contents
january 2 february 28 march 44 april 82 may 116 june 146
july 176 august 212 september 246 october 268 november 290 december 318
january
welcome 2 0 1 3
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Family is often born of blood, but it doesn’t depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, and best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family. Trenton Lee Stewart
Whitehouse, Westmorelan. We spent the first days of the year with the Clarkes at their house Linacre (which we helped re-name for their college at Oxford). A great way to welcome the new year, with our dear friends, in a beautiful part of the island.
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Juliet
JANUARY 03, 2013 Juliet’s visits to Jamaica are often short and taken up by errands with Karl. Bebel and I drove to Kingston to spend a few hours with her, otherwise we wouldn’t have seen her. She brought the kids lovely gifts, including these great costumes.
In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony. Friedrich Nietzsche
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Back to School
Back to school again after a lovely Christmas holiday.
Laila 099
Ishion & Valzhyna
JANUARY 05, 2013 Ishion & Valzhyna spent the day with us, with little Korah Bebel, who we were meeting for the first time, though we have seen so many pictures. A day spent with two poets is always wonderful. We are happy for our friendship with them.
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papa & his pickneys Papa and his pickneys. With his long work hours and us in Kingston during the week, the kids don’t get to see much of Wayne. But when they do, they are so happy and into him.
When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. Joyce Brothers 13
Bebel’s World January 2013
Bebel in January 2013 – doing her thing - back at her beloved horseback riding; reading on her own; she got her own computer because Mummy got a new one; practicing the piano; spending time with Auntie Lisa; roller skating with Ellie in Mandeville, riding her bike.
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The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Richard Bach
thursdays at paddington
Thursdays at Paddington, visiting Grandma & Grandpa, and lucky to see Rachel & Malcolm too.
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Family & Friends
Money may be the husk of many things but not the kernel. It brings you food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not loyalty; days of joy, but not peace or happiness. Henrik Ibsen
13 JANUARY
Sundays in Mandeville – we treasure our Sunday gatherings at our home where our friends and family come together. 19
Planting Fun at CLC With Jude, Lamy & Adam
Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy. They are charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust
moments
And otherwise in January: • Laila went on her first bus ride with Bebel & Novelette to Half Way Tree. • Jacob preferred to drive with Deeb in the van • Dana came by for a visit and read bedtime stories • We went for lunch every Monday at Grill 71 after music • We continued dance & gymnastics • Played Scrabble • Rachie visited us in Kingston All was well in our world.
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Rachie!
Jacob
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Jacob & Laila’s Christmas gifts – “big kid bikes”
Jacob & Laila’s World January 2013
• Riding their new bikes that they got for Christmas • Getting better and better at puzzles • Enjoying the newly refilled sandbox & refurbished play area at Manor Court • Cuter and funnier and more charming than ever
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Two faces to wash, and four dirty hands Two insistent voices, making demands Twice as much crying, when things go wrong The four eyes closing, with slumber song Twice as many garments, blowing on the line Two cherubs in the wagon, soaking up sunshine Work I do for twins, naturally comes double But four arms to hug me, repay all my trouble.
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february
Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of a family. It is the advancement of man, the victory of a just cause, the triumph of truth. Peace is all of these. Menachem Begin
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La Chandeleur Crepe Day at CLC Celebrated 40 days after Chrismas, on February 2nd, Candlemas is synonymous with conviviality. This tradition, originally a Roman feast, is related to the light but also to purification, fertility and prosperity. The word "Chandeleur" comes from candelarum, candle in Latin. Jacob, Laila & their schoolmates made and sampled crepes to celebrate the occasion.
Jamaica Day
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Jacob
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Laila
Lailie-Boo She knows she’s cute, doesn’t she?
Bebel
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. Ralph Waldo Emerson 35
The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Victor Hugo
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lisa’s 50th
Lisa’s 50th birthday party – celebrating our beloved aunt & sister.
09 FEBRUARY
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downtime in m a ndev i l l e 17 FEBRUARY
Downtime in Mandeville our precious weekends when we relax and restore.
• Baking • Riding in circles around and around the house • Mummy & Bebel binge watching Downton Abbey • Ash Wednesday lunch at Uncle Stevie’s • Toussaint showing Di how to use her iPad Mini as a camera remote
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Bebel’s World February 2013
Bebel in February 2013 – auditioning (successfully) for Hillel’s Got Talent with her friends “the Hip Hop Rockers”; watching Downton Abbey with Mummy; horseback riding of course; homework help from Coco who was visiting for Spring Break; and roller skating. • auditioning (successfully) for Hillel’s Got Talent with the Hip Hop Rockers • learning to go over small jumps • homework help from Coco who was visiting for Spring Break • mastering roller skating & jumping rope
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march
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Children see magic because they look for it.
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Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. George Bernard Shaw
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The Horse Phase
Bebel is definitely in the “horse-crazy phase� of girlhood.
24 MARCH
A pair of hand-me-down chaps from Charlotte. No matter – Bebel is happy to have her riding gear, whatever its provenance.
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Being a twin means always having someone to play with.
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On the Go
Happiness is a place between too much and too little. Finnish proverb
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Quattroelle
We joined Mike, Sonya, Mum, Dad, Mike Jr., Paul, Adrian, Maria & Elizabeth on Quattroelle’s maiden pleasure cruise through the Bahamas. A week of luxury and decadence aboard a most amazing boat. We played with dolphins at Atlantis, jet-skied, fed the swimming pigs, and enjoyed the downtime together as a family.
The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach. Lin Yutang
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Swimming with the Dolphins at Atlantis
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Rollerblader
23 MARCH
New rollerblades! Bebel has graduated from roller skates to roller blades and she couldn’t be happier.
Rachel
Rachie! We don’t see as much of Rachel as we would like, but we treasure every moment that we do get with her. (And now we get the added bonus of Bradley along with her too.)
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Bebel’s World March 2013
• Getting better and better at violin and piano • Teaching herself guitar • Learning to sew • Being her sassy, sweet & smart self
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21 MARCH Our 6th annual Easter Egg Hunt. I started putting on an egg hunt because no one else was doing one, and when Bebel was two I thought, “she has to hunt for Easter eggs!” And up to today no one else puts one on, so it seems I’m stuck with it. I think Bebel & her friends are too big for it now, but Jacob & Laila still have a few fun egg hunts ahead of them.
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We are a family that loves books.
One of the greatest gifts adults can give—to their offspring and to their society—is to read to children. Carl Sagan
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the joy of twins
The hard part of twins is over and we are now enjoying the benefits. Laila & Jacob get along so well and keep each other occupied and entertained. They do have times when they squabble, and they don’t always like the same things, but 95% (or more!) of the time they are happily engaged with each other.
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kids’ rooms re-dos
Finally, two “proper” bedrooms in the apartment for Jacob, Laila & Bebel. When the twins were born their cribs went into the study, but they mostly slept in my room. I had hoped that all three children would share a room, and so I got the bunk bed in 2012, but Bebel was too protective of her space. 2013 was the year that I set out to reclaim the apartment from the disorganization and the clutter. I summoned up the energy to throw out a lot of stuff (almost all my paper from UWI!), and scraped together some money to get the apartment properly sorted and the children’s bedrooms properly set up for them. And now we all enjoy our own spaces, suited for each of us.
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When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. Lao Tzu
tidbits
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april
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disney vacay
Disney World – the trip of a lifetime. It was truly a fantastic holiday. T’s first trip to the US. We stayed at a Disney resort, Art of Animation, in a Nemo family suite, and visited all four parks in four days. Bebel did all of the thrill rides.
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Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom – our first day – getting our bearings, figuring out FastPasses and the whole routine. It was super crowded. We walked so much. Thank goodness for the double stroller.
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Laughter is timeless, imagination has not age, and dreams are forever. Walt Disney
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Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom – it felt just like the African countries we have visited. So well done, and so much fun.
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Hollywood Studios Hollywood Studios – we all went on Tower of Terror though in hindsight the little ones were probably too little for it. But we had a blast nevertheless.
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Epcot Our last day at Disney. We walked so much that day but we had an amazing time nevertheless. We ate great food at the country pavilions and restaurants. Everything looked just like the real place! Jacob saw his favourite animal, the manatee. We just managed to get Laila on “Flying” by a few millimetres, which she added by changing her shoes!
Mummy only took the family on this trip because she was tired of Bebel asking when we were going to Disney. She was dreading it. But then she had such a great time – we all did – and we can’t wait to go back for another holiday there.
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Dancer & Gymnast Laila
There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy.
Daddy Time
Books are a uniquely portable magic. Stephen King 99
Bebel’s World April 2013
Biking and riding and dancing and violining. 4th place at Sports Day, again. Though this time she HAD actually come 3rd, but a mistake was made when the numbers were handed out at the finish line. Next year sweet girl‌
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27 APRIL We trekked to Negril to celebrate Sandy Haven’s first birthday. We didn’t stay for the actual party that night but a day in Negril is always a treat—especially when there are water fights with Rachie!
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Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. Emilie Buchwald
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I love capturing the
togetherness of these two.
There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle, or you can live as if everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein
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Chauffeur From school to gymnastics to dancing to speech therapy to violin to piano to horseback riding, Di has a busy afternoon job as chauffeur
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snippets And otherwise in April we • Saw lots of Grandma • Ellie & Ella came to Mandeville • Mummy got a night alone in Kingston • Uncle Stevie celebrated his 60th birthday • Went to Jei-Han’s 6th birthday party
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dad’s 83rd birthday
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CLC Sports Day 25 APRIL Jacob & Laila’s first sports day With all its 15 students, CLC put on a sports day, which was a great introduction to the concept for Jacob and Laila. It seems like Laila is a natural athlete and she won all her races. Jacob, not so much, but he had much tougher competition and he was a great sport throughout. Novelette did Team Chen proud in the mummies’ race, on behalf of Di.
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may
Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.
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The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship. William Blake
With Rupi, Nigel, Mrs. Clarke & Eleanor at a ceremony where Nigel was celebrated for being the excellent person 119 that he is.
jamaica grande weekend
Jamaica Grande – Ocho Rios Wayne’s Jamaica Employers’ Federation weekend in Ocho Rios rolled around once again and we did the Jamaica Grande thing, once again. Once again the kids had a great time while Mummy, well, let’s just say it would help if she got herself a Bubba and started drinking rum punch from it from 9am like most of the other guests!
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It is with pleasure that we look upon a family, in which reigns mutual love and esteem, where the parents and children are companions for one another, without any other difference than what is made by respectful affection on the one side, and kind indulgence on the other. Adam Smith
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TWIN LIFE
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Angie & Nana
Helping mama hold it all together.
Speech Class with Auntie Wray
Jacob started speech therapy in January. He went every Wednesday until the summer, and then on Mondays after he started Hillel. He loves Auntie Wray and enjoys his speech class. 127
Rachel
Alannah
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Mother’s Day Every year for mother’s day the only thing I really want is a nice photo with the kids. It wasn’t easy, but I got my wish. We did brunch, as we do most Sundays, but we had the extra special treat of Ann joining us.
The happiness of any society begins with the well-being of the families that live in it. Kofi Annan
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Rider Girl
Dancer Girl 133
Our Modern Life Screens, screens, screens. Raising children is a balancing act, and screens are such a pull for the children – and make it so much easier for Mummy and Daddy to do their own things (usually behind a screen too). So Mummy tries to limit screens for the little ones to weekends only, and on weekends to morning and night time.
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National Gallery Visit
26 MAY National Gallery Visit Whenever we can we try to attend the Last Sunday openings at the National Gallery. They do tours & crafts for the kids, and guided tours for the adults.
Bebel’s World May 2013
• First Goofy Day at school • Reading Day Assembly Star • Tackling the ripstick • Plus piano, riding and all the other fixtures of her happy little world
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Labour Day Holiday
23 May Labour Day Together with Eleanor and her brood we went to Jack Sprat Beach in Treasure Beach and had a wonderful day, capped by a cookout in the 139 backyard.
toussaint turns 16
28 MAY Toussaint’s 16th Birthday
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CLC memories
Field Trip 31 MAY
Field Trip to Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra CLC organized a lovely field trip for the children to visit the orchestra while it rehearsed. Bebel was “sick� at home and was able to join us.
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Dreams, books, are each a world; and books, we know, Are a substantial world, both pure and good: Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, Our pastime and our happiness will grow. William Wordsworth
snapshots
A comfortable home is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience. Sydney Smith
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june
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Music Time 03 JUNE Monday mornings find the twins at the Music House with Auntie Emily and Chelsea & Kayla, another set of twins. We learn about pitch, percussion, tone and instruments, and some notes too.
bebel’s violin debut 07 JUNE Circle Square at Assembly The extracurricular groups got featured at Assembly and Circle Square, or Bible Club, where Bebel has been a member for two years, did a small skit. Bebel played “Jesus Loves Me” on her violin in front of the whole school.
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Hillel’s Got Talent
featuring the Hip Hop Rockers 08 JUNE Hip Hop Rockers at Hillel’s Got Talent They were the youngest act in the whole show – Bebel, Ellie, Ella, Emily, Saige & Jessie practiced so much and worked so hard and had an absolute blast on stage to Taylor Swift et al.
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Dana 09 JUNE
We love when Laila’s godmother Auntie Dana comes to visit us.
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road rider badge 13 JUNE Bebel and her riding classmates did a road safety badge with two visiting officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
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paddington thursdays
Bebel continues to try to conquer the Ripstick, and Jonathan is home from college.
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To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to which every enterprise and labour tends. Samuel JohnsonÂ
Bebel’s World June 2013
• Such a busy month for our girl • Talent show and playing violin at Assembly and prizegiving and dance show • Still working on conquering the Ripstick • Inducing friends to join her on rollerblades • Playing dress-up in her flower girl dress from Dana’s wedding that barely fits her
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Father’s Day 17 JUNE Not that we need an excuse to get together on a Sunday, but occasions like these do bring in some family members who we don’t get to see all that often.
dance show rehearsals
Rehearsing for the show.
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Lovely Little Laila
Jacob in June
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pool time
The time has gotten hot and we are in the pool almost every day. Coach Brown is helping the twins learn to swim—though they are doing amazingly well on their own—and grandma joins us sometimes too.
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Feel This Moment Feel This Moment – 23 June Bebel’s fourth In Motion dance show and Laila’s first. They both did wonderfully. So proud of our beautiful girls.
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Wayne’s Caribbean World Wayne travelled the Caribbean throughout 2013 as president of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation and making presentations at ILO workshops on labour standards under the Economic Partnership Agreement.
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Academic Excellence Bebel’s prizegiving – her first year where they were “ranked”, and Bebel got the highest possible ranking. So proud of her. She was in Mrs. Chung’s last grade 2, with Miss McLeod the assistant teacher.
Goodbye CLC Jacob & Laila had a great year with Auntie Luna at Centre for Language and Culture.
Playing In The music term came to an end for Bebel with Miss Moyah and Jacob & Laila with Auntie Emily. They all did small “playins� to commemorate.
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21 JUNE Toussaint’s graduation Toussaint and Mikey commemorated their completion of Belair’s 5th form. Wayne was guest speaker.
Toussaint’s 5th Form Graduation 173
The true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life. William Morris
moments
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july
USA Here We Come! We visited Auntie Juliet & Uncle Karl in Wilmington, Delaware. Two weeks of excursions and outings with Mitchell, Nigel & Izze. We went everywhere – the aquarium, the zoo, the Children’s Museum, the art museum, to see 4th July fireworks – we made quite a team, the seven of us.
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Please Touch Museum
This used to be Bebel’s favourite place, but she has outgrown it now she’s 7. Jacob & Laila loved it though!
Franklin Institute Before Mitchell, Nigel & Izze arrived at Uncle Karl’s we went to Philadelphia and saw Campbell, Ross, Nolan & Auntie Elinor at the Franklin Institute. We saw an exhibition about spies and Bebel got hooked! 179
Terrific Tuesdays at Winterthur 02 JULY
Winterthur – Terrific Tuesdays Summer in Delaware isn’t complete without a visit to Winterthur on a Tuesday. Even better we had Luke & Maya Moloney to accompany us.
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Family Photo Swap at Hagley Museum 03 JULY Mummy did a photo shoot trade with a friend from Clickin’ Moms. She took photos of Wendy and her three kids, and Wendy took photos of us.
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Fourth of July 04 JULY
Fourth of July Karl’s family visited from Maryland for the day and then Mummy took all the kids on a firework hunt. We got lucky and some great ones! Jacob & Laila’s first fireworks!
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Delaware Children’s Museum 05 JULY Mummy’s first real outing with six children – and it worked! We spent the entire day at the museum.
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Brandywine Zoo The local zoo – nearby and easy to get to – something to do on a day when it seemed like there just wasn’t anything to do.
As it turns out, it’s not WHERE, but WHO you’re with that really matters. Dave Matthews
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Fashion Show 07 JULY Fashion Show at Old Kennett Road! Nigel was the DJ and Bebel, Izze & Laila were the fabulous models.
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Adventure Aquarium 08 JULY We trekked over to New Jersey and spent the day seeing sharks and giant tortoises and hippos and penguins and of course, fish!
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Tyler Arboretum 09 JULY Our least successful outing – it was just too hot to be outside for so long. Laila & Jacob did a little gardeners’ class and the big kids roamed the Arboretum. The best thing about this excursion was this is where Jacob & Laila found Froggy and Pony.
Ice Skating 10 JULY One of our favourite activities when we visit the USA! Jacob & Laila’s first time ice skating.
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Art Splash 11 JULY Art Splash at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Art & craft & a special kids’ museum tour – followed by dinner with Campbell & Ross and then a movie, Monsters University, at the Franklin Institute. A great day!
Oasis 12 JULY It was raining and mummy was beat – we did the easy thing – an indoor play area. When we got home, Grandma McIntosh was there, bearing gifts.
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Family Photo Shoot 13 JULY Capturing us all together – so grateful for this family, these relationships, this time together.
Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives‌ family is the most important Barack Obama
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time to say goodbye We all had a great time. Bebel wasn’t ready to leave, but Jacob & Laila missed Daddy!
The best vacation is the one that relieves us of our own lives for a while and then makes us long for it again. Ann Patchett 201
Home Sweet Home
To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to which every enterprise and labour tends. Samuel Johnson
Daddy Dearest As much as we had a great trip to the USA, we all missed Wayne so much.
Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. 203
Love your family. Spend time, be kind and serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised & today is short.
natalie’s 28th birthday 21 JULY Natalie’s Birthday Cruise – Negril Ann put on a wonderful birthday party for Natalie on a catamaran that sailed from Sandy Haven to the cliffs on the West End, with a stop for snorkeling.
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Froggy & Pony Jacob & Laila found these two toys at Tyler Arboretum and they are now their favourites.
Remember this - that very little is needed to make a happy life. Marcus Aurelius
Matching Sisters
I always wanted two girls so I could dress them in matching outfits. Unfortunately, these two hardly every satisfy my wish for them to 207 wear what I want them to!
YS Falls 27 JULY
After all those excursions we went on in America, we need to go on some in Jamaica too! First stop, YS Falls. Coco was with us.
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Bebel learns to sew Auntie Lisa ran summer sewing classes and Bebel learned so much!
Baby Zeus 26 JULY
Welcome to the family Zeus! Wayne got a kitten for Toussaint, though we all love him and look after him. Who would ever have thought we’d get a house cat?!
moments
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august
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Emancipation Holiday in Negril August 1 – 4 Emancipation Holiday – Negril Four days on the beach at Sandy Haven. Juliette & Coco joined us, and we also had Rachie & Bradley too. We are blessed with a wonderful life.
Cool Runnings Water Park
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We Can Fly! 219
Independence Day – Black River Safari A public holiday – we cooked a pot of pelau and took the kids to see the crocodiles in the Black River, and then visited Uncle Chris Tufton at his beachhouse after our safari.
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Keeping Busy in Mandeville Our first summer with extended time in Mandeville, and Mummy has no extra help with the little ones. We played a lot of Legos, used up lots of sidewalk chalk, did lots of colouring, and had races of our favourite toys.
snippets
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The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life. William Morris
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Selah – Runaway Bay 08 AUGUST We visited Marion, Blaze, Zuzu & Cove, and the rest of the McDonald family, at their beachhouse in Runaway Bay, and saw Bronwen, Rhia & Jemma too. The kids got to ride with Uncle Chad on the jet ski.
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Trivers hosts the Chens Lunch at Robert Trivers’ Robert Trivers graciously hosted the entire Chen family, plus his friends from his community in Southfield, St. Elizabeth at his home, for lunch. A documentarian was on hand filming and interviewing his friends and family about him that day too.
Little Fashion Designer & Diva Bebel, fashion designer She made these clothes herself. Even better, she conceptualized, designed and created the bustier top all by herself. Even Auntie Lisa was amazed and impressed. And then she worked it for the camera!
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Sunset Saddle Camp Bebel’s heart’s desire – a week of horseback riding. Heidi put on a wonderful camp for the girls. Bebel got the prize for most helpful. She groomed her horse every day without a partner and never complained!
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Laila & Jacob’s Birthday Party
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we’re Four!
Little Monkeys
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Official Birthday Portraits Though the party was the day before, their “real� birthday is August 25th and we took the official photos of them.
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in the pool with grandma molly
Art Appreciation Visit to the National Gallery.
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The mind is rarely so disturbed, but that the company of a friend will restore it to some degree of tranquility and sedateness. Adam Smith
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A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are for what you have.
moments
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september
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01 SEPTEMBER Wayne turns 55 He doesn’t even look it! We also officially designated Robert Trivers as Toussaint’s godfather. Trivers now has an official place in the family.
wayne’s 55th birthday
Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened, but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm. Robert Louis Stevenson 249
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. Anna Quindlen
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Three Hillel Children
03 SEPTEMBER Three children at Hillel It was a dream come true – my three children in Hillel uniforms. They were so excited about starting at Hillel and had the smoothest transition a mother could ever wish for. They love school and are very happy.
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Jacob
Happiness is not a finish line, and if we can’t feel content amid the mess and the striving, we may never feel it. Ben Saunders
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Laila
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Bebel’s World September 2013
• back at riding, violin & school • started Sunday School in preparation for First Communion • chosen to read at Assembly
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Side by side or miles apart, friends are always in our hearts.
Ballers
Jacob & Laila have started after-school football; no evidence yet of an upcoming Mia Hamm or Lionel Messi, but they’re having fun.
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The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. Henry David Thoreau
A few weeks left of 7.
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paddington thursdays We love going to visit Grandma & Grandpa on Thursdays; it’s even better when Tia is there too.
caymanas fridays
Most Fridays our routine is to take Bebel to riding and from there make our way to Mandeville. Fortunately we often have friends there to make our time there fun.
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Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, and faithfulness the best relationship.
snapshots
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october
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October in the Chen family (at least since 2005) is mainly about Bebel’s birthday. Princess Bebel’s birthday is celebrated like a national holiday. We have set a precedent that I don’t think we will ever be able to depart from! This year she did brownies at school (our last order ever from Anna Kay who left us in December that year), and a sleepover with seven friends, then a pony party out at Caymanas. Of course there was a cake at Sunday brunch too, with a special visit from Godmother Auntie Ann and Rachie, whose birthday is just a few days after.
Pony Party Seven carefully selected friends, musical chairs on horseback, cupcake-eating contest, painting horseshoes and horse tattoos – one great party for our horse-crazy eight year old.
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Official 8th Birthday Portraits Bebel at 8 • Certifiably horse crazy. • Keen on everything to do with spies, and reads everything she can get her hands on that is spy-related • Doesn’t love violin or piano but does her bit • Has a full schedule of extra-curricular activities on Mondays to Fridays with dancing, music, Pony Club & robotics • Preparing for first communion at Sunday school • Loves school and her teachers Mrs. Walter and Mrs. Headlam, and is doing very well. Has an unjustified fear of math that we are all working through. (We don’t want her repeating mummy’s mistakes!) • Has a wide array of good friends • Is a favourite among her friends’ parents for being well-behaved and polite • Maintains her title of “BBC” – Bebel Broadcasting Corporation – gatherer & disseminator or news & information • Into American Girl dolls & paraphernalia unlike any other toy or doll she has ever had • Loves rollerblading and Ripsticking
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Birthday Celebration Take 3 And to cap off Bebel’s birthday extravaganza, a cake and singing at Sunday brunch, with special guests Rachie and beloved godmama Auntie Ann.
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Rice, Rice, Rice 14 OCTOBER
Learning about Rice for Heritage Month Kindergarten 1 chose to explore rice for Heritage Month and how it is used by people in different countries all over the world. Parents came in and shared different dishes which the children all sampled-fried rice, sushi, vegetable biryani, congee, rice pudding and rice & peas, and Mummy photographed it all.
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Heritage Day 17 OCTOBER Heritage Day Parade at Hillel Hillel went all out, in its usual style, with the Heritage Day assembly and parade. Jacob & Laila dressed in “rice-related” costumes – Laila in a cheong sam and Jacob in a Vietnamese rice farmer suit – and Bebel was dressed as an Olympic equestrian, as her class’s focus was the Olympics. Miss Jamaica was in attendance as was Yohan Blake. Yohan Blake led the Grade 3 parade.
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Jacob
Art is the proper task of life. Friedrich Nietzsche
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Sunday School Miss Biggs is the teacher, and students come and go, but happily Thandie is in this First Communion Prep cohort with Bebel.
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In Motion 30 OCTOBER We have been with In Motion for over five years and now they’re about to change location to somewhere much closer to school & home and so much more convenient for us.
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Halloween 31 OCTOBER Trick or Treating with the Clarkes at their complex on Millsborough, as we have done every year. Bebel went as Snooki (from Jersey Shore-her choice!) and Jacob wore a costume for the first time ever, his pirate suit from Auntie Juliet. Laila was a “dancing princess” in one of Bebel’s costumes from a dance show a few years ago – her choice!
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Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Eckhart Tolle
tidbits
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november
Manor Court
We’ve lived at Manor Court for 13 years now, and love it more than ever. Photo taken from the Tewani’s where Jacob & Laila were on a playdate with Jatin.
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Debut
B3 Photo Shoot Jacob & Laila were invited to be models for a fashion shoot featuring multiples in the Baby, Bump & Beyond magazine. The photos were taken by Dwayne Watkins at the Hope Zoo. They were amazing – Jacob & Laila and the resulting photos! Jacob loved being a “gentleman” in his suit & hat, and Laila was a little diva.
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precious mandeville Sundays
It is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm. Laura Ingalls Wilder
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wayne’s world
Wayne has been travelling throughout the Caribbean with the ILO giving seminars on labour standards and the EPA. This time he was in Jamaica giving his talk.
A mother discovers with great delight that one does not love one’s children just because they are one’s children but because of the friendship formed while raising them. Gabriel Garcia Marquez 297
caymanas fridays
This is what it’s all about.
It is all a question of weeding out what you yourself like best to do, so that you can live most agreeably in a world full of an increasing number of disagreeable surprises. M.F.K. Fisher
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Mandeville and Environs 16 NOVEMBER Mandeville Scenes On my birthday morning Wayne & I went out on an early-morning photo shoot to get a shot for my photo club assignment, “At Work.� I also wanted to get a photo of the goats by the Pickapeppa Factory, that Wayne had been telling me about for months.
Mandeville Art Fair
It’s not often that there’s something fun to do in Mandeville, but we all had a great time at the Mandeville Art Fair. The children got their faces painted, Bebel did pottery, they bounced-about and trampolined to their hearts’ content, and I saw my friend Marie. It was a great way to spend my birthday.
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di at 42
• Working at Hillel 10 hours a week as photographer and social media coordinator • Coming close to the end of the book project with Chris • Full-time chauffeur and children’s enrichment coordinator to Bebel, Laila & Jacob • Active member of Kingston Photography Club & “Just Because” Book Club
But I don’t think of the future, or the past, I feast on the moment. This is the secret of happiness, but only reached now in middle age. Virginia Woolf
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Bebel’s World November 2013
• preparing and practicing for the dressage competition • bonding with Savannah Thomson over their shared love of horses • learning about the respiratory system at school • finally won a medal in a school sports competition – 3rd place (out of four) in inter-house swimming • watches Saddle Club episodes over and over on her laptop • crazy about Rainbow Loom
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Football Feva Jacob & Laila play football after school but need a little extra coaching to catch up to the level of their classmates!
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Bebel has had a great riding term with Guy Moore, visiting Pony Club instructor from England.309
“It’s been written in the scars
of our hearts.�
12 Years Some ups, some downs Mostly ups Definitely in for the next 12
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Pony Club Musical Dressage Competition
Pony Club Christmas Musical Dressage Competition Bebel placed second – missing first place to Ella by one point! – in the dressage competition. She did her test to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Winter – Allegro non Molto. She was happy with her 2nd place ribbon.
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our three little violinists
Our three little violinists There was never a prouder moment than when Bebel, Laila & Jacob all took the stage at the end of term violin play-in. Granted it was only one short song, and if you listened closely they weren’t completely in tune with the rest of the ensemble, and it was just a family-only play-in at Miss Moyah’s violin studio (so not even really a stage), but Mummy & Daddy were beaming nonetheless.
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Sushi Baby!
We made sushi! After talking about it for ages, we finally got around to trying to make sushi. Wayne’s attempts were much better than mine but they all tasted really good!
moments One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones of characters and of the most decisive value to man. Goethe
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december
Enter the Christmas Season
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Hillel Christmas Fair
The Christmas season officially starts for us with the Hillel Christmas Fair. A great time was had by all.
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signs that it’s christmas
Signs that it’s Christmas – • photos with Santa • Jonkanoo on the streets of Kingston • Visit to the Christmas tree farm in Malvern, St. Elizabeth • A huge tree in middle of the living room Santa and his wife visited Hillel to collect gifts for less fortunate children.
Christmas Tree Tradition
It seems like we’re starting a tradition here – putting up the tree in the apartment on the evening after the Hillel Christmas Fair. Laila, Jacob & Bebel got so into putting the decorations on the tree. They did a great job.
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Boardwalk Beach
08 DECEMBER We ventured out to a new (to us) beach, Boardwalk. Grandma G was with us which was a special treat. When we got there it was freezing cold and windy, and we thought we would just have fried fish & festival and go back home. But then the day turned absolutely beautiful and we had the most amazing day, the beach pretty much all to ourselves. Bebel discovered “Kunta Kinte� and spent most the day riding him up and down the beach. A wonderful day for all of us.
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K-1 Christmas Assembly 06 DECEMBER Kindergarten 1 starred at Assembly with Christmas and holiday songs. Laila was one of the three children who said the opening prayer. Could they be any cuter? Could we be any prouder? (No!)
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Bebel did her Braiding Badge and her Efficiency D Test over the holidays. We also said goodbye to Guy who went back to England after his term here with the Caymanas Pony Club. We will miss him as he was a wonderful teacher and was great with the kids.
Braiding Badge & Efficiency Test
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End of Term
Christmas Celebrations Ending the term with a bang at the Chanukah-Carol Hour and the Class Party on the last day of school.
Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing. William Butler Yeats 331
mum’s 81st birthday
Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that the family hangs its identity from. A.M. Homes
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15 DECEMBER Mum’s 81st birthday – with a whole pile of her grandchildren, who must have set the world record for the number of people to cut a birthday cake with one knife!
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Christmas Baking Mama is not a baker and she does not love the kitchen, but she dutifully if grudgingly made Christmas cookies and mincepies with the kids this Christmas. Fortunately they were so happy to make cookies they didn’t notice that they tasted quite dreadful!
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Mini Maestros
22 DECEMBER
Mama trying to keep the twins in violin shape over the holidays! They are getting more into it and enjoying it more now which makes practice sessions so much easier for Mama!
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The Night Before Christmas
The day before Christmas we spent quietly at home, wrapping gifts and baking. Bebel and Mummy made mincepies late into the night. Jacob & Laila wrapped the gifts they had chosen for themselves at Fontana. Wayne was at the stores until late, and we waited up for him.
24 DECEMBER
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We want for nothing and
Christmas Morning
we are grateful. 25 DECEMBER
Lots of gifts from Santa in the stockings, plus lots of gifts from friends and family under the tree.
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Chen Family Christmas Dinner
We did it—well Wayne did it—yet again: a massive feast for dozens of the Chen clan plus extended family and friends. And it WAS wonderful.
The family provides the natural framework in which individuals - especially children - receive the emotional, financial and material support indispensable to their development. It is within the family that children learn the values that will guide them for the rest of their lives. It is within the family that they form their earliest relationships, learn to communicate with others and interact with the world around them. Kofi Annan
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26 DECEMBER Boxing Day. The days after Christmas were happily spent quietly at home, enjoying our new toys and games, and the downtime, and each other. I don’t think we left the house for days—and we were so happy. Of course it was extra-nice that Alannah was with us. We were so happy to have her all to ourselves for days on end. For this we are blessed—to be so content at home, with each other.
Ah! There is nothing like staying home for real comfort. Jane Austen
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What else do we all want, each one of us, except to love and be loved, in our families, in our work, in all our relationships? Dorothy Day
One laugh of a child will make the holiest day more sacred still. Robert G. Ingersoll
Laila
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moments
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Sunday Brunch
A SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER Let us count our blessings, for they are many. Let us learn from our past and make each day better. Let us honour those who have served, they have lightened our burdens. Let us increase in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom; listen, observe, and learn. Let us respect and honour ourselves and others. Let us find common ground, even as we cherish our diversity. Let us make a mark by being productive. Let us create a legacy, starting with our children. They watch what we do, not what we say.
Our tradition of Sunday Brunch is a highlight of our weekly lives. Bringing together friends and family is such a gift. Thanks to Wayne for keeping this tradition strong.
No two people - no mere father and mother - are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world of kinfolk, persons of variety in age and temperament, and yet allied to himself by an indissoluble bond which he cannot break if he could, for nature has welded him into it before he was born. Pearl S. Buck
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year’s end in negril
Ride the Wave
Bebel and Toussaint went horseback riding at Paul’s Ride the Wave attraction – T’s first time on a horse!
What better way to ring out 2013 than in one of the most beautiful places on the island, and even more importantly, with family and friends that we love and hold dear?
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What lies behind us and what lies in front of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ann invited us to the Sandy Haven New Year’s Eve celebration, and we were joined by Coco & Juliet. Jacob & Laila had their first real New Year’s Eve party and we watched the lanterns float off into the sky as we welcomed 2014.
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goodbye 2 0 1 3
2013 was a tough year, but we held our heads up, kept our noses to the grindstone and tried not to worry too much. Plus we have so many blessings to count & be thankful for – we are all healthy and able-bodied, we have good friends, the children are in good schools and doing well and developing wonderfully, and we have one another.
In the end, only three things matter: How much you loved, How gently you lived, And how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. Buddha