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It was January 9 and we still had 5 or 6 pumpkins on our front porch. Usually the squirrels destroy them before Halloween even arrives, but this year they didn’t seem to notice those on the front porch and I had kept a few in for decoration. It felt wasteful to just throw them in the trash and I didn’t have the energy to cook them up. So I decided that I would feed them to animals at the forest preserve. But still they sat on our porch. John was annoyed everytime he saw them so I promised that they would be gone by Christmas. Then New Years. Then my sister posted a photo of one of the hungry deer outside the North Park Nature Center and how they were enjoying some tangerines she had brought. What a great idea for our pumpkins! And still they sat on our porch. Finally on the 9th of January I decided we should just all bundle up and head over to the Nature Center and bring the deer some dinner. And while we were there, why not enjoy the sunset and some playground time? Fun for all!

I wish they made cool light up shoes in my size.

We played at the playground until the temperatures dropped and it was full dark. Even then the kids protested having to go home. I love my outdoor loving wild things!

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We left co-op a bit early because Raven was super tired and ready to go. John and Canyon came to pick us up and we made the short drive home. Most days Canyon is fine with the short trip, but on that one he cried when we pulled up in front of the house. Raven was already fast asleep, but River still had some energy left so we pulled back out onto the street and headed for the playground.

Raven slept while River and Canyon enjoyed the balmy temps.

By the time we got home the second time everyone, and I do mean everyone, was ready for a long nap!

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Just another day at the co-op for River & Raven!

1.8.13

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We try to play outside, even in the winter time. I believe in fresh air and exercise and freedom. So on 1.7.13 we all went to Gomper’s Park for a walk.

Canyon refused to wear a hat but totally sat down on his own for a picture!

Raven also refused to wear his hat and insisted on trying to rip off his hood as well.

It did not take long for us to realize that it was too cold, especially for our little ones. So back to the van!

You know it was cold because they were all willing to wear their hats for the trip back to the van!

But I would also like to point out that while it was freezing, I wasn’t even wearing a coat! My Wild Northern Blood is still strong!

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1.3.13

One of my photography goals for January was to capture more of our every day moments around the house, with the goal being to share them with the kids as they grow. So they would be able to see what their life was like outside of the big events that people typically document.

Canyon loves the movies “Cars” and on this night he set up some of his favorites on the dining room/play room table to play with.

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January 3, 2013 and The Babes are 17 months old!

We tried so hard to get them to perfectly pose together. You would think that after 17 months we would have accepted that the perfectly posed picture of them together is hard to come by. So we made due with these!

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I am normally not one for crude humor on children’s t-shirts. If you would like some examples basically just go to the “Baby” section of the Spencer’s Gift web site. Some of those things are unbelievably vulgar. The closest thing I have to raunchy for a kids t-shirt is “That’s What She Said.”

And while we are on the subject, now that I have a daughter, I find the “Lock Up Your Daughter” shirts to also be offensive. “Why would I want to lock up my daughter? Is she not capable of making her own decisions? Is she not safe from you? Why don’t I just lock you up instead? How would you like that?”

But I found this t-shirt at the thrift store back when Canyon was a baby and just couldn’t resist. I don’t think I ever got a photo of Canyon in it but Raven was happy to model for me.

And no sweetie, Mommy doesn’t drink because you cry. Mommy drinks because this new Crown Royal Maple Finished Whiskey is delicious!

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1.4.13

Exploritorium!

Our family loves the Exploritorium in Skokie and we love a bargain. That means we usually only go during the Buy One Get One Free Happy Hour which is Friday’s from 3pm-5pm. While we are at home I always say I want us to be there right at 3pm, so we can play for the full two hours and get our money’s worth. And then we are always running late and I start to freak out in the van, complaining that the kids are missing out on play time. When we finally get there at 3:45pm I am annoyed that we have missed out on 45 minutes of fun. By 4:10pm I am already exhausted and overwhelmed by the noise and activity and can’t wait till it’s 5pm and they kick us out!

River and Raven love the giant lite bright!

It seems like just yesterday that the twins were so small and relegated to spending their time in the toddler play area or by the light board. Now they are so independent that they go all over.

They spent some time at the coloring table…

Raven has become very social, making new friends.

And this was the first trip where they discovered the water play area!

And here’s all three kids playing together…whoops! There went River!

John encouraging River to check out the tunnel under the waterfall…

Canyon has his ducks in a row…

We have this same rocket in the back yard but River never wanted to play on it. Now she loves it!

They close at 5pm and we played until the last possible minute. John grabbed River and Raven and I said I would lure Canyon out and meet him at the van. Canyon had other ideas. And raced for the giant climbing structure and disappeared inside! The staff is extremely chill and just kept cleaning up while he played. Finally I decided I better try to get him out.

Here’s a bit of video of me trying to get him to come down from this three-story climbing structure.

In the end we had about 15 extra minutes of play time. That boy sure knows how to get his moneys worth!!!

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