Mara’s Blog Influencing the world one day at a time since 2005…

April 10, 2011

Six Year Work In Progress

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 11:41 pm

It couldn’t have really seemed like it, but we had not cut Mara’s hair ever except for one time to get a small trim to neaten things up (and I can’t even remember when that was). So six years of hair growth came to an end last Thursday. Some time ago Mara decided that she was going to donate her hair to charity. Mom joined her in that quest and the gating item was waiting for Mom’s hair to grow long enough.

We were just waiting to see how it would turn out for both of them.

Leading up to the moment, Mara seemed to be rethinking things just a little. I think it was also a little bit of anticipation more than hesitation.

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The before, long beautiful locks.


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The big moment.


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Lollipop for hair… even exchange.


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Mom’s turn.


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And… the result. Cute bobs.


If you would like more information about how to donate your hair like Mom and Mara did, please visit Wigs For Kids.

December 31, 2010

New Year, New Furniture

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 8:49 pm

We made a trip to Ikea this week because Mara was in dire need of some new furniture. Her dresser has had a broken drawer for the last couple of months. That was the primary reason for the trip.

But then Mara had another problem as well. She was acquiring so many books in her room that she no longer had a place to put them. The piece that we were using as a nightstand for her was overflowing with books on the one bottom shelf. It was basically a leaning Tower of Pisa. You couldn’t put a book on it or take a book out of the pile without the whole thing toppling down.

So, we got her some bookshelves to house her growing hobby. She absolutely loves to read.

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Really when you look at this picture of her new shelf and her books, it is amazing to think that in the short time that she has been reading she has basically read every one of these books. Some many times over. She started reading just less than two years ago.

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She just loves books!

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November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving in the Meadow 2010

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 9:59 am

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Yesterday Mara had her kick off for the holiday early. It was Caldwell Academy Thanksgiving in the Meadow. They have a family that allows the school to do an event on their farm, Apple Farm (the family name).

Everyone was welcome to dress up for the occasion. Some had simple costumes (like me) and others looked pretty authentic. Mara wore the costume that she made in her class.

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Pilgrims and Indians in perfect harmony.


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Friends make Thanksgiving fun!


There is a nice big pond in the back in one of the fields and they had a stage setup in front of it. They held a little assembly and fellowship to start the morning, and then it was off to fun and games for the kids. The Grammar school had some simple games that you will see Mara participated in. The Dialectic and Rhetoric schools went across the pond to experience bow and arrow and a little rifle shooting. Yes, they shot guns. We also went on a hay ride to wrap up the event. Lots of fun!

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Toss that corn.


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Everyone loves a pillow fight.


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PULL!

There are more pictures in the album if you click any of the pics.

October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 8:49 pm

Kids are having fun trick or treating tonight.

Howdy Jessie!

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September 30, 2010

Down on the Farm

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 11:48 pm

Last month when we had the chance to make it back to NY, we also took the opportunity to go to the farm where Grandma grew up and Dad used to visit every Saturday (almost) as a kid. There were so many fond memories of the farm that we thought it would be really special to show that to Mara and Campbell. It was a real adventure for them. Plus it was a chance to hang out with the whole family including Uncle Bob and Aunt Steph and second cousins, Abigail and Jack. There was so much to do and see.

First we just took a little trip over to the barn.
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Then it was down to the garden.
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After that we took a turn on the tractor.
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Next we fueled ourselves with some lunch.
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And then it was off to the creek to catch some critters.
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If you want to see more pictures of the kids adventure then go to the full album of pictures.

August 25, 2010

First Day of Kindergarten

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 10:12 pm

It finally arrived. Mara’s first day of kindergarten is here. I didn’t get to talk to her about it until tonight and it was so fun for her. She couldn’t stop talking about how excited she was, and how long she had been waiting for this day to come, and it is finally here. She is super cute about it.

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Cute little kindergartner.

I think that we are really lucky to have found Caldwell Academy and it is going to be a very special place for her. We got to go into the school for an open house on Monday, and that is where some of the pictures we have are from.

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Today we didn’t go into the classroom, and instead let her go from the auditorium after the morning greeting.

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And she is off…

We can’t wait to see what happens next!

July 13, 2010

A Weekend of Firsts

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 9:48 pm

This past weekend the family got the chance to visit with some friends a little south of here at Badin Lake. We had a great time down there given the hospitality of our hosts. They were very nice to us.

Last year we got to visit Smith Mountain Lake for a weekend. We are not sure how this might turn out, but if we are lucky maybe visits to friends on lakes can be a little bit of an annual summer event for us. We can wish, can’t we?

This trip was very eventful for Mara. She had the opportunity to experience a lot of firsts for herself. We got to the lake on Saturday, and almost immediately got into the water. After some playing around the dock, we took a break for lunch. Then it was off on the boat to see the lake and make a pit stop in a quiet cove for some more swimming. There, Mara had her first chance to jump off the top of the pontoon boat and into the water. It had to be about 8 feet from the water. She did it with no fear.

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When we got back to the dock it was still a little early, so we took some time to play again. Someone broke out the knee board, and it was time for Mara to show her stuff again. First time trying to get on the board she did it! No problems. It was pretty impressive. Now, the one thing was that she didn’t exactly sit up and lean back on the first run. But after a break and getting a chance to talk to her, she got it right on the second try.

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Look at me! This isn’t hard.

We really exhausted the kids on the first day. We thought it could be some trouble having them stay together in the same bed so we put Campbell in bed first to fall asleep, and then Mara. I don’t think in the end it was any trouble at all.

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We wore them out!

The next day we got a little bit of a slow start. But, that is what a relaxing weekend is all about. After breakfast the kids started doing some artwork.

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Artist in training.

Then it was down to the lake again. The first event was some fishing, and again, Mara’s first time for that (sorry Grandpa). Mr. Kevin told us the special spot to cast from, and as soon as Mara put it in the water she caught her first fish! She ended up catching two on the day.

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First fish ever!

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Second fish!

The rest of the day before leaving in the afternoon was more knee-boarding, swimming, and jumping off the pontoon. What fun!

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There are lots of pictures in the gallery, so click on any of the pictures and then click on the album link or just go here.

June 30, 2010

Off And Bowling

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 11:18 pm

The kids are pretty lucky. Yesterday, Lisa decided to take them out for a little bit of bowling. I actually don’t think I have ever been bowling with the kiddos myself? Mara and Campbell love it. They are using the ball ramps or guides (what are they called?) so there isn’t any independent play yet, but they are still doing pretty well. Better yet, Lisa invited some of their friends to come along if they weren’t busy. And sure enough some were able to show up. Nothing like a little bowl play date in the middle of the week.

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Surprise, surprise. Mara chose a pink ball.


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Campbell seems to be serious.


Oh, and yes, the wristbands do help bowling scores. FYI.

May 15, 2010

Spring Hoppers Game

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 10:08 am

This past Wednesday we got the chance to go to a Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game. It was courtesy of RF Micro Devices as they did a company outing for a free game. We got there early in order to use the opportunity to get some dinner. The kids just love hot dogs at the ballpark.

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It was a good time. The Hoppers didn’t do so well in the first couple of innings and we didn’t stick around for the full game to see the outcome. Most of the time the kids just wanted to hang out on the playground and play. They didn’t watch the game very much. This was really the first time that Campbell was old enough when we went to a game to get around on the equipment. Mara was all over everything and much more familiar with it. It was nice to just let them roam around on their own without a lot of help.

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Even though we didn’t stay the whole game, it turned out to be a late night. The kids were tired and had to have a seat to rest and read the paper.

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Click through one of the photos to see a few more shots.

April 5, 2010

Easter 2010

Filed under: Pictures — Luke @ 10:52 pm

On Saturday the family went out to get in the middle of an Easter egg hunt. One of the local radio stations puts on an event at the farmer’s market and we went to check it out. It was bigger than we expected. They had some booths for promotions, some vendors of the typical carnival type atmosphere, and other activities for the kids to do. We got there a little early, and we are glad that we did. It got pretty crowded. When we watched the crew put out the Easter eggs on the vast grassy area, I thought it would be plenty and the kids would have a ton of fun picking them up. Campbell’s turn was first, and all that he came away with was three eggs! The mob was like a piece of farm equipment, sweeping up everything in it’s path and leaving nothing behind. For his age group they let the parents go out as well and it was good that they did since it was chaos. But, I think some parents were picking up the eggs to help, but that didn’t help the kids that tried to do it on their own.

Better luck for Mara then, since there were no parents. Well, it didn’t turn out that way, as Mara also came back with only three eggs too. By the looks of it she was off to a better start than Campbell, but it turns out it was misleading. She also had trouble, as some parents still went out there. Also, they let kids from the younger age go out if they missed their regular start time, so that just meant more kids. It was busy.

After the egg rounds it was time to go and get some lunch. It was a hunger generating activity!

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What would the holiday be without the bunny?


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Easter nutrition at its best.


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After the egg score!


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