tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53853576469983316652024-03-13T12:35:41.718-05:00Our Quiet PlaceBerryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-77937806756809274302015-06-24T16:09:00.002-05:002015-06-24T18:28:05.719-05:00Beach School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Though in most places school is out for the summer, we will continue on through most of the summer with lessons four days per week, interspersed with trips to the beach, hiking in the canyon, and discovering new parks. I am beginning night shifts this week, so our new challenge will be finding shady places for Curtis and the kids to conduct their lessons outdoors so that I can sleep in the morning...and probably in the afternoon as well. We will be embracing the idea of afternoon siestas for everyone as the days get hotter!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Noah has just finished a four week math block that included an introduction to Roman numerals and number qualities, a review of addition and subtraction and introduction to multiplication and division. Though many Waldorf curriculums use math gnomes for early math, we decided on the characters and stories suggested in the Live Education curriculum, as that is what we are using next year. Curtis did an amazing job crafting stories and making these characters and their interactions come alive for Noah (and Isaac, as he is always close by, participating in lessons as well). Small stones are used as manipulatives for solving problems involving multiplying and then dividing bread loaves between families, sorting sheep, and the many other problems encountered by Mul de Plier, Prince Divide, Addy the Baker, and Minus Miner.</span></div>
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The final week of the math block lead up to the Summer Solstice. This is the first time our family has observed the solstice. Throughout the week, we talked about the sun and the longest day. We read <a href="http://thewonderofchildhood.com/2011/06/the-return-of-the-sun-king/" target="_blank">The Return of the Sun King</a> and modeled suns from beeswax. The boys were up early on the Solstice making a special Father's Day card. We feasted on pancakes and spent the day relaxing together, also harvesting rosemary and lavender from the garden to dry for a later project. In the evening, the boys prepared a feast of honey, raisins, millet, and almond for our garden fairy and served it all on seashell dishes and a table cloth knit by Noah. She ate everything, of course!</div>
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As we move on to our next blocks, we will continue to incorporate math into all lesson days though circle time games, jump rope counting, and the secret message math problems Grandpa sends Noah. This past week, we started a ocean and tide pool block to learn more about our new environment. The Native American stories <i>Salmon Boy</i> and <i>Octopus and Raven </i>from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keepers-Animals-American-Wildlife-Activities/dp/1555913865/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">Keepers of the Animals</a> </i>were an excellent introduction to the ocean and tides. In the evening we visited the magical and whimsical Victoria Beach, talked about all the gifts we get from the sea, and then sat quietly to think about our favorite gift from the ocean.</div>
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This nature sit was supposed to be just five minutes. Noah became restless and declared himself done after just two minutes, while Isaac surprisingly continued to sit quietly for the full time. After their sit, they used oil pastels to draw their favorite gift on a rock as a thank you to the ocean; a fish from Isaac, a starfish from Noah, a purple squiggle from Arwen.<br />
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The next day, we took school to the beach at Little Corona Del Mar. As the backbone of our tide pool unit, we are reading <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pagoo-Holling-C/dp/0395539641" target="_blank">Pagoo</a> </i>by Holling C. Holling, a detailed story of life in a tide pool told through the eyes of a newborn hermit crab. I have also started choosing stories for Isaac to get him (and us) used to incorporating his lessons into our daily rhythm, as he will officially begin Kindergarten in the Fall. Isaac's stories for our ocean block are <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Beach-Tail-Karen-Williams/dp/1590787129" target="_blank">A Beach Tale</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/See-Ocean-Estelle-Condra/dp/0977814300/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435169817&sr=1-1&keywords=see+the+ocean" target="_blank">See the Ocean</a>. </i>Our beachside classroom...<br />
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Recently, thousands of tuna crabs washed ashore and died on our <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/20/california-red-tuna-crabs/29036215/" target="_blank">local beaches</a>. Their remains offered an intimate look at the crustacean exoskeleton described in our story. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">After reading about little Pagoo's struggle to molt, we went on an exploration of the tide pools in search of live hermit crabs and found hundreds, as well as snails, crabs, little fish, and urchins. </span></div>
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Arwen's favorite discovery was that the water in the tide pools is much warmer than the big ocean waves. This natural sandy bottomed pool kept her busy for an hour jumping and splashing while the boys built a sandcastle with Dad. She is ever so slowly becoming friends with the ocean and loves to walk barefoot along the beach holding tightly to my finger, staying just far enough up the shore that the waves only occasionally reach her feet.</div>
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We are looking forward to a summer filled with more lessons in nature, sandy feet, afternoon siestas, and lazy backyard dinners of fresh local veggies and fruits.Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-64840070924828097572015-06-02T17:05:00.003-05:002015-06-02T20:06:21.477-05:00Discoveries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is a quick, picture heavy post to catch up on a fraction our latest activities, since the sun is shining, there is a lovely breeze blowing in from the backyard where I can hear the kids playing, and where I would rather be. Soon it will be time for our afternoon siesta because we are attending a full moon drumming circle on the beach tonight.</div>
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Mother's Day beach sunset. We saw a family of dolphins swimming just off shore. Nobody got knocked down by a wave. Perfection.</div>
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Noah finished up a three week fairytale block with two new Grimm's fairytales each week. During language arts blocks, he listens to the story told orally on day one, and then draws a picture to go with it. The next day, he retells the story and does another related activity. For the story of <a href="http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm142.html" target="_blank">Simeli Mountain</a>, everyone worked together to build the mountain in our 'mud box' then filled it with 'treasure' found in the yard.</div>
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Weekly hikes with Nature Kindergarten continue to be a highlight of the week. Arwen's little legs carry her a bit farther each time, and everyone returns home blissfully tired. Arwen loves to balance walk on anything that resembles a balance beam, and found a perfect spot to practice in our backyard.</div>
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As we continue to explore new parks, we are discovering some little gems, like this good old-fashioned FAST slide.<br />
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We are also discovering lots of different creatures living in our yard; snails and lizards and unfamiliar species of birds.</div>
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One of our favorite finds is just down the road in a grassy ravine behind a park. We were running behind one school morning, and I was very tempted to skip our morning walk and just get on with 'school'. But knowing the importance of sticking to our rhythm, we went walking anyway. While taking a back way to the neighborhood park, I spotted a board up in a tree. Lo and behold, it was a rope swing! Seeing a five year old experience a rope swing for the first time and hearing a thirty-something man holler as he swung across the ravine made my heart smile. Discovering this simple pleasure taught me a perfect lesson about slowing down and enjoying the rhythm of the day. You never know what magical things you may discover if you take the time to be in the present.</div>
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<br />Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-39266312020572807642015-05-03T14:51:00.000-05:002015-05-03T20:30:13.650-05:00Welcoming Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we continue to settle into our new home, our school days are beginning to fall into a simple rhythm. After breakfast, the boys and I take a little walk or go to a nearby park for a short time before coming home to do circle time as a family. Sometimes Arwen is still asleep and sometimes she joins us. After circle time, our main lesson starts with a little recorder practice. Our lessons this week were about Spring! On Sunday, we made a trip to a garden store and came home with some little helpers for our yard. We also planted some basil, lemon balm, mint, and a couple tomato plants.</div>
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On our morning walks, Noah and Isaac became fascinated with the ropy-polies (pill bugs) wandering around on the sidewalks. We checked out a book from the library and learned that they are not really insects at all, but tiny crustaceans, related to crabs and lobsters. We see them on our morning walks because though they are nocturnal, they seek out the moisture from lawn sprinklers in the mornings. Noah read how to make a home for them in a jar, and now we have some pets. They seem to find the nasturtiums that are growing in our backyard quite tasty (as does our little forager, Isaac).</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">On Monday, we read </span><i style="text-align: left;">Spring Prayer</i><span style="text-align: left;"> by Ralph Waldo Emerson, talked about spring, and did some wet on wet watercolor painting. Isaac has not officially started school yet, but he wants to do everything big brother is doing. Isaac's 'school' books for the week were <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mud-Mary-Lyn-Ray/dp/0152024611/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1430693272&sr=8-3&keywords=mud" target="_blank">Mud</a></i> by Mary Lyn Ray and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Carrot-Seed-Board-Book/dp/0694004928" target="_blank">The Carrot Seed</a></i> by Ruth Krauss. Painting is one of his favorite activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">Spring Prayer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">For flowers that bloom about our feet;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">For song of bird, and hum of bee;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">F</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">or all things fair we hear or see,</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">Father in heaven, we thank Thee!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">For blue of stream and blue of sky;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">For pleasant shade of branches high;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">For fragrant air and cooling breeze;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">For beauty of the blooming trees,</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;">Father in heaven, we thank Thee!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because Noah has had two years of Spanish Immersion school, we are continuing to incorporate Spanish into our daily lessons. His writing work for the week was a Spanish translation of Spring Prayer. He also had his first block crayon drawing lesson from Dad.</span></span></div>
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On Wednesday, Nature Kindergarten met at Little Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach. Curtis and I visited this beach when we checked out the area and it is still a favorite. It is an excellent place for walking the shore and peaking in all the tide pools for sea urchins, hermit crabs, sea snails, fish and brittle stars.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Arwen got over her grand dislike of sand, sitting for hours endlessly scooping and dumping sand. She even helped the boys dig their big hole.</span></div>
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Later in the week, we read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Rainbow-Tulip-Pat-Mora/dp/0142500097" target="_blank">The Rainbow Tulip</a> by Pat Mora, a lovely introduction to May Faire that also happens to contain some Spanish. The boys made May baskets and delivered them to our new neighbors on May Day. To wrap up our week and celebrate Arwen's very special golden birthday, we attended a May Faire celebration at a local Waldorf school. Arwen loved the flowers, music, and the delicious food!</div>
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Just as we are getting our school rhythm settled, things are going to be shaken up again as I start work this week. I am thankful that it will only be orientation for a couple weeks before I start with my night shifts. That is when things will get very interesting indeed.Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-88011483167507733602015-04-23T19:42:00.001-05:002015-04-24T13:40:00.581-05:00Hiking to the Top of the WorldA week after moving into our new home in Southern California, we were honored to join a new group of friends at Santiago Oaks Regional Park for Nature Kindergarten. During circle time, us newcomers learned what to do if we encounter rattlesnakes or mountain lions. Then, in honor of Earth Day, we hiked "to the top of the world", stopping along the way to let the children explore and to learn about the various plants on the trail; which to avoid (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxicodendron_diversilobum" target="_blank">poison oak</a>!) and which are edible. We sampled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_plant" target="_blank">wild mustard</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malva" target="_blank">malva</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matricaria_discoidea" target="_blank">pineapple weed</a> (wild chamomile), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhus_integrifolia" target="_blank">lemonade berry</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca" target="_blank">yucca</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schinus_molle" target="_blank">pepper berry</a>.<br />
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After eating our lunch on the top of the mountain, our leader showed the children how to use stones to make paintbrushes from the leaf of a yucca plant.</div>
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Arwen was able to walk much of the trail. She found going down a bit easier, especially with her brothers helping her through some bumpy patches.</div>
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After story and tea time, Arwen enjoyed playing 'horse' on a log bench, while the children learned to bore out the middle of elderberry branch segments to make beads.</div>
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Noah loves his elderberry branch necklace and could not wait to get home and use his yucca paintbrush to paint a picture of the mountain.</div>
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We are looking forward to many more learning adventures in our new home!
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Cheers!Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-7934782513544494152013-07-08T09:46:00.000-05:002013-07-08T09:49:51.371-05:00Food, Not LawnWe live in a neighborhood full of perfectly manicured, bright green lawns. Ours is not one of them. We choose to use an organic fertilizer that our children and dog can safely play on. And last summer, during a long dry spell, we did not sprinkle gallons and gallons of water on our lawn to keep it green. As a result, we have a spotty, kind-of-green lawn. At the end of last summer, we tore up all the lawn on the south side of our house (what was left of it anyway). We had a stepping stone path and log walk installed, tilled in compost, and let it rest. I am sure our neighbors spent last fall and this spring wondering what on earth we were going to do with that great big expanse of mud. At first, it was going to be a perennial flower bed, but the more I got to thinking about it, the more I wanted that space to be both beautiful and useful. I spent the winter months planning and starting seeds. Finally, after rain, rain, and more rain, we started to shape that big expanse of mud into our new vegetable garden. It was slow going, thanks to me being very pregnant, and then having a newborn to care for, but it is finally filling in!<br />
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This first year is one big experiment, discovering what will do well in this area that gets full sun and a lot of wind. From left to right above (all heirloom varieties): bush beans, onions, the boys checking out the tomatoes, pole beans on teepee, sweet corn, acorn squash, pumpkins, and the beginnings of a small cottage garden along the house (sunflowers, hollyhock, bachelor's buttons, zinnias, and poppies). Not pictured, behind me are kale and broccoli (not doing so well), and to the left, more pumpkins.<br />
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The boys love to go out and check on their 'Green, Green Garden,' the title of one of their current favorite books. "Every day we weed, water, and wait. We weed, water, and wait some more."<br />
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In our raised gardens in the back of the house are our greens, peas, herbs, carrots, cucumbers and more broccoli. That garden has been producing enough greens for my morning smoothie, a giant lunch salad, herbs and greens for dinner, and snacks for pea sneaking boys.</div>
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<i>Dill 'fireworks'</i><br />
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I can't wait to see the growth over the next couple of months, and will be back to share the progress!Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-36268840686620152192013-07-02T15:05:00.002-05:002013-07-02T15:10:13.285-05:00Finding My GrooveIt has been some time since I shared my latest project. I lost my knitting mojo about two-thirds of the way through my pregnancy when the little lady threatened to come early, causing me all sorts of discomfort that was only relieved by laying on my side. It is hard to do much of anything while laying on your side, much less knit or sew. So I spent a good amount of time resting, focusing on taking care of myself and the growing babe. I guess you could say that she was my 'work in progress.'<br />
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And all the rest/work paid off because she hung in there until two weeks before her due date. Here she is, the newest member of our family, making her Quiet Place debut, two month old Arwen Skye. She is a sweet little lady, and we feel blessed to have her in our family.<br />
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Over the past couple weeks I have been slowing getting my groove back, balancing taking care of a newborn, the boys and the house. I have even started a new knitting project, inspired by my daily green breakfast smoothie, which allows me to blend together tons of nutritional goodness that I can then sip while nursing Arwen or doing other tasks. Trouble is, grasping a quart-sized mason jar full of ice cold smoothie makes my hands equally cold. Babies don't appreciate cold hands, nor do they appreciate having a cold jar bumped on their little legs while they are trying to have their own breakfast! So, instead of a tea-cozy, I am knitting a mason jar cozy. Very slowly. One round at a time. Sometimes, a whopping two rounds at a time!<br />
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However long this project takes, it just feels good to be knitting again.Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-3111333445877842662013-06-24T15:07:00.003-05:002013-06-26T11:46:57.153-05:00Dessert <span style="text-align: left;">Last night after dinner, the boys were requesting dessert. Instead, we offered a trip to a nearby park. They had a blast running and chasing each other on the trails. The light was beautiful; the perfect end to the first official weekend of summer. On the way home, Isaac quietly stated, "That was good dessert." Yes. Yes, it was.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxsXDW497v0G2bFRWf779tDDyfqmXkPzvDPtHaGp0Y7TXLDg_OQ6nYTeQ9XMI7-O0Cu8OPcBIRPhPAs_pxkHm1cDcvsclkxUkrGi5EWzcnV0MwKYzMXQaTefRDwCJqRI4gkQJXd10r-k/s1600/23+3+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxsXDW497v0G2bFRWf779tDDyfqmXkPzvDPtHaGp0Y7TXLDg_OQ6nYTeQ9XMI7-O0Cu8OPcBIRPhPAs_pxkHm1cDcvsclkxUkrGi5EWzcnV0MwKYzMXQaTefRDwCJqRI4gkQJXd10r-k/s1600/23+3+web.jpg" /></a><br />
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Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-32366740108947866492013-01-28T16:05:00.000-06:002013-01-28T16:05:10.450-06:00Grandpa's FlannelMy Dad...words cannot describe how I miss him. Like the flannel shirts he often wore, he was strong and dependable, but soft at the same time. It makes my heart ache to think of how our baby girl will never be held in his big gentle hands, or snuggle on his flannel-shirted chest, smelling faintly of sawdust and Irish Spring soap. This project idea came to me belatedly, after all Dad's shirts had found new homes among family and friends. However, my sister graciously gave me some that she had taken when I told her about my wish to wrap this baby up in a little bit of his essence, so that she might know him in that way. Thoughts of my Dad filled my mind with each stitch I made while creating this snuggle sized blanket. I will never look at it without remembering him and feeling that his spirit is here with us still.<br />
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<br />Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-47027515454409055562013-01-18T09:56:00.000-06:002013-01-18T09:59:52.787-06:00Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One evening last week, Noah commented at the dinner table that he had a wiggly tooth. "No way," I thought. He has to be mistaken. But upon further inspection, it was indeed a bit wiggly. The dinner conversation moved to the Tooth Fairy and what would happen when the tooth fell out, things we had never talked about before, because frankly, I thought we were at least a year away from him losing his first tooth. A few mornings later, at the breakfast table this time, that wiggly tooth was becoming a bother. I offered to pull it out for him and went to get a piece of cloth to grasp it with, but before I could return he pulled it out, all on his own without a bit of fuss. </div>
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As a planner and crafter, I was also unprepared. Had I seen this coming, I probably would have made a little tooth pillow. Instead, we found a special little seashell container to keep it safe and put under his pillow.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This milestone kind of blindsided me, and in many ways affected me more than his first day of school, or his fifth birthday. </span><span style="text-align: left;">The loss of that first tooth is somehow a more concrete sign that he is really growing up, even more so than going to school, or his ever increasing height (how are those pants we got him a couple weeks already too short?!). In Waldorf education, the change of teeth is one sign that the first stages of body building are complete and the energy that was put into growing can now be directed at learning, and specifically, learning to read. This boy is ready. And I am getting there.</span><br />
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<br />Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-88018755622607039262013-01-15T11:19:00.000-06:002013-01-16T10:29:07.429-06:00Crafting On Firsts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some exciting news for our growing family, presented by Noah (with captions by me)...</div>
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It is a GIRL! Noah calls her "Our Baby", which I love. Not "Mommy's baby" or "Mommy and Daddy's baby" but <i>OUR baby</i>. And so there is girly crafting going on in this house for the first time, and lots of it. I actually made this little sweater before we found out the gender, but when paired with a simple little dress it instantly became <i>hers</i>.</div>
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In addition to the sweater, I have been cranking out wool diaper covers in cream and lilac hues. While I am not a fan of a lot of pink, I do love vintage looking floral prints. Thanks to my Mom (and newly appointed 'sewing assistant' aka seam ripper) visiting this past week, I had time to sew these sweet little peasant blouses and many burp cloths. When she wasn't helping me decipher sewing patterns, she spent countless hours reading with the boys, playing with playdough, and 'shopping' in their store, allowing me to make a small dent in my sewing list. Sewing is not my forte, as evidenced by the fact that I cut the fabric for these blouses the wrong way. You would think I would have noticed all those birds falling off their branches! At least it will look correct to me when I am cradling her in my left arm. Lesson learned...</div>
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I am short on words this morning, and currently being beckoned by a certain boy to come inspect his knight's castle. Happy crafting!</div>
Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-10564536966899341722013-01-02T11:24:00.000-06:002013-01-02T13:01:34.200-06:00Something New TodayOh, these Photo-A-Day projects! They seem like such a great idea, and really they are. In the past, committing to taking a photo a day has forced me to look for subjects I would not otherwise photograph. I love that. But the fact is that, like many new resolutions, I don't stick with it. Life gets busy and I forget. But what is more important than capturing those day to day moments in the life a child with a photograph? So here we are again at the beginning of the year, and I am going to try this again. I do better with some kind of prompt for inspiration, so I will try (really hard!) to follow the prompts of <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a>, unless I am really not feeling it and then I will make up my own :) I am already a day behind, of course, so a few pictures cover both Day 1 and Day 2.<br />
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Today, the boys, wearing their new capes and crowns (and elephant pajamas), are knights fighting dragons with wooden spoons and pot lids, having a secret rendezvous in their castle with their doggies.</div>
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Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-80162532494499017222012-12-11T16:17:00.000-06:002012-12-11T17:06:32.282-06:00Keeping BusyWhew! We are coming off of a busy and festive weekend. On Saturday, we went to see Santa. Noah ran toward him this year instead of away, while Isaac preferred to wave from a good healthy distance. We also got our Christmas Tree and put up lights outside right before the first snow of the season rolled through. Sunday morning, we awoke to a winter wonderland. It was the perfect weather for a little outing to meet some real reindeer. Isaac thought tromping through slush and snow to meet these guys was great fun...Noah, not so much. I'm not sure how much memory Isaac has of last winter, but it was like he was experiencing snow for the first time, "I like this!" he kept saying, while meanwhile, Noah was grumbling, "I want to leave."<br />
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On the way home from our snowy adventure, we stopped at a craft store where Noah picked out some yarn for a new 'non-itchy' hat, and Curtis picked out buttons for a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/berrymama/pepo-pie" target="_blank">little waistcoat</a> for Isaac that has been awaiting this finishing touch for some time now. I picked up the yarn for this little vest in a yarn shop on a little side street in Sienna, Italy because the color reminded me of Isaac's eyes. I was worried I wouldn't have enough yarn if I included both pockets (and could not exactly go back for another skein!), so there is only one, but it is just the right size to stash a favorite little toy to keep it away from a big brother.<br />
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Last week on our nature walk, Isaac found a lonely cob of corn in a corn field, brought it home, and carefully plucked every last kernel off the cob, placing them in a little container in his kitchen. These kernels have been the favorite plaything of the week at our house. They have been food for his doggy (and probably the real dog as well), eyes and nose for a play dough snowman, and most recently, a shaker (when placed inside an empty oatmeal drum or honey container). "I love my corn, Mommy."</div>
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Finally, I have been trying to get motivated to finish a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/berrymama/135-31-tristan---hat-in-textured-pattern-in-karisma-superwash" target="_blank">new hat</a>, requested by Curtis, so that I can move on to Noah's hat before the flurry of baby knitting that I am anticipating after we find out in January if we will be welcoming another boy or a girl come May.<br />
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And last, but not least, I have been channeling my Dad's woodworking spirit, drawing out plans, making a little sawdust, and wishing he was here to answer my questions. Stay tuned for more on this joint family project...<br />
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<br />Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-50233631248479799652012-12-06T11:13:00.000-06:002012-12-06T11:16:04.745-06:00Five<span style="text-align: left;">This very special boy turned FIVE yesterday. His Golden birthday. Daddy went to school with him and helped him read his favorite book to his class. It was a rousing rendition of </span><i style="text-align: left;">Little Red Riding Hood, </i><span style="text-align: left;">acted out with wooden figures. The parts of Mother, Little Red, and Grandmother were played by Noah, with Daddy as the Woodcutter (who happens to sound an awfully lot like Arnold Schwarzenegger with a Chinese accent). Last evening, </span><span style="text-align: left;">after a dinner of homemade pizza and chocolate raspberry cake and several rounds of </span><i style="text-align: left;">Happy Birthday!</i><span style="text-align: left;">, Noah declared it to be "the best birthday party ever."</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5U2i7zBHtUphth6sw6YPTpsD6AW0PxBJYQEFMTX8fuK_6kb_-bDMsAjKLd9vOXrIs_bhS9k9HZcWUdSXc6TP__ls8OPfqFbQO5Q39zyrwrqH1e7uY2UzJX8n3hbWuDBCCMCxzdVlGV6U/s1600/5+Birthday+Boy+web+larger+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5U2i7zBHtUphth6sw6YPTpsD6AW0PxBJYQEFMTX8fuK_6kb_-bDMsAjKLd9vOXrIs_bhS9k9HZcWUdSXc6TP__ls8OPfqFbQO5Q39zyrwrqH1e7uY2UzJX8n3hbWuDBCCMCxzdVlGV6U/s1600/5+Birthday+Boy+web+larger+blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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As Noah's birthday is followed immediately by St. Nicholas Day, we have in the past forgotten to even put out our shoes. St. Nicholas was very good to us though, and always came anyway, filling our shoes with chocolates, nuts, and clementines. This year, thanks to our Advent calendar with planned activities for each day leading up to Christmas, we not only remembered to put our shoes out, but also read some stories about the origin of St. Nicholas. It is important to us that the boys' understand the true meaning of our Christmas traditions, and their patience with longer and complex stories at such a young age amazes me.</div>
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We will be sharing more of our daily Advent activities as the month goes on.</div>
Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-90133591711815601732012-12-04T21:22:00.004-06:002012-12-04T21:35:27.756-06:00Finding Our RhythmHere I am again after a yet another blogging hiatus. This fall brought with it some highs (Noah started school and we will be welcoming another baby in May!), lows (losing my wonderfully inspiring and brave Dad to cancer), and some new challenges (starting a <a href="http://www.jenberrymanphotography.com/" target="_blank">photography business</a>). Somewhere in the midst of all that, I feel like we lost our daily and weekly rhythm. But something about moving into the second trimester of pregnancy (no more all-day sickness!), this time of year, and new beginnings has me inspired to renew our routines and establish a new rhythm.<br />
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The biggest challenge to our daily rhythm has come about due to Noah attending school in the afternoon, necessitating an early lunchtime for him before school, a second lunchtime for Isaac and me, and snack time and a much needed late-afternoon nap for both kids (and occasionally, me). We have slowly adjusted to this new rhythm and it is finally starting to feel comfortable.<br />
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Noah's afternoon school has given Isaac and me some time just to ourselves. Today we went for what I hope will become a weekly nature walk, exploring a nearby trail on an unusually warm (52 degrees in WI!) day.<br />
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This December, the creek is still green and flowing, the leaves are still crunching underfoot, and sticks are still magical to a two year old boy.Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-23798817373997609762012-07-17T11:39:00.001-05:002012-07-17T11:41:19.708-05:00My AddictionI have a knitting addiction, though the hot summer weather always makes me a little less motivated to sit and knit. This is my current work in progress, a simple cable patterned <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/white-pine" target="_blank">cardigan</a> in a golden-mustard color.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7591186928/" title="July 17 Addiction by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="July 17 Addiction" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7591186928_cced49f3ca_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Photo A Day challenge, inspired by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-55109130351524889552012-07-15T14:16:00.000-05:002012-07-15T14:51:32.037-05:00Golden HourLast evening, we loaded up the whole family and went to Curtis' work campus to give Ella a swimming lesson in the man-made pond. I was not really planning on all of us getting our feet (and more) wet, but it was really hard to resist such perfect temperature water on a warm and beautiful summer evening.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7575434676/" title="Pond by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Pond" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7575434676_dd318b5345_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7577056918/" title="Toe Dipping by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Toe Dipping" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7577056918_77146127c7_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7576956038/" title="Dipping toes by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Dipping toes" height="731" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7576956038_6832966bf3_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7575372572/" title="Pond by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Pond" height="731" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7575372572_0883c9447c_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Noah liked dipping his toes from his own private rock and Ella turned out to be a pretty good swimmer. However, Noah got a 'wet dog shake' shower and a case of the giggles when Ella joined him on his rock.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7575412046/" title="Pond by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Pond" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7575412046_9c3e381c7d_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-88068564841385266382012-07-11T07:00:00.000-05:002012-07-11T07:00:15.329-05:00Dandelions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;">“If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn.” - Andrew Mason</span><div>
<br />Just what is it about dandelions that draw us to them? I have to admit, they are a pretty whimsical 'weed'. While at the park last evening, the boys found some dandelions just begging to be blown. Before long they were running around blowing them as fast as they could. Frankly, I was afraid one or both of them was going to pass out.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7547588906/" title="10 Blowing Dandelions 1_edited-2 by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="10 Blowing Dandelions 1_edited-2" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7547588906_5085d6b051_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
Noah seems to have become an expert dandelion blower. However, watching Isaac blow dandelions is like watching him blow out birthday candles. He huffs, and he puffs, and...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7547565980/" title="Blowing Dandelions by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Blowing Dandelions" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7547565980_af9e3be311_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7547576618/" title="10 Blowing Dandelions 4_edited-2 by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="10 Blowing Dandelions 4_edited-2" height="731" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7547576618_3251a90b5a_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Nothing happens. Except lots of spittle flying through the air. But he is persistent and eventually...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7547582298/" title="Blowing Dandelions by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Blowing Dandelions" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7547582298_ceff07c956_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7547571484/" title="10 Blowing Dandelions 5_edited-1 by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="10 Blowing Dandelions 5_edited-1" height="731" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7547571484_2d112d9c86_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Success! He was so proud of himself.<br />
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I am sure the park service would be glad to know that we have done our part to ensure that next year's dandelion crop will be a good one.</div>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-18020341630576973202012-07-10T15:10:00.000-05:002012-07-10T15:17:36.258-05:00Favorite Color<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7544239712/" title="July 10 Favorite Color by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="July 10 Favorite Color" height="731" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8023/7544239712_9517da92e4_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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Blue. Which is a good thing when you have two boys, whose favorite color also happens to be blue.<br />
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As a side note, I have found that when trying to take photos of Isaac (and probably toddlers in general) it is much better to just snap away while he does his own thing than it is to try to pose him in any way whatsoever. For example, my vision of this picture was very boring (trying to get him to gaze straight into the camera), resulting in this:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7545121564/" title="Look at me by Quiet Place Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="Look at me" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7545121564_b331d88f43_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
while Isaac's take on it is anything but boring. Only he would think of dangling himself backwards over a ball. With his puppy, of course.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Photo A Day challenge, inspired by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-14742756900308933872012-07-07T19:14:00.001-05:002012-07-07T19:16:42.349-05:00GardenBeing gone the entire month of May put of bit of a crimp in my gardening this year. I did get a few things in as soon as possible after we got back, but pretty much missed out on the salad greens. There are herbs, lots of carrots (got those in before we left at the end of April), some sunflowers and cosmos that Noah helped me plant, a few varieties of heirloom tomatoes that I bought as transplants about one day after we got home at the end of May, and a really sad looking bush bean bed.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7523736206/" title="7 Garden 1 by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Garden 1" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8291/7523736206_94c7d321f2_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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The first sunflower opened today.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7523730396/" title="7 Garden 2 by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Garden 2" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7523730396_5b1f1abf65_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Thyme and lavender.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7523722322/" title="7 Garden 3 by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Garden 3" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7523722322_66df4c3661_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Cherry tomato.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7523716330/" title="7 Garden 5 by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Garden 5" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7523716330_7a371a2ffa_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>A wee bit of salad greens. Most of it bolted immediately in the heat.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7523709822/" title="7 Garden 6 by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Garden 6" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7523709822_76faf36224_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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This is the bean bed. We used seeds from previous years and germination was very poor. I think those tall things are weeds. They looked very much like beans when they sprouted, so neatly in a row, that I left them. And now I don't want to pull them out because the Japanese beetles (HATE those things) seem drawn to them. So, I figure, better for them to be eating the weeds than my beans. The neighbors are probably wondering what kind of new-fangled vegetables I am growing.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7523700578/" title="7 Garden 7 by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Garden 7" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7523700578_2a13f7025b_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Basil, which I have been battling the Japanese beetles for. I will probably have to harvest soon or risk losing all of it to the nasty little critters.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7523741088/" title="7 Ella in Garden by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Ella in Garden" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7523741088_07db724f27_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Miss Ella loves sprinting in circles around the (fenced off) garden. Amazingly, when I was outside taking these pictures, it seemed that the temperature was dropping. I am crossing my fingers that this heatwave is finally ending.</div>
</div>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-45311527151483651372012-07-06T20:46:00.000-05:002012-07-06T20:46:09.916-05:00Chair<div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7517931156/" title="July 6: Chair by Quiet Moments Photography, on Flickr"><img alt="July 6: Chair" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7517931156_54cd72c69a_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Photo A Day challenge, inspired by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span></div>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-60103796923404683512012-07-05T10:45:00.001-05:002012-07-05T21:22:45.668-05:00On The Floor<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7508457776/" title="5 On the Floor 3 by veronaberryman, on Flickr"><img alt="5 On the Floor 3" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7508457776_e3c41ecf5c_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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Car ramps on the living room floor entertain these boys for hours. Which is a good thing since it has been 100+ degrees outside!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7508470230/" title="5 On the Floor 2 by veronaberryman, on Flickr"><img alt="5 On the Floor 2" height="683" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7508470230_0031df5363_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Pots and baskets on the kitchen floor. I have been informed that the large basket is their puppy's bathtub.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7508576586/" title="July 5: On the Floor by veronaberryman, on Flickr"><img alt="July 5: On the Floor" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7508576586_7792a675a9_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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Yes, we have a potty in the living room. Because this is one busy boy, and he will <i>not</i> have his play interrupted by having to go into the bathroom to sit on the potty. Heck, we are lucky to get him to use it when it is in the same room he is playing in.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Photo A Day challenge, inspired by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span></div>
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</div>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-84748563674336019222012-07-04T13:23:00.001-05:002012-07-04T13:23:30.280-05:00Fun<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7499001332/" title="Fireworks by veronaberryman, on Flickr"><img alt="Fireworks" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7499001332_4f737baaf6_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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Watching my kids watch fireworks. Isaac lies down, sits up, lies down, sits up, apparently searching for the best viewpoint. Noah lies back and reaches his hands up, as if he can catch the lights streaming toward him.Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-38689775090971310662012-07-03T23:07:00.001-05:002012-07-03T23:48:21.741-05:00Best Part Of My Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7498888664/" title="July 3. Best Part of My Day by veronaberryman, on Flickr"><img alt="July 3. Best Part of My Day" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7498888664_ec562d5ebd_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Family meal time. Every night (except when I am at work!). Each night, we go around the table sharing what we are thankful for. Tonight's highlights: Nu-nos (aka noodles. Whatever we are eating usually is at the top of someone's list!), playing with cars, the fact that Isaac now enjoys raw carrots and salads, and that Mommy is home for dinner.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Photo A Day challenge, inspired by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5385357646998331665.post-42343876045167531842012-07-01T00:01:00.000-05:002012-07-03T23:47:27.213-05:00Self Portrait<div style="text-align: left;">
In an effort to take at least one new photo a day and resurrect our blog, I am joining the Photo A Day challenge, using the topics created by <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a>. I cheated right from the start though. This photo was taken by Curtis, per my request.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29048239@N02/7480718142/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="July 1: Self Portrait by veronaberryman, on Flickr"><img alt="July 1: Self Portrait" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7480718142_7b8b838a51_b.jpg" /></a></div>Berryman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916856825012348838noreply@blogger.com0