back to the car. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC5XZbkBKIylf5dJoYvnwRnomSC2uhZgjWbqa2neIREBe3WrE1nC-Zhc-vbHJRpTKdhPczpDmtYFCaRzA0fMteFS93HKiOdGJR5OTsuj4MWokoxNXJiE1HzbGj2bq1daEx-K7LFHqUSg/s1600/DSC_3587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC5XZbkBKIylf5dJoYvnwRnomSC2uhZgjWbqa2neIREBe3WrE1nC-Zhc-vbHJRpTKdhPczpDmtYFCaRzA0fMteFS93HKiOdGJR5OTsuj4MWokoxNXJiE1HzbGj2bq1daEx-K7LFHqUSg/s640/DSC_3587.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last sightings of the lizard...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkOpuISGU0qgP-XeRhOppqVRQWToW-GMGs1DBrVrPwimsXAlvQiouQ4mM1SmmpSn3U4KP6YWeMEDV-84zXtcVabnsFYlo7uewF3KOZ_bAGX1Wij1sHKswwPlbwFQnQBATHSm-0ZoRGS8/s1600/DSC_3596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkOpuISGU0qgP-XeRhOppqVRQWToW-GMGs1DBrVrPwimsXAlvQiouQ4mM1SmmpSn3U4KP6YWeMEDV-84zXtcVabnsFYlo7uewF3KOZ_bAGX1Wij1sHKswwPlbwFQnQBATHSm-0ZoRGS8/s640/DSC_3596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The take-away gift</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXGIFlENL0df-wOrKb94JH6aPkmfGOgllhWV0RjZR5vkg9XLU_JaPctocCTC_THnwnCGxUJarLt-ZrVnEy1I0KIClUnU81E6aMkB-R9GwXbsg9gQGjWwtl0PFzpH9fhNZQUwo719lTCQ/s1600/DSC_3604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXGIFlENL0df-wOrKb94JH6aPkmfGOgllhWV0RjZR5vkg9XLU_JaPctocCTC_THnwnCGxUJarLt-ZrVnEy1I0KIClUnU81E6aMkB-R9GwXbsg9gQGjWwtl0PFzpH9fhNZQUwo719lTCQ/s640/DSC_3604.JPG" width="640" /> </a>Call it...a manicured jungle! </div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ0yfR1M0BHFOXKb0m3AYzSSSDSEKfDpG340KVGdLrCNBkLQ5teEnlTkKrkWhFwHq2oszKql3VK6bIr2ifdt3v_K0-NWj3bOyU-CSPdtXS-lLVyFGMLwwLTSIIdIzipI2M1D2xtP93Do/s1600/DSC_3614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ0yfR1M0BHFOXKb0m3AYzSSSDSEKfDpG340KVGdLrCNBkLQ5teEnlTkKrkWhFwHq2oszKql3VK6bIr2ifdt3v_K0-NWj3bOyU-CSPdtXS-lLVyFGMLwwLTSIIdIzipI2M1D2xtP93Do/s640/DSC_3614.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Very typical of rain gutters in Singapore <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Dbn_xwztY1e3nC22-EIck8tVMlINF6FjTOfZh27uJyihIAXPhNm8fxUPYpIQ9YjJy538UG64cs3GyyavHbWQoB0u8qBPLDIly8lKA2l2kXu-nP4kJrybpJEJMdi_pPPp12t2xnJQaM/s1600/DSC_3612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Dbn_xwztY1e3nC22-EIck8tVMlINF6FjTOfZh27uJyihIAXPhNm8fxUPYpIQ9YjJy538UG64cs3GyyavHbWQoB0u8qBPLDIly8lKA2l2kXu-nP4kJrybpJEJMdi_pPPp12t2xnJQaM/s640/DSC_3612.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Leaving the trail, we return to civilization</span></span>.</div>
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Happy Divali!</div>
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<br />KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-59575468533330652492013-10-15T09:39:00.002-07:002013-12-02T18:11:04.748-08:00To begin again...<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> So...if it's going to begin again, it's got to happen now! Even as I make dinner for the family tonight, my mind is full of the journey we've been on in the 3 1/2 years since I last posted...and how to begin again. A new friend recently posted on her blog the following quote from Frank Smith:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Thoughts are created in the act of writing. It is a myth that you
must have something to say in order to write. Reality: You often need to
write in order to have anything to say."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is the point from which I must begin again. I've learned that I'm an evolutionary being. I don't progress necessarily by setting one goal and moving on to the next (future post: Why I Don't Do Diets)...I often take the back roads, the long and windy ones. The scenic ones. The road won't necessarily be paved with all the tick marks of the 'list' but it will be 'lovely' and 'picturesque,' reminiscent of the comings and goings of living a life with all of the crazy and unpredictability that has been: Our Life In France.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last I wrote, June 2010, we had been in France a year and a half. We were relishing the joyous novelty of being in Paris, of living in the City of Lights, loving random things like the fact that in order to take our Mac Books to get fixed, the only place, at that point, was the Apple Store at the Louvre! Seriously, a bummer ride to take! Seriously?...every time we had to drive in, turning left onto Rue Antoine de Saint Expèry, there in full view was - Le Tour Eiffel! Each time, even up until our last trip to the ET, I kept thinking, and may this be ever our mantra to Living Life Overseas, may we never take this for granted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">At that point, we didn't know how long we would be in France. At that point, we were still pushing rocks up hills trying to understand why our visas were taking so long to go through; why every time we put paperwork in hoping to advance the visa cause, we were told we had yet another form to file, waited weeks for that to be processed, only to be then told that something was yet still missing, during which time, we had to leave the country every 3 months to maintain our still-visitor visa status. By the time our visas officially did come, we had to fly to San Francisco, last minute, to pick them up! The insanity of this requirement, this <i>obligation, </i>will never cease to bewilder us or our pocket book! Those last minute tickets wound up costing €10K! 'Insanity' became the special key-word we would use to capture pretty much anything we neither understood nor could tolerate but had no choice but to endure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Three years have changed a lot. Our kids grew up. They struggled. They needed friends. They learned a new language. They struggled some more. They made friends. They went on holidays. We went on holidays. Swiss holidays. French holidays. Oooh là là. Daddy worked. They struggled some more. We endured. We treasured loving friendships. We overcame. We moved across town (other end of the village, 3 minutes). We installed a kitchen - in a rental. What?! We had a garden. We gardened. We composted. Lots of crazy. Lots of amazing. Lots of Daddy working. Lotsa-lotsa things. ...and then we moved to Singapore!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Aaahh, so happy to be here! J'adore la france, mais, je suis contente d'être là. We're in the right place. We are ready to live, love, work and play! Singapore and SE Asia - we're ready for you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">OK-lah?! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEAD_we8C5kmwzoTk9im-A_DtSqSKajqJQ-wIDSXYLduBD7k5_pdv5HZxFLPZn0uTffDRlRzkrhBJJ79a69TPXX_rncEpXy88VftQVN0-KAvrwc0cYGfo16xtWtZSTSqVszxyrIl-V_c/s1600/DSC_1880.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEAD_we8C5kmwzoTk9im-A_DtSqSKajqJQ-wIDSXYLduBD7k5_pdv5HZxFLPZn0uTffDRlRzkrhBJJ79a69TPXX_rncEpXy88VftQVN0-KAvrwc0cYGfo16xtWtZSTSqVszxyrIl-V_c/s400/DSC_1880.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-80185575265122220892010-06-24T17:10:00.000-07:002010-06-24T23:06:19.815-07:00Un But Nouveau (a new goal)<div style="text-align: center;">So I have a new goal:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One photo per day. One story or thought to accompany it. One month. We'll go from there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's simple. It's brief. It's ambitious - for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We'll see how it goes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">;-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here goes:<br />
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Day 1 </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7pM_IzVdZgtb4pYAm2UVtnDLrm4b4y5dmYgvOELC9rB6SuHsvgWCcT8Fc9xiCjbdtsm3yt7ag-dXma8eHY8jb6IJZ951YxhxYzoIEeCN5y8rtyceXEW2GrsqHO_1MbPqdIIhVJZ2LOk/s1600/CIMG8138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7pM_IzVdZgtb4pYAm2UVtnDLrm4b4y5dmYgvOELC9rB6SuHsvgWCcT8Fc9xiCjbdtsm3yt7ag-dXma8eHY8jb6IJZ951YxhxYzoIEeCN5y8rtyceXEW2GrsqHO_1MbPqdIIhVJZ2LOk/s400/CIMG8138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Joshua took this. It's on my facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/natasha.kewenehite">page</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been trying to encourage an interest in photography.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's not biting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But he did take this photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's great, don't you think? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Technically, I couldn't speak as to whether or not this is the case.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But my aesthetics tell me it's a good one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Artsy? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Avante garde? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do I even know what that means?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or just plain cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What is curious to me is that I was driving when he took the photo. He was sitting directly behind me as I handed him the camera and casually said, as we were approaching the Eiffel Tower, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"hey, why don't you take some photos..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was hoping something inside him would spark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He took this photo first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I quickly glanced back and realized that he was shooting through the window...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside, I'm thinking: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"This was not what I had in mind, dear son!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...so I suggested he put down the window.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course with my handy-dandy multi-window car controls,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I rolled down his window myself, after which he continued to take a few more photos: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ly-6WSwrvlULbnGfzfJhSDRcFdbn7UNd8CHouxBA5O17TMd72X5jbZQTO1LI1BrXsqU25dByesS15FxAeFlvxmP7pfQLlyy07QuCob2OKwqogoaYtedfhON4NnGbUu-pE-6tVTlbNqA/s1600/CIMG8141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JIpemjm6U1J8SqirGhXGqLtp2xuGVFdM91buVVpcfGBczAdyCiOICkorQdqXHvSx6jOPqsvd2k4th-Yb70iL5ddG2gq8BdJupj4HSnJUBJfz7ABcDjllKeh3FGi00ODnKvEyIRHeUZ0/s1600/CIMG8139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JIpemjm6U1J8SqirGhXGqLtp2xuGVFdM91buVVpcfGBczAdyCiOICkorQdqXHvSx6jOPqsvd2k4th-Yb70iL5ddG2gq8BdJupj4HSnJUBJfz7ABcDjllKeh3FGi00ODnKvEyIRHeUZ0/s320/CIMG8139.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ly-6WSwrvlULbnGfzfJhSDRcFdbn7UNd8CHouxBA5O17TMd72X5jbZQTO1LI1BrXsqU25dByesS15FxAeFlvxmP7pfQLlyy07QuCob2OKwqogoaYtedfhON4NnGbUu-pE-6tVTlbNqA/s1600/CIMG8141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ly-6WSwrvlULbnGfzfJhSDRcFdbn7UNd8CHouxBA5O17TMd72X5jbZQTO1LI1BrXsqU25dByesS15FxAeFlvxmP7pfQLlyy07QuCob2OKwqogoaYtedfhON4NnGbUu-pE-6tVTlbNqA/s320/CIMG8141.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iEBplR5K_UUHnD7iTiXNE8AJI_8SzE592gqZXfYO-90e1WGRqmdFFu36rt7hwIYDZSdYV8f5UMZf5YT1dYZnLXPEjgJb9eWCTOZ0XHH8YlE7A_KVvdUfFKsTysvKwb1biplSvJxyIK4/s1600/CIMG8143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iEBplR5K_UUHnD7iTiXNE8AJI_8SzE592gqZXfYO-90e1WGRqmdFFu36rt7hwIYDZSdYV8f5UMZf5YT1dYZnLXPEjgJb9eWCTOZ0XHH8YlE7A_KVvdUfFKsTysvKwb1biplSvJxyIK4/s320/CIMG8143.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These were all taken in order and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you can decide for yourself...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're nice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I'd say his first shot was the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBmMO2L3-mGfw0w64zkLoiQ_fkxNVoeSS9ahlsDuEchVtWGKWCnNWnmND-9RnN8ta3dYDKJxP0u4mSvR_vGOIT3UtgPAq9dDxbPm-JHNlyShfGjJqwjCbRxyV_BnPQNBUspU_KMUO2s/s1600/CIMG8138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBmMO2L3-mGfw0w64zkLoiQ_fkxNVoeSS9ahlsDuEchVtWGKWCnNWnmND-9RnN8ta3dYDKJxP0u4mSvR_vGOIT3UtgPAq9dDxbPm-JHNlyShfGjJqwjCbRxyV_BnPQNBUspU_KMUO2s/s400/CIMG8138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has character.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It captures light, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the speed we were driving, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it has a sense of magic to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those last three? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Standard. Lovely and still cool but </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">standard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took from this a lesson.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My son had an inclination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Granted, he took the photos because I asked him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But HOW he took them was a decision he alone determined.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until I inserted my opinion,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or rather, my expectation on how </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">he should do something,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(take photos 'out the window')</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I never said 'roll the window down-before you take them...')</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">was my own </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">opinion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">was not his</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">opinion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Had I let him be,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">had I just allowed him to 'have a go'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who knows how much more magic </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">he may have created.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ah, parenthood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We live.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We learn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We [must] let go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And allow the magic that is within our children - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To thrive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the hope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Ça c'est l'espoir) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-76912162570312361852010-05-09T16:55:00.000-07:002010-05-09T16:58:02.937-07:00I love my mother.<div style="text-align: center;">It's Mother's Day in the US today. Here in France I send my mother, Vera, the very best Mother's Day wish I can muster from thousands of miles away and in front of a virtual audience. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5URLUEixQhZ-vfH7CxlkNYMcSlIvcd0-Ax4wqeK7cyO8zZLpJUj3WVBgJzf1NJv4Kpjr1kDRBRGZUg2xr4cswoDMcXkqzehg58tgkrW1L2sRCaddoLWx4AZFcLKLfWeDioGmDo4JI9Gg/s1600/IMG_8838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5URLUEixQhZ-vfH7CxlkNYMcSlIvcd0-Ax4wqeK7cyO8zZLpJUj3WVBgJzf1NJv4Kpjr1kDRBRGZUg2xr4cswoDMcXkqzehg58tgkrW1L2sRCaddoLWx4AZFcLKLfWeDioGmDo4JI9Gg/s320/IMG_8838.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My mother is the best mother</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone could ever wish for.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know this because</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've watched her make sacrifices for me,</div><div style="text-align: center;">All of my life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, most important but only the beginning, </div><div style="text-align: center;">She gave me life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She was a thoughtful mother...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Which is something I appreciate now as an adult mother...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Trying to be conscious myself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is a loving wife,</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is a loving soul.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is a wonderful Nana</div><div style="text-align: center;">to her grandchildren. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is passionate.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She loves the earth.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She loves nature and hiking. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She loves sustainability.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She loves Goodwill. </div><div style="text-align: center;">;-) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She brought with her a heritage I am proud of </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not only a fascinating history of Russian, Swiss and Welsh ancestry...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">but </div><div style="text-align: center;">A heritage of </div><div style="text-align: center;">love</div><div style="text-align: center;">kindness</div><div style="text-align: center;">goodness of heart</div><div style="text-align: center;">positivity and optimism.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mother loves to be healthy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She loves to eat well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is my friend,</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is guileless,</div><div style="text-align: center;">She wishes the best for everyone,</div><div style="text-align: center;">from the mailman</div><div style="text-align: center;">to her children.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mother is the best mother.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know this because</div><div style="text-align: center;">she loves me</div><div style="text-align: center;">she knows me</div><div style="text-align: center;">and she still loves me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mother trusts me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> And I believe she always has.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mother has faith in me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I believe she always will.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am a blessed and lucky woman</div><div style="text-align: center;">To have the best mother ever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Mother's Day, Mum! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPe_hPcn5gHeRGxpMspOLoWeJhkcjC6XsAHJRn1Y9p34KGLzt4l3ZWkFKk08F7tgm4gixnFJha48Zjz082wmfG1RGrh_0dRTa0nXO1snhElragRSe9x7BnrBMhVBX2V6z05K-wcu_fbQ/s1600/CIMG6732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPe_hPcn5gHeRGxpMspOLoWeJhkcjC6XsAHJRn1Y9p34KGLzt4l3ZWkFKk08F7tgm4gixnFJha48Zjz082wmfG1RGrh_0dRTa0nXO1snhElragRSe9x7BnrBMhVBX2V6z05K-wcu_fbQ/s320/CIMG6732.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tash.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">xo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">from France.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">oh, that would be Paris.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">;-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">see you soon! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-19880210128641116312010-05-04T00:57:00.000-07:002010-05-13T16:28:48.618-07:00"Spring is here," said the bumblebee<div style="text-align: center;">This month</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Elijah turns 3! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we took the week </div><div style="text-align: center;">to play...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here </div><div style="text-align: center;">and there...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">SO</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">come play.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YwspsCaR1MwXaBwDNcDiVDB0IDlDUcae-Tobc-DlSISocTldSIY7UjcwnO5qdtL5fUSnl2-npahpggQ8TJe0YZVJiZU1tD88fc1IiARpoWXW-8iACUK0mmTfUNZPSXnTpUOPDmeu5-g/s1600/CIMG5847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YwspsCaR1MwXaBwDNcDiVDB0IDlDUcae-Tobc-DlSISocTldSIY7UjcwnO5qdtL5fUSnl2-npahpggQ8TJe0YZVJiZU1tD88fc1IiARpoWXW-8iACUK0mmTfUNZPSXnTpUOPDmeu5-g/s400/CIMG5847.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Spring is here," said the Bumblebee</div><div style="text-align: center;">"How do you know?" said the Old Oak Tree</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I spy yellow daffodills [or crocuses, as the case may be]...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dancing with the fairies on the windy hill." </div><div style="text-align: center;">[said the Bumblebee]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At</div><div style="text-align: center;">l-o-n-g</div><div style="text-align: center;">last,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we can go outside without a coat,</div><div style="text-align: center;">plant some crocuses without a chill,</div><div style="text-align: center;">take a bike ride</div><div style="text-align: center;">to Parc de Sceaux.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and so...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At</div><div style="text-align: center;">l-o-n-g</div><div style="text-align: center;">last,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we did!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCcNyG3g-hld-0xjB8IbPRclOdXjDmWFH-gux3f0lrtnEnnT713Zt8-QE98mqBrI92hubUiREHKlzwq9tO5Onxfp-Mz-7yoUd3i7PRpfttkC09JkPw8hmXOF_PztzWyFJlHm6S4NbMNs/s1600/CIMG6026_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1867509830"></span><span id="goog_1867509831"></span><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCcNyG3g-hld-0xjB8IbPRclOdXjDmWFH-gux3f0lrtnEnnT713Zt8-QE98mqBrI92hubUiREHKlzwq9tO5Onxfp-Mz-7yoUd3i7PRpfttkC09JkPw8hmXOF_PztzWyFJlHm6S4NbMNs/s400/CIMG6026_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Leading up to his 3rd birthday,<br />
<br />
Goggles<br />
<br />
have been his favorite toy of choice.<br />
<br />
At first they went everywhere...<br />
the store<br />
the neighbors house<br />
the park<br />
<br />
and then it was...<br />
<br />
to church<br />
<br />
and eventually<br />
...to bed!<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8ECdsqzCB3ElSig5MWyKyV2GrXD99gd8n3-cAB-3n91mag-NCHuYp0GeMiBsaGZLS1XiQD61zuqyT86L5tgh1RWCRXd8i2GvjnGgxn4cO0b-WwDv7YBczjB7fhrfNzkYMdduPsjGIOE/s1600/CIMG5991_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8ECdsqzCB3ElSig5MWyKyV2GrXD99gd8n3-cAB-3n91mag-NCHuYp0GeMiBsaGZLS1XiQD61zuqyT86L5tgh1RWCRXd8i2GvjnGgxn4cO0b-WwDv7YBczjB7fhrfNzkYMdduPsjGIOE/s400/CIMG5991_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
While on one hand he is<br />
<br />
contemplative<br />
and a doer of<br />
what all newly turned 3 year olds do:<br />
<br />
picking up precious stones<br />
<br />
from even stone buried-in-cement pathways<br />
<br />
"...they MUST come out somehow!"<br />
<br />
...to begging for someone to kick the ball with him!<br />
<br />
And so of course,<br />
<br />
we do!<br />
<br />
Who wouldn't?<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpVF27RCidSXlTYmAv3IkGVJICeXW87LHoSbe9xDMBoZ9pmKrlAFz-JrKoi4n_6lPdhwwjkMF3CBT10GK7ifjfJmaq1fbOfxqRdzlNZyFnzIFctDj8xOQW66JCsHah7Pje_fs3zcVTvE/s1600/CIMG5971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpVF27RCidSXlTYmAv3IkGVJICeXW87LHoSbe9xDMBoZ9pmKrlAFz-JrKoi4n_6lPdhwwjkMF3CBT10GK7ifjfJmaq1fbOfxqRdzlNZyFnzIFctDj8xOQW66JCsHah7Pje_fs3zcVTvE/s400/CIMG5971.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylARe2kvnNZGwmK5hMIN-YlHPFS71ipHihyMVD94mwysv1C4S6Xi2yXW2diWz5b4W_LRXRhEIMQi0eS9Mykqs9qUuL9wwd7S6XXz-2v5r915obWm0wXGxuwGE3lLS3znUsmkvAOYLCq8/s1600/CIMG5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylARe2kvnNZGwmK5hMIN-YlHPFS71ipHihyMVD94mwysv1C4S6Xi2yXW2diWz5b4W_LRXRhEIMQi0eS9Mykqs9qUuL9wwd7S6XXz-2v5r915obWm0wXGxuwGE3lLS3znUsmkvAOYLCq8/s400/CIMG5968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
...and then it's time for a rest,<br />
<br />
but only on Mummy, of course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQsrfwM8HuKlAD4Ng73WMJeEAj0b-rDo9TZG70jJorDsmWpVnTE-ietg0gDrtK9aybS1DRm2rV9gqgtYe1LaZtPq8zG_RblS6plrtZJ4GMKFd0brjUAgFFz_TqYVej9WhoVc5qG2z_fY/s1600/CIMG6015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQsrfwM8HuKlAD4Ng73WMJeEAj0b-rDo9TZG70jJorDsmWpVnTE-ietg0gDrtK9aybS1DRm2rV9gqgtYe1LaZtPq8zG_RblS6plrtZJ4GMKFd0brjUAgFFz_TqYVej9WhoVc5qG2z_fY/s400/CIMG6015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-86127657288227888892010-02-02T16:30:00.000-08:002010-02-02T16:44:15.070-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><blockquote><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It’s been snowing, raining and is just plain cold. </div></blockquote></blockquote></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Perhaps this is why the refrain <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Paris in the Springtime’</span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">rings loudly in my mind </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">as I watch the huge snow flakes and rain drops </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">take turns falling out of the sky</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">…I’m just waiting…</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEfhIp3tQPzEEjtIAZxCyhfojn-Uqbj4g8R_fNs80AdOkj9pILD4nd1mfc4MEnzd280lj4kLfbT_ecyuPi-djoB_A4t_piDEeVJfgI3U7IRxT5ofr3xMVwwuKFnFOTf9kjhYC-m45TuM/s1600-h/CIMG2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEfhIp3tQPzEEjtIAZxCyhfojn-Uqbj4g8R_fNs80AdOkj9pILD4nd1mfc4MEnzd280lj4kLfbT_ecyuPi-djoB_A4t_piDEeVJfgI3U7IRxT5ofr3xMVwwuKFnFOTf9kjhYC-m45TuM/s400/CIMG2500.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
with images of cherry blossoms </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">at Parc de Sceaux waxing tauntingly in my mind.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhbXd8CrfkurDi5khLUFUk6RXa7YsR9DNxQoNiyQz9X36Z997VgICtmM36Bh80hQbX63qkCVUwfruROJicITHMLCS_3SItz7vStI0lkOUWoXZZrIjj4fpEXmyMP-5SgrWloSfQCHYu4s/s1600-h/CIMG2492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhbXd8CrfkurDi5khLUFUk6RXa7YsR9DNxQoNiyQz9X36Z997VgICtmM36Bh80hQbX63qkCVUwfruROJicITHMLCS_3SItz7vStI0lkOUWoXZZrIjj4fpEXmyMP-5SgrWloSfQCHYu4s/s400/CIMG2492.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it's certainly not happening in real life -</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">yet. </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
We took the bus to the store yesterday in the latter part of the afternoon, and like today, it was freezing cold! </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I took heart, however, as I realized that it was actually </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">still light </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and by the time we returned home, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">darkness was only just starting to fall. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Not so would this have been the case even the week before…</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">or maybe I just didn't pay attention? </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Regardless, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I could feel the beginnings of those blessed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">extended days eeking it’s way </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">back into lives. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I can’t wait.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Elijah and I recently took in the woods up behind our house...</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8QQg4YOGwFT4e25bxZZhHR8cBrrVRCMJw3S60Ao20z8_rxjbPjzewUSD0rjan426eZgrfEtpCnTHoo0SbEIaopoBuQOUX28qOMB7esArnoP1vbMtbmef62XHP-cN5MJYVO_xM9OKba4/s1600-h/CIMG3887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8QQg4YOGwFT4e25bxZZhHR8cBrrVRCMJw3S60Ao20z8_rxjbPjzewUSD0rjan426eZgrfEtpCnTHoo0SbEIaopoBuQOUX28qOMB7esArnoP1vbMtbmef62XHP-cN5MJYVO_xM9OKba4/s400/CIMG3887.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Note: this long stone wall is the wall to the school.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0G3x63NaFwFp4bmzyQ_Jr4EK5CnFy07xuoe0RwXK6P0gsEC9-ehw0VZEM2xaC28MyjCn0pKVZR2S7Ff5UWg_C2PIgvHhRIrqnI7CJyUv_drKYxIlppu7mfAKajO54FVVo-8hiBaFkrM/s1600-h/CIMG3902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0G3x63NaFwFp4bmzyQ_Jr4EK5CnFy07xuoe0RwXK6P0gsEC9-ehw0VZEM2xaC28MyjCn0pKVZR2S7Ff5UWg_C2PIgvHhRIrqnI7CJyUv_drKYxIlppu7mfAKajO54FVVo-8hiBaFkrM/s400/CIMG3902.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Cross the street and here we are! Horses on the left.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3X37OKbmxCnM1itVzLKyiSCVYwih_HhJ8Y9uecVjT8s5qVxMP2830zAR4DJltRLgwJeVMkeRau7pO1od_qNP9GJGy5arlXOlZslnSgSQ6Vb-fB7RmSm_zH-0Rvh4hy6Ga-vG1LZ2y-g/s1600-h/CIMG3942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3X37OKbmxCnM1itVzLKyiSCVYwih_HhJ8Y9uecVjT8s5qVxMP2830zAR4DJltRLgwJeVMkeRau7pO1od_qNP9GJGy5arlXOlZslnSgSQ6Vb-fB7RmSm_zH-0Rvh4hy6Ga-vG1LZ2y-g/s400/CIMG3942.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Climb the tree and looK - I'm high! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQXY0_EJlbdXesbjQYR2Lb66kDJ6EcOrzYwB2J5r9ctdANSMCMfsqbKKWYeYizFqq1e0Hd-bX0gFCprLvBA5RcamAc62s5_D3PCwLe9Nf9p8NBg4cDJC-QP8hO_SozmWHHW_TBAkObFs/s1600-h/CIMG3985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQXY0_EJlbdXesbjQYR2Lb66kDJ6EcOrzYwB2J5r9ctdANSMCMfsqbKKWYeYizFqq1e0Hd-bX0gFCprLvBA5RcamAc62s5_D3PCwLe9Nf9p8NBg4cDJC-QP8hO_SozmWHHW_TBAkObFs/s400/CIMG3985.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Elijah took over photo duties for a while...</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsJ0TrY1tsy2U2y7Zh-f3_65k8Eit5jlsWDrxiLdh28fEvM5g0BIYvJ2DK_ft0NUy_d4EBR8zcIPUf-jCj0ltLbMtUQSkWHZpIzvNSFl5colNH2MIo4K_i9RCZlT1U2DfpdrBJyw3BRY/s1600-h/CIMG3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsJ0TrY1tsy2U2y7Zh-f3_65k8Eit5jlsWDrxiLdh28fEvM5g0BIYvJ2DK_ft0NUy_d4EBR8zcIPUf-jCj0ltLbMtUQSkWHZpIzvNSFl5colNH2MIo4K_i9RCZlT1U2DfpdrBJyw3BRY/s400/CIMG3989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Then it was mama's turn again...</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj5luLQCDdyt9RA9l6YSmJco9lATVqhGod2yGHYPpNW0R6y5BMoO3KZdL9t1J0VoqDohMIsxh0b6-ihoGti3rpG3nQJUjrWfg9U8cdWnTon-PlKfjT3TpkQ0n6mtqE-wczsryxWdg7lE/s1600-h/CIMG3909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj5luLQCDdyt9RA9l6YSmJco9lATVqhGod2yGHYPpNW0R6y5BMoO3KZdL9t1J0VoqDohMIsxh0b6-ihoGti3rpG3nQJUjrWfg9U8cdWnTon-PlKfjT3TpkQ0n6mtqE-wczsryxWdg7lE/s400/CIMG3909.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">These are the horses who live on the trail as we enter the forest. Midline to the left is a stone wall where lies </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">the school. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">As I shoot this photo, Elijah sits in a tree...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ah, such a good life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmzGw2ezyMol0OF-fxHx39BcNhx4awR1PdTDrjyNxwzvrrQZz2F2oyxc7vPj9mYvWdOB8R9TxZgtXa1vrtloCVIP-u0ceiCh7s-JhSt8QXpmn0I_AUk3uPMneOjFFO1sn3p7mYx2paL4/s1600-h/CIMG3941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmzGw2ezyMol0OF-fxHx39BcNhx4awR1PdTDrjyNxwzvrrQZz2F2oyxc7vPj9mYvWdOB8R9TxZgtXa1vrtloCVIP-u0ceiCh7s-JhSt8QXpmn0I_AUk3uPMneOjFFO1sn3p7mYx2paL4/s400/CIMG3941.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Then we head back...and stop at the gate to the school </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">on the way home...</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Little brother is looking for big brother.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP82QzveV-gIKOfdOgeEaBpbHhftjBpoi941_UHKZlvp8gI1Qp6Axe0QpQP-lLqhht7dcXeBZAI2ZtfEs31A-NYttWtKksyK50DBDYXuV8y60W8W-e2tcqneGUF-B4n1TE0MJrDx5_9gI/s1600-h/CIMG3894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP82QzveV-gIKOfdOgeEaBpbHhftjBpoi941_UHKZlvp8gI1Qp6Axe0QpQP-lLqhht7dcXeBZAI2ZtfEs31A-NYttWtKksyK50DBDYXuV8y60W8W-e2tcqneGUF-B4n1TE0MJrDx5_9gI/s400/CIMG3894.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsg4Xz7eRtCG-uh9hzfPtAyBsHn1jPBxVy0Ma1iJfmsbaD-PMAWcRHlsM_VnYyHAQHT3mTYsaodTtXKdkT97_9NjI5vp38D0bc7nnKeqU8jRNxM1oTF1qgLZ92P4Lazx1yH4U5rQmxgU/s1600-h/CIMG3999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsg4Xz7eRtCG-uh9hzfPtAyBsHn1jPBxVy0Ma1iJfmsbaD-PMAWcRHlsM_VnYyHAQHT3mTYsaodTtXKdkT97_9NjI5vp38D0bc7nnKeqU8jRNxM1oTF1qgLZ92P4Lazx1yH4U5rQmxgU/s400/CIMG3999.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Sorry little guy...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Must wait...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">a little longer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It may be cold but it is fresh air!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-18281375869436048172009-10-01T14:31:00.000-07:002009-10-01T18:06:20.521-07:00Examples...and Crêpes Citron<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDmzVH2Vq13AxTZoZoip6YMFu64beHcPFF2bQFNGUWrJXknVyJzx_3EkqFeUwLgf495dLOR8On0iMZJAWUb4Nez0Nt66MWjvuqNoThqzCv5mWp5tZAUo65IPTxqZo3lQmQtfGu0JYEf4/s1600-h/Dinglewkids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDmzVH2Vq13AxTZoZoip6YMFu64beHcPFF2bQFNGUWrJXknVyJzx_3EkqFeUwLgf495dLOR8On0iMZJAWUb4Nez0Nt66MWjvuqNoThqzCv5mWp5tZAUo65IPTxqZo3lQmQtfGu0JYEf4/s400/Dinglewkids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387790074523087682" border="0" /></a>I just have to say that I have the best kids ever!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ever!<br />Do you know what they did tonight?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJFk-28Yq0X0Y9EUayOdqK4RxQhyANpg-YV-8NadoKKnlBkejireGBE9FINWIeYS-F0RSQ7dEDsl78EX61ZoMnUbHujwsY642HWZYigo6wpNz0c7A44bGsYtLaVMjMO0epHp-hZBjAwU/s1600-h/CIMG0637.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJFk-28Yq0X0Y9EUayOdqK4RxQhyANpg-YV-8NadoKKnlBkejireGBE9FINWIeYS-F0RSQ7dEDsl78EX61ZoMnUbHujwsY642HWZYigo6wpNz0c7A44bGsYtLaVMjMO0epHp-hZBjAwU/s400/CIMG0637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387799231785149906" border="0" /></a>They were thoughtful,<br />kind<br />and great hosts...<br />I was SO impressed with them tonight!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Let me tell you about it:<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Our friends from Ireland, Zélie, and her two kids, Aaron and Inés, who recently moved to Paris, came for their first visit to our house this evening. We had just finished a walk around the neighborhood and showing them around, when it was getting dark and it was time to wrap up the evening.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />As we entered the kitchen for a brief sit down before they left, Joshua and Sasha, who had made crêpes for breakfast this morning and had leftovers, offered to cook some up! Who would turn down homemade crêpes by Joshua and Sasha? So Sasha turned on the stove, cooked up the crêpe itself and Joshua dressed the crêpe with a very old family favorite:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />le crêpe citron - butter, sugar and lemon.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I watched them as they organized themselves,<br />as they served Zélie and her kids,<br />making sure it was just they way she wanted it,<br /><br />and I was just so impressed,<br />and so proud.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7OjKk4ob8LZpsM88M3VjCbmgXXP5tnT4qnDpKSzga72m6EAzGBsIJaRBHdbc91R5NsvicFVv38IliwU-go_MChr5Cper0tNB3lah3FlXxBIE9jMX2gipSIP3EoYvBiIQEByw6iOHpss/s1600-h/CIMG6278.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7OjKk4ob8LZpsM88M3VjCbmgXXP5tnT4qnDpKSzga72m6EAzGBsIJaRBHdbc91R5NsvicFVv38IliwU-go_MChr5Cper0tNB3lah3FlXxBIE9jMX2gipSIP3EoYvBiIQEByw6iOHpss/s400/CIMG6278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387790080365597170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MSU78KXs7h-6MXmRG8pGtg1Pv7CINtl9kbCE9Y6V_ygpsAc4lWt8StjDFAE1RDanN1iMuw9RhZut6b6EOdnu993Ji735UcVWGI7KLjSP1nOwOhcZ0Agf4XsW6iDqycic2jlqwXibGTU/s1600-h/IMG_8300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MSU78KXs7h-6MXmRG8pGtg1Pv7CINtl9kbCE9Y6V_ygpsAc4lWt8StjDFAE1RDanN1iMuw9RhZut6b6EOdnu993Ji735UcVWGI7KLjSP1nOwOhcZ0Agf4XsW6iDqycic2jlqwXibGTU/s400/IMG_8300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387797128862361186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkfwBQCllssKqTa9OlyJAqknM4qEovPYcIuBJ9hPAOf-THVPAuQ6smtNMKk14FibYQF5AZGtob1d6NzVkMIa175CKWdg5JgsmpBTk4rwUAWdRWJ_Vr3quuTWwMw64q5_pQBlh3g66caM/s1600-h/CIMG6287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkfwBQCllssKqTa9OlyJAqknM4qEovPYcIuBJ9hPAOf-THVPAuQ6smtNMKk14FibYQF5AZGtob1d6NzVkMIa175CKWdg5JgsmpBTk4rwUAWdRWJ_Vr3quuTWwMw64q5_pQBlh3g66caM/s400/CIMG6287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387791858707476546" border="0" /></a></div></div>Maybe I'm being<br />presumptious, but...<br /><br />It warmed my heart tremendously<br />to think that they really are watching us,<br />and they really are learning<br />...even when we're not paying attention.<br /><br /></div>Oh, the pressure.<br />Not really.<br /><br />Just a reminder.<br />To be aware...<br /><br />that while they learn about the world<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUVYXwo31XxHjyXS2eh9KiNe2BylwcSBTaw7NligU7yCJaDu6WoUgEN7CBKx5_pnwtjepds-Va8I_SOTFZWpEyXKCfoy6sibQsy0I-g9YxIL6hIKUdEIlVvQvR0kdEcgj_s8lkQpkx7w/s1600-h/CIMG5722.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUVYXwo31XxHjyXS2eh9KiNe2BylwcSBTaw7NligU7yCJaDu6WoUgEN7CBKx5_pnwtjepds-Va8I_SOTFZWpEyXKCfoy6sibQsy0I-g9YxIL6hIKUdEIlVvQvR0kdEcgj_s8lkQpkx7w/s400/CIMG5722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387791882516577922" border="0" /></a>from the perspective of their<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2BJw3bAQNnh8z5_GKkJErlEEh4R8849UlqhIopaMlrQ4jCJnOnIXCJHwZfGWHjottNELu0Lov_i3KffXDnnHz6sm6CAeb8030COFeXd452qaMEuWZ_x6eFtVZzjepzOGccDzMeZ1M70/s1600-h/CIMG6741.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2BJw3bAQNnh8z5_GKkJErlEEh4R8849UlqhIopaMlrQ4jCJnOnIXCJHwZfGWHjottNELu0Lov_i3KffXDnnHz6sm6CAeb8030COFeXd452qaMEuWZ_x6eFtVZzjepzOGccDzMeZ1M70/s400/CIMG6741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387797133910884162" border="0" /></a>own individual and<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HmVdnIXpnO0nS08dl415JoYwa_6d2q5_2LH7tjLJJubwXNKUUugwDijRc7WP-Q9A6Qtx3JobBLWcgB8d3QT_0CFzo6mYGA1JThZZ-Ru1F95wrxpx_x1GKfIagmXUArzdKZXMbjSMg0o/s1600-h/CIMG4088_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HmVdnIXpnO0nS08dl415JoYwa_6d2q5_2LH7tjLJJubwXNKUUugwDijRc7WP-Q9A6Qtx3JobBLWcgB8d3QT_0CFzo6mYGA1JThZZ-Ru1F95wrxpx_x1GKfIagmXUArzdKZXMbjSMg0o/s400/CIMG4088_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387795640731763282" border="0" /></a>unique selves<br /><br />our impact<br />as parents<br />is tremendous.<br /><br />and we do them a disservice<br />to underestimate this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJwSbwu9HTOzyDYP8LQhfMJ8Dr1JvMhXerS90GTFMZnfohxWW-IsemPoOMsVErLAr8AVnfaZ0e9yTR0dtl5kEfDLZtXfd9XNUk7aV7xTq6_8NTSxnpsc0guEPCF1oXLp3uOsMoiGup6U/s1600-h/CIMG6313.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJwSbwu9HTOzyDYP8LQhfMJ8Dr1JvMhXerS90GTFMZnfohxWW-IsemPoOMsVErLAr8AVnfaZ0e9yTR0dtl5kEfDLZtXfd9XNUk7aV7xTq6_8NTSxnpsc0guEPCF1oXLp3uOsMoiGup6U/s400/CIMG6313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387790107442552210" border="0" /></a>I have long believed that<br />we are the lense through which our children learn to see the world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1PZDFDaABgEaXqxBOUs5uMR5OHngqxdFIcEuwfAi7h5JmMl7otBlrRMBsqOISWsFGMSoV_GQyyFL4Zdwz8qaN-GCcxpXw7uu6IDLy0lKv0cv9rFlK6Ml2lztJjgIIJBOdQIMPLoX-JQ/s1600-h/CIMG4332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1PZDFDaABgEaXqxBOUs5uMR5OHngqxdFIcEuwfAi7h5JmMl7otBlrRMBsqOISWsFGMSoV_GQyyFL4Zdwz8qaN-GCcxpXw7uu6IDLy0lKv0cv9rFlK6Ml2lztJjgIIJBOdQIMPLoX-JQ/s400/CIMG4332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387793668470667938" border="0" /></a>Raising a child<br />is such a gift.<br /><br />Raising a child<br />to become a wonderful human being<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ_LiZ3SrSANJU5m5H6FRfaMmoQPjB3zoAlSxhia_MGUxsdY0W9FchZbmQLyXHf7iNrQTachJTdIF9Z4lbcVFgALjModqCtXcJUH9sg6VrfuSfslUDOyHk5JBSzeb-UrA8DfTwmVxnZg/s1600-h/CIMG4124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ_LiZ3SrSANJU5m5H6FRfaMmoQPjB3zoAlSxhia_MGUxsdY0W9FchZbmQLyXHf7iNrQTachJTdIF9Z4lbcVFgALjModqCtXcJUH9sg6VrfuSfslUDOyHk5JBSzeb-UrA8DfTwmVxnZg/s400/CIMG4124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387793660522913602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ43UzNxPjeM3FMizOa0917JJ6XbB9gXms8BcOwtr6ps7dBm2G0ITEdxS6Pn2JHK0a8n-wuM5qtN3YY_L-tuxTObf768GJrwYYY-MnWywy7nKbhnlzSrywUBQHUyEp21Ah8MLmlAjHMjU/s1600-h/IMG_0956.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ43UzNxPjeM3FMizOa0917JJ6XbB9gXms8BcOwtr6ps7dBm2G0ITEdxS6Pn2JHK0a8n-wuM5qtN3YY_L-tuxTObf768GJrwYYY-MnWywy7nKbhnlzSrywUBQHUyEp21Ah8MLmlAjHMjU/s400/IMG_0956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387795642806430242" border="0" /></a>is an honor<br />beyond belief.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatTLs9cxW_tnOEUZY9NlmKJRBDoqhlNjig9YiMVP5DChlvyIIVY3kTitv8jzho1oDA1k6QWYTHeLkbOy0jRitEzoYMaqRTimHOni7RzNsJ35-QgbWLIVh7PvFEhHt7eH2YJfFeYNeTVA/s1600-h/IMG_8200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatTLs9cxW_tnOEUZY9NlmKJRBDoqhlNjig9YiMVP5DChlvyIIVY3kTitv8jzho1oDA1k6QWYTHeLkbOy0jRitEzoYMaqRTimHOni7RzNsJ35-QgbWLIVh7PvFEhHt7eH2YJfFeYNeTVA/s400/IMG_8200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387797120697164818" border="0" /></a>I love my children.<br /><br /></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-28447341691013980612009-09-26T15:18:00.000-07:002009-09-29T06:25:54.239-07:00E.T. and the Writing WorkshopWe drove in to Paris Friday night to take Joshua to a writing workshop for kids age 12+ at the <a href="http://www.americanlibraryinparis.org/">American Library</a>, which as it happens, is a block from the Eiffel Tower! As we drove in, we passed this incredibly cool <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau">Art Nouveau</a> builting just as we were about to turn the corner to park at the Library. I had to walk back down the street and take some photos! After a little online research I discovered that this is called the Lavirotte Building, designed by architect <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Lavirotte">Jules Lavirotte</a>, and is one of 9 of his buildings in the 7th arrondissement. It was built between 1899-1901. The photos just don't do it justice:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK_H4fOAo9dhGWfW0Wju1jBvzQ2NMYYbV4i2eYcetT33ZjUBP3f2FlpHdd1tNg_QKY-aY3sofhS_oIdWhNRU0iwdb60GfhmzSdagsZkjJAfT1eIs6l4tpMKcIaaf930_KewrAckxo86o/s1600-h/CIMG0890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK_H4fOAo9dhGWfW0Wju1jBvzQ2NMYYbV4i2eYcetT33ZjUBP3f2FlpHdd1tNg_QKY-aY3sofhS_oIdWhNRU0iwdb60GfhmzSdagsZkjJAfT1eIs6l4tpMKcIaaf930_KewrAckxo86o/s400/CIMG0890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386617770015501090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpdrvU6CiJuVxRFpwwMd2Nl8MBlszfqvYLN_SOvdtAENZwfEJHBbijNnWcLChlq-wKMI3YgGyxaYi-nd7w7dSljQ5TFHoIhuHIqsL_Zb1OkPjE7_rQ_Oqr-3WGEQ4lGZjsI2P5vYT3C0/s1600-h/CIMG0892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpdrvU6CiJuVxRFpwwMd2Nl8MBlszfqvYLN_SOvdtAENZwfEJHBbijNnWcLChlq-wKMI3YgGyxaYi-nd7w7dSljQ5TFHoIhuHIqsL_Zb1OkPjE7_rQ_Oqr-3WGEQ4lGZjsI2P5vYT3C0/s400/CIMG0892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386617779301460482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j41Ug6ZX9pud6xSzuO90H2wuYkPqaERstng8litXWFTk5PDxBS6zxf_OGOuv7u4C13ujEszjwjP53Xw5bI03seYCgfxke1QkLDpHE_cga_SFzPUbu1iOC_7t9LioaGCONBm9VzZN9HY/s1600-h/CIMG0892_3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j41Ug6ZX9pud6xSzuO90H2wuYkPqaERstng8litXWFTk5PDxBS6zxf_OGOuv7u4C13ujEszjwjP53Xw5bI03seYCgfxke1QkLDpHE_cga_SFzPUbu1iOC_7t9LioaGCONBm9VzZN9HY/s400/CIMG0892_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386686527859396866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6cdXhxGDJD5jnpk9s_w93_PsflieYAPBaIuQUbb8_Ruc60Z4h89kO_97w_JRNqRVOdP24YBWgjkM2RWIez-3BIREQl9dPDpafB79jRqUeLS7qZGl5qNVsPLjOmBiJ-RztpSoURglM-M/s1600-h/CIMG0895.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6cdXhxGDJD5jnpk9s_w93_PsflieYAPBaIuQUbb8_Ruc60Z4h89kO_97w_JRNqRVOdP24YBWgjkM2RWIez-3BIREQl9dPDpafB79jRqUeLS7qZGl5qNVsPLjOmBiJ-RztpSoURglM-M/s400/CIMG0895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386617788381490226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdp7rZq6JaUat72LlE97VeizUL1lRyiLr-7ma4vaMIZemtWZ0FncWw2k1G2puGZIpkmhLoPt40mRa4Bb43okQWrxmhCjBJlk4dq6e9JzZQBjjpqAejuWPGE6mx1wjlHzYMcLJ1BPXt3M/s1600-h/CIMG0896.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdp7rZq6JaUat72LlE97VeizUL1lRyiLr-7ma4vaMIZemtWZ0FncWw2k1G2puGZIpkmhLoPt40mRa4Bb43okQWrxmhCjBJlk4dq6e9JzZQBjjpqAejuWPGE6mx1wjlHzYMcLJ1BPXt3M/s400/CIMG0896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386617790045061890" border="0" /></a>As I turned around to meet meet up with the family who had already entered the Library, this was the view which greeted me:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLShGi3c4ZEsU17BKQyxPk22SZcf0em-1BY6Iu-b4z7TwJUCrwqkNPWsQv5rRI42cM6Ntmp_25G-2yNR0LqNgwWUnI-fJO13VKYwD6zNcWKO0vgmG-WlwqtMdcl2YanAKwm3txXfV475o/s1600-h/CIMG0901.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLShGi3c4ZEsU17BKQyxPk22SZcf0em-1BY6Iu-b4z7TwJUCrwqkNPWsQv5rRI42cM6Ntmp_25G-2yNR0LqNgwWUnI-fJO13VKYwD6zNcWKO0vgmG-WlwqtMdcl2YanAKwm3txXfV475o/s400/CIMG0901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386617801710617058" border="0" /></a>Dropping Joshua off at the Library for his class, we crossed the street to enter the park, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champ_de_Mars,_Paris">Champ de Mars</a> where lies the Eiffel Tower. It was about 7pm on a Friday night. His class was only two hours and I didn't realize we had a little treat waiting for us. It was simple, it was sweet, and if I hadn't been paying attention, I would have missed it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsrEKakude97n5gma5LUBM9HOSsy7j31tCW9ZL78Y1RQNtuk629II3zgKoBZ7jDvHXyoYM4M352eOXAx8-0er6aEa_dU1WeRAPu86uCD1W4dJpv1sLjUV0O10hqk4syr0lPFPe0Ee1f4/s1600-h/CIMG0903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsrEKakude97n5gma5LUBM9HOSsy7j31tCW9ZL78Y1RQNtuk629II3zgKoBZ7jDvHXyoYM4M352eOXAx8-0er6aEa_dU1WeRAPu86uCD1W4dJpv1sLjUV0O10hqk4syr0lPFPe0Ee1f4/s400/CIMG0903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386626607908310162" border="0" /></a><br />Walking through the park, I marveled at the activity at the foot of this world renowned monument. People picnicking in the mood of the Friday night end-of-week/beginning of weekend joviality, two guys, literally, walking a tight rope on a strap they tied between two trees and the guys selling their miniature Eiffel Tower key rings on huge metal rings, making them stand out a mile off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXSeLgqhVfPp4Y-BehOreg99E-w8sXL_Har5KHuefiC8BQUi3fLCiLKHSxYF5_W8pRYSOE_B5D0ZoNpKz0Aghiv7Fep-as0Jjg7ivcXy_viFCt-wzddUEKJRZI9A9Tku0gx3WzgM2uSA/s1600-h/CIMG0905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXSeLgqhVfPp4Y-BehOreg99E-w8sXL_Har5KHuefiC8BQUi3fLCiLKHSxYF5_W8pRYSOE_B5D0ZoNpKz0Aghiv7Fep-as0Jjg7ivcXy_viFCt-wzddUEKJRZI9A9Tku0gx3WzgM2uSA/s400/CIMG0905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386628808754622802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Kc1jIVeYhMZvj6EPnXSNDh3A9xSFLPpatE1TAVy7rnTpbx_MVqVJ4hHjfOXkocDfRIYYVyuQ9S6kYej8A_5wD0A1g7COaWBHHYFmft7NEw1zh5lqLAsuQCXdtgDDr5DVSqPz3PaAjQ/s1600-h/CIMG0915.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Kc1jIVeYhMZvj6EPnXSNDh3A9xSFLPpatE1TAVy7rnTpbx_MVqVJ4hHjfOXkocDfRIYYVyuQ9S6kYej8A_5wD0A1g7COaWBHHYFmft7NEw1zh5lqLAsuQCXdtgDDr5DVSqPz3PaAjQ/s400/CIMG0915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386628819972829826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIbQzkXU4JO_77NGI_kvRkzJtMJuEUApj_8Qvg2DGUE_Xd4WnB_PM-Msu-V061P39U7C9xPBtnq_JxG0WRzwGSGL9wGFQooUbbkW-UoVN4zfUKOVh7OzePhvhifhthgLR1EdzZFt79Zs/s1600-h/CIMG0921_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIbQzkXU4JO_77NGI_kvRkzJtMJuEUApj_8Qvg2DGUE_Xd4WnB_PM-Msu-V061P39U7C9xPBtnq_JxG0WRzwGSGL9wGFQooUbbkW-UoVN4zfUKOVh7OzePhvhifhthgLR1EdzZFt79Zs/s400/CIMG0921_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386628836848720226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0vz36oMT_5vh98vSlXHKwkgaSkxe8RPhsz23MN-QIkg1W7h8qmTyTCPM_-yk821vfzQ2W_p17ZV01ysLfKIH6nJEia5AcdhqN3Gw3BNytDIq4BOzXl-rhPZDBF7-ygRRlQjK3NUZymA/s1600-h/CIMG0920.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0vz36oMT_5vh98vSlXHKwkgaSkxe8RPhsz23MN-QIkg1W7h8qmTyTCPM_-yk821vfzQ2W_p17ZV01ysLfKIH6nJEia5AcdhqN3Gw3BNytDIq4BOzXl-rhPZDBF7-ygRRlQjK3NUZymA/s400/CIMG0920.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386626638191732402" border="0" /></a>Walking up the path toward the Tower, it struck me, how on a Friday night at the end of September, this place was still packed...the line to get into the Tower was still a mile long, folding on itself multiple times until they reach ticket counter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRR3Bl89SjMM8ua0xMIZg970lY54N3j0LuP7K71SI78ubPQ34qTZJrMl4uoZnUA8cssPnMC44R79Z79NB5QHe1MPmohgFZpbJFiRtejmyC3Drk-QXqj7eSnfJMBvmQMw2nUBb1d8pNmc/s1600-h/CIMG0926.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRR3Bl89SjMM8ua0xMIZg970lY54N3j0LuP7K71SI78ubPQ34qTZJrMl4uoZnUA8cssPnMC44R79Z79NB5QHe1MPmohgFZpbJFiRtejmyC3Drk-QXqj7eSnfJMBvmQMw2nUBb1d8pNmc/s400/CIMG0926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386631073020518370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNttpjjEzi0E4RHeVWTWnk8h02UIk6ldiAoiWColsJOprSEsF_8borHv6sTI8mHDQX415-LwcaAK2iqrQSPbM5Gn-cF_jDLe6uL8QLsdcc7PZEQ7LD_yWnL3r3CFWDNw_7ShWL-A7EnXk/s1600-h/CIMG0938.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNttpjjEzi0E4RHeVWTWnk8h02UIk6ldiAoiWColsJOprSEsF_8borHv6sTI8mHDQX415-LwcaAK2iqrQSPbM5Gn-cF_jDLe6uL8QLsdcc7PZEQ7LD_yWnL3r3CFWDNw_7ShWL-A7EnXk/s400/CIMG0938.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386631082410319346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl3yoIVgzSJ91a4zPA0gIH5N3iPOph5ElSV2uShMBSe7fDRWrFyLaeEaU1g8pofg3GAzvn_ca5nkENHBagB7Moe3ecyzthKWDs7-cdJolT0VKvxBZ5k09hv-WtzD_wQfOhyINgscML_I/s1600-h/CIMG0939.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl3yoIVgzSJ91a4zPA0gIH5N3iPOph5ElSV2uShMBSe7fDRWrFyLaeEaU1g8pofg3GAzvn_ca5nkENHBagB7Moe3ecyzthKWDs7-cdJolT0VKvxBZ5k09hv-WtzD_wQfOhyINgscML_I/s400/CIMG0939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386631092034478450" border="0" /></a>We wander up to the Tower, under it and through to the other side. It was all very simple. We headed straight for the carousel and crêpe stand on other side of the street. The festive mood reached even across the street.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgIA3JmRxAJLAUvy_2MUihbhWdxYQigE9t4z7gTBZrSUDoYOVoFpRyj-mIImSOZfkdavNchQFT6EUC7Cioo-1lZ2fqzj-MjYEbKWPG8vfw-SgLteN5n_KD4l2Xei8i4Nfk-GzQ-hZNE8/s1600-h/CIMG0948.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgIA3JmRxAJLAUvy_2MUihbhWdxYQigE9t4z7gTBZrSUDoYOVoFpRyj-mIImSOZfkdavNchQFT6EUC7Cioo-1lZ2fqzj-MjYEbKWPG8vfw-SgLteN5n_KD4l2Xei8i4Nfk-GzQ-hZNE8/s400/CIMG0948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386632737730695778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsDGYeGBsXzw4bNI423fv-wci6ZjdO-KsrVtsC9sBWl73nutV5E9aJ_K7tKCiLPX_Ewl2YLBw4Vzb1Ou9-M2e2Dp_o1GgaoKnaV9R7wbeYBPaqET2R4JhDLrBKSXvxerV2sx5j1C3GTI/s1600-h/CIMG0943.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsDGYeGBsXzw4bNI423fv-wci6ZjdO-KsrVtsC9sBWl73nutV5E9aJ_K7tKCiLPX_Ewl2YLBw4Vzb1Ou9-M2e2Dp_o1GgaoKnaV9R7wbeYBPaqET2R4JhDLrBKSXvxerV2sx5j1C3GTI/s400/CIMG0943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386632734866353282" border="0" /></a>Such a funny guy, looking high above him, with food in his mouth, swinging his arms...the Eiffel Tower is E's moniker for "Paris"....while driving to Paris...he's looking for the E.T.!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvlL78G5kgdcwJDpKCrrRE-9-QFsOrlkqiBfqByWzwoRg89yKJMAS01m0IBrDd5ZnQ3Rw_xdnBrziVF4IMrhz2WBfuwgW-NRoujOnuF4UdHaWr1Iq63SezVHz02MwZCfSg050F6J3Ub4/s1600-h/CIMG0942.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvlL78G5kgdcwJDpKCrrRE-9-QFsOrlkqiBfqByWzwoRg89yKJMAS01m0IBrDd5ZnQ3Rw_xdnBrziVF4IMrhz2WBfuwgW-NRoujOnuF4UdHaWr1Iq63SezVHz02MwZCfSg050F6J3Ub4/s400/CIMG0942.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386631102044711986" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45AibqrqrbH6lPmAnxkAXLgRijv2Fzjv0kcgF2XkZFGNbvWLAq-w8wwfCiS39HQFEZqgRnWhTojLsd4gM7i2uauk8W06ISnv74ZYAz5Tlqw84ovJuQ1Uhy7h8lHNAh5llnMuq3uA7Vgc/s1600-h/CIMG0962.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45AibqrqrbH6lPmAnxkAXLgRijv2Fzjv0kcgF2XkZFGNbvWLAq-w8wwfCiS39HQFEZqgRnWhTojLsd4gM7i2uauk8W06ISnv74ZYAz5Tlqw84ovJuQ1Uhy7h8lHNAh5llnMuq3uA7Vgc/s400/CIMG0962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386632754443183346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">It couldn't be helped.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />This was Paris, after all.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">As twilight approached and the sun set</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />the lights of the Eiffel Tower<br />came on<br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCLDmvdsG_JLQcQwypDnx_m7EvW5M7KtWQUFZeruz6VqSgNXDYQqUVFodW6fFvooARkv57REwjX5u4wgap-Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>I buy some crêpes<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and I look over to Paul who had just purchased tickets<br />for Elijah to ride the carousel.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdfShbpiazKnEYDpJxlrAESLCfx8D07GpEyacUQRzfPoDSAromzBC0GMSblkDL51_t9hfEBq6xL7VzHzgN52hO6U-pNRTr2g8OqkAdGzc0OWYRBEbw6fFxEoIBbfYGGrBIFwLSppxZpo/s1600-h/CIMG1019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdfShbpiazKnEYDpJxlrAESLCfx8D07GpEyacUQRzfPoDSAromzBC0GMSblkDL51_t9hfEBq6xL7VzHzgN52hO6U-pNRTr2g8OqkAdGzc0OWYRBEbw6fFxEoIBbfYGGrBIFwLSppxZpo/s400/CIMG1019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386650331070106594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbDJXZd2NQ41AN0nJ-_mWNsyNxyPB4ucqRbWf2pUBj_OvohaPHy2o6f73swxw17szhF36tFBxnSHbQzeq8cj1vGixv9XqtzfJAIx0vPZYLwiMTiPzhhBzkhoBYtx3ndUViQ1MXlzNgsA/s1600-h/CIMG0968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbDJXZd2NQ41AN0nJ-_mWNsyNxyPB4ucqRbWf2pUBj_OvohaPHy2o6f73swxw17szhF36tFBxnSHbQzeq8cj1vGixv9XqtzfJAIx0vPZYLwiMTiPzhhBzkhoBYtx3ndUViQ1MXlzNgsA/s400/CIMG0968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386643829415481634" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIFeK4qS7czanbJ9vGnY1llCO-IrX0Mg5UrUBlHcXJSpfnIyJhfk4DTEwE93205Y4ZpD-I24o9ZH2le7FKpIIHZjrbKFPP6Igz1nyexn4vh78OlFmSIkiaisPCMUpY-NHfyuqU5cQ2V0/s1600-h/CIMG0969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIFeK4qS7czanbJ9vGnY1llCO-IrX0Mg5UrUBlHcXJSpfnIyJhfk4DTEwE93205Y4ZpD-I24o9ZH2le7FKpIIHZjrbKFPP6Igz1nyexn4vh78OlFmSIkiaisPCMUpY-NHfyuqU5cQ2V0/s400/CIMG0969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386643835156945650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7Z5zyVok1kkoOIH0xG63sXZmTHuvspSXch2Zl_2a5ZAsGdKv4No4tFhBvtKvAARUERoW3_-32fKTKHf0CTouXyWsVEOCKiOT6WNx-PaCX1TbsZpoGno9dn4gCd4t8-XJLtrFypRVfpA/s1600-h/CIMG1016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7Z5zyVok1kkoOIH0xG63sXZmTHuvspSXch2Zl_2a5ZAsGdKv4No4tFhBvtKvAARUERoW3_-32fKTKHf0CTouXyWsVEOCKiOT6WNx-PaCX1TbsZpoGno9dn4gCd4t8-XJLtrFypRVfpA/s400/CIMG1016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386650320353133858" border="0" /></a>Joy<br />Beauty<br />Sweet<br />and Simple<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd03MHjwpZWUf-8YYJEwMsxf7jDv9NMjrHHfLWcDPRUrIa-qMZVQ1QzfpAGSr30nGOyREkfoUEuEVmyQqwS6Qfs81UGOCDpybSzdkcDsZhN1rxc4j3tLy_RhIKnLWAz7zv1RT0dpREy8/s1600-h/CIMG0964.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd03MHjwpZWUf-8YYJEwMsxf7jDv9NMjrHHfLWcDPRUrIa-qMZVQ1QzfpAGSr30nGOyREkfoUEuEVmyQqwS6Qfs81UGOCDpybSzdkcDsZhN1rxc4j3tLy_RhIKnLWAz7zv1RT0dpREy8/s400/CIMG0964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386672928125284210" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">All this even despite the Angry Crêpe Guy,<br />who really was just ready for a career change.<br />So I didn't take it personally.<br />Angry crêpe guy's associate kindly gave me my savory crêpe for free.<br />He understood.<br /><br />So I go back to my family with my<br />free crêpe and share.<br /><br />Night is falling<br />Festive mood ensues<br />All is well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2UP5mgl4-REHX6nrVfNgDXUw0FTQi5XjmOuNb_Fgqd9YRSURrPr1mDyH_hXRy9r6VK4UzgqWBhPjT9lfjhHKDaHU94fUaSp_k7nxdxkD2DfqusfYMZnW_CzByZTTQWasb0M-PxOv0Dk/s1600-h/CIMG1027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2UP5mgl4-REHX6nrVfNgDXUw0FTQi5XjmOuNb_Fgqd9YRSURrPr1mDyH_hXRy9r6VK4UzgqWBhPjT9lfjhHKDaHU94fUaSp_k7nxdxkD2DfqusfYMZnW_CzByZTTQWasb0M-PxOv0Dk/s400/CIMG1027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386646141675129426" border="0" /></a><br />Happy children<br />decent crêpe<br />Carousel rides.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0ROrD62hmMeIkYa0HVQ1u-FqNmB_P32SQzcS_2gqdCjusTqI7u_pprD4BUSl4JK5ZD_hrJUU5em-JXtQ1kHblad05DP1Ca_bHP86XWywNHUtK6QkT3rlw2mevSc3ztC_D-i3TmtnpFU/s1600-h/CIMG1001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0ROrD62hmMeIkYa0HVQ1u-FqNmB_P32SQzcS_2gqdCjusTqI7u_pprD4BUSl4JK5ZD_hrJUU5em-JXtQ1kHblad05DP1Ca_bHP86XWywNHUtK6QkT3rlw2mevSc3ztC_D-i3TmtnpFU/s400/CIMG1001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386646115542321314" border="0" /></a>Under the Eiffel Tower, I played with my husband, daughter and son as the sun went down [while the other son is being intellectually enlightened]. The lights take on a dramatic feel as the sun sets and the sky blue of the day turns to dark indigo, then black.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHo388YhpCP6Ev99wfVVr2Ms4_twgXZCbEFGm_l7CGKgfEbiYOOLi-mrQZ1ouBspgls86kABuzp5vNOXggTaJpHGKZnaLZ74dRd1Vt_7H1LCWnPk5kryQSRKXZEppJUC6AsNNEt3fVYg/s1600-h/CIMG1007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHo388YhpCP6Ev99wfVVr2Ms4_twgXZCbEFGm_l7CGKgfEbiYOOLi-mrQZ1ouBspgls86kABuzp5vNOXggTaJpHGKZnaLZ74dRd1Vt_7H1LCWnPk5kryQSRKXZEppJUC6AsNNEt3fVYg/s400/CIMG1007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386650351434985330" border="0" /></a>Set against the night sky, the Tower is so striking.<br />Awesome.<br />If you think about it, it's really just a pile of iron.<br />Oh but really,<br />the magic, the awe<br />it's tremendous.<br /></div><br />I saw people taking photos of themselves with the tower in a way that previously hadn't occurred to me. I thought, oh why not! Being a generally modest person, I didn't do things like this, but hey, this was Paris and I was at the Eiffel Tower! So I took a photo of myself against the Tower!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy5j7dpLwzLvYLAwtx3KXjYpHS7dHyF1-RdB4JOa4EPNaBZL7LAKE985m1jBpC8PD97Y9-FrC9tWAEFB1NkE1N4hsVigFp5bH-VG6Yp2LaNlGacWVlX-DWBSQu-pJJpaqjxy0josEcLY/s1600-h/CIMG0982.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy5j7dpLwzLvYLAwtx3KXjYpHS7dHyF1-RdB4JOa4EPNaBZL7LAKE985m1jBpC8PD97Y9-FrC9tWAEFB1NkE1N4hsVigFp5bH-VG6Yp2LaNlGacWVlX-DWBSQu-pJJpaqjxy0josEcLY/s400/CIMG0982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386643846099910818" border="0" /></a>Then I grabbed Sasha! Magic...I could feel the joy in the moment. I loved my daughter so much! This was one of those grab moments. Take it before it's gone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ixawKgi-kXNued4IXyuPV7ZFVTQkRXaINMKmi-402Tz3-VgfFAeock7ifUJOqZIT_EKG4LZFB7ihBHPYm3yeZBeeCpDdxKf_ks_r80S5rdbyJ0Xwii0xQJDmOcnbIPSTsiPL52GrDr4/s1600-h/CIMG0989.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ixawKgi-kXNued4IXyuPV7ZFVTQkRXaINMKmi-402Tz3-VgfFAeock7ifUJOqZIT_EKG4LZFB7ihBHPYm3yeZBeeCpDdxKf_ks_r80S5rdbyJ0Xwii0xQJDmOcnbIPSTsiPL52GrDr4/s400/CIMG0989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386643852231936914" border="0" /></a>Back to the carousel, we jump on, trade off with the little guy for his 5th ride! He knew the joy, and needed no words.<br /><br />Trading back and forth, I'm now waiting and watching Paul and E going around and around. Sasha was chasing them around the carousel while it spun, the night was falling and the magical carousel had us under it's spell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoXh4rQGqkOPeoaj3ngtbEIjW7vsWMasHZ7E03brMukh1OZ-V_T3tF7mtIGxH0RjhrY_18MWMAwF0ujic-qnHRr1HHdKROJgkLVhXFceLGyz1UmY22P4daI9kFmCTnej6YZsOEKqIkT4/s1600-h/CIMG1030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoXh4rQGqkOPeoaj3ngtbEIjW7vsWMasHZ7E03brMukh1OZ-V_T3tF7mtIGxH0RjhrY_18MWMAwF0ujic-qnHRr1HHdKROJgkLVhXFceLGyz1UmY22P4daI9kFmCTnej6YZsOEKqIkT4/s400/CIMG1030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386646136004604322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6NA9X1s-WQmivKi0FtJzfaeTGw7oFFpSyOPs9LfN94-SnXpQJRDszLYROgJsKDoATa39tgH8MdFqzoeUbcAikbiiDao-3QjpiqLmnLbzJp_t2AM_tzdnMO15TGP9MqOP43aFwRa4LBU/s1600-h/CIMG1060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6NA9X1s-WQmivKi0FtJzfaeTGw7oFFpSyOPs9LfN94-SnXpQJRDszLYROgJsKDoATa39tgH8MdFqzoeUbcAikbiiDao-3QjpiqLmnLbzJp_t2AM_tzdnMO15TGP9MqOP43aFwRa4LBU/s400/CIMG1060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386650343314141074" border="0" /></a>Almost time to return to pick up our big brother in his writing workshop. We begin to head back, walking under the Tower once again, the line and crowds as long and packed as ever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZSjuDlsfLfYJ98hfhJBmVIgvkYQiWfFEyKH_zt2HIL6nEiC2inaAeN7Hjzltldcxsa_u-TbJQOwAqdEtYzf1OYYC_CTwfGsmZXfzh0RspcHCtFprBRdI5Lm3o5sRviHdmDQswEmU2Cc/s1600-h/CIMG1073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZSjuDlsfLfYJ98hfhJBmVIgvkYQiWfFEyKH_zt2HIL6nEiC2inaAeN7Hjzltldcxsa_u-TbJQOwAqdEtYzf1OYYC_CTwfGsmZXfzh0RspcHCtFprBRdI5Lm3o5sRviHdmDQswEmU2Cc/s400/CIMG1073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386680163085637506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq9SI6ZCzgLyM_9mr2ak2JB1yFZ2hecBaK_Lo61otlusfkPjUJXjhnj03XszZl5wIjrxETdslGw7LoblOPHVVWBrboxiMn6oDyXn35u-jeicEic4JUjWJtGVp8C7iESIy0t0RSe-CXcM/s1600-h/CIMG1081.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq9SI6ZCzgLyM_9mr2ak2JB1yFZ2hecBaK_Lo61otlusfkPjUJXjhnj03XszZl5wIjrxETdslGw7LoblOPHVVWBrboxiMn6oDyXn35u-jeicEic4JUjWJtGVp8C7iESIy0t0RSe-CXcM/s400/CIMG1081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386686534135325778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9JJbukTnu_SlwbeCWRUJje-5d9e4UqT1mjvFeucdP4z9VDRQxsGwnpq3Gogs0gTPtoJ_Twd_GmeIEGRm23E6QVHUk3PcPr-bMnTVa8_qAWCOo3PaWDkdrDRyxlMRyUcHODVhFy26DYE/s1600-h/CIMG1076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9JJbukTnu_SlwbeCWRUJje-5d9e4UqT1mjvFeucdP4z9VDRQxsGwnpq3Gogs0gTPtoJ_Twd_GmeIEGRm23E6QVHUk3PcPr-bMnTVa8_qAWCOo3PaWDkdrDRyxlMRyUcHODVhFy26DYE/s400/CIMG1076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386680172640143250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh51hbyaxf27FbYgrIPSxeYgu01zwadwlQKJWNkHeWQA1JZa2mdZbcvVrnk1sT5k3-0giwIQVOhGrFCDDtdv2l2ghxyJWQCBCN_sk135ZNmnI8kBAgiVK-YC_eOkZ3exCjdkE7kz8IVug/s1600-h/CIMG1065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh51hbyaxf27FbYgrIPSxeYgu01zwadwlQKJWNkHeWQA1JZa2mdZbcvVrnk1sT5k3-0giwIQVOhGrFCDDtdv2l2ghxyJWQCBCN_sk135ZNmnI8kBAgiVK-YC_eOkZ3exCjdkE7kz8IVug/s400/CIMG1065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386680156548658866" border="0" /></a>As we get to the other side and by now it's dark, I'm struck again at how many people are still picnicking at the foot of the Tower, and they're not necessarily the same people as before!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC-24Ej01s_7gNf4c2yhN1KGA_BBZcjgclqCmMDYFms4k0eMPV-R14Hz0vxpUjTozrHMIb-iIW4MuwofN_BKgA4oKo6ZOj88DQKwld040sRWDT6MVfeGmZs2iOboMUdPJYwmkLfvI5mo/s1600-h/CIMG1094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC-24Ej01s_7gNf4c2yhN1KGA_BBZcjgclqCmMDYFms4k0eMPV-R14Hz0vxpUjTozrHMIb-iIW4MuwofN_BKgA4oKo6ZOj88DQKwld040sRWDT6MVfeGmZs2iOboMUdPJYwmkLfvI5mo/s400/CIMG1094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386680188547268162" border="0" /></a>Some came prepared for the mood. We passed a couple with a little candle on their blanket as they ate their dinner.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">This must be Paris.<br />And this fact gets by no one.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGyIU81CnkHG5_pLjNE78H21nu4K9unP2VGt5KWZRXSv7qmWgnW6updSu1uTpVmSY3G0PmZ2AkCvDh8B0FDoQjY6OFaZ9OoXvGj0bnTnBnVn8to5_cE_jLCXg6Bgxukpz82WEEYhM6Qo/s1600-h/CIMG1099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGyIU81CnkHG5_pLjNE78H21nu4K9unP2VGt5KWZRXSv7qmWgnW6updSu1uTpVmSY3G0PmZ2AkCvDh8B0FDoQjY6OFaZ9OoXvGj0bnTnBnVn8to5_cE_jLCXg6Bgxukpz82WEEYhM6Qo/s400/CIMG1099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386686557657964098" border="0" /></a>As we leave the Tower and park behind us, we return to the Library to find Joshua having thoroughly enjoyed his writing workshop. The teacher was a published author and walked the kids through the process of finding their topic, and researching their subject. We didn't know when we dropped him off if this would be a one time thing or not. We were thrilled to discover that he really liked it and wanted to return.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I guess this means we'll have to come back next Friday.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Cta9sU7rgo_4wHKb83LveiS_hRRKQyLOyAs2_vTa_020bGHKPLPur8JgvKDjE8GQV7acCbQFNwaLyHZWjiZreSzCM6yhIGvRxd5a7P-KxnFSTKr9e7fnXHJhVrrlniKBNyZQqqNglNs/s1600-h/CIMG1104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Cta9sU7rgo_4wHKb83LveiS_hRRKQyLOyAs2_vTa_020bGHKPLPur8JgvKDjE8GQV7acCbQFNwaLyHZWjiZreSzCM6yhIGvRxd5a7P-KxnFSTKr9e7fnXHJhVrrlniKBNyZQqqNglNs/s400/CIMG1104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386686543022349266" border="0" /></a>Darn.<br />Oh well.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowy4h7X0zRZ-9HGrjVjBsRTCUl1c7_lSVIeDmL3EWXz0xONluw_aSKjXPNW5zzVV58q84qjhOiRVCY6ShsUOXD7g6yK70sAijLFeDhsHkX4fi0Vq-MsUTJTtIHimNffreB7Riq5B-4n4/s1600-h/CIMG1112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowy4h7X0zRZ-9HGrjVjBsRTCUl1c7_lSVIeDmL3EWXz0xONluw_aSKjXPNW5zzVV58q84qjhOiRVCY6ShsUOXD7g6yK70sAijLFeDhsHkX4fi0Vq-MsUTJTtIHimNffreB7Riq5B-4n4/s400/CIMG1112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386686547837659714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Paris we love you!<br /><br />See you next Friday...<br /></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-48268973513605423992009-09-25T00:02:00.001-07:002009-09-25T05:09:04.636-07:00Life Essentials - Clean Dishes / Dry Clothes<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">We've experienced two things in Ireland and now France which a typical American lifestyle doesn't always accommodate.<br />These are things which are completely optional, which are known to happen and are not shocking to your average American,<br />but...when you look around you, it's just generally not done.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Washing your dishes by hand. </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Every night.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWImmkccL6wpedVrIwunrk9DxtY5EjE6XuCQXpWfYXAn3zZxoNAwJf9iioBbxaTlTvH2Q3Ws1xMx3oupyQycNzlVfFdUtbmM7MZgH-Up_ZtE4B4bCZj2HUceHEXtaC49Jr2FEarG6TIFI/s1600-h/CIMG0604.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWImmkccL6wpedVrIwunrk9DxtY5EjE6XuCQXpWfYXAn3zZxoNAwJf9iioBbxaTlTvH2Q3Ws1xMx3oupyQycNzlVfFdUtbmM7MZgH-Up_ZtE4B4bCZj2HUceHEXtaC49Jr2FEarG6TIFI/s400/CIMG0604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385296663182406210" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Air drying your clothes.<br />on dryer racks<br />or outside (preferable).<br />everything.<br />sheets, socks<br />and underwear included.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMwKxlGyTRgZr9feqh4z2wv0uhA_nLlC-WhqqTLqX3BGmfDlZgbwH0dA63nIeQhXkPblY_0tB2GPOJ5LH7HU_WiE-Eqwrea01fyfsnWkENo_dpR3oVxLtaF_Wt0HwQJdYhSWC3Bx3z28/s1600-h/CIMG7381.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMwKxlGyTRgZr9feqh4z2wv0uhA_nLlC-WhqqTLqX3BGmfDlZgbwH0dA63nIeQhXkPblY_0tB2GPOJ5LH7HU_WiE-Eqwrea01fyfsnWkENo_dpR3oVxLtaF_Wt0HwQJdYhSWC3Bx3z28/s400/CIMG7381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385371960196628066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">IOW - no electricity is consumed for either activity.<br />Inconceivable.<br /><br />Oh, but it's true, madame!<br /><br />#1<br />Washing Dishes<br />Together<br /><br />for our family this has come to mean spending time<br />Together<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Often it's crazy and I just wish I could throw<br />the dishes in the dishwasher -<br />like last night.<br /><br />But most of the time<br />if I'm organized...<br />we go straight from dinner to the dishes<br /><br />it's a rhythm<br />the children have come to expect<br /><br />and this makes it easier<br />to get them to do it...<br />because<br />it's just what you do...<br />you know?<br /><br />dinner<br />dishes<br />shower<br />bed<br /><br />or some variation<br />thereof.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">unless<br />homework has not been finished.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">A recent revelation this year<br />was the fact that the two oldest kids<br />ten and twelve<br />are old enough to WASH and DRY<br />so I can go and do other things...<br /><br />oh why didn't I think of that sooner?<br />(I was too busy doing it myself)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0i7BU9GJZWUbzXRbI0yIh22PZS1eEvO8qoAo1j_jG38SOEkQ9D5IWXdiWqqAJVRzrAAuq6ggUvB7jB-c9ZyQVBZHQSYCJ4Bw740gv1VcumyjBaucWvX23bnZH5EhFnni1JKSfFqMpms/s1600-h/CIMG0602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0i7BU9GJZWUbzXRbI0yIh22PZS1eEvO8qoAo1j_jG38SOEkQ9D5IWXdiWqqAJVRzrAAuq6ggUvB7jB-c9ZyQVBZHQSYCJ4Bw740gv1VcumyjBaucWvX23bnZH5EhFnni1JKSfFqMpms/s400/CIMG0602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385296654090084786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />et voilà<br /><br />REVELATION!!<br /><br />The next and more beautiful benefit of this<br />SERVICE TO THE FAMILY<br />has been to discover that<br /><br />Elijah<br /><br />loves to wash dishes<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAyuK-L-g7ZC9CzQUZpeCsQujh8SRS3tl8E66tsRq4PEk6ioy-ZtBnOrb7hzRpw5PJc087EjGKmwFmXEglOdFsCrnJlYLEcOElzD8U5w9NvhDu8yKa5T0_vj7OeOh6K8KGsmRRHOIyTE/s1600-h/CIMG0396.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAyuK-L-g7ZC9CzQUZpeCsQujh8SRS3tl8E66tsRq4PEk6ioy-ZtBnOrb7hzRpw5PJc087EjGKmwFmXEglOdFsCrnJlYLEcOElzD8U5w9NvhDu8yKa5T0_vj7OeOh6K8KGsmRRHOIyTE/s400/CIMG0396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385296642129924850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vTv85NDYVV1Hi0Frf6B8D2dRAf4n2VWtH5MjANz0Tnmk8UHqk_JA95I96bbBRuWx0-tItAED3Am9yRV3ylvcHwPnNTbCGCKetAN87No5zbHjHWTUdF7nklP4DMNIiKYSxdE_NGoczGQ/s1600-h/CIMG0592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vTv85NDYVV1Hi0Frf6B8D2dRAf4n2VWtH5MjANz0Tnmk8UHqk_JA95I96bbBRuWx0-tItAED3Am9yRV3ylvcHwPnNTbCGCKetAN87No5zbHjHWTUdF7nklP4DMNIiKYSxdE_NGoczGQ/s400/CIMG0592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385307388183615314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">if that's where his brother and sister are...<br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxyrumSyFjFhAjpmQr0Z3o78qoEeQajO0LT6dEfL9z9uwCIm3mP2ynzpuUGqMSKwdwVJXNMBt7jMNuWKtUnyg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />actually<br />he loves to wash dishes no matter<br />who<br />is washing with him.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">and he has his vinyl covered apron<br />with Irish cows and sheep<br />to prove it!<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnfMKwhjzD2D4CFTNgYjzLfNytoorUGHCMAmqCixznBxuGsvF_XQe-50nFZEQ3_42_an6PgELO9QGQurrV334uQjEMACheyaeKS5iNmwaXM1QscvS0htsmxh_mF7u7RMQk15t5AHL92o/s1600-h/CIMG0688.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnfMKwhjzD2D4CFTNgYjzLfNytoorUGHCMAmqCixznBxuGsvF_XQe-50nFZEQ3_42_an6PgELO9QGQurrV334uQjEMACheyaeKS5iNmwaXM1QscvS0htsmxh_mF7u7RMQk15t5AHL92o/s400/CIMG0688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385307385700740418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />and it keeps him dry!<br /><br />but to see them interact with him<br />is so beautiful.<br /><br />Many beautiful moments are created<br />in the course of<br /><br />washing dishes<br />together.<br /><br />For this -<br />I am very grateful.<br /><br />#2<br />Drying clothes.<br />We don't have a dryer.<br />Neither do the neighbors...<br />except the neighbor down the hill<br />(in Ireland)<br />who runs a B&B<br />B&B owners MUST have a dryer<br />but not anyone else.<br /><br />And so it is<br /><br />in Ireland and France.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQQXmn-1whuFAJB27hWx3_09IPGxsHFSyi_qbR0ay8zx6-gBKlv7YP-8eIigiVs_4JBaELjobd5znL4Mat3giXtotoDq9S78jjiqPszmAyiezvQyyF7p2jdmkSgd5vsT1_GhkBPXcGBo/s1600-h/CIMG3816.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQQXmn-1whuFAJB27hWx3_09IPGxsHFSyi_qbR0ay8zx6-gBKlv7YP-8eIigiVs_4JBaELjobd5znL4Mat3giXtotoDq9S78jjiqPszmAyiezvQyyF7p2jdmkSgd5vsT1_GhkBPXcGBo/s400/CIMG3816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385369413525844754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Much more mundane.<br />but<br />as with the dishes<br /><br />essential<br />critical to life<br /><br />dry clothes.<br /><br />and<br />as with the dishes<br />getting the kids to participate<br />has been<br /><br />beautiful to watch<br />critical to life<br /><br />theirs<br />and mine<br />and ours.<br /><br />To know that the wind<br />doesn't just<br /><br />mess up our hair or<br />blow down our fences<br /><br />(though it does<br />power our sailboats-<br />most critical if you're a sailor<br />which I am<br />(was)<br />as a teenager)<br /><br />but<br /><br />it dries our clothes<br />and is<br /><br />fresh<br />and beautiful.<br /><br />I love hanging laundry.<br />It makes me slow down.<br />It makes me pause<br /><br />to enjoy my children.<br /><br />and even though I sometimes miss the<br />convenience<br />of the machine dryer<br /><br />I'm still glad<br />I don't have one<br />because...<br /><br />I have to stop.<br /><br />and the clothes still<br />need<br />to<br />be<br />dry<br />.<br /><br />And so we hang them<br />and breathe deeply,<br />smiling.<br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzjyx3vpP8bINAAcNjUDBfSLdR_Hxp0cp6wP0Yr2Z0ZgMROde0DaYQnWhsk694Tn_S7XQRueMlK9cUg2cUvEg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-38192574297590258002009-09-23T14:34:00.000-07:002009-09-24T05:29:28.988-07:00a walk in the woods...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzBUsP1SFwpleCQEiB8xXkvDPl_WJgoboPD1jsyVfo_Zrks_HtxModGerAmu-v9TJn3WsXqFY5mUgmrQ96XZXViEuKkldMzpQQtPQ2wski_MrEAwcPxPkI9ke3K66H_Oj9zPrX4RjqNA/s1600-h/CIMG0851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzBUsP1SFwpleCQEiB8xXkvDPl_WJgoboPD1jsyVfo_Zrks_HtxModGerAmu-v9TJn3WsXqFY5mUgmrQ96XZXViEuKkldMzpQQtPQ2wski_MrEAwcPxPkI9ke3K66H_Oj9zPrX4RjqNA/s400/CIMG0851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384815820005351042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">Yesterday morning, Elijah and I took a little walk</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">through the woods near our house.<br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zSuP-9qw_q2A2uU77LihR0VILeIABgSv_vPy9sFbS7aSZjeR5m_HOWvH8-HvKKFnF8naQwi4MmrF2tqGc1n0GX-BJ87y9FgSKS_ll6BUsAh51QCLn9bx8spAh_9cFgIEgLSAi_uKqFk/s1600-h/CIMG0850.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zSuP-9qw_q2A2uU77LihR0VILeIABgSv_vPy9sFbS7aSZjeR5m_HOWvH8-HvKKFnF8naQwi4MmrF2tqGc1n0GX-BJ87y9FgSKS_ll6BUsAh51QCLn9bx8spAh_9cFgIEgLSAi_uKqFk/s400/CIMG0850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384800525518204914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">Autumn is here...</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">and we've been enjoying ourselves.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXWIkQOJL4_MRpzRewrP8RU0_1ip_975XdMkDpdU4FR9nJTRBRttn5Pa7iJtRHrNMyS5mkuJfPtr_RfYU-f1SaHcoUUH5oIIUPZ7RMSLpIaPXq2GVdw_YT9oc-C1wGHU6KIHq1h6jNbQ/s1600-h/CIMG0722.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXWIkQOJL4_MRpzRewrP8RU0_1ip_975XdMkDpdU4FR9nJTRBRttn5Pa7iJtRHrNMyS5mkuJfPtr_RfYU-f1SaHcoUUH5oIIUPZ7RMSLpIaPXq2GVdw_YT9oc-C1wGHU6KIHq1h6jNbQ/s320/CIMG0722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384781306523177538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">heading down the road we stop<br />to enjoy<br />the </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">old railroad station<br />from the bridge...</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />just feet from our house.<br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvoQeY3Tpn1aN4ec0ZAwp5JeDDyUSJ5xfFCklPEWUUKZKM6n0sfjp4H0UabIS39bDh-D3DqUa2aiiUvUwiIjAo13io9S4DZYFjBaG4ABSlDdL0rFNXf8YKQ6EiOK58ksBk_lAmLrepVg/s1600-h/CIMG0730.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvoQeY3Tpn1aN4ec0ZAwp5JeDDyUSJ5xfFCklPEWUUKZKM6n0sfjp4H0UabIS39bDh-D3DqUa2aiiUvUwiIjAo13io9S4DZYFjBaG4ABSlDdL0rFNXf8YKQ6EiOK58ksBk_lAmLrepVg/s320/CIMG0730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384781322427233202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">E loves the bridges<br />and moving water...<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWhrZHIzYinA3Of8d881sdeQc4s52II-LLeJYM0RBLyFObifZ9UND-zvnDf9AlHCtaVKYjPNVOwqIf4XGizEsIK6eIIs87kAsSYbbd2vP1Px7GOXeVqw2Jn5iMVvTS_YiY1Es_L8jPOo/s1600-h/CIMG0725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWhrZHIzYinA3Of8d881sdeQc4s52II-LLeJYM0RBLyFObifZ9UND-zvnDf9AlHCtaVKYjPNVOwqIf4XGizEsIK6eIIs87kAsSYbbd2vP1Px7GOXeVqw2Jn5iMVvTS_YiY1Es_L8jPOo/s320/CIMG0725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384781313193245170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">and on we go<br />over the river<br />and through the woods...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FptofY__LQ98O1pdYRX2Zoix9MCxdLeJWZdKjsiIxoCvd5c2a_SL-uRNNCfuRPs8VdVnFV1PEOYG16gSxScvTUjumDEGS6qQ02LPWCmA4ADf8kK2nQLNW-5xXCogKB0VuGSdOm8J8kM/s1600-h/CIMG0746.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FptofY__LQ98O1pdYRX2Zoix9MCxdLeJWZdKjsiIxoCvd5c2a_SL-uRNNCfuRPs8VdVnFV1PEOYG16gSxScvTUjumDEGS6qQ02LPWCmA4ADf8kK2nQLNW-5xXCogKB0VuGSdOm8J8kM/s320/CIMG0746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384781333569100242" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:courier new;">I love the cobblestones...<br />under the tarmac.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">and the doors...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DfEUVCjSJIZkKyow7VusBVl7uSNXnY5GtO8bx9nc3PFe-KaJQmQM-Q4HSCWVA5swoeENSV4CH02GvB7IMe-5eUmFstAVa3oopxdLi14K-8O24QgRDAZaTeaukQQbkcyt-H1zSQfM5vo/s1600-h/CIMG0743.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DfEUVCjSJIZkKyow7VusBVl7uSNXnY5GtO8bx9nc3PFe-KaJQmQM-Q4HSCWVA5swoeENSV4CH02GvB7IMe-5eUmFstAVa3oopxdLi14K-8O24QgRDAZaTeaukQQbkcyt-H1zSQfM5vo/s400/CIMG0743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384820337171231714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVcO-BCenOEQJiCz7zIlYOQPEdYpdEHyhVWEoa8ba_O1yFzV2W7_ensH_JZK5j-rqFy9f3apPVp10YjkEayID3MJYpgoFqiWv3JNvuDkJdNJ92A7FwAaSXn1nHc_iDBR2YCwrJVIQhAw/s1600-h/CIMG0742.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVcO-BCenOEQJiCz7zIlYOQPEdYpdEHyhVWEoa8ba_O1yFzV2W7_ensH_JZK5j-rqFy9f3apPVp10YjkEayID3MJYpgoFqiWv3JNvuDkJdNJ92A7FwAaSXn1nHc_iDBR2YCwrJVIQhAw/s400/CIMG0742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384815853990416994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">and the signs<br />telling us the season is turning...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmuNkBm-G2bISGZ5BhTqsNnafs9MzTV6IhAK4XmNS9qLZOcpz3TJKGSDSgRgFjjRPuyTups8Odd_O8wZDNxzJlc5eoP27ZXvc-rPFLczd1WIEHb3AywkoDg2jvlvOIXOwYVZ4SnGGEg4/s1600-h/CIMG0740.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmuNkBm-G2bISGZ5BhTqsNnafs9MzTV6IhAK4XmNS9qLZOcpz3TJKGSDSgRgFjjRPuyTups8Odd_O8wZDNxzJlc5eoP27ZXvc-rPFLczd1WIEHb3AywkoDg2jvlvOIXOwYVZ4SnGGEg4/s400/CIMG0740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384815827660545586" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbz05dY8OjbOA5N9Y2wT_NKKOqZ5OVcEjIPl70cMQ4i5LrdOcleCt8B2VDF3CQ1iBNVB0BsJJM5q2pWYBZxekeYqdfQ8-DVjoiXI5wpRMsiRf9cUPu5iW3F83WtdS-0kwGbTRotc0TDI/s1600-h/CIMG0751.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbz05dY8OjbOA5N9Y2wT_NKKOqZ5OVcEjIPl70cMQ4i5LrdOcleCt8B2VDF3CQ1iBNVB0BsJJM5q2pWYBZxekeYqdfQ8-DVjoiXI5wpRMsiRf9cUPu5iW3F83WtdS-0kwGbTRotc0TDI/s400/CIMG0751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384787993173983842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">onward we go<br />into the woods...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySf4yTbvfQH-EwoK-hXr270XgUfHcL88cKqI1iI0bvSffaH39Abvu0jEWKHDEJ4wxTz1dSBFvEUi_kctY3mfDHkbqq-xgzkNR57RfcD6wRwtYzdCC4qIn66cEfFvDSc3nndyQ-nNS0bQ/s1600-h/CIMG0762.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySf4yTbvfQH-EwoK-hXr270XgUfHcL88cKqI1iI0bvSffaH39Abvu0jEWKHDEJ4wxTz1dSBFvEUi_kctY3mfDHkbqq-xgzkNR57RfcD6wRwtYzdCC4qIn66cEfFvDSc3nndyQ-nNS0bQ/s400/CIMG0762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384820363107062178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVnFwIs_s6tbQGs4gAU7BCwpNCKm8h6s4y31_azJGJPhljqbrAo2p7lWyi4eaQRAiIrzon100UApd-_FFuIIoThN8Pid953py51STSsOFRTpEq3jRp7hF_Fxxs5FPOLt_RLS-LD8yK_Y/s1600-h/CIMG0767.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVnFwIs_s6tbQGs4gAU7BCwpNCKm8h6s4y31_azJGJPhljqbrAo2p7lWyi4eaQRAiIrzon100UApd-_FFuIIoThN8Pid953py51STSsOFRTpEq3jRp7hF_Fxxs5FPOLt_RLS-LD8yK_Y/s400/CIMG0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384788008700032930" border="0" /></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eZQftxeeAQk31gnN3EFqJo3GdYY2YNnlBopg4YNwNDflazBtWnnKpVyfqnKXz7r-y2gLjlzkeee0hv166arDlEisJRIgoHyBUCVKFqk2x0IBuTTXXHehQe7XYl4X7g2nGcj2sOPSt9E/s1600-h/CIMG0836.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eZQftxeeAQk31gnN3EFqJo3GdYY2YNnlBopg4YNwNDflazBtWnnKpVyfqnKXz7r-y2gLjlzkeee0hv166arDlEisJRIgoHyBUCVKFqk2x0IBuTTXXHehQe7XYl4X7g2nGcj2sOPSt9E/s400/CIMG0836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384800499383418882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF66NxD_70vFSl0dr4YLxBuFS3WvLI4ViKfUKIuHK8HJr2NtWy1cyT34kPH9INcq5yxU6RuLBJ0JZZwOmdCWpHW-tW3qRNKkXbO91qh63v42MXtoFY79kIfB5utY1WRrxozUOEeBKnThQ/s1600-h/CIMG0835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF66NxD_70vFSl0dr4YLxBuFS3WvLI4ViKfUKIuHK8HJr2NtWy1cyT34kPH9INcq5yxU6RuLBJ0JZZwOmdCWpHW-tW3qRNKkXbO91qh63v42MXtoFY79kIfB5utY1WRrxozUOEeBKnThQ/s400/CIMG0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384800492797767250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERqGOE1X0iL85k1Jw2yMZ7teicLVcRP3m8q6GfnToTGJNqHp41NhJ-3VUJOrq6VVYFry5PJgM9Na7Mg6MO61-4ccIimTJ8PEwSuoxMi9XT6VQRRDTRUwd-84-wByk3sJb9AT5tbNhjhM/s1600-h/CIMG0830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERqGOE1X0iL85k1Jw2yMZ7teicLVcRP3m8q6GfnToTGJNqHp41NhJ-3VUJOrq6VVYFry5PJgM9Na7Mg6MO61-4ccIimTJ8PEwSuoxMi9XT6VQRRDTRUwd-84-wByk3sJb9AT5tbNhjhM/s400/CIMG0830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384792425916446370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8GKPPohmXWSG2qwh5BhvOGZu3dc1yC35xYUY-IwnQjkmrOl0KA8PQNSQGHTmWU1wIYZJ3ph7FjdxtRtJtbAB-t-lomzZOdWgZF5g1Ln9APoEdc1UBrGq9Z98_VyXxjpTZA6xuoYomVo/s1600-h/CIMG0815.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8GKPPohmXWSG2qwh5BhvOGZu3dc1yC35xYUY-IwnQjkmrOl0KA8PQNSQGHTmWU1wIYZJ3ph7FjdxtRtJtbAB-t-lomzZOdWgZF5g1Ln9APoEdc1UBrGq9Z98_VyXxjpTZA6xuoYomVo/s400/CIMG0815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384792418092498642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Lusciously smooth brown chestnuts popping </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"> out of their prickly seed pods...</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"> oh boy!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:webdings;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXn55v5sTkNsPdiBkZhnEj3nHfkeWfz8W9RwY2thsl7EDUg9y_NJa4qujJyAf4b36r9EdjQX9nUB3aLf3xuI9xanKwJmu8gmOwSXJizGalTZXbfgjWo9LS5tWv8es5rUbNyhyxwAqbLA/s1600-h/CIMG0814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXn55v5sTkNsPdiBkZhnEj3nHfkeWfz8W9RwY2thsl7EDUg9y_NJa4qujJyAf4b36r9EdjQX9nUB3aLf3xuI9xanKwJmu8gmOwSXJizGalTZXbfgjWo9LS5tWv8es5rUbNyhyxwAqbLA/s400/CIMG0814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384792406718581538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGi7ggbrZRO4cEDVe9ZVNGQryoj7vLR7NwsH_T5flx-yuWE2pQ7PCbV3qz3MtygBANDLinNtdjYpCL3QYb585yIQYeD5n23KA53NB9UxCssJOZxUIiF5NM2LAT0E6HTQe6stc_zreJ-Q/s1600-h/CIMG0837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGi7ggbrZRO4cEDVe9ZVNGQryoj7vLR7NwsH_T5flx-yuWE2pQ7PCbV3qz3MtygBANDLinNtdjYpCL3QYb585yIQYeD5n23KA53NB9UxCssJOZxUIiF5NM2LAT0E6HTQe6stc_zreJ-Q/s400/CIMG0837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384800507262596498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Autumn is here...<br />though in Paris it's still warm, except<br />when you're standing by the rushing brook,<br />feeling the cool air<br />rush through narrow spaces creating<br />negative ions.<br />freshness.<br />life.<br />vitality.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz0-6TxQqTXzzilC8GY6FHcg8NJkV4H5X5NBTDMbtyVg7sT7E-yR0R8GKX2hXEEecb-mkpHwY3qSInTTzy9F0KB1Z8OQQFJENE2CMzh-cR2hHkFmMMF0LN0eQahLFEZKDQHle_3-dhx8/s1600-h/CIMG0799.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz0-6TxQqTXzzilC8GY6FHcg8NJkV4H5X5NBTDMbtyVg7sT7E-yR0R8GKX2hXEEecb-mkpHwY3qSInTTzy9F0KB1Z8OQQFJENE2CMzh-cR2hHkFmMMF0LN0eQahLFEZKDQHle_3-dhx8/s400/CIMG0799.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384792399645541138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">The forest of Verrières<br />is so beautiful<br />le bois de </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">Verrières<br />est si belle<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibniNcwEDPjVMy23OZIUlNbG9RRPOeFT-phJ_rGuZYgunoCFMyP5CnHaV3qkLaJ9rqto8mZHweNvqPrCmaN9Kx11EZJvBLnIS4JrjU4bO9MsOQYhPCkwbPxHyRVovRChez1McvQ5vYrTU/s1600-h/CIMG0790.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibniNcwEDPjVMy23OZIUlNbG9RRPOeFT-phJ_rGuZYgunoCFMyP5CnHaV3qkLaJ9rqto8mZHweNvqPrCmaN9Kx11EZJvBLnIS4JrjU4bO9MsOQYhPCkwbPxHyRVovRChez1McvQ5vYrTU/s400/CIMG0790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384792385747671282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUne0Te4cHiOWVPbbcWq5oBtSlxsrXKOvsqaCpLy4k2uvn35j_ZSEFYiJBxqN7BRz9eMI1q3yNxmzQ2aKiKAb3IzG-FAFRWnJwzWs93NMZKrZZe2twj9qMyTTxG7DB8VAyghUVnDqL8g4/s1600-h/CIMG0784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUne0Te4cHiOWVPbbcWq5oBtSlxsrXKOvsqaCpLy4k2uvn35j_ZSEFYiJBxqN7BRz9eMI1q3yNxmzQ2aKiKAb3IzG-FAFRWnJwzWs93NMZKrZZe2twj9qMyTTxG7DB8VAyghUVnDqL8g4/s400/CIMG0784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384820354691473282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBenuy71x3htC3IZJNVyVO73hVnYmFyGCOoNETr9r9oWb_w64Yb-qKwHadkstmLi-o97SoGCtn1Q57H-65ZO-jD6vO-jyXjn7YDq5zTNvcf_rDEh2k1gESxuMDUQzUhK1QImsYZhXeQEg/s1600-h/CIMG0774.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBenuy71x3htC3IZJNVyVO73hVnYmFyGCOoNETr9r9oWb_w64Yb-qKwHadkstmLi-o97SoGCtn1Q57H-65ZO-jD6vO-jyXjn7YDq5zTNvcf_rDEh2k1gESxuMDUQzUhK1QImsYZhXeQEg/s400/CIMG0774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384788027875456946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteQABHKfz1W5KmSB4vdRWYfCU-lzlqp6Xj3EZqWOFkPU0laYcC4JbtFGiCW31heZZCuoEeKf_Cvq0nRVwwV2jYCE-FOaAZrLi-Jrs9Vxwkb5TUlnffFVmgZW13V-Tx-lOHI2UdCo_-9o/s1600-h/CIMG0771.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteQABHKfz1W5KmSB4vdRWYfCU-lzlqp6Xj3EZqWOFkPU0laYcC4JbtFGiCW31heZZCuoEeKf_Cvq0nRVwwV2jYCE-FOaAZrLi-Jrs9Vxwkb5TUlnffFVmgZW13V-Tx-lOHI2UdCo_-9o/s400/CIMG0771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384788017826991074" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">the way back home...<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdUyQ0GQiaFUKVodn-hocVU3p8yqmzfhrARuAxP4DwFg4Dch_e7D8e9LuoOImIogO_TwPvAWosGBf6uh8Cd5uG7TmXmw3jcU12Fpk5_brx5CZisOyke6D3dtoPjS7u3w9eZZso4P7zus/s1600-h/CIMG0760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdUyQ0GQiaFUKVodn-hocVU3p8yqmzfhrARuAxP4DwFg4Dch_e7D8e9LuoOImIogO_TwPvAWosGBf6uh8Cd5uG7TmXmw3jcU12Fpk5_brx5CZisOyke6D3dtoPjS7u3w9eZZso4P7zus/s400/CIMG0760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384788003017297890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">back home...</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDs3lhD8s6KdrkvTQUE1gDGfRweoCxCZfE03gQavo5wZ_GwXjHoHv70eh8t8RLUXCtq5RXKvsFRUYbzhXvsmau3gLf4sf-GlJd_HeAUk_mGGfV7kvEKPXO0ApLewFShgCAQ_E4QZBGyY/s1600-h/CIMG0822.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDs3lhD8s6KdrkvTQUE1gDGfRweoCxCZfE03gQavo5wZ_GwXjHoHv70eh8t8RLUXCtq5RXKvsFRUYbzhXvsmau3gLf4sf-GlJd_HeAUk_mGGfV7kvEKPXO0ApLewFShgCAQ_E4QZBGyY/s400/CIMG0822.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384815864171598706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmuNkBm-G2bISGZ5BhTqsNnafs9MzTV6IhAK4XmNS9qLZOcpz3TJKGSDSgRgFjjRPuyTups8Odd_O8wZDNxzJlc5eoP27ZXvc-rPFLczd1WIEHb3AywkoDg2jvlvOIXOwYVZ4SnGGEg4/s1600-h/CIMG0740.JPG"><br /></a>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-44417831002717267352009-04-09T06:32:00.001-07:002009-06-15T07:19:38.826-07:00Sasha and E and I went to Paris on a field trip with her class this past Wednesday.<br /><br />Barring the day's long accumulated pain from wearing the boy on my back all afternoon, while walking hither and yon (albeit beautiful!!!), it was a very fun day!<br /><br />How many class field trips are to Paris?! Obviously if that's where you live, that might be where you go!...we're still pinching ourselves and I wanted to share:<br /><br />The teacher's goal of the trip as far as I understood it was to give the children the sense of the landscape, structures and streets that they walk as they correspond to and are reflected on the map they see in their hand...<br /><br />We walked from the school to Igny, a neighboring town, connected by beautiful paths...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlNWfwyj-GSD7zTMg4vbg4qvU4Kip5kVmDpHRTFypR-qdve8DTbUnbHxx1V_aeoqWqYt-zMRInE3tAdFV-wwjKJ9s0WirI9KP5QyJsi0CgvkdCl5Kd0tWsLo67FOJKqDwlLRNgJkZVHk/s1600-h/CIMG1912.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlNWfwyj-GSD7zTMg4vbg4qvU4Kip5kVmDpHRTFypR-qdve8DTbUnbHxx1V_aeoqWqYt-zMRInE3tAdFV-wwjKJ9s0WirI9KP5QyJsi0CgvkdCl5Kd0tWsLo67FOJKqDwlLRNgJkZVHk/s320/CIMG1912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323042477120957874" border="0" /></a>...took the train (25 mins) into Paris and were dropped off just a the northern tip of Jardin Luxembourg. From there we walked and walked...Sasha's teacher, I learned in an earlier outing, is a very fast walker and kept the kids at a very good clip. Today's destination was Notre Dame. It was wonderful walking through the streets, which at 10am on a cloudy, rainy day in April, weren't crowded in the least....until we reached Notre Dame Cathedral.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTRp3CdLjdQDvguXGwDqqQPtU7Zb8FaTJ8S4qU4ATOw1NJJOXRcGyjMOI5R_Jh1-kIHRtUZPK3vkQFqHhgedFlHBqX9DIsiByTBATubwf2a4Favk0IaH_02fE3LkYsfpwotGHDwjncUM/s1600-h/CIMG8052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTRp3CdLjdQDvguXGwDqqQPtU7Zb8FaTJ8S4qU4ATOw1NJJOXRcGyjMOI5R_Jh1-kIHRtUZPK3vkQFqHhgedFlHBqX9DIsiByTBATubwf2a4Favk0IaH_02fE3LkYsfpwotGHDwjncUM/s320/CIMG8052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323043572367017490" border="0" /></a>The approach was quite spectacular... (not this photo, camera was still buried in my backpack...) Inside, hundreds of people milled around. It was a shame it rained. I think we entered just to get a break from the rain. That said, the stained glass was spectacular, hundreds of years old and so beautiful!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTazCfMA2pIb9WOJ8L9Ijtt118sQiNxNBkJQ0oPWJCn4TkejDuH9ogmEIGjmlGypB8zBFhYjtaaTHWT8zMg2kfUxRnVynhHKZOmiIW-_xYLvPyjQ3Y1Aev9OeiyTKtOVaXmON6yOXPRyI/s1600-h/CIMG1864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTazCfMA2pIb9WOJ8L9Ijtt118sQiNxNBkJQ0oPWJCn4TkejDuH9ogmEIGjmlGypB8zBFhYjtaaTHWT8zMg2kfUxRnVynhHKZOmiIW-_xYLvPyjQ3Y1Aev9OeiyTKtOVaXmON6yOXPRyI/s320/CIMG1864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323046446600613826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjOj83OeLib4xolKMeq4oLqoA-hSbbcOsmUiaVgVlP4s4-OD0WjJwl2qZ4Wad-OFkJ_D9tJQ2cwNND-NytcZbD9aZ_ve3oDpNDrkM6TQB-U9c5COLFmiRLqXHl9JTZA7EOvxgoy5KBAE/s1600-h/CIMG1855.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjOj83OeLib4xolKMeq4oLqoA-hSbbcOsmUiaVgVlP4s4-OD0WjJwl2qZ4Wad-OFkJ_D9tJQ2cwNND-NytcZbD9aZ_ve3oDpNDrkM6TQB-U9c5COLFmiRLqXHl9JTZA7EOvxgoy5KBAE/s320/CIMG1855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323047639882220754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1fcOtub2y77TdRNQBvvkr6_xELQXg5FCxRVkWdv4_xHQm_mCdSeBAFhiUL4tGt7rNpZyXhQer5HFc6545l1UP2y_fwcgo3ctwaCD9gs0i13Vf4TNBCG9NIfSxB5VYt5_gdzH8ILF4N8/s1600-h/CIMG1859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1fcOtub2y77TdRNQBvvkr6_xELQXg5FCxRVkWdv4_xHQm_mCdSeBAFhiUL4tGt7rNpZyXhQer5HFc6545l1UP2y_fwcgo3ctwaCD9gs0i13Vf4TNBCG9NIfSxB5VYt5_gdzH8ILF4N8/s320/CIMG1859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323046046552524514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP66c09B_ffsbVj6rtqs3v1b14KPA9dFo-R70wTH99DOJE0N6ZYGrKkGt0qq7TkUOewJzMgPBDaiB4RBekoUzmrpupfvFtgzHImFUVSyGGTtES9OP_LTmnb865MPzXTSFvHQgSIRnCKsU/s1600-h/CIMG1863.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP66c09B_ffsbVj6rtqs3v1b14KPA9dFo-R70wTH99DOJE0N6ZYGrKkGt0qq7TkUOewJzMgPBDaiB4RBekoUzmrpupfvFtgzHImFUVSyGGTtES9OP_LTmnb865MPzXTSFvHQgSIRnCKsU/s320/CIMG1863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323046234596824658" border="0" /></a>Hundreds of people were in the main worship area...I say this cautiously, as they were selling little do-dads inside, headphones for the tours, etc...I wouldn't normally put the two in the same breath, worship and sales, but this is what it is. That said, it's a spectacular piece of gothic architecture and construction. Back in November we had taken a tour of the cathedral...it was amazing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd-irWqSo3E3GwXyxN-IZzYsjAFO4bgu8j7aIE7qJhyphenhyphenEWI11Bf1eynM6_IJ6tnFCJc6jel1kZ-1IDFPN8xZic6YGZ2d2B53RjNTFHD_3xqQcd7WLYrM3cr2-7pkAkADfK42XhHks5J-E/s1600-h/CIMG1858.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd-irWqSo3E3GwXyxN-IZzYsjAFO4bgu8j7aIE7qJhyphenhyphenEWI11Bf1eynM6_IJ6tnFCJc6jel1kZ-1IDFPN8xZic6YGZ2d2B53RjNTFHD_3xqQcd7WLYrM3cr2-7pkAkADfK42XhHks5J-E/s320/CIMG1858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323047249756009106" border="0" /></a>Here is Sasha's teacher, Emmanelle Bialas on the left, talking to some of the mothers who accompanied the group, and the kids as she is telling us about the history of the rosette windows...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMMBDeTTyNNp6AjIJWqg5xhtYoF9q5Yvj2c2aSKXnstpkkIIaa0MInVC4PPnzucmhkNA_V_3enxkyr21_gXgHLRdloPFHoCUQGy3sknlLegn8bxr4XBlCHmk2eFzaPXpwVFsx4yC8ejQ/s1600-h/CIMG1866.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMMBDeTTyNNp6AjIJWqg5xhtYoF9q5Yvj2c2aSKXnstpkkIIaa0MInVC4PPnzucmhkNA_V_3enxkyr21_gXgHLRdloPFHoCUQGy3sknlLegn8bxr4XBlCHmk2eFzaPXpwVFsx4yC8ejQ/s320/CIMG1866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323049274719643026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQt2mLsgn6cIDWx3hUysnSBtR64Ex0oUbu422hUV0Y-M7NhmSd02LAuxtXCWzDIdUj2thDSvgzuGy1Y5Wh4RANJ_2aX8SGPR3RBNNGtCB7v9F7jY3n_SjYK90prfJe_w14CF33cy0zLw/s1600-h/CIMG1865.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQt2mLsgn6cIDWx3hUysnSBtR64Ex0oUbu422hUV0Y-M7NhmSd02LAuxtXCWzDIdUj2thDSvgzuGy1Y5Wh4RANJ_2aX8SGPR3RBNNGtCB7v9F7jY3n_SjYK90prfJe_w14CF33cy0zLw/s320/CIMG1865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323049596799902162" border="0" /></a>When we leave Notre Dame, it's time for lunch .so we go to Hôtel Dieu, the oldest hospital in Paris (maybe france?), it was built in 671!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH4iABAh8wb7JBzsuQZ49WameXRtsahzHVkANdR0UTojucEe1WbYdBN7L6nJkvz6bY8PHPC4On3gThtXXlAH70Uyh3EMYqgNKACL3HUZN9Wk5tfgeFXQYBOn7wHXZbRVvG_rYJ9GXIz8/s1600-h/Hotel-Dieu_de_Paris_(2007).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH4iABAh8wb7JBzsuQZ49WameXRtsahzHVkANdR0UTojucEe1WbYdBN7L6nJkvz6bY8PHPC4On3gThtXXlAH70Uyh3EMYqgNKACL3HUZN9Wk5tfgeFXQYBOn7wHXZbRVvG_rYJ9GXIz8/s320/Hotel-Dieu_de_Paris_(2007).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323086946687452146" border="0" /></a>We ate there because it was pouring rain and they had a long hall with benches which they gave us permission to use. It's still in use today. You can see Elijah in the lower right hand corner...Much of the history is illustrated down along the walls of this hallway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ3xFEnhYXq8dFTSGfZpKk8agrah81h6xezoHZpjCIo8A-pQxJvX492ldbFen8vJxRcYW0Ok7cg_BGSxhkUhOwg4G2zbn-x-vfLBH6tXUPVBppNuc56vaqEhilQiI3huDzGvWgnRmBOg/s1600-h/CIMG1890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ3xFEnhYXq8dFTSGfZpKk8agrah81h6xezoHZpjCIo8A-pQxJvX492ldbFen8vJxRcYW0Ok7cg_BGSxhkUhOwg4G2zbn-x-vfLBH6tXUPVBppNuc56vaqEhilQiI3huDzGvWgnRmBOg/s320/CIMG1890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323049924454665570" border="0" /></a>...the hall above is where we ate, it is actually through those windows to the right of this photo below. As we exit, we see more of the hotel, which was still a fraction of what there is, I'm sure:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8cgzAkIwxgQyfqRQ2VODO0yGL2cIHkDU6k8KWfmOqQ5yjrGRvEXhFtVfEY6LWime3K7-be45d0GvuUNRvnd3YtmXC1TkZ0ucynEUj5WkKKzch1jLUAnhlMwNBTYwDe723Hg6LQBx5dk/s1600-h/CIMG1894.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8cgzAkIwxgQyfqRQ2VODO0yGL2cIHkDU6k8KWfmOqQ5yjrGRvEXhFtVfEY6LWime3K7-be45d0GvuUNRvnd3YtmXC1TkZ0ucynEUj5WkKKzch1jLUAnhlMwNBTYwDe723Hg6LQBx5dk/s320/CIMG1894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323053559632813634" border="0" /></a> Here we are exiting the hospital literally through the center out through the front. The exit is straight ahead, through the doors and to the left is the courtyard and Notre Dame itself. They're neighbors. The blocks Sasha (above) and the kids are walking on, I'm guessing, are ceiling windows to a floor below...giving natural light...I'm sure one of the more modern upgrades done over the years. Below, as we're exiting out the front, I turn around to take a photo...we had exited from the left out the center, where the two trees were.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKDMIYn1YqR3e3A8fT1hrmkNvW-xeudJfsX6AzAxMV5hjAAWhUZ4aYGD4ryOA8yepJGeWzFg6Ybltap-XoLynI5fJi3Fbxn8Ku0GHbWO4sZXrOKR_fWcDllu9F3c8OOICBqRw-PYCweQ/s1600-h/CIMG1897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKDMIYn1YqR3e3A8fT1hrmkNvW-xeudJfsX6AzAxMV5hjAAWhUZ4aYGD4ryOA8yepJGeWzFg6Ybltap-XoLynI5fJi3Fbxn8Ku0GHbWO4sZXrOKR_fWcDllu9F3c8OOICBqRw-PYCweQ/s320/CIMG1897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323054706313509170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiQNnHYpDvADNSjxnaKzUbU2C0G2SjfF-3jzov7tUC-1nyuF1uBEFvApp8O2LQ_nDq1bhyphenhyphenaQ_TqSaH9f9Eyn0Nwja3PiUiZ1nXr2TEMtK5LqOfCC4MRt_o_AHTQzMleOEoJwXenMx-bA/s1600-h/CIMG1895.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiQNnHYpDvADNSjxnaKzUbU2C0G2SjfF-3jzov7tUC-1nyuF1uBEFvApp8O2LQ_nDq1bhyphenhyphenaQ_TqSaH9f9Eyn0Nwja3PiUiZ1nXr2TEMtK5LqOfCC4MRt_o_AHTQzMleOEoJwXenMx-bA/s320/CIMG1895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323053833152315042" border="0" /></a>Below, turning back around, we exit out the doors ahead, and enter the courtyard shared with the front of Notre Dame.<br /><br />Hôtel Dieu was very cool!..a bit scary too, to think you're in the same place where you KNOW there were cholera (and who knows what else) outbreaks and hundreds/thousands/millions(?) patients over centuries were brought there. All that aside, they've kept it up beautifully.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYSsqM-BD9DVhyphenhyphenFKk8W7jcflESesfAvEtJArxqQPmjsjFjgfx8F66gZJy5OK-Ogu-vaUhftpWV0akEP-Kmp_BHiNSkabdLVhBSdlHlqqkZ06Hq3opLdhujh559JVOhhk8P8K6RdOq8ek/s1600-h/CIMG1898.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYSsqM-BD9DVhyphenhyphenFKk8W7jcflESesfAvEtJArxqQPmjsjFjgfx8F66gZJy5OK-Ogu-vaUhftpWV0akEP-Kmp_BHiNSkabdLVhBSdlHlqqkZ06Hq3opLdhujh559JVOhhk8P8K6RdOq8ek/s320/CIMG1898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323070180380899554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa5xNKm8Zs9ogoZHRb7hoJ68YW97zxxJ6GpcvoqTgRuWJjJnnUJOlxTTpkNFDoAav2vl__A-u6BwM-xeME2qX3OwbAUQCw8LEpcF6A94JXiS2AozUT2Mv6Fz36dTHfQ52R82jvpJYpt0/s1600-h/CIMG1900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa5xNKm8Zs9ogoZHRb7hoJ68YW97zxxJ6GpcvoqTgRuWJjJnnUJOlxTTpkNFDoAav2vl__A-u6BwM-xeME2qX3OwbAUQCw8LEpcF6A94JXiS2AozUT2Mv6Fz36dTHfQ52R82jvpJYpt0/s320/CIMG1900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323074500956334082" border="0" /></a>As we left the Hôtel Dieu hospital-not hotel, we walk down along the northern side of the island, Ile de la Cité, heading west, we pass several bridges the last of which will be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Neuf">Pont Neuf,</a> the bridge that crosses over the tip of the island. It was here the teacher pointed out the point at which the river splits. Ile de la Cité is the oldest and original part of Paris.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKvjuaBVPX_c-fnw_IfqT5VJUG1vKax44NfUW21vsGqTQH5Nk81JR33K6mbj9xYmq43g0QoA18BDuglwWuuPZgLNU4XInehieECKLat2N-CvoDK-RkWFDBItIHxN1vXORATi5tDFo9zE/s1600-h/CIMG1904.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKvjuaBVPX_c-fnw_IfqT5VJUG1vKax44NfUW21vsGqTQH5Nk81JR33K6mbj9xYmq43g0QoA18BDuglwWuuPZgLNU4XInehieECKLat2N-CvoDK-RkWFDBItIHxN1vXORATi5tDFo9zE/s320/CIMG1904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347557311705114690" border="0" /></a>At last it was time to head back home...after arriving at our stop, we still had a 30 minute walk back, but it was a beautiful winding path alongside a bubbling brook, so I don't think many complained. We've been loving this area!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13rZw0ZU3-0dIB6Rr0McxApW5AqCN4K6wgAziiQ3vC9CNeS-QB8qGR8U_fhU9Penm6FzPICSqlgHLi9lDhfBOkLVOFScDt6IHcFr1GbtYSXaErIxzAucs12ZpA5fopcKVXiUIu3zKm_k/s1600-h/CIMG1913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13rZw0ZU3-0dIB6Rr0McxApW5AqCN4K6wgAziiQ3vC9CNeS-QB8qGR8U_fhU9Penm6FzPICSqlgHLi9lDhfBOkLVOFScDt6IHcFr1GbtYSXaErIxzAucs12ZpA5fopcKVXiUIu3zKm_k/s320/CIMG1913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347557907398525010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ6hgAmr_m6JJSTlJvrxKFXh3WrcMI5A_FUd5NUqda60-77yy_EOxkbnF6GzQkKxVLnn8Imk_Jy_jH4dJzgBii5A2c5W8w8Ack27sDpAR2U3gCHzir776tXS2AIII0Fwbw468wDbdaZ0/s1600-h/CIMG1929.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ6hgAmr_m6JJSTlJvrxKFXh3WrcMI5A_FUd5NUqda60-77yy_EOxkbnF6GzQkKxVLnn8Imk_Jy_jH4dJzgBii5A2c5W8w8Ack27sDpAR2U3gCHzir776tXS2AIII0Fwbw468wDbdaZ0/s320/CIMG1929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347558658640475554" border="0" /></a>How cool is it to say you went to Notre Dame for your class field trip that day?!KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-45874183334547389402009-04-01T16:07:00.000-07:002009-04-02T06:36:19.342-07:00Poissons d'Avril and Fish...Happy Birthday to my Great-Grandfather 2nd April~!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3VpxZNUr4Be3fE51rBpcG9wqPCzYu5b5VwM-0WTdfEFwDi8pAnjn8QJE0rMmUtLSRguUbAp18H6EcQhaMhBmPvI9XbsnCeoT_P2h8FHk1MBXa8FSC2BC0t_ioK_H-bourFDu6fftE_w/s1600-h/poissonavril.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3VpxZNUr4Be3fE51rBpcG9wqPCzYu5b5VwM-0WTdfEFwDi8pAnjn8QJE0rMmUtLSRguUbAp18H6EcQhaMhBmPvI9XbsnCeoT_P2h8FHk1MBXa8FSC2BC0t_ioK_H-bourFDu6fftE_w/s320/poissonavril.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319863968700731954" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, (or if you're reading this from the US, today), it was (is) April Fool's Day! Happy April Fool's Day everyone! Not that this is a standard greeting one uses to acknowledge such a holiday, on the contrary, it's generally acknowledged that April Fool's Day is the day when jokes are played on one another, and if you had forgotten the date, you'll be quickly reminded if you happen to be the target of someone's merry pranking.<br /><br />Here in France (read upcoming post on that new bit of news if you're not already aware...), as I was dropping my daughter off at school, we crossed the threshold of the classroom and were greeted by much happy noisemaking and found Sasha's teacher across the room covered with little pieces of paper. As she crossed the room to greet us, we could see that the little pieces of paper that covered her sweater had fish drawn on them...they were taped all over her! She was laughing and smiling, and the kids around her were busily laughing at the funny gifts to their teacher. She told us that today was "Poissons d'Avril"...of course that explained everything! In my mind I was quickly putting it together that today was April Fool's Day and this is how they celebrated it in France! Great!...so I communicated this to Sasha and went on my way. Poisson, by the way, is the French word for 'fish'.<br /><br />Later, after Sasha had returned home, I heard more about the jolly mood of the day, then went to put E down for a nap. When I returned I found her cutting out little fish shaped pieces of paper with which she spent the rest of the afternoon trying to sneak (and tape) onto each of us! The trick, as far as my currently limited understanding has come to realize is to tape a fish to someone without them knowing it.<br /><br />It was still later in the afternoon today that a series of emails between my mother, aunt and husband floated around regarding 'Poissons d'Avril' during which my husband pulled the following from Wikipedia:<br /><br />"Poissons d'Avril is first mentioned in a 1508 poem written by Eloy d’Amerval, a French choirmaster and composer. The poem is titled Le livre de la deablerie. According to Wikipedia, it consists of “a dialogue between Satan and Lucifer, in which their nefarious plotting of future evil deeds is interrupted periodically by the author, who among other accounts of earthly and divine virtue, records useful information on contemporary musical practice.” (It seems that in 1508, Satan and Lucifer were two not one individual...)<br /><br />The poem would only be of interest to historians of music, except that it includes the line, “maquereau infâme de maint homme et de mainte femme, poisson d’avril.”<br /><br />The phrase “poisson d’avril” (April Fish) is the French term for an April Fool, but it is unclear whether d’Amerval’s use of the term referred to April 1st specifically. He might have intended the phrase simply to mean a foolish person.<br /><br />In 1564 France reformed its calendar, moving the start of the year from the end of March to January 1. Those who failed to keep up with the change, who stubbornly clung to the old calendar system and continued to celebrate the New Year during the week that fell between March 25th and April 1st, had jokes played on them. Pranksters would surreptitiously stick paper fish to their backs. The victims of this prank were thus called Poisson d’Avril, or April Fish—which, to this day, remains the French term for April Fools—and so the tradition was born."<br /><br />Paul then included this from the Irish press (on 1st April):<br /><br />"The origin of April Fools' Day is obscure. One likely theory is that the modern holiday was first celebrated soon after the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar; the term referred to someone still adhering to the Julian Calendar, which it replaced. In many pre-Christian cultures May Day (May 1) was celebrated as the first day of summer, and signalled the start of the spring planting season. An April Fool was someone who did this prematurely. Another origin is that April 1 was counted the first day of the year in France. When King Charles IX changed that to January 1, some people stayed with April 1. Those who did were called "April Fools" and were taunted by their neighbors. In the eighteenth century the festival was often posited as going back to the times of Noah. An English newspaper article published on April 13th, 1789 said that the day had its origins when he sent the raven off too early, before the waters had receded. He did this on the first day of the Hebrew month that corresponds with April." (reference to come shortly)<br /><br />...and so progressed this email exchange today, and now ends our broadened understanding of the varying traditions of an annual holiday the origins of which hardly anyone remembers. It was a fun day!<br /><br />So here, at the end of the evening, by now the 2nd of April, as I closed my email to my mother, who reminded me it was way too late to be writing (yes, still up and will be heading to bed shortly...), she reminded me, that it's my maternal great-grandfather's birthday today!...born 128 years ago today!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0wgBwpeBS_dFvqvjKkSWFzrp6pzobJ32TPMDGyzSIB5_whrErurVye2Ouv6hjBJI6tm12bTmK7FbSW2THoGshI4E7_WpTc8fdmco1RWvdpBa2194kAbacSl-I5AWmj-p6xr0lDfqfW8/s1600-h/AlfredE_Heffordggfather-vi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0wgBwpeBS_dFvqvjKkSWFzrp6pzobJ32TPMDGyzSIB5_whrErurVye2Ouv6hjBJI6tm12bTmK7FbSW2THoGshI4E7_WpTc8fdmco1RWvdpBa2194kAbacSl-I5AWmj-p6xr0lDfqfW8/s320/AlfredE_Heffordggfather-vi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319881091803527250" border="0" /></a><br />Alfred Ernest Hefford...while I have never met him, my memory of him exists in the form of stories of told to me by my mother: How he was a marine biologist, how he loved to garden in his home in Wellington, New Zealand, how he spent 2 years in the 20's (?) in Bombay, India away from his family, doing marine research for the government of India, how he spent his career studying fish and how to manage fishing practices (and exports) in such a way so as to not deplete New Zealand's rich fish supply, how he became the Director of the Department of Fisheries in New Zealand and spent 20 years advocating for such practices. No fool by any stretch, I'm sure it's a fact that my great-grandfather loved fish and spent his career trying to ensure their longevity. Happy Birthday Great-Granddad!KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-40517054633747444572009-03-24T16:10:00.000-07:002009-05-13T17:16:35.198-07:00Adventure Hopping...<span style="font-size:100%;">so you may wonder...Why Are We In France?<br /><br />Hi everyone, blogging for me is in fits and starts...small bursts of energy expended on our life and events, then nothing. Then small bursts of energy again. The goal would be to manage an even output over time...so updating can be in real-time. But these days that's been in my world of dreams.<br /><br />France! It all started with the fact that our lovely little <a href="http://www.kildaresteinerschool.org/">Kildare Steiner School</a> in Ireland ends for Joshua at 6th grade -or class, creating a need for us to find a school for Joshua next year. That lead us to the <a href="http://www.lfi.ie/">French School</a> in Dublin late November. All good, go check out the school, talk with the principal, get a tour, etc...<br /><br />Little hitch: Joshua ne parle pas français, and was contingent upon his acceptance to have some french...! So we think: tutors, study, post-it notes around the house...couple months go by. This isn't going to work. So one day, Paul says he had a dream... that we did a full immersion for a few months, from January until the end of the school year.<br /><br />That's when it really started.<br /><br />Still on Christmas break - Early January: Wrote letters to 6 Steiner/Waldorf schools in France. Received 4 responses. Narrowed the choices down to 2: Paris Steiner School or Lyon Steiner School. Make plans to visit each.<br /><br />Mid January: Make appointments with the schools. Travel to France (cheap Ryan Air!), Lyon then Paris. Visit the schools, meet with the teachers, look into housing options. It's all good, but which would be the best for us?<br /><br />End January: Decision made - We're going to the <a href="http://www.steiner-waldorf-vlb.fr/">Libre Ecole Rudolf Steiner School</a> in Verrieres-le-Buisson 20 mins SW of Paris. Look into housing, move date, etc... Joshua and Sasha start school 3rd March, 2008, first day back from mid-term break.<br /><br />21 February: Trains, Planes, Ferries and Automobiles - Arrive in Paris, car loaded with 4 months worth of goods! Move into a 3 level 'maison-ville' rural townhouse just seconds from the school's entrance! Incredible! Here we are, Ireland temporarily relieved of a few inhabitants...we'll miss you, dear Old Barracks!...but can't wait to tell you of our Adventures!<br /><br />The following was a letter I sent to my parents and brother when we landed...<br /><br />Dear Family,<br /><br />I hope this finds you all well. I just wanted to let you know that we are now 'installed,' as they say here, in our new house 20 mins sw of Paris. Current plan is that we will be here for 4 months. Our address is as follows:<br /><br />Paul and Natasha, Joshua, Sasha and Elijah Kewene-Hite<br />Verrieres-le-Buisson<br />France<br /><br />THE WEBSITE and the SCHOOL<br />The School: <a href="http://www.steiner-waldorf-vlb.fr/">Libre Ecole Rudolf Steiner </a><br />Look for the 'Enter Cet Site' then for an English Flag for an english version<br /><br />Inside the site, photos will be scrolling through; you may see two photos of a teacher in front a blackboard, in the middle of a lesson. His name is Jean Pierre Ablard and he will be Joshua's teacher, and that will be his class. When you see the Grand Maison, or a large mansion, it is where all the classes (1-8, I believe) are held. Joshua's on the first floor, on the right. You can see it's the one with all the windows, like a main room. Sasha's class is on the opposite end of the same building.<br /><br />WE'VE ARRIVED<br />Joshua, Elijah and I arrived on Saturday night, with Sasha and Paul having driven the car, loaded with 4 months worth of living 'stuff' the night before, loading it into our new place, just in time to sign the contract and return to the airport to pick us up!<br /><br />IKEA<br />School starts next Monday, and we're very happy we have this week to get settled in. With IKEA only 15 minutes away, and get this, it being one of at least 4 to choose from in relatively close proximity to the house, we've been able to stock up on a few basics beyond what the car would hold (which, by the way, was stuffed to the gills!...though luckily, it didn't sink the ferry!).<br /><br />THE HOUSE and NEIGHBORHOOD<br />Except for Paul, the rest of us moved into this house sight-unseen!...and I'd say we got lucky! It is funky in that it's sort of ad hoc in it's updates over the years, and has been in recent renovations, but is seriously cool in it's character, it feels very French, local and has history. We are, most importantly, literally steps from the entrance to the school, so we are all thrilled about this, especially the kids! Because the school is on holiday, most everyone around us are gone, so it's been very quiet. We do, however, get the feeling that we are in the middle of a neighborhood rich in community and feeling. The house is one of a row of townhouses, each facing one another with a little 'street' running through it, past us, off the main street, each town house being 3 stories high, from the ground floor, up 2 more flights. Our house is the second one in from the main street, on which sits the entrance to the school. With the houses facing one another and being side-by-side up a slight incline away from the street, people seem to walk up and down this path past the front of our door to get to the main road, but I would guess they would all be neighbors; this is not regular street traffic. It's very interesting and feels very local.<br /><br />Just tonight, we met our first neighbor, Danielle, who lives about 3 houses up from ours. She was extremely welcoming and warm to us. She is a retired physics and science teacher, I'm guessing from the school here, but not sure yet. Paul and Sasha had learned from our landlord on the day they signed the lease, that the house she lives in was built sometime in the 1500's (!!), and she has a certificate that has authenticated it's age. While no one else in the neighborhood has anything like an authenticating certificate, the general thought seems to be, that based on the age of her house, most of these houses here are about the same ages, as well. They are certain that none of these houses is newer than the 1700's Isn't that amazing! THey've all been modernized and, from what I can see from the outside, they look really nice on the inside...i've seen lots of exposed beams. All, very, very cool! While our place is imperfect, and a bit funky, it has great 'bones' and there is a lot of cool stuff that can be done to it!<br /><br />SPEAKING FRENCH<br />Lastly, it's been wonderful to be soaked in the french language. And it's just beginning. The kids are increasingly getting their bearings, and I think as they hear more and more and begin to get context for what things mean, it'll start sinking in. I believe they're excited for school to start, but nervous at the same time...it's the unknown. We're very open to this experience, and I must give Paul a tremendous amount of credit for making this whole adventure possible! Seriously, his adventurous spirit never ceases to amaze me, and I'm very grateful for his interest in creating experiences like this for his family.<br /><br />COOL CARS and CRAZY DRIVERS<br />On that note, because the drivers here are so aggressive and parking is often tight, Paul has let us use his car, a little Mini Clubman, to get around! It's a great car...and most critically, small. The Volvo Estate (Irish for Wagon) has been left at home! So, due to the great abilities of "Kate" our very own, personified GPS, we can get around with her verbal cues and maps with great ease! So, getting from our new house to Ikea, was no problem at all!...neither was driving on the right side of the road again, in a right - wheel (however it's called) car! As long as I have Kate, I'll be okay!<br /><br />VERRIERES<br />Today on a hunt for fresh produce, before the further hunt for other basics like places to put towels, things to keep our books on, we briefly discovered the local town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verri%C3%A8res-le-Buisson">Verrieres-le-Buisson</a>, and found it to be extremely beautiful, old, characteristically French and not at all touristy. I look forward to exploring it further. As our school is 50 years old, I get the feeling it's influence is known and felt. That said, we discovered today an 'epicerie' called Tonton, which has all kinds of organic and bio-dynamic produce. I think it's like being in Provo, UT and being in BYU bookstore and finding all kinds of <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">church</a> books, only this is food and produce and it's full of the food grown based on the agricultural writings and studies of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Steiner">Rudolf Steiner</a>, which is known as bio-dynamics. It's where the <a href="http://www.demeter-usa.org/">Demeter</a> brand comes from if that means anything to anyone. If I had internet, which we're in the process of getting, I would include links to what that's all about, but for now, i'll just say it's very interesting!<br /><br />More updating to come...for now, we're here, have been here now for 2.5 months...and have been enjoying it very much, though we really miss the Old Barracks!...<br /><br /></span>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-80131195625226087362009-01-01T17:39:00.000-08:002009-01-05T09:06:44.883-08:00Updating...<span style="font-family:times new roman;">The year has come and gone...Happy New Year! It's 2009 and all kinds of things have happened: kids growing up, trips come and gone, photos taken, moments passed. Life is a beautiful thing, something to share, something to reflect on; lessons learned, things to do again, things not to repeat. Here is our [long] holiday letter from 2008 we hope you enjoy! Click on the Holiday Letter link to the right in the side bar. Photos included. Sending love to all and peace and joy for the new year.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL-KRW-3JQvFJs7EF5tUfb4Vk6HNl1mXry4PGJJ1zk0EHNO4VfXi9LLPl52mQYbBnuwmorzoBJT75cNHJ2vLEdysA3wQZW0-E_d689HsIIsxJ6gXOWoAC4hvrdEFHGT1Am30ZBWdL9uw/s1600-h/CIMG8729.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL-KRW-3JQvFJs7EF5tUfb4Vk6HNl1mXry4PGJJ1zk0EHNO4VfXi9LLPl52mQYbBnuwmorzoBJT75cNHJ2vLEdysA3wQZW0-E_d689HsIIsxJ6gXOWoAC4hvrdEFHGT1Am30ZBWdL9uw/s320/CIMG8729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286521128842543522" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The Kewene-Hite Family</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Paul and Natasha</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Joshua, Sasha and Elijah</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-74674726892671547322008-03-29T15:37:00.000-07:002008-04-05T16:52:21.461-07:00Stop over in Dogs Bay, ConnemaraSaturday morning, day before Easter: Having spent the night in Clifden, in Connemara, we spent the next day driving home through the incredibly scenic route around the coastal roads of Connemara. Superlatives abound in our experience of this trip. While the temperature was absolutely freezing, the sun was shining, and the water and landscape was striking! I think we all felt as if you could have pulled over every 10 feet. As it was, there were lots of pull overs to take snaps, but Dogs Bay was worthy of the hour plus we gave it. Rounding the coastal roads, we came upon this spot, which could just have easily been in the Caribbean-only about 40 degrees colder, plus intense wind chill factor.<br /><br />Parking the car, we made our way down to the beach. I think it's human instinct to make a b-line for the waters edge. This shot below is Paul holding Elijah, talking to Sasha about the little sea life in the water. With my new, handy dandy camera, I got a great 'close up' from very far away!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NEPXyodWYB2fJImL9_aYDiu9Cg3UrvwSvg1UmbVD5b_oHYeXYP1A8PjqgOOYXbjZhLHjkt8BLzvjx1xtrrsoig7BmaaogmAvTcIUiK7eABRr1kodtaP0p0Bv2PNcFN3PImV91qgE1SY/s1600-h/CIMG1475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NEPXyodWYB2fJImL9_aYDiu9Cg3UrvwSvg1UmbVD5b_oHYeXYP1A8PjqgOOYXbjZhLHjkt8BLzvjx1xtrrsoig7BmaaogmAvTcIUiK7eABRr1kodtaP0p0Bv2PNcFN3PImV91qgE1SY/s320/CIMG1475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183650287506109314" border="0" /></a><br />Having finally made it to the beach, Paul took this shot of me holding Elijah with J&S in the background. The water was much more intense in color than I think what shows up in the photos, but I think the message gets across. It was a stunning beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgvjaOjsdBMt9IJKAnny8hGG6YiOFojjR1ZXoPxtJGePQH3rr8o6h3FjF78B-9q799nMhyphenhypheniHI8nQWO_skM6yrmogWRAWUHOtrzNuUsofjJRieIClrTrEnOCw7-eyIzvmrsU8w6xlW1Jc/s1600-h/CIMG1491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgvjaOjsdBMt9IJKAnny8hGG6YiOFojjR1ZXoPxtJGePQH3rr8o6h3FjF78B-9q799nMhyphenhypheniHI8nQWO_skM6yrmogWRAWUHOtrzNuUsofjJRieIClrTrEnOCw7-eyIzvmrsU8w6xlW1Jc/s320/CIMG1491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183649578836505458" border="0" /></a><br />Paul took the E to the car, which left me with the big kids. A very nice Englishman, apologetically wearing a colorful scarf wrapped around his head to keep his head warm, wearing his hat on top of the scarf, offered to take this photo of us. With the wind whipping all around us, I think it was all we could do to stand up straight long enough for him to snap the shot. Yea, I think we did it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXjbZuV1C-CLHOtkoPO3HnuEd4VWiOPfvV5-_i7XvkJDxGarwaPcABa1MLROtmHYlUmHo2g1gUu4yFl0KC-ViS1isOOAmbWd5iMGdvHjZNHvpxiP9Ls6zEOpgUraJkNc86j_vY7dL0dE/s1600-h/CIMG1500.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXjbZuV1C-CLHOtkoPO3HnuEd4VWiOPfvV5-_i7XvkJDxGarwaPcABa1MLROtmHYlUmHo2g1gUu4yFl0KC-ViS1isOOAmbWd5iMGdvHjZNHvpxiP9Ls6zEOpgUraJkNc86j_vY7dL0dE/s320/CIMG1500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183647624626385762" border="0" /></a><br />Facing the water looking out toward the coastal road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGez_BDaXESXGaHrlqCkr8p7URkwxqWICoWBlkt5z1K0vu-OsV-SIe5r4Y9AG763v-cnKchld4f_PXD1VWe8ZiU9cBXQp9tk-3BgaK7pkWkqbh_lycUZajJ6dQFk8fl1oY1VRgemBUhQ/s1600-h/CIMG1507.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGez_BDaXESXGaHrlqCkr8p7URkwxqWICoWBlkt5z1K0vu-OsV-SIe5r4Y9AG763v-cnKchld4f_PXD1VWe8ZiU9cBXQp9tk-3BgaK7pkWkqbh_lycUZajJ6dQFk8fl1oY1VRgemBUhQ/s320/CIMG1507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183314867740160850" border="0" /></a><br />On the way back to the car, Joshua stole a few last moments before we had to squeeze back into the car. It was hard to deny him the opportunity. We loved Dogs Bay...Next stop: Roundstone, then home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLiwqcQUmSDuWr1O9XV0k86N_upclHJmyMddXw-4iGj0oUbWvyGrNEjP4mAS2gZfiGZyElx2vQ_T895EliQ3C-4_gSbZLVX5Y1lY8grZVLibgAYWAifyru1ZQl99zwMjPe853Xn0wI1o/s1600-h/CIMG1512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLiwqcQUmSDuWr1O9XV0k86N_upclHJmyMddXw-4iGj0oUbWvyGrNEjP4mAS2gZfiGZyElx2vQ_T895EliQ3C-4_gSbZLVX5Y1lY8grZVLibgAYWAifyru1ZQl99zwMjPe853Xn0wI1o/s320/CIMG1512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183306818971448130" border="0" /></a>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-12344617895286415972008-03-25T17:14:00.000-07:002008-03-25T17:57:09.825-07:00Last Stop in NW Ireland Tour: Roundstone in ConnemaraWe loved Connemara! To say the area is picturesque is an understatement. There were incredible photos at every turn. Our last big stop was in a town called Roundstone, where we found the shop of bodhran maker, Malachy Kearns, who is one of Ireland's master Bodhran makers. To add to the local flavor of the area, after looking around and having decided that we were going to get each of the kids a small personalized bodhran, we met the man himself! He shook each of the kid's hands and wished them well with the instrument. I took this video on the [long] drive home, just after leaving the Roundstone:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwXe-v8pPq2dZK20xwKwLpQ7usvXEaBzqSU9fZEcQBl1rt4xexh9ggGjK224QequOIuXdElrxS_h9QkdzH-zQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />It was a fun [if not long, did i already say that?!] drive out of Connemara! Of all the towns we visited, Roundstone was among my personal favourites. We will come back again and again!KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-56186955342951924902008-03-05T15:31:00.000-08:002008-03-06T03:02:35.632-08:00Weekend in Dingle Bay!<span style="font-size:78%;">A few weekends ago, at the tail end of a school holiday, we took off …to see what we could see…We squeezed ourselves into the mini (that’s a feat for five!) and drove 4 hours to Dingle Bay, a wonderful little resort town in the south west.. One of Paul’s friends </span><span style="font-size:78%;">and Vyro board member, Brendan, very generously offered up his holiday home for our use. What a treat! We promptly took him up on it and, by the days end, found ourselves in a fully stocked home-away-from-home.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w9WX4dNURpoxaHCdbsTC1hIGAljBQyJT_Xjb3GrLM1_C1JfId5qmga14AG8iHgOtZ-UZ_6gFDZrapfAvfAhUr4kSw_UGeNXy-kNuAZyEsZICwff68gjsfre9zZc3KWTzCg5FS5je5-I/s1600-h/CIMG0484.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg36JPY8AAzGR679DpcZqiwJAUkevxIeaUuvbwpMuuhND3-vqXip1vtUZq-gwrwb3_Z8fnDympL6_PqiURbe1GDb6RG9kOayTNCcBrroUR5QKw7w0s5XeXCkWgLxKrr4KooCUi6SMPWGA/s1600-h/CIMG0459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg36JPY8AAzGR679DpcZqiwJAUkevxIeaUuvbwpMuuhND3-vqXip1vtUZq-gwrwb3_Z8fnDympL6_PqiURbe1GDb6RG9kOayTNCcBrroUR5QKw7w0s5XeXCkWgLxKrr4KooCUi6SMPWGA/s320/CIMG0459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174407124272242114" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;">In the morning, we readied ourselves for adventure. It started with fresh fish and chips (caught that morning!) and while I took Elijah home for a nap, Paul took the kids out on a little tour boat to meet the lone resident dolphin who had been living in the Bay for as far back as 20 years!<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0-bQraO7AM_0VPmi_D3VfYCH_pWSEm908RziNM6H6ZInnDEYrGjXaZrjZ7OzSTn4FdhGVXzuQeJtVKHJjJkHGpZn7y3PTe1g-IgoTfb51Zhtzl1duPo4m-pwYTWarqqjhgsnkkpdZD0/s1600-h/CIMG0328.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0-bQraO7AM_0VPmi_D3VfYCH_pWSEm908RziNM6H6ZInnDEYrGjXaZrjZ7OzSTn4FdhGVXzuQeJtVKHJjJkHGpZn7y3PTe1g-IgoTfb51Zhtzl1duPo4m-pwYTWarqqjhgsnkkpdZD0/s320/CIMG0328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174416379926765042" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUNhLwAkJkSDI3STtO3E6xSeCf1wJxyLvd9sNpx3tvMSctSEiVumnLoPbINMFyCDKzleITwu1L5mgBYqdZtoDJ7MRZpFfK_8XvM1aZ9s3vTe8lXOqSW4CUS_XTnLsaxoxGJN8uZdg2fc/s1600-h/CIMG0334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUNhLwAkJkSDI3STtO3E6xSeCf1wJxyLvd9sNpx3tvMSctSEiVumnLoPbINMFyCDKzleITwu1L5mgBYqdZtoDJ7MRZpFfK_8XvM1aZ9s3vTe8lXOqSW4CUS_XTnLsaxoxGJN8uZdg2fc/s320/CIMG0334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174419931864718866" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;">As the story goes, this dolphin, who is a HE, has been a bachelor all this time, and apparently over the years the town has offered up she-dolphins to expand the pack, but to no avail…he’s shown no interest. This has lead many to wonder….<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs_UbCuTTcdvIoCTquEFio-6Z21jQYMdv-uyV9gf5CelwNxbRXj8wtUU0wzTcMaBbae7UhwmFglvyhdPNTpqqIRWNFdQCTvBZVuex2Obj6N39FsmbVtLW80708zS61v49Ru7Tes56zBk/s1600-h/CIMG0473.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IdwIX0WwreiAAWAZgxE_FZa1Oi_siBVGu9rL6ZoHEaSmC8u0DC91_82eqJFOAPqCyZH2xXQw2VqJ4wF8p6VQPhJTglP0d0OrgqiGG8WNCVVBssFC1i7iqjqHiChv7Cy9h-u0LuVeQ-Y/s1600-h/CIMG0349.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IdwIX0WwreiAAWAZgxE_FZa1Oi_siBVGu9rL6ZoHEaSmC8u0DC91_82eqJFOAPqCyZH2xXQw2VqJ4wF8p6VQPhJTglP0d0OrgqiGG8WNCVVBssFC1i7iqjqHiChv7Cy9h-u0LuVeQ-Y/s320/CIMG0349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174421018491444770" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;">Next morning, we drove up the road to Dingle Horse Riding, where Paul took Elijah and the big kids and I each took a horse back riding trip for an hour. What great fun! We drove up at 11am, where the young 20s-something riding instructor, Louise, had our horses all saddled and ready to go! I was excited, but couldn’t remember the last time I had actually sat on a horse, let alone ride it! Was I an old lady already, being anxious about something like that? Louise, set Joshua up on his horse, Fuschia.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBbwIrnyNbxCRAEODikCnrzz73ocLdMWDGW14Q2Rq3-GPemP8S1dW0J99xL2I-GDeW0NpNxh05at0CAw3uKWwpj6hqHBQHYuvS1SPtl7BQck-PPVwoN7LbjXy8LOEJgWP6EJH0ODsKIM/s1600-h/CIMG0464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBbwIrnyNbxCRAEODikCnrzz73ocLdMWDGW14Q2Rq3-GPemP8S1dW0J99xL2I-GDeW0NpNxh05at0CAw3uKWwpj6hqHBQHYuvS1SPtl7BQck-PPVwoN7LbjXy8LOEJgWP6EJH0ODsKIM/s320/CIMG0464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174423316298948146" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />He was happy enough. I don’t think any of us had ever really ridden a horse the way we were about to for the next hour. I had no way of knowing whether or not the horse was going to buck him off. It was one of those moments, where I had to trust and get on with the experience.<br /><br />It was also interesting to note, as I watched Louise help Joshua get settled into his saddle, that we had signed no waiver, had not yet paid; we just got out of the car, walked over, found our riding boots and hat and climbed the horse. Welcome to Ireland!... the last frontier of trusting and non-litigious societies.<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />Then it was Sasha’s turn. Her horse was Blackie. Very excited to be there, Sasha climbed the horse and turned to wait for me.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCXgYKuwOolMeQH35kOMcOBrrDbQVB3EkE2BWiobJ5rM143qNma2jV37E9Q8dMKSxN5QRdSE4baw2LfmTa3hoxLeLSpNF18Tm1rbgqd6q01hh0RcLt-M6e6EIxteEJuP-G_qLFyGd-iU/s1600-h/CIMG0466.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCXgYKuwOolMeQH35kOMcOBrrDbQVB3EkE2BWiobJ5rM143qNma2jV37E9Q8dMKSxN5QRdSE4baw2LfmTa3hoxLeLSpNF18Tm1rbgqd6q01hh0RcLt-M6e6EIxteEJuP-G_qLFyGd-iU/s320/CIMG0466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174426185337101906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">While Louise was saddling her up, I climbed up onto my own horse, somewhat awkwardly, but…I made it up with some semblance of grace, I’d like to think, then was told that my horse was a lazy one. It was in that moment that any fear of my horse bolting off at a gallop uncontrollably –died away. Lazy horses don’t do that. Now I could enjoy myself. After a few directions we walked over to the staging area, circled a few times...and headed out on our hour-long ride.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwD5UFIdBzAPW-Lzg6P7nVsDXBZK8ceRLJuiJXAiRH4AE1cQIRz2yheeaMXeOPX1_H6WQtX-kDAqfv-oVdf-pyoyPUtYrK_bun8PAgxqtlw0CB-ePl2QYALTpjOjRiK2DcZZQ_9Wf11A/s1600-h/CIMG0467.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwD5UFIdBzAPW-Lzg6P7nVsDXBZK8ceRLJuiJXAiRH4AE1cQIRz2yheeaMXeOPX1_H6WQtX-kDAqfv-oVdf-pyoyPUtYrK_bun8PAgxqtlw0CB-ePl2QYALTpjOjRiK2DcZZQ_9Wf11A/s320/CIMG0467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174565045924748898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />Three young girls, whom I learned along the way traded stable help for riding time lead the way, followed by Joshua, Sasha then myself. Leading up the rear was Louise. As it turned out, the ride was calm, pleasant and just great fun! Louise turned out to be a very kind riding companion who, as we were following the trail along the base of a hill, which we shortly thereafter would turn right to ride to the top, as I was asking her about her background, it just so happened that the valley scene were passing off to the left at that moment, she pointed to saying, ‘see that house way off in the distance? That was my grandfather’s fathers house. My father was born in that house and my brother is now renovating it. I live in that house over there [pointing off to the left]; that’s where I grew up.’ It turns out that all the land off to our left was her family’s land! As she was telling me this, I was admiring the life this young girl had and wondered when it would occur to her what an amazing gift she had been handed; to live in such a gorgeous land and be so close to nature.<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs_UbCuTTcdvIoCTquEFio-6Z21jQYMdv-uyV9gf5CelwNxbRXj8wtUU0wzTcMaBbae7UhwmFglvyhdPNTpqqIRWNFdQCTvBZVuex2Obj6N39FsmbVtLW80708zS61v49Ru7Tes56zBk/s1600-h/CIMG0473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs_UbCuTTcdvIoCTquEFio-6Z21jQYMdv-uyV9gf5CelwNxbRXj8wtUU0wzTcMaBbae7UhwmFglvyhdPNTpqqIRWNFdQCTvBZVuex2Obj6N39FsmbVtLW80708zS61v49Ru7Tes56zBk/s320/CIMG0473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174566428904218226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w9WX4dNURpoxaHCdbsTC1hIGAljBQyJT_Xjb3GrLM1_C1JfId5qmga14AG8iHgOtZ-UZ_6gFDZrapfAvfAhUr4kSw_UGeNXy-kNuAZyEsZICwff68gjsfre9zZc3KWTzCg5FS5je5-I/s1600-h/CIMG0484.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w9WX4dNURpoxaHCdbsTC1hIGAljBQyJT_Xjb3GrLM1_C1JfId5qmga14AG8iHgOtZ-UZ_6gFDZrapfAvfAhUr4kSw_UGeNXy-kNuAZyEsZICwff68gjsfre9zZc3KWTzCg5FS5je5-I/s320/CIMG0484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174569903532760722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKQpByv8KDN3n9LhwyaEtnFzLuSLp85JZSyi9lpIoXSueFCdmtnSLAWVBo9nyKhAgvuftubeNUeIqii_Ch4b-s_5-IUrd7uBkCiYRRUsnStkjlwri9ScZZMlS__0FQEr15tRiXj8qIuk/s1600-h/CIMG0479.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKQpByv8KDN3n9LhwyaEtnFzLuSLp85JZSyi9lpIoXSueFCdmtnSLAWVBo9nyKhAgvuftubeNUeIqii_Ch4b-s_5-IUrd7uBkCiYRRUsnStkjlwri9ScZZMlS__0FQEr15tRiXj8qIuk/s320/CIMG0479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174569237812829826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />As we climbed the hill, Louise offered to take a few shots of us, then we climbed over to the other side of the hill and descended back down. As we came closer to the town, and our ride came to an end, we quickly noticed that our hour long ride passed literally within feet of the Brendan’s house! Had we known, we would have Paul standing out there with Elijah to welcome us back! It was a wonderful and unforgettable ride. We know we will return to Dingle again and again!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /></span>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-59874001151178459072008-02-26T17:55:00.000-08:002008-02-26T18:00:07.569-08:00Copyrights Rule!...really?Aside from the Trailer, which you'll be able to view below when you click on the word, you will find the following when you try to click the other two links below for the Performance and Speech: This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Oh, well...YouTube had it's moment, and i guess it's over. Enjoy the film and let me know what you think of it!KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-15821249268261221562008-02-26T17:11:00.002-08:002008-02-26T17:49:49.116-08:00The Movie Once, Ireland...for all dreamers and aspiring and working musiciansI'm endorsing a fabulous little film called Once, which we just saw last night. As a small indie film set in Ireland, it's done well, having just won an Oscar for Best Song as well as a Grammy, and a number of other awards.<br /><br />Many of the scenes, including the scene in the music shop, where they improvise the creation of the hit song which ultimately won the Oscar, we've been to and know well. Bonus fun factor. The whole opening sequence is right around the corner from Paul's office.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/I6xIF92OUos&rel=1">Trailer</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/I6xIF92OUos&rel=1"></a><br /><br />Watch the movie, then click on the Oscars acceptance speeches link below. As soon as we finished the film, we were interested in the actors and their histories, and watching the combination of the film/real life successes was a wonderful testament to the impact of art, music, hope and following your dreams.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe5ybN3eh-A">Oscar acceptance speeches</a><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pe5ybN3eh-A&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pe5ybN3eh-A&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Haa2r7ujg">Performance at the Oscars</a><br /><br />Even if you've already seen the film and the Oscars, viewed back to back, the impact of the message will bring on the tears...in all the best ways!...<br /><br />Lastly, over the weekend, we also just discovered that the new film from the holidays, <a href="http://psiloveyoumovie.warnerbros.com/">PS, I Love You</a>, which was made two years ago in the Wicklow Mountains, contains scenes which were shot just on the road by our house. ...I guess Ireland must be a beautiful place to be...KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-86652323685184721912008-02-26T16:22:00.000-08:002008-02-26T17:10:43.846-08:00Waiting for the day to start…So here are Joshua and Sasha waiting on the other side of the road, out the front door, on Garbage Day, or Rubbish Day as they say here, for our friend Linda to pick them up to take them to school. <a href="http://www.kildaresteinerschool.org">School</a> starts at 9:00am. It's a 20 minute drive to the school from where we live.<br /><br />8:30...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVfCcTCF0OwIcNjzmm05I5fJvJ5teCCRaOipFXZK-k3Ewrj0I4fn6EU2NVN3WxsOJP4Cf0r3ArUmZSzGCzvd8zqwQAXpiUUJsM8aEIciPef1CVx6NOE5YbAGZLHSqVZjkOpvTYWqmyg8/s1600-h/CIMG0031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVfCcTCF0OwIcNjzmm05I5fJvJ5teCCRaOipFXZK-k3Ewrj0I4fn6EU2NVN3WxsOJP4Cf0r3ArUmZSzGCzvd8zqwQAXpiUUJsM8aEIciPef1CVx6NOE5YbAGZLHSqVZjkOpvTYWqmyg8/s320/CIMG0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171456056111954546" border="0" /></a><br />Linda is the mother of Joshua’s classmate, Paul, who live down the road from us and with whom we’ve started ride sharing. It’s been wonderful! Linda happens also happens to be the woman without whom we would have not found our house! She’s a wonderful, delightful woman with whom I’ve gratefully found a fast friendship. We have great hopes of dyeing lichen together and felting slippers for our children…<br /><br />8:35...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ9mJRnpQmpoXVl6FCYhtz-KvUjjIcBbMoFpNhqO1v1joD8oz0_-yQD9RzexRyDIcb-WPGiyAepmZwafsM9hTkueLZlB1aGX1jZPhNN4enAljMNeRsgFFBqKLVs_qUTToFuG6G8O-bKE/s1600-h/CIMG0034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ9mJRnpQmpoXVl6FCYhtz-KvUjjIcBbMoFpNhqO1v1joD8oz0_-yQD9RzexRyDIcb-WPGiyAepmZwafsM9hTkueLZlB1aGX1jZPhNN4enAljMNeRsgFFBqKLVs_qUTToFuG6G8O-bKE/s320/CIMG0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171456657407376002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />8:40...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2fhY9y4F-v7Va87XhI9loz4WRoG4DmyNa60kLJaUzypzofrz-YBZAw-G7lhZhym_R2H13BBpUYJFaw1sjvqAsc0DmROTWimXyKMBi_fz4Rv6SwIBO6j2S0wNw-wfIoh_TEKEEjT9MR0/s1600-h/CIMG0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2fhY9y4F-v7Va87XhI9loz4WRoG4DmyNa60kLJaUzypzofrz-YBZAw-G7lhZhym_R2H13BBpUYJFaw1sjvqAsc0DmROTWimXyKMBi_fz4Rv6SwIBO6j2S0wNw-wfIoh_TEKEEjT9MR0/s320/CIMG0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171457155623582354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />8:41...and we're off...thanks, Linda!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dnv4upQE3-I3YNuBM2PvLR2tLZb44Ym_7kuDUCcjP2Qy4zWsQB0LO-rO_mn1Yj7jpQX4WQdxZRyXzF-N4DrXq80WH1WJGbTsnRdELRZJjw4X6GVTGwglZRR4bWXQHvcEj8GYwifMj7Y/s1600-h/CIMG0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dnv4upQE3-I3YNuBM2PvLR2tLZb44Ym_7kuDUCcjP2Qy4zWsQB0LO-rO_mn1Yj7jpQX4WQdxZRyXzF-N4DrXq80WH1WJGbTsnRdELRZJjw4X6GVTGwglZRR4bWXQHvcEj8GYwifMj7Y/s320/CIMG0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171457958782466738" border="0" /></a>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-39398731551865332562008-01-16T05:09:00.003-08:002008-01-16T12:28:34.757-08:00...as the dust settles. Looking back on 2007<div style="text-align: justify;">Somehow, the need to bridge the gap between my last posting in July and now in January, brings with it the perfect opportunity to send holiday greetings and wishes for a Happy New Year!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9brrLIZLPl_aWMzupgHon6jFbgRE2OtmbGwZcVsJEttf-XdlkGerh7t84UxkJAbM0-dCHKkG2NvY03hosUetvfx0_1EBqd5MeHkdU52WYeP03Xfo2Xv9JHhYUHtP7er3XhKonpjvqsiY/s1600-h/JSE_K-H.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9brrLIZLPl_aWMzupgHon6jFbgRE2OtmbGwZcVsJEttf-XdlkGerh7t84UxkJAbM0-dCHKkG2NvY03hosUetvfx0_1EBqd5MeHkdU52WYeP03Xfo2Xv9JHhYUHtP7er3XhKonpjvqsiY/s320/JSE_K-H.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156134250993488114" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2007 was a good year for the Kewene-Hite Family! In the Spring, we welcomed our third child, Elijah Manahi into the family. He was born April 20th at home, in the water. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In the Summer, we did the summer things we all love to do...one highlight being a week at the lake where Joshua, who turned 10 this year, experienced his first year of Sail School at the <a href="http://www.eugeneyachtclub.org/">Eugene Yacht Club</a>! Natasha, who learned to sail there growing up, has fond memories of this place, so it was quite wonderful to have her own children attend, in addition to two of his best friends, Sage and William! We are most grateful to our Grandpa for this opportunity. It was a week of great fun and building memory.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLtua72h7rfWvrVHKF5mWa_7hn31yoHJmu847zWd9zRmyVM-kSZNZPbRBtEa7jzLlz_5Fg6QzBMdRGNjgufjPpMFQ13aKXB_cz_-v3IbrwRyTHVXPKi2WcfbfVDxmwkNGPEjPyHbBIng/s1600-h/IMGA0892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLtua72h7rfWvrVHKF5mWa_7hn31yoHJmu847zWd9zRmyVM-kSZNZPbRBtEa7jzLlz_5Fg6QzBMdRGNjgufjPpMFQ13aKXB_cz_-v3IbrwRyTHVXPKi2WcfbfVDxmwkNGPEjPyHbBIng/s320/IMGA0892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156136720599683330" border="0" /></a>By Summer's end, we confirmed that <a href="http://gorgeousinireland.blogspot.com/2007/11/irelandhow-it-all-came-to-be.html">Ireland</a> would be in our future!...this left only the question of when to leave... Ultimately, we <a href="http://gorgeousinireland.blogspot.com/2007/11/moving-day.html">packed</a> up our house and pulled out of the driveway the end of September.</div><br />Autumn, as it turns out found us <a href="http://gorgeousinireland.blogspot.com/2007/11/trains-planes-and-automobilesthe-eagles.html">landing</a> in Ireland on October 5th, and after a month searching, moved into our new house on November 1, the kids started school on Nov 6 and we're now settling into a new life on the other side of the planet. Halloween came and went. Then Christmas brought Natasha's father from the States and her brother, his wife and child over from Germany for a terrific holiday together. The holidays have come and gone and now here we are...2008! Whew!...what an adventure.<br /><br />Now, the dust settles and life is falling into a routine. It's beautiful here in Ireland! We are getting to know the lay of the land, Paul is enjoying his <a href="http://www.vyro-games.com/">work</a>, the kids are making friends and we're just starting to be able to make use of the weekends to see some sights. Now life is beginning anew...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa89tEgAPDdEcUkv8FQ81RssZ91i6oJFuS1G7hjFJatuvc0oHOHt12MBj18Xp9ZKTitVcXOv4RV4AXgNZDuWGL5HkqUkyddqkWaqB5CiyNeJyOR7PKF8bDz8Y7tiQUoxTjO5viefTEGA/s1600-h/_DSC0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa89tEgAPDdEcUkv8FQ81RssZ91i6oJFuS1G7hjFJatuvc0oHOHt12MBj18Xp9ZKTitVcXOv4RV4AXgNZDuWGL5HkqUkyddqkWaqB5CiyNeJyOR7PKF8bDz8Y7tiQUoxTjO5viefTEGA/s320/_DSC0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156171767532818706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To all our friends we left behind in the States, we love you and miss you! To our family near and far, we love you and miss you! We look forward with great anticipation for the opportunity to see you again and, if you're so inclined, to have you come visit us in Ireland!<br /><br /><br /></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-37987079225472246902007-07-13T02:30:00.000-07:002007-07-13T02:37:36.679-07:00Not to leave anyone out...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L-5wAOSHERnF6waPgLw120XTbWgc-TD88YGjqEcELXBd81JYDBaWhTAmdsL_QUcyt99JXIcQ1px3W-gysx1nbgJxNwLFQKaj6vqByL_SRHpkMblp2rawKWikB_rfrip2jaHB47QD5vY/s1600-h/Sasha+semiprofile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L-5wAOSHERnF6waPgLw120XTbWgc-TD88YGjqEcELXBd81JYDBaWhTAmdsL_QUcyt99JXIcQ1px3W-gysx1nbgJxNwLFQKaj6vqByL_SRHpkMblp2rawKWikB_rfrip2jaHB47QD5vY/s320/Sasha+semiprofile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086611926946154882" border="0" /></a>February 3, 1999. Sasha at 3 weeks old.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc9_uirq2X2uc-l3ijC7-dBrcy2Ce6jgzyailKYK2oQ6XOx-0xgFvd53nsplnsAddcBJ3YVbhCuafI8ZYg_1cELAwyuP0L90Eua7wlw7gowXnsvfzQc-pxwi7HPszLLd1AKRdg8WpKhI/s1600-h/Sasha+with+Mum,+kitchen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc9_uirq2X2uc-l3ijC7-dBrcy2Ce6jgzyailKYK2oQ6XOx-0xgFvd53nsplnsAddcBJ3YVbhCuafI8ZYg_1cELAwyuP0L90Eua7wlw7gowXnsvfzQc-pxwi7HPszLLd1AKRdg8WpKhI/s320/Sasha+with+Mum,+kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086612416572426642" border="0" /></a>A bit older...in the kitchen (8 years ago!)<br /><br /></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-10007992084334216442007-07-13T02:14:00.001-07:002007-07-13T02:26:54.004-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAglH0rHeb92n9VNgwb_5Zp453N1arVb29YvJKQEo93IjcuUrDyLcD5XDgrh603Sn-5GXQv0OS4rKjfplwLv6WG732T_aNwVEvpZM4PcDEFljmTMBLlOsHO54x4XmdIS2ZSusAU2stwUA/s1600-h/IMGA0404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAglH0rHeb92n9VNgwb_5Zp453N1arVb29YvJKQEo93IjcuUrDyLcD5XDgrh603Sn-5GXQv0OS4rKjfplwLv6WG732T_aNwVEvpZM4PcDEFljmTMBLlOsHO54x4XmdIS2ZSusAU2stwUA/s320/IMGA0404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086610522491849074" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13-QnvYuFZGiZBEOUj4MP2xGFwirJcNZ9kX-bxG7yh7oDfNPmkZCpU2pvX25d0FbdYUu-9UWG_cC-xY_PSlbl4jd4usEPaBWWCpSpvddeQuvWyA5cUNTzmqRsASiph2bkg6GKRJBEXnk/s1600-h/IMGA0443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13-QnvYuFZGiZBEOUj4MP2xGFwirJcNZ9kX-bxG7yh7oDfNPmkZCpU2pvX25d0FbdYUu-9UWG_cC-xY_PSlbl4jd4usEPaBWWCpSpvddeQuvWyA5cUNTzmqRsASiph2bkg6GKRJBEXnk/s320/IMGA0443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086609203936889170" border="0" /></a>Elijah at 6 1/2 weeks.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmFVhGmefWKcWwOyI2HomhBuNq09vCuO-30CjbRAss4iupb9ljjeQj7x8ReEoAQ-BAVGs5eG_7d8y68QSwPswruYfbemmxL-bYZjKLFpxUiNMukUC5qBtzuuORMPcdnIzQxbTZqSud84/s1600-h/Curious.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmFVhGmefWKcWwOyI2HomhBuNq09vCuO-30CjbRAss4iupb9ljjeQj7x8ReEoAQ-BAVGs5eG_7d8y68QSwPswruYfbemmxL-bYZjKLFpxUiNMukUC5qBtzuuORMPcdnIzQxbTZqSud84/s320/Curious.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086609006368393538" border="0" /></a>Joshua at 6 and 1/2 weeks.<br />See any resemblance?<br /><br /><br /></div>KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-36579024300814894962007-07-13T02:05:00.001-07:002007-07-13T02:14:52.548-07:00Getting some fresh air on Spencer's Butte<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UKwe6DnSqD2z9yI0OBYcl0damkSX8QBOntA5cIcR8RXHwRzOc4iy3UKysgKDV8W9jZiZS4ayKIf5MSmIR862pvEDMbGS9-o0HUChZ7Xra5DH4r9QBU9YIdOmx5Eejw4Qef_LM-GYxQ8/s1600-h/IMGA0356.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UKwe6DnSqD2z9yI0OBYcl0damkSX8QBOntA5cIcR8RXHwRzOc4iy3UKysgKDV8W9jZiZS4ayKIf5MSmIR862pvEDMbGS9-o0HUChZ7Xra5DH4r9QBU9YIdOmx5Eejw4Qef_LM-GYxQ8/s320/IMGA0356.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086605235387107618" border="0" /></a>May 28th. My first hike. Seven weeks. I was very proud of myself, being so freshly post partum. I'm very proud of the fact that my kids are great hikers, and they were eager on this day. We headed out...we would have, could have gone to the very top. Certainly the kids could have. It would have been a treacherous hike down with such a bundle in front of me, so we just went half way up and turned around. The bounties of this earth are simple.KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584083230007948648.post-71367561388143425492007-07-13T02:00:00.001-07:002007-07-13T02:05:16.066-07:00So I'm getting ahead of myself<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ3O09uvFSnAFmLwa7HHgk-PrupLK-YsS8omrWBn85zkKGhVbEjl2AVqz7Bb7NG6btcGqjUN-3p5enWaq7Rn-3dPOCG3lnn3t3gbXKynwk_BHQuEBNM-7nodOqN_WvK9GnwxxGcxFej0/s1600-h/IMGA0338.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ3O09uvFSnAFmLwa7HHgk-PrupLK-YsS8omrWBn85zkKGhVbEjl2AVqz7Bb7NG6btcGqjUN-3p5enWaq7Rn-3dPOCG3lnn3t3gbXKynwk_BHQuEBNM-7nodOqN_WvK9GnwxxGcxFej0/s320/IMGA0338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086604350623844626" border="0" /></a><br />These last two postings were from June 20th and June 30th. At this point, Elijah is approximately 8 weeks old! Here we are on May 30th, at about 4 weeks; and this budding relationship is taking off! Big brother and sister are most enthusiastic to share with their little brother all the joys of reading. Here they are, one soothing, the other pointing out the finer features of animal life in book form.KiaKahaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11046958068033666907noreply@blogger.com0