tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54875073176910032932024-03-15T18:09:57.926-07:00egg juice with pepperonia journey into simpler and more natural living.
with an occasional Coca-Cola.bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.comBlogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-43989052028325510372014-04-11T09:14:00.000-07:002014-04-11T09:14:08.212-07:00Sparkle Stories meerkats!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Check it out — This week's <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/brand/view/sparkle-sleepytime">Sparkle Sleepytime</a> about <a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/meerkat/">meerkats</a> was written for Starboy! He is crazy for them, and David and Lisabeth wanted to help him get to bed more easily!<br />
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I love the rhymes and routines they reinforce in the story. Here's the bedtime verse:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Now, all tucked, in burrow warm,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Safe from hawks and beasts and storms,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I feel my bed’s sweet soft embrace.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I thank you for this peaceful place.</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Learning Curve';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out Sparkle Stories' <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/blog/2014/04/03/free-spring-stories/">free podcast on iTunes</a>, or try <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/sample_pack">samples</a> from their website!</span></div>
bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-17786414349767832792013-12-21T20:35:00.000-08:002013-12-21T21:06:41.640-08:00Christmas Countdown 20a - skating village display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was a little girl, my grandmother loved Christmas. She had lots of decorations, many of which she'd brought back from Germany and Austria (and maybe Sweden and Denmark). Our family on that side is German, so she may have visited some of my grandfather's family back then—it was my great grandfather who came over to America so many years ago.</div>
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One of her prized decorations was a winter skating scene, with little lead figurines, each interacting with the winter elements in his own way. Skaters, snowball-throwers, gentleman callers, riders in a one-horse open sleigh—they all played across the dining room table on a large oval mirror usually used to display perfumes and hairbrushes in her bedroom.</div>
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I was lucky enough to inherit the set last year, after sending my dad on a treacherous mission to his attic Christmas boxes, and I wanted to figure out a display this year.</div>
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The pieces are tiny, and I believe they are lead. No wonder she wouldn't let me touch them. I've been using white cotton gloves from the photo lab where I worked after college to handle them.</div>
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Last year, I made some <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012/12/christmas-countdown-dec-16.html">winter displays in apothecary jars</a>, and <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012/12/christmas-centerpieces.html">for the Christmas dinner table</a>, that I'd meant to put away in January. Only I couldn't! They are just too sweet! The scenes have been changing with the seasons.</div>
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I don't have fall evergreen trees, so this really is the summer display.</div>
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It doesn't have quite the impact of the other scenes, but the figurines in the jars solves several challenges: It keeps the figures out of reach from Starboy's touch, while letting him look up close, and it keeps the figures from being knocked over in our tiny house.</div>
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Unfortunately, only about a quarter of the figures will fit comfortably in the jars. Here is a gentleman pushing a lady on a sleigh, a couple ice staking, a boy playing on the ice, and a woman wrestling with her umbrella.</div>
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In the other jar, on epsom salt snow, another ice skating couple, a couple in a one-horse open sleigh, and a snowman.</div>
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Aren't they charming?</div>
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Brrr! Cold today!</div>
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This whole deal wasn't great from Starboy's point of view, because I didn't need much "help" and I didn't want him to touch anything. Unfortunately a lesson in patience for him, and valuing "special" things, which in itself isn't a bad thing. But maybe not his first choice in an advent activity. Them's the breaks, as they say.</div>
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-61900797635044823372013-12-21T19:39:00.000-08:002013-12-21T21:06:41.643-08:00Winter Nature Table - Christmas countdown 21a - Solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not sure whether the solstice nature table counts as an advent surprise or not. I guess it depends on how flush you are with ideas. <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012/12/christmas-countdown-dec-21.html">Last year</a>, I decided it counted.</div>
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This year, I have a few additions to the table. First, Starboy's wonderful wooden Christmas tree, that he made with Techman a month ago and I haven't taken the chance to post about yet. I LOVE this tree. He "decorated" it by coloring the whole thing with sidewalk chalk. And I LOVE that he and Techman made it together.</div>
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Next, the frozen pond. It reminds me of my grandmother's snow scene that she used to put out on her dining room table, when I was small. It was a skating scene and she would spread the whole village out on the mirror from her vanity.</div>
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Then, some netting to pose as snow, a new piece of snow/felt (that I once again cut too small and it doesn't cover the whole table, sigh), and a new pinecone christmas tree decorated with glitter and pom-pons. And of course, the <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012/12/christmas-countdown-dec-22.html">pipecleaner snowflakes</a>.</div>
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Backlit. Sorry.</div>
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Today's book was excerpts from The Shortest Day, by Wendy Pfeffer. If you choose the pages carefully it still sort of sounds like a story. The book is a bit wordy to read in-depth to a preschooler, but it will be handy in a few years when he's able to better understand the concepts.</div>
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-17868322328005703412013-12-20T21:33:00.000-08:002013-12-20T21:33:00.178-08:00Christmas countdown 20 -- Christmas tree elf ornament, USB tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S1pOQn1pmn7kgG1YNUiSDwizexZHjprAQeYfOLu-jPS08AFTsiBLPfDKcc0sOLO5aMwd04K-NMQjhqO4xIKiD-no-CXtRf2rpmrlUoNKyzwIHhhK4659lN3cf2CCsOXFuF9Quc0fHrU/s1600/ornaments+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S1pOQn1pmn7kgG1YNUiSDwizexZHjprAQeYfOLu-jPS08AFTsiBLPfDKcc0sOLO5aMwd04K-NMQjhqO4xIKiD-no-CXtRf2rpmrlUoNKyzwIHhhK4659lN3cf2CCsOXFuF9Quc0fHrU/s320/ornaments+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I couldn't resist this darling ornament published at <a href="http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2013/12/felt-christmas-ornaments.html">Buzzmills</a>. It was fun to make and quick to pull together. It took Starboy a while to find, and he thinks it's a hedgehog, despite knowing that it's supposed to be a porcupine like <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/brand/view/athomewithmartinsylvia">Sylvia</a> likes.<br />
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Starboy's still under the weather, and it's been a quiet day after a longish night. He is enthused to re-discover a little fiberoptic USB tree we were given last year, that changes colors in the dark. He waited for hours to be able to turn it on. And he's enthralled.<br />
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Starboy has been excited to hear about snow, snow, snow, and made a sled so his stuffed animals could go sledding on a hill made out of a chair with a fleece blanket and a layer of white netting over it. So today we read "White Snow, Bright Snow," a classic by Alvin Tresselt.<br />
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bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-36981673544121926172013-12-20T17:16:00.002-08:002013-12-20T17:36:23.395-08:00Christmas countdown 19 -- Christmas tree elf ornament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've been listening daily to the <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/blog/2013/11/21/new-the-martin-sylvia-audio-advent-calendar/">Sparkle Stories Advent Calendar</a> stories—which are wonderful! You know what huge fans we are of the series, and of David and Lisabeth, who create the stories.<br />
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On the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sparklestories">Sparkle Stories Facebook page</a>, I saw a link to a wonderful felt ornament created at the <a href="http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2013/12/felt-christmas-ornaments.html">Buzzmills</a> blog. You see, in one of the stories, a Christmas Tree Elf appears to care for the tree, and he shows you that caring, by producing new ornaments for the children to notice.<br />
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Starboy found this one right away. Though he can't decide what the Christmas Tree Elf looks like.<br />
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I found the easy snowflake ornament by googling "felt ornaments." Very quick to come together. Though it could use some glitter, somehow.<br />
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Today's book: "My Prairie Christmas," by Brett Harvey. A wonderful picture book that is a great companion to "Little House on the Prairie" books (Starboy calls them "Laura and Mary books.")<br />
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I'm a little late posting this week's activities, because Starboy has come down with a fever and hasn't been wanting to do much but hang around. Poor guy. So it's been low key around here, and some of the better activities have been set aside.</div>
<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-84937089326237488292013-12-20T16:59:00.002-08:002013-12-20T17:36:28.544-08:00Christmas countdown 18 -- chocolate treat and big tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had the chance for a Grandma & Grandpa day, so that pushed the errand to the outlet mall to the end of the day—after our special lunch at the neighborhood burger spot. Starboy was extremely patient and helped with the shopping, despite feeling tired and worn out and not hungry for dinner. </div>
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So mommy suggested it might be a good day for a taste of Christmas chocolate, while Starboy ogled the ginormous tree at the outdoor mall. It was a special moment, but maybe not on my original list for Advent activities. It's been a busy week.</div>
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Book: A Pussycat's Christmas, by Margaret Wise Brown, with unnaturally modern illos by Anne Mortimer</div>
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bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-33093344756055519622013-12-17T20:57:00.000-08:002013-12-20T17:34:39.402-08:00Christmas countdown 17 - storybook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ19sQuovphU8nsZH6HcyB9EvQC647ltrVpGpXdPPYUpEdpoKppzqB0FkfiWxRj2Xw_2LHtfR-qiWc6HLeo7KUmOx58RKTinHOrUEfM9rGycv8jI6mvaq4g2HqosDlrpBauTkDEZbeiPc/s1600/advent17+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ19sQuovphU8nsZH6HcyB9EvQC647ltrVpGpXdPPYUpEdpoKppzqB0FkfiWxRj2Xw_2LHtfR-qiWc6HLeo7KUmOx58RKTinHOrUEfM9rGycv8jI6mvaq4g2HqosDlrpBauTkDEZbeiPc/s1600/advent17+1.jpg" /></a></div>
So today's surprises included the Elf on the Shelf dangling over the bed at wakeup, finding the <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/blog/2013/11/21/new-the-martin-sylvia-audio-advent-calendar/">Christmas Tree Elf</a>, and listening to an electric storybook. Starboy knows that Elf on the Shelf is a fake-o toy elf that we move around. He knows it's plastic and doesn't really have magic. It's very interesting, since other animals and fairies are magical to him. I'm not sure I'll even bring it out next year. I'd rather have him focus on the magical stuff, and not have the plastic toys give him the idea that everything is so contrived.<br />
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We don't do <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bugitybug/elf-on-the-shelf-antics/">a whole "thing" with the Elf</a>, though I try to move him around each day. It's just for fun.<br />
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The book is "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," read by my dad (Grandpop), who's Back East. He picked it up at Hallmark and sent it a couple of years ago, and although it's a very goofy setup, it's also pretty cool. Better living through science, eh? Starboy is really into it, even though it's super loud with no volume control (he's covering the speaker in this back-focused shot)—which is exactly how my dad talks on the phone.</div>
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-7092832779161255572013-12-16T21:44:00.004-08:002013-12-21T19:40:54.775-08:00Christmas countdown 16 - enjoying the tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A very busy work day at school followed by a long meeting kept us from doing much in the way of special Christmas stuff today, and Starboy was having a difficult time falling asleep. So Techman set him up with the <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2011/11/crafting-binge-holiday-pillow-covers.html">special Christmas pillows</a> as a bed under the tree in the living room and eventually he conked out nearly two hours past bedtime.</div>
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Tonight's bedtime reading was "A Forest Christmas" by Mayling Holm, which is a lovely story about the forest animals getting together for a Christmas Eve party. Very simple illos as well.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Sorry, originally this post was numbered Christmas Countdown 17.</span></i>bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-8698129545039245342013-12-15T21:17:00.000-08:002013-12-20T17:34:44.635-08:00Christmas countdown 15 - Swedish Christmas fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's exciting adventure was at the <a href="http://losangeles.swea.org/2013/welcome-to-swea-los-angeles-34th-annual-christmas-fair/">SWEA Christmas fair and Santa Lucia pageant!</a> Starboy loved the Swedish pancakes for lunch. He also liked the challah-like buns.<br />
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I didn't get any good pictures of the tomte, straw goats, dala horses and much, much more. But there sure was a lot to see!<br />
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Folk dancing in period dress!</div>
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And many hilarious t-shirts and mugs.</div>
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An Astrid Lindgren book would have been perfect today! But we read it yesterday. I swear, a better plan next year. So today we read "Snow," by Uri Shulevitz.</div>
bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-19806562086165222122013-12-14T23:03:00.001-08:002013-12-20T17:34:39.398-08:00Christmas countdown 13+14 — a tree! and snowstars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Starboy has been very concerned that without a Christmas tree, there will be no Santa. He is worried that Santa will not come to Grandma and Grandpa's house unless they have a tree as well.<br />
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He has been very helpful in that excited way that just slows you down and it's all very cute. He insisted on helping carry the tree to the baling area, and was oblivious to the fact that Techman nearly knocked him over with it a couple of times.<br />
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There wasn't time for full decorations, but Starboy was able to put on his wooden animal ornaments before bedtime, once the lights were up.</div>
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I tried to lure him away from Techman's lighting mission with a <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012/12/christmas-countdown-dec-22.html">snow star project</a> for a tree in the front yard. It kept him engaged for about four minutes, and between us we have two stars to show for it.</div>
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Today's books are both new to me: "Christmas in Noisy Village" by Astrid Lindgren, which is lovely. Highlights several Swedish holiday traditions.</div>
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And "How Santa Claus Had a Long and Difficult Journey Delivering His Presents," by Fernando Krahn. This is a funny story with no words about how Santa gets ditched by his reindeer and has to find alternate ways to get his sleigh flying. A happy ending, and cute pictures that made Starboy laugh out loud.</div>
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bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-54345393434402719392013-12-12T22:45:00.002-08:002013-12-20T17:34:44.601-08:00Christmas countdown 12 — cinnamon star ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSEK9O8VIh2u8whNE-NPdoLN0yWhydxhLs-Ur5ZtRMTW5ZTpRmuUQVdAnCh28e73aFqtzk7s6iVnQyOui7gxRHa4tIdM0qqYgj4lswSS486XQQuua5klviV0GSjv9QOtIbA44nV9GPms/s320/cinnstars+4.jpg" style="color: #0000ee;" width="320" /></div>
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This holiday favorite comes courtesy of <a href="http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2009/12/03/cinnamon-applesauce-ornaments/">5 Orange Potatoes</a>. We've made them before, but I can't link it because Blogger's search function is kaput. Pressing onward.</div>
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The dough is equal parts cinnamon and applesauce, with a little white glue as a binder. You can leave them out several days to dry, or put them in a low-temp oven for about 90 minutes. We made extras to hand out to the senior citizens at the rec center tomorrow, when we go to sing Christmas carols with Starboy's school. The kids at school made some, too.<br />
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I could go blind with the nighttime lighting in my house. Photography fail.</div>
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Starboy enjoyed this one: quick and easy.</div>
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A simple bead and bakery string, et voila — gifting goodness. We had at least 40 stars, so he needed an assist with the beading and tying.</div>
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And hey, the book even matches today, sort of. I'd rather have made the white stars, but let's not let Perfect be the enemy of Good. "The Silver Christmas Tree," by Pat Hutchins.<br />
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-80639416302300892842013-12-12T22:28:00.003-08:002013-12-12T22:45:58.088-08:00Christmas countdown 10 + 11 - Santa mouse and painted ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a craft I remember fondly from the third grade—I remember being delighted to make something so cute. We had pink ultrasuede for our tails then, fancy! Starboy and I just used felt.<br />
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He wanted his a one-eyed mouse. He's starting to enter that "humor" phase. Next stop: knock-knock jokes.<br />
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We were shopping recently in Crate and Barrel, and Starboy saw these wonderful little laser-cut house and church ornaments. They were beautiful and simple, and he insisted that they were unfinished and needed to be painted. We made a deal that he could keep one if he gave the other two as gifts.<br />
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He just used liquid water colors (I limited the palette), and they turned out beautifully. In the next scene, he was playing with all three houses in the <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2013/08/rainbow-rice.html">rice bin</a>. I explained the deal we'd made to Techman, and he said flatly: "You got scammed."<br />
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Wednesday's book could have been Santa Mouse, but instead we read Ann Purnell's "Maple Syrup Season," which isn't even a Christmas book, and had <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012/03/pumpkin-pancakes-with-shhh-spinach.html">pancakes with syrup</a> for breakfast, which I forgot to photograph, although it was such an utter miracle that Starboy was eating spinach that I didn't want to disrupt the balance, either. We also read "Five Little Foxes and the Snow," about a Gramma who won't let the kids go out and play because it's too cold, but then she gives them mittens for Christmas and they have a ball in the snow. Cute story.<br />
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-7555196078677679812013-12-10T00:04:00.002-08:002013-12-10T00:04:17.253-08:00Christmas countdown 9 - Santa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrX5YrA2t11NeUFWgXFjBPn8N6OuXutr23Gllzl33jZrRM1WFtYG85Vl3tQ_9B4rEJGyO-9XS63xP9LNk_j9pFifMNfBfCHQD-TB1JK_1jFYA9yzXF_sWVAoYceIkF4_6u5DtPqaPhI7E/s1600/santa+4.jpg" style="color: #0000ee;" /></div>
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Today was the day. Starboy previously had said that he was just going to say hello to Santa, and not tell him what he wanted. This made me a little nervous. A test?</div>
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He gave Santa a wood reindeer ornament, with his name written backwards. He explained: "It's backwards because it's <i>on the back</i>." Santa totally didn't get it. Techman and I both think it's <i>hilarious</i>. I said, "Just hold it up to the light and it will read right." (Which of course was just funny, because the ornament is wood.)</div>
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Santa didn't get that either. He probably thinks our family is crazy.</div>
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Especially since I snuck in and asked him to explain to Starboy that he couldn't bring a pet meerkat on Christmas, because a meerkat wouldn't be happy without all of his friends, and anyway he needs to live in a burrow and we don't have one. I overheard Santa chiding, "You can't have a meerkat as a <u>pet</u>! It's a <i>wild animal</i>! It will <i>bite you</i>! You don't want that!" </div>
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Jesus. Starboy laughed and said, "Not a <i>pet</i> meerkat. A pet wouldn't bite you!" And they proceeded to have an argument about it for a few minutes.</div>
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It's a good thing I have a few things set aside for Starboy's stocking this year, because it should cover up those lumps of coal Santa might be slipping in there.</div>
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In spite of all of this, and in spite of the fact that some kids at the festival on Saturday told Starboy that the Santa there "wasn't the real Santa," (Really?!? I'd hoped for one more year.) he still wanted to write a letter, and post it in his private box.</div>
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And then we had macarons. Because it's Los Angeles, and we <i>can</i>.</div>
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"Santa's Snow Cat" would have been a good choice, but since we'd already read it, I chose "One Snowy Night" by M. Christina Butler because it's a cute story, it's short, and I was running late on bedtime.</div>
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I guess this year isn't going to be organized after all.</div>
<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-41683548677205621502013-12-08T23:33:00.001-08:002013-12-08T23:36:50.667-08:00Christmas countdown 8 - candles and gift-giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's advent surprise: A new holiday mug, filled with honey lemon "tea." With a car on it!</div>
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Since you can't see it in the photo, here's a closeup from Crate and Barrel.</div>
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We haven't seen <a href="http://aplacetocreate.net/">Miss Molly</a> in a while, since the classes seem to conflict with school and swim schedules. We decided to bring her Christmas gift early: A snowman placemat / napkin set, with some bird napkins and an outlier Halloween napkin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00dyYoX8Ivda5YIEPiQtFiiy0pHQQL3exlC8lutPD8NHLzR8xbWwcJ5v0spruuYBe96AofrKS02IZysQDK0Ga8pa8fizzUZ40McM2-oJKISiJs1NY2k0BV5Gq1tHtRqIlJVG-Sl1Eh6o/s1600/advent+8+candles+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00dyYoX8Ivda5YIEPiQtFiiy0pHQQL3exlC8lutPD8NHLzR8xbWwcJ5v0spruuYBe96AofrKS02IZysQDK0Ga8pa8fizzUZ40McM2-oJKISiJs1NY2k0BV5Gq1tHtRqIlJVG-Sl1Eh6o/s1600/advent+8+candles+2.jpg" /></a></div>
Starboy didn't want the gift to be a "surprise," So we just tied a ribbon around the set, and added one of his hand painted ornaments. She loved it!<br />
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Molly had two crafts at her Sunday workshop — winter light! Starboy loves hand rolling beeswax candles.<br />
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And he had great fun creating this tea light out of glitter pipe cleaners and air dry clay.</div>
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Today's story: "On Christmas Eve," by Margaret Wise Brown. It's about four kids who sneak out of bed in the middle of the night to see whether they got any loot, and they are rewarded with hearing Christmas carolers outside. A lovely story. But I hope Starboy doesn't get any big ideas about sneaking out of bed and roaming the house in the middle of the night.</div>
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-17651547373904615932013-12-07T23:59:00.000-08:002013-12-08T23:33:20.139-08:00Christmas countdown 7 — school winter faire!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Well first, I just realize that if this is a "countdown," we probably should be counting from 24 to one, not going up from one to 24. Ah, well.<br />
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Anyway, for two months, our school community has been feverishly crafting and plotting creative adventures for our first fundraising faire. In spite of the fairly overwhelming process—I recommend <i>longer than</i> two months to dream up and execute something like this, if at all possible—no blood was shed (although there were a few tears: Rain! RAIN!) and the day was simply wonderful.<br />
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I chose the bake sale, out of fear of becoming fully immersed if I worked on the "store" crew, which is what I really wanted to do. At first volunteerism was low for the bake sale, but in the end a lot of families rallied, and probably a third of them participated. Faire-goers bought all day, and we didn't have much left at the end.<br />
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The kids helped make pipe cleaner chains for our winter wonderland.</div>
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Our decorations chairperson was AMAZING — so many lovely, simple, gorgeous ideas, like these snow scenes.</div>
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The shop had lovely, lovely handmade items. I adore these stockings, but can't bear to hang stockings that I haven't made, so I'm hoping the knitter will share the pattern!</div>
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Another family's dad (Grandpa) made these beautiful flapping seagulls. Wonderful!<br />
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I didn't get any photos of Starboy enjoying himself, since I was at the bakesale table. Mommy fail: I should have taken a break. He crafted two snow globes and spent many tickets vying for trinkets at the Stocking Surprise booth (feel for what's in the stocking and see what prize you get).<br />
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It was a great, but exhausting day. I spent 11 hours at the school, and I was there until 10pm the night before. But we raised a lot of funds and it was worth it!<br />
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Today's book was "Christmas Tree Farm," by David Budbill. It would have been more appropriate to read on the day we get our tree, but, I don't have this all planned out and anyway it's a short term loan from the library and we only could keep it for a week.<br />
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<a href="http://www.davidbudbill.com/133/christmas-tree-farm"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh508QVn1rkt2ojOETT8sd_udEYQj5xenXaV3v_Z9kHwz4y94-Z9d_yOUiIgZ-SBzpoL9jAgw64s-ccfKj1Db2xEyXIgZDe5gb48TFnZJX2pxEVngCjijs_st5IPKK-T73QN4UCFxGp5UQ/s320/christmas+tree+farm.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
It's a nice, straightforward story of how Christmas trees are grown for sale, with really great illustrations.<br />
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bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-58507366108048365612013-12-07T06:37:00.000-08:002013-12-08T23:33:56.848-08:00Christmas Countdown - 6 - candy cane beading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15VSoaLsLe35Ev1aUT28vKBNx3k7CPlVt8y50mCFlUShwiX928K0hvYjvS_h6jba1vhTJieFjYeCDWEGUNVVfXy6DQCaIkM71WLKibMDDnI_LrB58kUIBtP0gdrJUfkzRA7IYlMmoHsM/s1600/candycaneornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15VSoaLsLe35Ev1aUT28vKBNx3k7CPlVt8y50mCFlUShwiX928K0hvYjvS_h6jba1vhTJieFjYeCDWEGUNVVfXy6DQCaIkM71WLKibMDDnI_LrB58kUIBtP0gdrJUfkzRA7IYlMmoHsM/s320/candycaneornament.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A holiday classic—beaded candycane ornaments. Don't mind that Valentine's heart. We were listening to a Valentine's story and Starboy said he wanted a heart-shaped tote. I had to look up the directions for these Scandinavian hearts we made in my fifth grade class, but they are just as beautiful 35 years later.<br />
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No book today. Starboy spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa while I helped set up for our Winter Festival at school, and they built a tile patio for the dollhouse as well as playing with Lego trucks. We'll have to double up another day this month.bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-64211291105929961442013-12-06T23:58:00.000-08:002013-12-20T17:34:39.425-08:00Christmas Countdown 5 - ice skating!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMGTdux_5zc1Byk9wBbHsk7bxfkDZx7ElGISg8hKdnjzlF3zSfFCK-3TN8rZLnY1yD3KTSXTO8rNMebq4LNnZ-49wKCwHqgm-s1RdNT4PGyvbQ3AVSRRzwMTypsphZTnX3nFdZ665yZ4/s1600/ice+skating+5+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMGTdux_5zc1Byk9wBbHsk7bxfkDZx7ElGISg8hKdnjzlF3zSfFCK-3TN8rZLnY1yD3KTSXTO8rNMebq4LNnZ-49wKCwHqgm-s1RdNT4PGyvbQ3AVSRRzwMTypsphZTnX3nFdZ665yZ4/s1600/ice+skating+5+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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Starboy opened today's paper advent calendar door and found ice skates. He knows <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/">Martin and Sylvia</a> enjoy ice skating (are you beginning to see a theme?), and he gave me a confident "Yes" when I asked him if he'd like to try it. There's a rink in Santa Monica and one in Pershing Square downtown. We headed downtown straight from school because it's closer.</div>
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It turns out they have appointed times you can skate, so we had to wait for the next session. Rye chose gorp at the cafe, so he could pick out the M&Ms and not eat any of the rest of it.<br />
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For an extra $5 (on top of the $8 fee, the $2 skate rental, and $7 parking) you can get a granny walker for the littles. It's genius. Starboy didn't want to give it up. But his skating improved about two hundred percent or more in the hour we were there, from cartoonish slippery feet to actually standing and gliding (while being pushed). It was so awesome.</div>
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I have a great pair of leather skates. At home in the basement. Ah, well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYJykYtlQ94NspkucfXy9s0QYvGVsKm4yKtdiXgzhyphenhyphendRxrbjhEQ2M2f64_waGZzjP6gP12f3hQBFlPHwtfvLwNRCGXYkjJ1L6kt4AJRbD_3tY_blfKEWkGHTEEcozeOwlkDyucuulV9c/s1600/ice+skating+5+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYJykYtlQ94NspkucfXy9s0QYvGVsKm4yKtdiXgzhyphenhyphendRxrbjhEQ2M2f64_waGZzjP6gP12f3hQBFlPHwtfvLwNRCGXYkjJ1L6kt4AJRbD_3tY_blfKEWkGHTEEcozeOwlkDyucuulV9c/s320/ice+skating+5+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's not quite the same as Rockefeller Center, but it is pretty when the lights come up at night. And we both had a ball, even though Starboy was soaking wet and freezing in the end.<br />
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Today's book was <a href="http://snowflakebentley.com/">Snowflake Bentley</a> by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, a wonderful story about the pioneer snowflake photographer. Only Google this if you have a half hour or more; the photos are addictive.</div>
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-61537822891063478622013-12-06T23:54:00.000-08:002013-12-20T17:34:39.422-08:00Christmas countdown 3 - jingle bell necklaces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXH5MEY8X7l_m4mXNL_8ZjLEvtgauh-x9r1AgxlYmF_HVreMK19q6gQwl1mrqLSxZE9tqR62AXL03lJkE7VTaI-xh-ZqkpsYsVT8RnnLQz8VzIkRTTUZaziDPbLs5LIhv9LMe4SmioPk/s1600/bell+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXH5MEY8X7l_m4mXNL_8ZjLEvtgauh-x9r1AgxlYmF_HVreMK19q6gQwl1mrqLSxZE9tqR62AXL03lJkE7VTaI-xh-ZqkpsYsVT8RnnLQz8VzIkRTTUZaziDPbLs5LIhv9LMe4SmioPk/s320/bell+necklace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I grabbed some bells to make necklaces to sell at our school's winter festival, and Starboy was thrilled to help out. I cut holly leaves out of felt and put a little slit in them, then added a few red beads we had on hand. The ribbon and bells were on sale at Jo-Ann. We made 27 of them (three bells came without a ringer! No wonder they were on sale!).<br />
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Today's book came from school: "Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear!" by Don and Audrey Wood. The mouse wants to protect all his Christmas loot from the bear, but then realizes that a big ol' scary bear might be lonely and needing a little Christmas, so he decides to share his gifts.</div>
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-40446295732688271262013-12-06T23:52:00.000-08:002013-12-08T23:34:37.388-08:00Christmas countdown 4 - labyrinth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUfsS1igX-03DEGjNrrG7GqVRcz0DP8Fre5t_pKMHUT0oQ-2NKQFZfXToEsNMn5JKsTK9urTd09sMFWAAkqLVuF0M3WB0kgmEJ01ijW2YkgPQTIWzc0qoyfLIPVqwkkuug-4_qd7EkkY/s1600/labyrinth+4+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUfsS1igX-03DEGjNrrG7GqVRcz0DP8Fre5t_pKMHUT0oQ-2NKQFZfXToEsNMn5JKsTK9urTd09sMFWAAkqLVuF0M3WB0kgmEJ01ijW2YkgPQTIWzc0qoyfLIPVqwkkuug-4_qd7EkkY/s320/labyrinth+4+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starboy has been delighted to hear about how Martin, of Martin and Sylvia, took over the family job of building the advent spiral out of rocks and tree branches and small candles. The story is lovely, of determination, pride in working hard to complete a job, growing up. It's from last year's <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/brand/subscription/martinsylvia">Christmastime Audio Book</a> at SparkleStories.com.</div>
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Unfortunately, our yard is too small for a decent spiral — at least this year...maybe next year I can figure it out while his feet are still small—So when I discovered that there's <a href="http://www.peacelabyrinth.org/labyrinth.php">a proper Chartes labyrinth right here in LA</a> I knew Starboy needed to try it. (And it was <i>free</i>!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQdX7V40eWz7mf6jzp34evCJNsiZl1olD0_5ZCdmp-o24SnUrk-T0ONxcsEelr-JWLYyk3iXg3VdY7-t7eMRgWKCI_Vib2lNYjluHXWuyN5D40WOHNYYOQ4O_dvipudTdqMqMPrCVELU/s1600/labyrinth+4+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQdX7V40eWz7mf6jzp34evCJNsiZl1olD0_5ZCdmp-o24SnUrk-T0ONxcsEelr-JWLYyk3iXg3VdY7-t7eMRgWKCI_Vib2lNYjluHXWuyN5D40WOHNYYOQ4O_dvipudTdqMqMPrCVELU/s320/labyrinth+4+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I found out later that the center of the labyrinth is a place of transition. "<a href="http://www.newlifepcusa.org/pages/lab_how.html">You can go to the empty center and get something you feel you do not yet have, or you can leave something in the center that you no longer need.</a>" I don't know that I did either of those things, though Starboy may have. I encouraged him to walk slowly and quietly, and later I learned that running and dancing is just fine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjlsFTQrsfUvMciAPFecFPUpg_2MmVXInFFysywXtnQDDTy1T3zfLI45RTX41TVd5NaZsLK1R4Yi0rnghN_IF7EBecVNofiP9aPy9m8cieNcSR_1zHM7HGvL9UPa4t62Yz8ZEAl4a41I/s1600/labyrinth+4+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjlsFTQrsfUvMciAPFecFPUpg_2MmVXInFFysywXtnQDDTy1T3zfLI45RTX41TVd5NaZsLK1R4Yi0rnghN_IF7EBecVNofiP9aPy9m8cieNcSR_1zHM7HGvL9UPa4t62Yz8ZEAl4a41I/s320/labyrinth+4+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.peacelabyrinth.org/labyrinth.php">Peace Awareness Labyrinth</a> also has some stunning gardens, in a very tiny space. Starboy enjoyed the koi and searched for a place to leave a gift for the fairies there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenIaEdj4-Sb5WMUyRgBKr9KoL0FXj1lU-MnT6EcaXj-T5T0VinogOjy0WZzItpRa5JDE2JExiLTtvUqfWnKTPJCbAAv3HMBnjQ7YdBLksSmIK10pyG8djftNj5X0tN0DhbSPyQGSJngk/s1600/labyrinth+4+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenIaEdj4-Sb5WMUyRgBKr9KoL0FXj1lU-MnT6EcaXj-T5T0VinogOjy0WZzItpRa5JDE2JExiLTtvUqfWnKTPJCbAAv3HMBnjQ7YdBLksSmIK10pyG8djftNj5X0tN0DhbSPyQGSJngk/s320/labyrinth+4+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In the Martin and Sylvia stories, the characters often go out into nature and in a quiet moment, they discover unexpected things, like a fawn and a doe munching grass, for example. I was surprised to look down in this lush, manicured garden and discover a single four-leaf clover in an unusual spot. I don't think I've seen one in 35 years. I remembered that day, and I did not need to be reminded how lucky I am to be surrounded by an incredible husband, an amazing son, a warm and beautiful house, friends locally, from long ago, <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/">and online</a>, and so much more.<br />
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What a lovely moment of magic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzWtzAlmYYiQE2UcTU07LUYgVqUxwc4A_I2FBEMOu_JQPNNYQxQR2o13m4mzYR3dAmL9aWdl7nSnXsPdOGor9yx7gvl8uEOzl9P_DyJJ62ozewOoWCJndqoCoYBAj6swrpU3JOZ3W3BY/s1600/labyrinth+4+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzWtzAlmYYiQE2UcTU07LUYgVqUxwc4A_I2FBEMOu_JQPNNYQxQR2o13m4mzYR3dAmL9aWdl7nSnXsPdOGor9yx7gvl8uEOzl9P_DyJJ62ozewOoWCJndqoCoYBAj6swrpU3JOZ3W3BY/s1600/labyrinth+4+9.jpg" /></a></div>
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Starboy said this was a fairy church, because there was no place to sit and settle, as there would be in a proper fairy house. He would not leave his fairy gift here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcgIQRBC7ND3us1eaPlhXiaGt8h-6IJHXLRgV1uE-Sk5vwTOBLxN9br3flNo2latbbdeNHfIHhbWrzDu23Q3WBAhyphenhyphendP5mnInQMAme3g_KdblU4mP4PngknC_HlIf2ExMFeey6xmnXdqs/s1600/labyrinth+4+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcgIQRBC7ND3us1eaPlhXiaGt8h-6IJHXLRgV1uE-Sk5vwTOBLxN9br3flNo2latbbdeNHfIHhbWrzDu23Q3WBAhyphenhyphendP5mnInQMAme3g_KdblU4mP4PngknC_HlIf2ExMFeey6xmnXdqs/s320/labyrinth+4+11.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The gardens were filled with fountains, cascading waters, dappled sunlight, rich hues.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMsyr6QBajMKbhL0pcfAxG875YSa75PSuz3XCa3zzKWPVH8rBDoAwvD4F3m_7kaqFESOaYQvFjc2p3cbaKNid8wS2VwCA7ZexB2vPGF3h7XhPEoikjpZO0dUaKFpryZOc6RggQnGoFUE/s1600/labyrinth+4+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMsyr6QBajMKbhL0pcfAxG875YSa75PSuz3XCa3zzKWPVH8rBDoAwvD4F3m_7kaqFESOaYQvFjc2p3cbaKNid8wS2VwCA7ZexB2vPGF3h7XhPEoikjpZO0dUaKFpryZOc6RggQnGoFUE/s320/labyrinth+4+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Starboy finally left his gift for the fairies up near a reflecting pool. He said he'd seen some up there, and they were more likely to be attracted by the blue tile than the gardens below. I disagreed, but he was quite adamant. We did both think the fairies would enjoy the acorn he gave to them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QU4VvrJuPCdC9KfQ-Xj4ucRqp68qG2iRdVRlfgOdZyy6oEGNdvV5P7EB2j4RuJDTypnpMYdPaLtdvJkUD5qu6Z7GwrrDO3-nbkwSAes_GHbr9E0xsQqYFTndCEVCJcdM8weI1l64n8c/s1600/labyrinth+4+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QU4VvrJuPCdC9KfQ-Xj4ucRqp68qG2iRdVRlfgOdZyy6oEGNdvV5P7EB2j4RuJDTypnpMYdPaLtdvJkUD5qu6Z7GwrrDO3-nbkwSAes_GHbr9E0xsQqYFTndCEVCJcdM8weI1l64n8c/s320/labyrinth+4+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been making labyrinths at home to share with Starboy and the kids at school. Starboy was drawn to these right away.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHBKlJWRBsxq7XB31nLfw9vMuiace2yWDsBkyWwxBWPvilUokMYTO4d3xpXXBz3a0-2W3VWr1sz56Hr5t7IJUfZhzIe62izoHRIbwF3_sb9wD87E6v7HrEJ1l78A6BnKEeaUW4lJQUOo/s1600/labyrinth+4+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHBKlJWRBsxq7XB31nLfw9vMuiace2yWDsBkyWwxBWPvilUokMYTO4d3xpXXBz3a0-2W3VWr1sz56Hr5t7IJUfZhzIe62izoHRIbwF3_sb9wD87E6v7HrEJ1l78A6BnKEeaUW4lJQUOo/s320/labyrinth+4+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This are for tracing with a finger, as a cheap and insufficient version of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoldenLightCeramics?ref=l2-shopheader-name">these</a>. I used air-dry clay and the lid of a giant nut jar. I think it looks terrible, and recommend the Etsy ones. But it will be fun for the preschoolers to trace.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUTRx63z3o46WSwHvZiqdn8kAz5QxtwCLN2-RKESJfj3oCUpTEAAp36niGM4iS-IOTRnVmh4ZjowOBHkozZWokhurp_q_y0n2jal8DKJ2p24YAUpZMeBlluQUGmvnswsIlrC0_x97IZo/s1600/labyrinth+4+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUTRx63z3o46WSwHvZiqdn8kAz5QxtwCLN2-RKESJfj3oCUpTEAAp36niGM4iS-IOTRnVmh4ZjowOBHkozZWokhurp_q_y0n2jal8DKJ2p24YAUpZMeBlluQUGmvnswsIlrC0_x97IZo/s320/labyrinth+4+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also made some cretan labyrinths using felt and puffy fabric paint, following some great directions from a web page I now can't find.</div>
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Today's completely unrelated book: "Mim's Christmas Jam," by Andrea and Brian Pinkney. A well-illustrated story about a hard-working Daddy coming home for Christmas, slightly edited for preschooler language (bad words like "mean" and "evil").<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPqUdIFjvI-QO6dYBb6nysswJem76rA5ZReCD6CEStW7kfHWvoxUNYf-MW1-vnLjRSkTpo5jscYiB1CjKgbQ9Z23BDxpwKtE-jj4ThjP-PFiNL2OLc0-BrCaPsyIrmBj1Y2ZrV6OGuSw/s1600/mimchristmasjam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPqUdIFjvI-QO6dYBb6nysswJem76rA5ZReCD6CEStW7kfHWvoxUNYf-MW1-vnLjRSkTpo5jscYiB1CjKgbQ9Z23BDxpwKtE-jj4ThjP-PFiNL2OLc0-BrCaPsyIrmBj1Y2ZrV6OGuSw/s320/mimchristmasjam.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-84307671917759905392013-12-06T23:48:00.003-08:002013-12-20T17:34:39.440-08:00Christmas countdown 2 - winter lunch napkins<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJgHtM0vjGgxVi-IS-8W67TSUPktUD9sSY967bJjMYrW_AHjjW1EwF3txBKBW8HEnLpYqOrfd_PRe66erm0l3G1nO26ziSqDdX5EPgp4CuqP6CdGJ4KpyYCBbSZp_GrXNZ_rHTvFknKs/s1600/napkins+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJgHtM0vjGgxVi-IS-8W67TSUPktUD9sSY967bJjMYrW_AHjjW1EwF3txBKBW8HEnLpYqOrfd_PRe66erm0l3G1nO26ziSqDdX5EPgp4CuqP6CdGJ4KpyYCBbSZp_GrXNZ_rHTvFknKs/s320/napkins+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today's advent surprise: Snowman placemat and napkins in the lunch box!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5dlG8m1pspnr5mnEPMdn4RgOC3hG416-8vD1XzdZ6gjoj9YFcD3Lt5-brE8bi75VdTvq39rpc5BCBzj6QZYG2zCBcZQIul3_IsmKuOlbVXcLgCMqqA7lBZetQAMl_VahroKQ1ZFC08E/s1600/napkins+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5dlG8m1pspnr5mnEPMdn4RgOC3hG416-8vD1XzdZ6gjoj9YFcD3Lt5-brE8bi75VdTvq39rpc5BCBzj6QZYG2zCBcZQIul3_IsmKuOlbVXcLgCMqqA7lBZetQAMl_VahroKQ1ZFC08E/s1600/napkins+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xJZThf_9y-2xYM8MNVow-QKPOZ7bp8NHs1W153D1pGlRT8Ofh_8XTn7T8ldyz0OWzZBhAhH3xNX4vczIb4qThPP_nZT4V-SZiigpyIpxQxv8cvYLnPYFAOQei2X1OTE7YiG4vUIq1TQ/s1600/santasnowcat.mortimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xJZThf_9y-2xYM8MNVow-QKPOZ7bp8NHs1W153D1pGlRT8Ofh_8XTn7T8ldyz0OWzZBhAhH3xNX4vczIb4qThPP_nZT4V-SZiigpyIpxQxv8cvYLnPYFAOQei2X1OTE7YiG4vUIq1TQ/s1600/santasnowcat.mortimer.jpg" /></a></div>
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The book was Santa's Snow Cat.</div>
<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-68124819824380965302013-12-06T23:38:00.000-08:002013-12-07T01:41:08.048-08:00Christmas countdown 1 - Christmas parade and hot chocolate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiinwUBayIldbDsPtemT1I_S29BfdoBjddjZ6qJ9qzodm2cSg4wF3lphBXMbMTDPRYIcVW6HQkzAZ7bW19bXMmc_LmzcHOR3BI_XSAn30nGjsiOe6lt1CMC7nnu-Fry4wFUHAcPBn5lW4/s1600/christmas+parade+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiinwUBayIldbDsPtemT1I_S29BfdoBjddjZ6qJ9qzodm2cSg4wF3lphBXMbMTDPRYIcVW6HQkzAZ7bW19bXMmc_LmzcHOR3BI_XSAn30nGjsiOe6lt1CMC7nnu-Fry4wFUHAcPBn5lW4/s320/christmas+parade+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Somehow Starboy knew that today's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/eeBoo-ACBEAR-Dancing-Advent-Calendar/dp/B009DLBGNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386314955&sr=8-1&keywords=eeboo+advent+bear">advent calendar</a> picture was going to be hot chocolate. Either he remembered from last year, or he peeked, since the doors won't stay shut any more.<br />
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So we had to bring some to the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Which turned out to be a dicey proposition—they advertised a 5:00pm start, so even though this was pushing the 6:30 bedtime window, I wanted to give it a shot. But it didn't even start until 6:30! The late night didn't set us up well for the week, but it still was a fun parade with a local, Hollywood flair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92WvIS-fz3XAckmgF693rtfFkmCbJ1nCHbz_6CAXSBeQRrrRt1Rjrm3ZkBDU33ToICbeSACbI8oNmHQdzQxdePnXV5T4GwITB7up5tgsT6EiSFLERKQ3yNKY1hPCnC6jhRVB1_OxTWyI/s1600/christmas+parade+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92WvIS-fz3XAckmgF693rtfFkmCbJ1nCHbz_6CAXSBeQRrrRt1Rjrm3ZkBDU33ToICbeSACbI8oNmHQdzQxdePnXV5T4GwITB7up5tgsT6EiSFLERKQ3yNKY1hPCnC6jhRVB1_OxTWyI/s320/christmas+parade+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starboy thought the vintage fire engines were fun, but loud. He also enjoyed the display of movie cars (Back to the Future 1 & 2, Ghostbusters, Herbie the Love Bug and more), even though he has no idea what any of those are.</div>
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There were lots of actors, the author of Elf on the Shelf (I know—really), and the grand marshall was astronaut Buzz Aldrin! Starboy was excited to see a real astronaut, but the photo didn't turn out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmSkmP5LOGVBl09uENuEhv5Mrhd2FXL1ICehzm-_xkuAqSk-sd2S0Oui285zRKLB4gjHAcMC8murZbJ4nLljzhTtiCpKqtUTwOhAACjSEHj7SpGWmatv_JrUAsQ_6KA8NNR51XHs8-4w/s1600/christmas+parade+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmSkmP5LOGVBl09uENuEhv5Mrhd2FXL1ICehzm-_xkuAqSk-sd2S0Oui285zRKLB4gjHAcMC8murZbJ4nLljzhTtiCpKqtUTwOhAACjSEHj7SpGWmatv_JrUAsQ_6KA8NNR51XHs8-4w/s320/christmas+parade+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tap dancing Christmas trees.</span></div>
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We watched from the front of the Cineramadome, which was an additional Hollywood flair. They were selling their trademark caramel corn, but I resisted!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBPhWW378WBpdiIn38feYvEetTFHxfB_5zhl7pzjR-w4ay_dCgSpRnhMHqf0g_Th20F2Nb4qs10P_ghhylyCxjELcCALUoC5ThVkxwocq3n9QsvLrkqIx96VYcb4S2wRouDEtc2-WopM/s1600/porcupine+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBPhWW378WBpdiIn38feYvEetTFHxfB_5zhl7pzjR-w4ay_dCgSpRnhMHqf0g_Th20F2Nb4qs10P_ghhylyCxjELcCALUoC5ThVkxwocq3n9QsvLrkqIx96VYcb4S2wRouDEtc2-WopM/s1600/porcupine+book.jpg" /></a></div>
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Today's book: "A Porcupine in a Pine Tree," by Helaine Becker and Werner Zimmerman. A Canadian version of the 12 days of Christmas. Very cute. Though completely lost on our SoCal boy.</div>
<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-86602472759958113512013-12-06T23:15:00.000-08:002013-12-07T01:40:58.323-08:00Christmas Countdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_A-RROCkxM6xcyLe3hyphenhyphenaZU68_4tqxJf6MjaH2oI9Hw-2OjWv1TWVtYstEDlHY1MMDX_3Khp9MX8F3aazrLhQqVQtT3PSq87z4XS5nyWURWn-kVmq4yl9bEXJgl0HCvZfpuBV5uKwROA/s1600/martinsylviaadvent.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_A-RROCkxM6xcyLe3hyphenhyphenaZU68_4tqxJf6MjaH2oI9Hw-2OjWv1TWVtYstEDlHY1MMDX_3Khp9MX8F3aazrLhQqVQtT3PSq87z4XS5nyWURWn-kVmq4yl9bEXJgl0HCvZfpuBV5uKwROA/s1600/martinsylviaadvent.png" /></a></div>
I can't believe it's almost Christmas again.<br />
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I swore that I would be prepared for the Christmas Countdown project this year — pairing books with activities, prepping everything in advance....but as you've probably noticed by the intense sound of crickets chirping the last few months in this space, it's been a little crazy in Co-op Preschoolland. So here I am again, at the last minute, making my list.<br />
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Hey, my five-minute career in teaching has prepared me well for this.<br />
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<a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012_12_01_archive.html">Last year</a>, we had a lot of fun exploring new activities and enjoying time together. Now that Starboy is older, a world of potential overstimulation has opened up! There's lots of stuff to do, and since it's such a short season this year, every cool event is scheduled on December 14th. I'm only exaggerating a little.<br />
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Starboy is excited to see what's behind the doors of his advent calendar, and to hear the wonderful <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/">Martin and Sylvia Sparkle Stories</a> in the <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/blog/2013/11/21/new-the-martin-sylvia-audio-advent-calendar/">new advent calendar</a> audio stories as their family enjoys the season. Highly recommend.<br />
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I'm really looking forward to some fun crafting and baking. Check out tags "advent" or "Christmas," to gather together what I've come up with. Or try clicking <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2013_12_01_archive.html">here</a> for the December 2013 archive (and <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012_12_01_archive.html">here</a> for December 2012).<br />
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And with any luck I'll get the Christmas card out before February. That in itself would be an improvement over last year.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/eeBoo-ACBEAR-Dancing-Advent-Calendar/dp/B009DLBGNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386405036&sr=8-1&keywords=eeboo+advent+bear"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVV12yF5EphB70pD5w7U1aqR72Zxc-fKp06D77NqA05rLLAqKG3NAyBdYT7lL9qrupsGIEH5ewAzqM1IrEAP54r7qtCEP0MsgT5qGL9xIwBudQ9SFQ5QuK0M41LjJE3MSh_919tHUC_g/s320/eeboo.advent.bears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-48708295751928129232013-08-27T21:44:00.000-07:002013-08-27T21:44:00.615-07:00Fairy Fail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="430" id="irc_mi" src="http://s2.justapinchassets.com/images/recipe/1/4/5/3/7/2/i.1.Ks6I-QxJHWa4HziRA3u1UfXqQt1oHc1iUQDLeNiV-s4..jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="430" /></div>
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My neighbor sent me an email with a "magical" project: Fairies in a Jar!</div>
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The photo, despite being clearly PhotoShopped, leads you to believe that you can create sheer magic in your own home, just by cutting up a glow stick and shaking it into a jar with glitter.</div>
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So I do. Did you know that glow sticks have little glass tubes inside? That's what makes the clicky sound when you break them. So I cut the glow stick, then had to figure out what to do with this thin glass tube of liquid. I ended up breaking it up with some pliers and leaving the pieces inside. And I dumped in some glitter, two kinds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKnPyDcorhyphenhyphenXVe5yxUrihiBqK8yCf6-YUx0BegomnfZ-Oiw0Zp3-j3F0qhoSHvYP1IaY_OM4crvD5Li3DKqkb7XASFlC99APIOJNhxkH7-8x3TEtpalU_JzIoYYjGo6U0g1WlVBgA6Wg/s1600/fairiesinajar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKnPyDcorhyphenhyphenXVe5yxUrihiBqK8yCf6-YUx0BegomnfZ-Oiw0Zp3-j3F0qhoSHvYP1IaY_OM4crvD5Li3DKqkb7XASFlC99APIOJNhxkH7-8x3TEtpalU_JzIoYYjGo6U0g1WlVBgA6Wg/s320/fairiesinajar+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let the magic—uhhm.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZi1aRbiUP96JcALrKFtQnUGbrplvYNryNiTybZl2XWpNRcp3xqXDdw3-MYYJyV-2F6Ocqb4Y8MVPvz3Qp280YlyKmVLSzoGepWDWP1h8B-w1CecgdZl-3DM65xmrhjz9rG7w-WGxO3A/s1600/fairiesinajar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZi1aRbiUP96JcALrKFtQnUGbrplvYNryNiTybZl2XWpNRcp3xqXDdw3-MYYJyV-2F6Ocqb4Y8MVPvz3Qp280YlyKmVLSzoGepWDWP1h8B-w1CecgdZl-3DM65xmrhjz9rG7w-WGxO3A/s320/fairiesinajar+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...be-glop? The jar glowed....but there was no sparkling effect. You couldn't see the glitter.<br />
Techman walked into the kitchen and was momentarily impressed because he thought I had made a DIY glowstick with household chemicals.<br />
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Hey, I have super powers.<br />
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I shook the jar around. I looked at it in the dark. Techman said, "You know what that is?"<br />
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"That's <i>creamed fairies</i>."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZuiDrgA5XrjAwNhaPm5iqaKwnic5Mo6hTT5fE-S2fI1nt8-d2iIm5YTzlZhBO0_C5_iDxwUZVNqLsXWW55Sck0yQNww5i1BPPQC_yt0TzKgDk1IQVix4YYouwotc0UqZM8VGYRKp4Ss/s1600/fairiesinajar+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZuiDrgA5XrjAwNhaPm5iqaKwnic5Mo6hTT5fE-S2fI1nt8-d2iIm5YTzlZhBO0_C5_iDxwUZVNqLsXWW55Sck0yQNww5i1BPPQC_yt0TzKgDk1IQVix4YYouwotc0UqZM8VGYRKp4Ss/s320/fairiesinajar+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Maybe it needs water, like a snow globe? Bad idea. It killed the glow, and all the glow goo globbed together (say <i>that</i> 10 times fast) and floated on top. It went dark within a couple of minutes.<br />
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So, if you want to make a jarful of creamed fairies, give it a shot. Might be great in a friendly haunted house at Halloween!bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-48223922856749564572013-08-25T14:50:00.000-07:002013-08-25T17:01:23.163-07:00Rainbow Rice *<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz6o4fM1dsvXfmE3EOjKd7JjA9dl4K1kFSQlhBl8oK6TKF07xlkrn2hyKCVzYVhgEoOyR77hiCr5iIslAHdvbFrnCP3PlHyZZax6i5zjuVGbVm-p90dU-SijRhF-KgFPG7V92ikJlDZA/s1600/colored+rice+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz6o4fM1dsvXfmE3EOjKd7JjA9dl4K1kFSQlhBl8oK6TKF07xlkrn2hyKCVzYVhgEoOyR77hiCr5iIslAHdvbFrnCP3PlHyZZax6i5zjuVGbVm-p90dU-SijRhF-KgFPG7V92ikJlDZA/s320/colored+rice+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
While window-shopping a teacher catalog, Starboy spied some "rainbow rice" that he said he wanted for his rice box (indoor tabletop sandbox—highly recommend). I was sure we could make it easily. And not pay shipping.<br />
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguDp5lW4tLlipG0-sNQJhuZy_3mTqxcN8nVbSFPs9UwOaKRY98yqUaezc82w5ShbNflgTejln-e8BErlBqlgD8U8iDqCjiFoMrD1UOEnKe_1YvDQhz60lmVONzi3y0NUSxhwnnOgTloI/s320/colored+rice+4.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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I started out with our natural food coloring, and noticed that the colors were rich, but not vibrant, as you can see from this first batch of earth tones. Then, I ran out of yellow. So I added powdered turmeric to the yellow and orange, hoping to affect the color. Which it did—but the turmeric also instantly turned my hands yellow. Sensory overload.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY69tCMySExy9fHlCF3S5rylGgZs3DdNjaACv8hSIjRE2Z-0pnd6IfRLlzhx6t9poxC9PQLMmmi68ZPV2wfchZts_cdxLnKUNXfTdKeYo6UEF4Q7gPYuPN0ey2c60Du00KGdUDUkhC6mE/s1600/colored+rice+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY69tCMySExy9fHlCF3S5rylGgZs3DdNjaACv8hSIjRE2Z-0pnd6IfRLlzhx6t9poxC9PQLMmmi68ZPV2wfchZts_cdxLnKUNXfTdKeYo6UEF4Q7gPYuPN0ey2c60Du00KGdUDUkhC6mE/s320/colored+rice+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, since I used apple-scented hand gel to set the color, the whole thing smells <i>horrible</i>. Fake-apple-foreign-spice-factory <i>bad</i>. Sensory <i>fail</i>.</div>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY-Oh7Vw-pKuaQplSlvdqxRQBoNhMGK6W06YHWX61OSdMRPjoUqos-EcSJmpMR-H3czlwR_bzIGFXPaNeQi5n2jYJDHYSGTFCeUwWHFIVVOgLIopGhA7TWuRhPWAvZp0GTe8xOhqR09A/s320/colored+rice+6.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Somehow, since the last time I Googled, the techniques on rice-dying have improved. I wish I'd checked this out before I started. It turns out you can set the color (and shorten drying time) with either a tablespoon of plain rubbing alcohol, or white vinegar. So I bagged up the sad, sorry, smelly all-natural rice and started over. (I'm hoping our preschool can use it for something. I think the powdered turmeric precludes it from successful <a href="http://www.eggjuicewithpepperoni.com/2012/12/christmas-countdown-dec-13.html">I-spy jars</a>.)</div>
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For take two, I used liquid water color paint and rubbing alcohol. A much greater success! Bright colors! No surprise smells! No tactile aversion strategies! And I also had yellow!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF802srgKpVMyufkhoBqDXkQ1DiE250GqYQyDiCdpzTwHRMoslD8AaKmfcau2c7I6rmJCZTBgV4EuTC3lM6kpeW6FdIRbG9PPfDG1x2PsOiJp2IDI_3bNQOQynwfYwPwOxKCqQ0gu7uk/s1600/colored+rice+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF802srgKpVMyufkhoBqDXkQ1DiE250GqYQyDiCdpzTwHRMoslD8AaKmfcau2c7I6rmJCZTBgV4EuTC3lM6kpeW6FdIRbG9PPfDG1x2PsOiJp2IDI_3bNQOQynwfYwPwOxKCqQ0gu7uk/s320/colored+rice+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starboy was champing at the bit to play. I'm not so excited that the colors look like Easter confetti, but whatever. I guess not everything can be brown and green. I like to keep his environment more simple, with solid colors, so he can concentrate, so this is bold new territory. Ha.</div>
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* Then shortly after I originally posted this, he informed me that his plastic hamster and plastic mouse did not like the new rice. That he asked for. That I stayed up late making last night.</div>
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Too many colors.</div>
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"They want plain blue, so they can be in water."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyKLEAFh_WRPT7aRN1YaBy6MX6OMzHkwd5wtbchfhJ52VM8FE21fq6koGu1BpEepHiLAUfQHBVRjyISkIJ5tx27TXWVhvYdZGzkjbuYx0iBZU-WKGXuiKdpr7NHmM4Dftnt4RHzGeg_c/s1600/colored+rice+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyKLEAFh_WRPT7aRN1YaBy6MX6OMzHkwd5wtbchfhJ52VM8FE21fq6koGu1BpEepHiLAUfQHBVRjyISkIJ5tx27TXWVhvYdZGzkjbuYx0iBZU-WKGXuiKdpr7NHmM4Dftnt4RHzGeg_c/s320/colored+rice+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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* He happily dug right in, initially, but it didn't engage him like the original rice box did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ22dq4IPS7hXFOdIoAud7YLEZAVR6oU4-LYGZ2OvSMIG0eUposJOwxDd9B2YXaJ7qqfqWlT5Wt240BfT6CvCqaW_ypnVzqMWDYKoglAxR7RZERJgkgW6eke8v_LLpW2HBAP5Jw7zk_MU/s1600/colored+rice+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ22dq4IPS7hXFOdIoAud7YLEZAVR6oU4-LYGZ2OvSMIG0eUposJOwxDd9B2YXaJ7qqfqWlT5Wt240BfT6CvCqaW_ypnVzqMWDYKoglAxR7RZERJgkgW6eke8v_LLpW2HBAP5Jw7zk_MU/s320/colored+rice+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's Muriel Mouse's own little Disneyland. But I guess she gets overstimulated there, like everyone else!</div>
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<b>Recipe for colored rice</b></div>
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<i>as gleaned from many mommy sites on the Internet</i></div>
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1-2 cups rice (per color)</div>
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1 Tbsp rubbing alcohol / white vinegar</div>
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2 good squirts of liquid water color</div>
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Mix all ingredients together in a sealed zipper bag or a cheap plastic container that can be stained (you never know). Repeat as needed if you want more than one color.</div>
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Spread wet, colored rice onto a tray that is covered with a paper towel, until dry (I like the $2 <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40041131/">Smula tray from Ikea</a> for art projects; we have a stack of them). This may happen quickly, but I let ours dry overnight. </div>
bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5487507317691003293.post-90050865648705847522013-08-21T08:29:00.000-07:002013-08-21T08:29:00.235-07:00Chalk art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOgIAEn21XZqG3bc9uCv8AQyTJ9PtGQUFtFs6joWJ7zBcSjQ1V0qvPa0h7cajAW5RFqVge6mpBRYVA4TWjtY8KbOZd87t886cAkVXy9qSnITOf7Nkf0IJ_htdVjepNQ5jF5CgGSGy8gg/s432/chalk+painting+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOgIAEn21XZqG3bc9uCv8AQyTJ9PtGQUFtFs6joWJ7zBcSjQ1V0qvPa0h7cajAW5RFqVge6mpBRYVA4TWjtY8KbOZd87t886cAkVXy9qSnITOf7Nkf0IJ_htdVjepNQ5jF5CgGSGy8gg/s320/chalk+painting+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After visiting a wonderful chalk festival, Starboy wanted to try his own art at home. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_wi4K96aY5IlfmzzyrC9XRQPhVQoPz0umv-FfRo7V6gdI4VUkwrHmo5MIq8MPVxbKijo9I6S7O4UAgMrpeLOBjQ4LdQplkvjZv8PCXZ7b2bLdTdZJ8hAETgj8Z7oI7-Nt-tRQJXFK8g/s288/chalk+painting+5.jpg" /></div>
We were intrigued by chalk you could paint with. We made our own by mixing equal parts cornstarch and water, and adding food coloring.<br />
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqznn2bVUF6Ji8EyLuVjUTaxh50U-RIGomFQxOf8hUmf4dBENTY5RBUpOrRJ39Je5sctO32akBA2G8UmWolY-XoFfLD6FrzcI8SPDxP3btEQhsWDg_Al2vwlH6LZoxOfBsiGbDSAnojzk/s320/chalk+painting+2.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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The artists used a whole range of colors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHxSvSVERHlgHlv-tUcSGjeNhyGqQjU_ySoH6zlhkDx_Arf5mEJrPLFVcCglfIqEvRIuQHT6FSiQJ7JydFRguTRZRlddt6xBJbz543kxPwq_s8_JDa4cJELSoaN3Be1x7Uwml1ZsoDrY/s432/chalk+painting+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHxSvSVERHlgHlv-tUcSGjeNhyGqQjU_ySoH6zlhkDx_Arf5mEJrPLFVcCglfIqEvRIuQHT6FSiQJ7JydFRguTRZRlddt6xBJbz543kxPwq_s8_JDa4cJELSoaN3Be1x7Uwml1ZsoDrY/s320/chalk+painting+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starboy's color range was more limited. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA-Pn7X8Vk6HB___dtQ_2AplPF3dumcUEWNbT9kZOec4WpmfIt1K6xUrXxEOuC4jZh5HeHY4ns5Q61ufXBo3Xbfy6SbYWhExQEgWHzdQMzxBPxYjwRcbpt96KNXwR0W93U1JJ2LU7BBs/s432/chalk+painting+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA-Pn7X8Vk6HB___dtQ_2AplPF3dumcUEWNbT9kZOec4WpmfIt1K6xUrXxEOuC4jZh5HeHY4ns5Q61ufXBo3Xbfy6SbYWhExQEgWHzdQMzxBPxYjwRcbpt96KNXwR0W93U1JJ2LU7BBs/s320/chalk+painting+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The color faded quickly and was very light. But the quality of the medium was really interesting to work with.<br />
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<br />bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621629584468531177noreply@blogger.com0