tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47308692599009172972024-03-13T15:05:15.635-05:00From L.A. to LAShoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.comBlogger1894125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-8080886276714411022023-04-03T07:27:00.080-05:002023-04-03T07:27:00.186-05:00Day 5: Animal KingdomFor our fifth and final day at the park we headed to Animal Kingdom. We started off the day booking our first Lightning Lane for Expedition Everest from 9:15-10:15 and purchased our Lightning Lane for Avatar Flight of Passage for 1:25-2:25. Once again, we made good time in the morning, especially considering this was the earliest day, getting to the park just at the end of early entry. Once we arrived we headed straight to Na'vi River Journey which was a walk on. Even walking through the line there was a couple who sensed we were in a hurry and let us go ahead. At the front, our family was the only one on our boat since there was no one there.
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From there we walked over to Kilimanjaro Safaris. We were on the ride around 8:30, thirty minutes after park opening. Once finished we walked through the Gorilla Fall Exploration Trail, specifically so we could see the hippos there for my daughter. After that it was time for our Everest Lighingt Lane, so we we went to find the yeti. Afterwards we backtracked a bit to walk through the Maharaja Jungle Trek so my son could see the Tigers.
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We decided to go to see Feathered Friends in Flight, which was just as fun as I had heard. While waiting for the show to start we mobile ordered Flame Tree Barbecue, so that was waiting to us once the show ended. I had the 1/2 Chicken (Marinated Slow-smoked Chicken served with Signature Baked Beans and Coleslaw), my husband the Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich, daughter the Pulled Pork Platter, and son the All-Beef Hot Dog. This was another meal that we all really enjoyed and were impressed with.
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After lunch we went to watch Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond, I believe at the 11:30 show. We finished and had a bit of time before our next two Lightning Lanes (Dinosaur from 1:10-2:10 and Flight of Passage from 1:25-2:25.) We figured we'd kill a bit of time and let the kids run off some energy playing in The Boneyard. Except each time just before our lighting lane opened, the ride shut down. So instead of playing for 15-20 mintues or so, we were in there around an hour. (I did use this time to book our next Lightning Lane, this time at Epcot to ride Soarin' Around the World for a second time this trip.)
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Finally around 2 or so, Flight of Passage opened back up. We walked there as quickly as we could, but the line was already out the entrance by the time we arrived. Thankfully it moved fairly quickly. Dinosaur was open by the time we got off, but we were ready to leave at that point and figured it was one we could skip. We did buy a churro on our way out of the park, and then took the bus over to Epcot. (I bought park hoppers for our entire trip, but this was the only time we used it. Looking back we really didn't need it, but I still think I'd do it again, just because you never know how things will go.)
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Z90m6C15M4" title="2022-12-21 - Epcot - Epcot Entrance (5)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604108223_c2c2069a5d.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-21 - Epcot - Epcot Entrance (5)"/></a></center>
While on the bus I booked a Lightning Lane for Spaceship Earth between 4:05-5:05 since we didn't have a chance to ride it on our Epcot day. While waiting for our Lightning Lane to open we took picutres with Spaceship Earth as well as Goofy.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ZU55yYtC4N" title="2022-12-21 - Epcot - Epcot (5)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604033000_0463da1d25.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-21 - Epcot - Epcot (5)"/></a></center>I had my first ride ever on Spaceship Earth, then we headed over to the Seas. (Another area we had missed and that I had never been.) We walked onto The Seas with Nemo & Friends, looked into some of the acquariums, and then went to a show of Turtle Talk with Crush.
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From there we headed over to Soarin' for our last ride of the trip. As we were getting ready to ride we ran into one of Bear's friends from school. Since of course, sometime it feels like you can't go on a trip anywhere without running into someone you know from home.
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Finally we headed over to France for our last dinner at Chefs de Fance. This was probably the meal I was most excited about, except it was probably the most disappointing of the trip. It wasn't bad, but wasn't as good as I expected, nor was it as good as most other meals we ate. I had the Boeuf Bourguignon with linguine (Braised beef in Cabernet, baby onions, carrots, pasta). The beef itself was good, but the pasta was plain pasta without enough juice to flavor it. The carrots were good, but there were no baby onions, which I really like. I'm pretty sure the boy had the same. I think Bear had their hamburger and Elley their grilled chicken. (The chicken was probably the best part of the meal.)
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From there we headed back to the hotel. We flying home the next day, but since the flight wasn't till early evening still had time for a bit of fun for the morning. Till that final post, here's our Insta posts for the day!
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmevZLir4oB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmevZLir4oB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmevZLir4oB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmg04FULM-O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmg04FULM-O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-44524628770358937342023-03-06T07:16:00.094-06:002023-03-06T07:16:00.179-06:00Day 4: Hollywood StudiosOur next day at the parks was at Hollywood Studios. Out of all the days, the waits were by far the worst this day. Even with a strong plan, we wound up missing out on a couple of things we likely would have enjoyed. Things started out strong bookling an Individual Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance from 10:30-11:20 and a Lightning Lane for Slinky Dog Dash from 11:20-12:20. We were then at the park right around Early Entry and went right to Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. The line was longer, but moved pretty quickly.
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For park opening we made it to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which already had a wait of about 20 minutes. We were off around 9 am. At this point the park had been open for 30 mintues and the lines were all already so long. And we had over an hour till we could book a Lightning Lane or till we could use our next one. So for likely one of the worst decisions of the trip, opted to wait in a 40 minute line for Alien Swirling Saucers. (Honestly what felt like the longest wait of the trip.)
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We were off right around 10:20, which ment the park had been open for less than 2 hours, and we had been on a total of 3 rides. Looking back that's about the same amount of rides we did in the first two hours as the other day, but it felt so much longer this time. We walked back to Galaxy's Edge for Smugglers Run. Of course, our next Lighting Lane opened while we were in the pre-board area. I tried to book Tower of Terror, but it sold out immeadiately. (They were only operating one side during our visit and the posted wait was around 2 hours the majority of the day. This was the one ride I really wish we could have rode. Yes, we've technically rode in California, except it's not quite the same with the Guardians retheme.) So instead, I booked a Lightning Lane for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster from 2:35-3:35, which was the only ride my son wasn't quite tall enough for.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5r494u87x6" title="2022-12-20 - Disneys Hollywood Studios - Slinky Dog Dash"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604108493_cb9dbe9745.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-20 - Disneys Hollywood Studios - Slinky Dog Dash"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
We did ride Rise of the Resistance, which I do think lived up to all the hype. (Unlike Smugglers run, which I wouldn't necessarily see us prioritizing again.) We wandered a bit in Galaxy's Edge then went back to Toy Story Land for our Lightning Lane for Skliny Dog. (A fun little roller coaster!) While in line I mobile ordered our lunch at Docking Bay 7, back in Galaxy's edge.
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I had the Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato Stir-fry (Smoky Braised Beef glazed in Tamarind Sauce. Served with Stir Fried Mushrooms and Vegetables, Crispy Herb Yucca, Pickled Onions, and Cilantro), the boy had the Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs, Elley had the Ithorian Pasta Rings, and Bear the Fried Chicken Tip Yip Youngling Meal. This was another really strong quick service meal.
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From here all the waits were so long (most were an hour if not more!), and our next Lightning Lane was about 2 hours away, so we planned to see some shows. First we went to see Muppet*Vision 3D, something I hadn't made it to on our last Disney World trip. (As it was ending I booked our next Lightning Lane for Star Tours for 3:15-4:15.) Then went to see the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacualar. (Something else I had never seen, unless you count the Full House episode when they watched it which is strong in my memories) Then to the Disney Junior Play and Dance! (Something I had done before, but at California Adventures.)
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/u89CrVg52j" title="2022-12-20 - Disneys Hollywood Studios - Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604108618_f03aa1aa6a.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-20 - Disneys Hollywood Studios - Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith"></a></center>
At this point our Lightning Lane or Rock 'n' Roller Coaster finally opened, so we Walked That Way. I origonally thought The Boy and Bear could go to Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy while we were riding, but of course it closed as we were walking over. So instead they had a snack while we were on (a churro and a Sprite, which resulted in a bit of a meltdown from the one who didn't receive a churro once she found out.)
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From there it was time for our last Lightning Lane for Star Tours. By the time we had been availible to book another, there weren't great options. After we got off the ride we still had a couple of hours before dinner, and could have seen some different shows. (Frozen or Beauty and the Beast were likely options.) Instead though we opted to head back to the hotel and rest for a bit.
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For dinner that night we had reservations at Sanaa at 6:45. While at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, it was at the other section, so we took a shuttle to Kidani Village. We wer actually meeting a friend of mine and her husband for dinner that night since they lived in the area. Of course we split the bread service, because how could you go there and not order it. I then had Potjie Inspired with Butter Chicken and Rajma Masala. I think my husband had the same, but with Lentil Daal. Then my daughter also had the Butter Chicken and I think my son may have had a cheeseburger. Then since there was someone else to split desserts with me we had the Serradura (Butterscotch Pudding, Almond Coffee Streusel, Pineapple, Mango, and Breton Shortbread) and African Triple Chocolate Mousse (Dark Chocolate from Ghana, Milk Chocolate from Madagascar, Blonde Chocolate, Chocolate Almond Biscuit, and Strawberries).
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Both kids were basically ready to fall asleep at the table at this point so we called it a night, taking a shuttle back to our hotel, and doing Hanuakkah where each received a new pair of PJs. (I was really intentional about having a lot of their gifts with things we were packing anyway.) From here we have only one more full day, so soon, I'll be back talking about our last day at Animal Kingdom. Till then, here's the Instagram post from our day at the Studios!
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmekgrnL_ci/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmekgrnL_ci/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmekgrnL_ci/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-83906089193361578972023-02-27T07:51:00.015-06:002023-02-27T07:51:00.189-06:00Day 3: Away from the ParksOur third day was our day away from the Parks. I guess you could say it was a day off, although we still did quite a bit. First we had breakfast reservations at 'Ohana for the Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch. I had planned out our transportation plan, so we took a bus to Magic Kingdom n to monorail there, so we could use all the funs ways of travel. Except when we went to board they told us the monorail would be temporarily closed, and they weren't sure when it would be back. Luckily there is a boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Polynesian so it wasn't too difficult of a change.
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Breaksfast wound up being really good, and a lot of fun. It's a family style meal, so nothing unquie to share about what we ate, although we did go through a lot of waffles. Elley was wearing a Lusisa dress from <a href="https://onlylittleonce.com/">Only Little Once</a>, and she loved how all the characters kept noting on how strong she must be. Lilo was especailly adorable and pointed to herself and Elley to note that they both were strong. Along with Lilo and Stitch, Pluto was there too.
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After breakfast we took the bus to Disney Springs. This was partly to go back and buy souvenirs, but also one of the easier ways to get back to our hotel. Elley wound up buying a mini stuffed Tianna with a clothing and backpack accessory (both Rainbow Pride themed). Bear wound up buying a stuffed Bolt (which is his absolulte favorite movie, so I was really excited to hear from someone else they might have Bolts, and to find him), a lightsaber, and a Hawkeye bow and arrow set. We were able to go into the Lego store this time (last time there had been a long line to get in). And I also was able to sneak to the Christmas store to buy them each a Christmas ornament.
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From there we went back to the hotel. The boy actually went to the hotel gym to work out and I took the kids for a swim at the pool. It really wasn't that warm, so we weren't there that long, but both did have a couple of tries on the slide.
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We had an early dinner reservation (which made sense since we didn't really have lunch) at 4:30 for Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White. Being at the Wilderness Lodge we again went to Magic Kingdom and this time took an intentional boat ride to get there. This was one of the best meals of the trip. (Although The Boy would say likely not worth the $300 we paid for it!) The meal starts with a set of shared appetizers and then each person picks their main dish. I had the A Stroll through Nature (Asparagus, Leeks, Arugula, Gnocchi, Sage, Parmesan). The Boy had the Royal Prime Rib Roast and Elley also had the kids Prime Rib (which wasn't as good as the adult portion since it was quite well done). Bear had their grilled chicken. There was a shared dessert too where we each had 4 diffferent small bites.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/8Dv1edNitD" title="2022-12-19 - Disneys Wilderness Lodge - Disneys Wilderness Lodge (13)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52603606516_2d6dc8d6ca.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-19 - Disneys Wilderness Lodge - Disneys Wilderness Lodge (13)"></a></center>
Snow White, Grumpy, and Dopey all walked to the table. Sometimes the Evil Queen is there, but she wasn't that night. Instead the area where she'd normally met was set up for a photo session.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4k4kEz5RFv" title="2022-12-19 - Disneys Wilderness Lodge - Disneys Wilderness Lodge (8)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604115513_e6ba12ccac.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-19 - Disneys Wilderness Lodge - Disneys Wilderness Lodge (8)"></a></center>
So that was our day off, which you can see, wasn't really a day off. After dinner we went back to the hotel for Hanukkah where each kid recieved a Hanukkah themed book and since it was somewhat of an earlier night, we had time to read both.
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Up next is our day at Hollywood Studios, where we had some of the worst waits of the trip, but first, here's the Instagram photos from the day!
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmabcLmrpeQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmabcLmrpeQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmabcLmrpeQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-26518470222303301952023-02-06T07:29:00.024-06:002023-02-26T21:50:20.129-06:00Day 2: EpcotOur second day we headed to Epcot. To back up though, one thing I didn't note in my first post is how little my kids really cared about meeting characters. They would much rather spend their time rading rides. There were a couple of instances where I'd ask, especially at Magic Kingdom, if I should book our next Lighting Lane for a character or a ride, and it was always a ride. I somewhat suspected this, which is part of why I didn't book Bippity Boppity Boutique. Although I thought she'd notice and comment on the makeovers, but never once did. I do think if we had taken the trip on either of the earlier times, that would have been different. But this time they were completely focused on rides.
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Back to the day at hand, starting at 7, I first went to book our Virtual Queue for Guardians... but it was already sold out. I couldn't quite beleive it and tried refreashing a couple more times in case it was a glitch. But no, completely gone. I was still able to book our Lightning Lane for Remy's (at 3:40) and then caved and bought Individual Lightning Lanes for Guardians. I thought about waiting to chance the afternoon virtual queue, but I couldn't do it. I asked the Boy for his opinion, and he told me it was a waste of money. So I only bought for the three of us (at 12:25), saving that little bit of money.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3rA36y5p7n" title="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Frozen Ever After"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604028945_db6508bcd8.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Frozen Ever After"></a></center>
We didn't make as great time this day, and was in the park around 8:45 with 8:30 as the start of early entry. We rope dropped Frozen Ever After, and were on the ride just at 9am. From there we walked over to Soarin', where waits were already starting to build. From Soarin' to Living with the Land, which was all decked out for the holidays. Then we walked over to Journey Into Imagination with Figment.
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Our visit was shortly after they gave the abilty to edit currently booked Lightning Lanes. While while in line for Figment I was able to update our Remy time to 12:45, so we could ride a lot sooner! Of course, it hit 11 while we were on Figment, and there's nothing like booking your next Lightning Lane while on a ride. I was able to book Test Track at 8:15, which I later was able to edit up to 1:20. After riding Figment we played for a bit in the Play pavillion. Both kids met Venelope from Wreck-It Ralph, but only my son wanted to meet Joy from Inside Out. It was right around 11:30 then so we decided to break for lunch stopping in Mexico for tacos at La Cantina de San Angel. I had the Tacos de Barbocoa (shredded beef), both kids had Chicken Tacos, and I believe my husband had Tacos de Pollo.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/qj801iTF5y" title="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52603106907_d52585f315.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind"></a></center>
After lunch it was time for our Lightning Lane for Guardians, so we walkted that way. (The start of multiple long walks bak and forth through the entire park). The ride wound up being so awesome, unlike any ride I'd been on before. Far worth paying for a ride in my opinion. That is me in the front row, hiding behind my hair. Just by my hair you can tell how quickly we were moving. We were off at around 1, so I figured I'd try entering the virtual queue and made it! The estimated wait was 8 hours, so I wasn't sure if we'd stay that late. But we had one just in case. (I even booked my husband this time, so he could experience it as well!)
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I didn't book another Lightning Lane at this point. There just wasn't anything else we really wanted to do. We could have done Mission Space, but the Boy is still upset that I made him ride the spinning version with me a decade ago. Instead the thought was we'd wait till we were leaving and book Spaceship Earth on our way out.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/297v6S3C33" title="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Test Track"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52603600961_2bfc70f2b9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Test Track"></a></center>
Our Lighting Lane for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure went till 1:45, so we walked clear to the other side of the park to ride it. Then our Lightning Lane for Test Track went from 1:20-2:20, so we walked completely back to ride that one. A lot of walking and not what I'd recommend. I'll also add at this point, I decided for no strollers this trip. It might sound silly, but I know how many people are pro-stoller at Disney World. Honestly they did really well. Yes some complaining, especially this day when we walked back and forth the largest part multiple times, but overall I was pretty proud of how they did.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/6f4Y388440" title="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Epcot (2)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52603863224_f404a0a2b2.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Epcot (2)"></a></center>
Our plan for the rest of the afternoon was to wander through the countries in Epcot, till our dinner reservation in Canada. We started in Mexico, to walk our way towards dinner. While in Mexico we rode Gran Fiesta Tour which had a surprisingly long line. Most would say it isn't a ride worth a wait, but since we were already there, we stuck it out. While in Norway, Elley stopped for a mini-photoshoot. It was at the exit of the Anna and Elsa meet, which based on how I started this post, we opted not to wait for.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/a83zJ60H4K" title="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Epcot"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604117083_8f8ef59e4b.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Epcot"></a></center>
Our dinner reservation was at Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada at 4:10. It honestly felt really early when I booked it, but we were so exhausted, the timing was fine. I actually was really unsure about this meal, and considered canceling it several times. But stuck with it, which wound up being a good thing, because it was one of our favorites. I started by splitting the French Onion Soup with Elley. Then split the Rib-Eye Steak with The Boy (Herbed Gruyere-Yukon Gold Potatoes, Onion Cognac Gravy, Crispy Onions). I think both kids had the Strip Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Risotto. (They loved their mashed potatoes!) Then for dessert I had Maple Creme Brulee (Maple Whipped Cream, Shortbread Maple Leaf Cookie).
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/pGb54U25er" title="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind (1)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52603853804_bdc7e3d390.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-18 - Epcot - Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind (1)"></a></center>
As we were finishing up I realized it was about to be time for the last Hanukkah show that night, which I wanted to see since, coincidentally, it was the first night of Hanukkah, so we made our way to the America Pavillion. After that we walked back to the France Pavilion for a couple of desserts from the Patisserie. Right about this time, our virtual queue for Guardians opened, so we ended the night by one final ride on our way out.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmX4QXQL_WD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmX4QXQL_WD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmX4QXQL_WD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
Again, it was the first night of Hanukkah, so we celebrated once we got back to the hotel room. It was nothing crazy. I had bought a travel cloth menorah to light, and they each opened a present which were Hanukkah PJs to wear. But that was our second day at the parks. The next day we weren't going to a park, so things would be a little calmer. First though, theses are my Instagram posts from this day. The first, the majority of the day, and the second below ending with Hanukkah.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmX-Dy3LslN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmX-Dy3LslN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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I'll plan to be back soon to make it through the rest!Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-71273563054025089792023-01-23T07:08:00.033-06:002023-02-26T21:46:12.786-06:00Day 2: Magic KingdonI'll just start off this post by saying that I splurged on a lot for this trip. So yes, that meant I paid for individual lighting lanes each day. After all, who knew when we'd be back in Disney World. When we bought our tickets we were able to add Genie+, so we already had that as part of our tickets for each day. So for our first day, I paid for a lighting lane for Snow White Mine Train for 11:30-12:30. Then for my first Genie+ selection, I had Peter Pan at 10:30-11:30. (At all the times we've done Disneyland trips, we've never made a point to ride that one since the waits are always so long.)
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One thing we didn't spurlge on though was breakfast. Each day we ate in our room, with a mix of cereal, instant grits, or oatmeal. We also bought reusable mugs, so each day I'd run downn for some coffee to drink in the morning. Overall we made good time and were on the bus before 8, with an early rope drop for 8:30. We were in line for Space Mountain almost exactly at 8:30, but noticed there was no time listed nor was the line moving... and it was 8:35 at this point. Employees came out to say the ride was closed, and they weren't sure when it was open. So we turned around, and were one of the first from the line to get to Astro Oriber. Then a ride on Buzz's Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
</br><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/47B4190H7g" title="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Splash Mountain"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604029090_b9bf398b38.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Splash Mountain"></a></center>
At this point it was 9, and the park opened to non-hotel guests. We decided to head over to Splash Mountain, since I wasn't sure how quickly waits would build there, especially since it was closing so soon. (I will say as much as I love the ride, I like the idea of a Princess and the Frog retheme. I think it especially makes sense since the Br'er Rabbit tales were first written down in Louisiana.) So we were able to get one last ride one. Although, I'm hopeful it will still be open at Disneyland when we're there this spring, since I like their version better.
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I'd also add that by deciding on Splash, we were opting out of Jingle Cruise. It's one we have been on at Disneyland (even holiday themed), and I was really trying to prioritize rides that are exclusive to Disney World. Also, with waits as long as they were, and not wanting to spend a Genie+ selection on it, there were better options for us to take.
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After Splash we then waited for Pirates of the Caribbean, still which probably had only a 15 or 20 minute wait. I'm not positive, but I believe we walked over to Journey of the Little Mermaid at this point, to wait to get further into our time for Peter Pan. This was right around when we could book our next Genie+, so I booked one for Space Mountain for 3:50-4:50 so we could try again. We rode Peter Pan, and then rode Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, again waiting on our window, this time for Mine Train.
</br><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/PPr2y5uV7C" title="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604109898_d9cc895be4.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train"></a></center>
We stopped for lunch at this point, which I mobile ordered at Pinocchio Village Haus. This was probably the most "Theme Park-esque" meal we had the entire trip, and it really wasn't bad. I had the Margherira Flatbread (Flatbread with Tomato Suace, Shredded Mozzarella, Fresh Tomatoes, Mozzarellas Pearls, and a drizzle of Balsamic Glaze.) The boy had a Perpperoni Flatbread, and both kids had the Cheese Flatbread.
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After lunch, we went to ride The Barnstomer. At this point it was 1pm, 2 hours after my last Genie+ selection, so I choose the Tomorrowland Speedway, with a pretty close window of 2-3pm. (Sidenote, why is it not called Autopia in Disney World? Anyone know???) While waiting the next hour, we first went on Mad Tea Party (better know as the Tea Cups). Then over to Tomorrowland where we went on Carousel of Progress and the People Mover. (Neither of which I ever remember riding since they closed so long ago at Disneyland.) Once we swiped into the Speedway, I booked our next Genie+ for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. (Origonally started at 5:45. Thankfully shortly before our visit they added the ability to modify selections, and were able to move it earlier to 4:05. Far more convienent with our 5:30 dinner reservation!)
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<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/u7k8f64ick" title="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Plaza Garden East (5)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52603863999_75daf336a2.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Plaza Garden East (5)"></a>
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At this point I insisted we walk over to the castle so we could take our family picture together. It was 2:45 now and the parade started at 3, so we stayed to watch that.
</br><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4886E11gw9" title="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Main Street USA (1)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52603612441_84fdb2b6f2.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Main Street USA (1)"></a></center>After the parade we walked over the Space Mountain to wait for our Genie+ window to open. We walked over and were about to swipe in, when the ride shut down. So for the second time, we didn't get to ride it that day. There were some tears, but thankfully our Big Thunder window was close, so we were able to walk that way to use our Genie+ selection there.
</br></br>After we swiped in I booked a selection for Haunted Mansion, but not till 8. It wound up being late enough where we didn't ride it. Again, it's a ride that's in Disenyland, so while it would have been fun, no big loss.
</br></br>Just before 4:30, we managed to take the last raft over to Tom Sawyer Island. While this is something that is at Disneyland, it's been years since I've been over, and the kids never had. They had a blast running around, and we only left as they were closing the island down. At this point, it was about 30 minutes before our dinner reservation at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. We walked over to see if they could take us early. In a way they could, but I think we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table.
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Now this wound up being one of our favorite meals. I had the Baa Baa Lamb Chops (Spice-rubbed Lamb Chops, Chermoula, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Cipollini Onions, and Harissa Sauce, garnished with Preserved Lemons and Herbs.) I think The Boy had "Hardy Har Char" Siu Pork and asked for them to serve it with broccoli. The kids each had Macaroni and Cheese, which Elley proclaimed to be the best Macaroni and Cheese she'd ever had. We then walked over the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe for an order of Churro Nuggets (with a chocolate dipping sauce), apparently the only place in the park that served churros. (So differently from Disneyland which has carts everyway.)
</br><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/52VKBJ8vZQ" title="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Space Mountain"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52604109253_ee7c6a490e.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="2022-12-17 - Magic Kingdom Park - Space Mountain"></a></center>
I tried not to jinx things, but at this point Space Mountain had reopened, so for the third time that day walked over to ride. Third time was the charm, because we were finally able to ride it! From there we walked over to the castle to find a spot for fireworks. We watched and then made our way back to the hotel, since the next day was another early one, heading over to Epcot!
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I shared all my official Disney photos throughout, but here's a look at my Instagram post from that day. There's some overlap, but several others if you want to scroll through. Even of course a look at my dinner!
Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-79103069088577411862023-01-17T07:28:00.106-06:002023-02-26T21:37:42.580-06:00I'm here! With a Tale from Disney World!This past December we took a family vacaction to Disney World. It's a trip I'd been planning for years, technically the third time trip we'd planned on taking over the last 6 years, but this time it actually happened!
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We had first planned this trip for December 2016, but then I was pregnant. We'd decided a trip with a 1 month old baby wasn't the type of trip we wanted, for a variety of reasons, and rescheduled with plans to go in a couple of years.
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We then planned again for Decemeber 2020, but COVID occured. Now the parks had reopened by December 2020, so technically we could have gone, but it wasn't the trip we wanted, so we canceled again.
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Finally though we were able to make the trip happen for December 2022. Until it actually happened I kept thinking something would come up and we'd have to cancel again, but the days got closer and closer and nothing came up. Even on the other side, I'm still a bit in disbelieve we actually pulled it off!
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While this trip was the first trip to Disney World for either kid, both had been to Disneyland a couple of times. (I even have a post from Elley's <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/09/going-back-to-cali-days-7-and-8.html">first trip</a> and while Bear may not have a full post, I did at least share <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">a picture of it</a>.) I've been to Disney World myself once, which was as an adult, so those posts are <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2011/12/walt-disney-world-vacation-day-1.html">here</a> too!
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Even feeling like I grew up at Disneyland, I wanted to be prepared for Disney World so I started to read EasyWDW from Josh Humphrey all the time. Back in March 2020, I bought and read his book, getting excited for our trip before everything shut down. I loved reading his posts to see all his numbers, share all his strategies, read all his reviews. I occasionally read the boards, and even posted my own trip report outlining a day we spent a Disneyland during one of our California visits. So even though I never met Josh and never got to use his strategies in person, his death in 2022 still hits me hard.
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The loss of Josh is part of the reason I'm here, writing on my blog which has basically disappeared, to share about our trip. In an alternate universe I might have posted this on his forums, but given that they don't exist, that's not an option. But part of it is defininitely so Josh can continue on in the world, so other can still discover him and his humor and love for Disney even if he's no longer alive.
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So now that I've written a post about why I'm posting, I might actually share about the trip some. I will add that the majority of my photos are still on my phone (and I still write these posts on a computer, which is honestly a lot of why they're so nonexistent.) But I do have some of the Instagram posts I'll share, plus the Disney photopass ones, so they'll be some pictures within.
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To start with, our flight was really early out of New Orleans, 6:45am on Friday 12/16. Considering we live about an hour from that airport, it was an early morning. But we woke up, loaded the car, brought the kids downstairs still in their pjs and were off.
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It was our first time flying out of the newest terminal in New Orleans which was really nice. (It only opened in early 2020, so still hasn't had a ton of use.) It was a little confusing figuring out which parking lot to use, but no issues whatsoever. (Thankfully we weren't flying a week later.) We had a quick layover in Atlanta and arrived at MCO around noon.
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We did get a little turned around in the Orlando airport trying to find our bus, but made it there eventually. We took the Mears shuttle, which is basically the same as the old Disney Express, except no longer free and no longer Disney themed. On the drive to the hotel we got our text with our room number, so once we arrived (at the Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House), we were able to walk right there.
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Given how early we woke up the boy and I attemped naps while the kids watched tv. (Definitely a perk of the Disney hotels, they have all the various Disney channels availible to watch!) With how excited I was, at around 3, I started encouraging everyone to get ready to head to Disney Springs (we had a dinner reservation at 6:30). Honestly looking back, we should have slept a little longer. O well... We did take a couple of pictures out on the balcony with the animals (definitely something I was really excited about and splurged on!) before we walked out to the bus.
</br></br>We spent time going to the various stores, with a plan that we weren't going to buy anything. More if there were things we saw to remember and we'd be back later. We honesltly didn't go into many (the main Disney store, the Christmas store, a Star Wars store, a pin area). We didn't actually make it into the LEGO store since the line was so long. At this point though everyone was exhausted. We still had about two hours till our dinner reservation, but figured we'd try to see if they'd take us early, which thankfully they were able to accomadate.
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This was a dinner I was really looking forward to. It was at Morimoto Asia, the restaurant of the Iron Chef. Maybe because we were all so tired, it was just kind of okay. Not bad, but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to eat there again. We started the meal off with shared edamame. Both kids had a chicken ramen bowl. I had their duck ramen. The boy had their special, which was a beef hamburger-esque patte with a fried egg on top, with broth and mushrooms. The mushrooms were really good. Honestly, the food wasn't bad eand everyone ate a lot, but it was a long day. So with that we went back to our hotel so we could wake up early for our visit to the Magic Kingdom.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmP-gTurtXo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmP-gTurtXo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmP-gTurtXo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>So there's our first day. I even have the pictures I posted on Instagram from it all to share! I'll stop now and be back (maybe? hopefully?) continuing the trip starting with our first day at Magic Kingdom!
Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-19450552617524210612023-01-03T07:46:00.161-06:002023-01-03T07:46:00.167-06:00Top Books of 2022I thought about not posting my favorite books of the year here. After all, I've already posted on Insta, and I'm far more active there... but I just can't quite let this little corner of the Internet die.
<br><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmwoXN_rNE9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmwoXN_rNE9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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So I'm here, including more details about why these are my favorite and sharing the reviews I wrote on Insta earlier this year. So without further ado, here's my top 12 books of 2022 (shared in the order I read them)!
<br><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CYc27zoLaUv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CYc27zoLaUv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CYc27zoLaUv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>1. <I>Eleanor & Park</I> by Rainbow Rowell</B>
<br>I wouldn't be surprised if every Rainbow Rowell book made my favorite list the year I read it. I'm really late to this one, reading it 10 years after it was first published, and I know so many have already read it. What's really stayed with me are the characters, their relationships and what they went through. Also, how well the feeling of being a teenager is captured. I had actually forgotten it takes place in the 80s till I sat down to write this, but my review mentions appreciating that as well.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaHwHYTrHgR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaHwHYTrHgR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaHwHYTrHgR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>2. <I>The Love Hypothesis</I> by Ali Hazelwood</B>
<br>I love how this book blended romance, science, and grad school. (Also how I was able to include my mug from my college year-end chemistry banquet in the photo for it! Although they're biologists in the book, but still close.) So much of it resonated with me and my past experiences.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CabS_tPAhxa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CabS_tPAhxa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CabS_tPAhxa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>3. <I>One True Loves</I> by Elise Bryant</B>
<br>Another one that's here because of my past experiences. The author of this book lives in Long Beach where I grew up and sets all her books there. So much of her books remind me of high school and my childhood. A lot of this does take place on a European cruise, but even aspects of that reminded me of when I went to Italy in high school. Yes, I loved the love stories and the characters, but so much of why this is here is because of the setting.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbfNOBOrkar/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbfNOBOrkar/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbfNOBOrkar/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>4. <I>The Idea of You</I> by Robinne Lee</B>
<br>Another one that had all the nostalgia for me (clearly that's a theme here!). My best friend bought me this as a present knowing my obsession with Nick Carter, and it 100% gave me all those feels. I do think even not being a boy band fan, the love story is easy to fall for. But for me, this felt like fan fiction at its best.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbtcDOBgm-p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbtcDOBgm-p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbtcDOBgm-p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>5. <I>Last Dance on the Starlight Pier</I> by Sarah Bird</B>
<br>Finally one that breaks the trend and is on here not because of how familar it felt, but because of how different it felt. This one takes place during the Great Depression and tells about dance marathons. It also has pieces about vaudeville, burlesque, and mobsters. Also LGBTQ+ themes too. This is one that I've seen so little about, but keep sharing it in hopes someone else will discover it. Honestly, I never would have known about it if I hadn't won a copy in a Goodreads Giveaway, so I'm very thankful for that!
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcLWYogLk-b/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcLWYogLk-b/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcLWYogLk-b/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>6. <I>A More Perfect Union</I> by Tammye Huf</B>
<br>Another one I likely wouldn't have discovered on my own, but grateful it showed up in my Book Drop subscribtion. This story feels so unbelievable that it should be fake, except that it's the story of the author's great-great grandparents, who were an Irish immigrant and enslaved women that fell in love. It's a bit like star-crossed lovers, with a happy ending. Again not one I've seen a lot reading, but hopeful that more do.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcRWgtErAHP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcRWgtErAHP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcRWgtErAHP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>7. <I>True Biz</I>by Sara Nović</B>
<br>One that's been on so many others' Best-of lists, but I likely wouldn't have read it myself if I hadn't won it in a Goodreads giveaway. I learned so much about deaf culture reading this. Honestly a book where I can enjoy myself and learn about another's experience is so much of what I love reading for.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf7loU_r3jH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf7loU_r3jH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf7loU_r3jH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>8.<I>Bet on It</I> by Jodie Slaughter</B>
<br>The last of the Goodreads wins on the list! This one was just so much fun! It was a cute little romace... if a romace with this amount of steam can be considered cute. But I thought the bingo angle was a lot of fun. But also appriciated the depth of it too, dicusing race and anxiety. There's just a lot packed into a book that seems so simple from a surface level.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgf0yVqLH4Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgf0yVqLH4Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgf0yVqLH4Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>9.<I>The Moment I Met You</I> by Debbie Johnson</B>
<br>This was another book from my Book Drop subscribtion, which will be much of the theme for books to come. Again, a book that seems simple on a surface level, but is so much more. In it the main character is on vacation with her boyfriend when a devestating earthquake hits and this is the aftermath. It's hard to describe without giving to much away, but its another one that had a lot of depth to it.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3XmlXLEwg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3XmlXLEwg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3XmlXLEwg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>10. <I>Swimming Back to Trout River</I> by Linda Rui Feng</B>
<br>Another Book Drop selection, and another I know I won't be able to summarize in a couple of sentances. It takes place in China going back and forth between the 1960s and the 1980s. There's a lot focused on the Cultural Revolution, but there are a lot of intersecting timelines and interesting characters. It's just really unique overall.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_FNUerdB5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_FNUerdB5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_FNUerdB5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>11. <I>Mr. Perfect on Paper</I> by Jean Meltzer</B>
<br>You've probably noticed a theme by now.... these are all books so different from my experience where I learn so much, or instead ones that hit so close to home that feel tailored to me. Given that this is focused on the Jewish High Holidays, it's one that hits close to home. There aren't many books that talk about a modern Jewish experience, and I love that this one does. Yes, the romance, characters, setting and the rest are enjoyable, but how it feels reading about Judaism lik this gives me all the feels.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Clqu0LkLDrl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Clqu0LkLDrl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Clqu0LkLDrl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>12. <I>A Dress of Violet Taffeta</I> by Tessa Arlen</B>
<br><br>Ending things with one final Book Drop selection. This was historical fiction about Lady Duff Gordon. Going into it I would have expected the parts on the Titatic would be my favorite. And while yes, I enjoyed them, it was more of her earlier life, that shows how she became a fashion designer that I apprecitated so much more.
<br><br>
So that it is! My top 12 books of 2022. I'd love to say I'd be back here soon with more updates, but who knows. There's still so much I love about blogging and still read blogs of those of you that still write, even if I don't always comment. So it's always possible I come back more regularily here! (Also, how is there no spell check on blogger? I'm so used to it automatically on my phone. I know there must be so many typos in this posts, and even more over the past years.... so sorry for always having to put up with that!)
<br><br> <center><B>To see my favorite books from years' past go here:</B><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2022/01/top-books-of-2021.html">2021</a><br>
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/12/top-books-of-2020.html">2020</a><br>
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/01/top-books-of-2019.html">2019</a><br>
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/best-books-of-2018.html">2018</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2014/12/top-10-books-of-2014.html">2014</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-10-books-of-2013.html">2013</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2012/12/top-10-books-of-2012.html">2012</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-62910579612603377352022-07-11T06:33:00.001-05:002022-07-11T06:33:00.183-05:007 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99UZWd" title="IMG_6237"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027877903_e85789379e.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_6237"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">7 Years Old</span></center>
Similar to last year, while I'm not posting specific stats of my daughter's last year, I still wanted to make sure to create a post, as belated as it is. Although I am ahead of last year, so we'll see if that's setting any trends!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/M629v0" title="IMG_7918"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381007681_246e4cab04.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_7918"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">December 20</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/t1GicA" title="IMG_8091"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51382063700_8149a4ee04.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_8091"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">January 11</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/DJP1kF" title="IMG_8196"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381842349_cc49711b3e.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_8196"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">February 6</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/dzsv96" title="IMG_8403"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51460314752_793777eaca.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_8403"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">March 5</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/E6n4v7" title="IMG_8643"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51494592238_55b92415e4.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_8643"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">April 7</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/666JvG" title="IMG_9002"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712275633_eb65a025de.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9002"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">May 23</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5MzC81" title="IMG_9175"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712067411_2dd233f75f.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9175"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">June 19</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/i0AaY0" title="IMG_9312"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51727507351_6e770c79cf.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9312"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">July 4</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/43h715" title="IMG_9656"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51854067080_da58c7d927.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9656"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">August 6</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3y2033" title="IMG_0053"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51866988228_25cab9b8ec.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_0053"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">September 6</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/281Z65" title="IMG_0522"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52028031029_339d9d8263.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_0522"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">October 31</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/" title="51743072869_05b129dc60_o"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52026723247_37e451bf64.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="51743072869_05b129dc60_o"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">November 7</span>
<br><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5j36P7" title="IMG_0925"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52159269596_884c77ed11.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0925"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">December 11 - 7th Birthday Party</span>
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16087126090" title="1 Month Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="1 Month Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/16087126090_d89b429386.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16501380731" title="2 Months Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="2 Months Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16501380731_debfc3b494.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16620378820" title="IMG_3341 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3341" height="225" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16620378820_7c4d8705cc.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/01/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/02/2-month-update.html">2 Months</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/03/3-months-update.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16543276733" title="IMG_3543 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3543" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7708/16543276733_60afcf601d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/17432521320" title="IMG_3698 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3698" height="225" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5327/17432521320_9556445df5.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/18822301341" title="IMG_3783 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3783" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/378/18822301341_01c463c23b.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/04/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/19210948874/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_3893"><img alt="IMG_3893" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/392/19210948874_76b05c5f8f.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20667211146/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_4002"><img alt="IMG_4002" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/610/20667211146_391ce63aaf.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20858789214/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4080"><img alt="IMG_4080" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/20858789214_6b5d23c91c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/07/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/08/8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/09/9-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22320469682/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4140"><img alt="IMG_4140" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/22320469682_f64ff308b8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22559126648/in/dateposted/" title="11 Months"><img alt="11 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/22559126648_24a7c163b9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/23790601442/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="12 Months"><img alt="12 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/23790601442_131796f9c6.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/10/10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/11/11-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/12/12-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/24386028883/in/dateposted/" title="14 Months"><img alt="14 Months" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/24386028883_1127d0878b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/70NYw0" title="16 Months"><img alt="16 Months" height="225" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7421/26859400183_49a2ef01ec.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Kb147S" title="IMG_4546"><img alt="IMG_4546" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8861/27806304054_e88db70c6c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/03/14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/06/16-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/08/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/55VTLR" title="2 Years Old"><img alt="2 Years Old" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/767/31371765960_048991c856.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w43c23" title="IMG_4963"><img alt="IMG_4963" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3780/33542508941_c665d1a519.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/80V38A" title="IMG_5104"><img alt="IMG_5104" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36304692482_f13df5471e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/01/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/04/27-months-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/2-and-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/zou3c4" title="IMG_5163"><img alt="IMG_5163" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/26141351748_86855f3545.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/389ZX3" title="IMG_5395"><img alt="IMG_5395" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/40257805692_6c500c2891.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5hj517" title="IMG_5428"><img alt="IMG_5428" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/28785875548_aa107cb30d.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/3-13-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/CF8nyE" title="IMG_5487"><img alt="IMG_5487" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/44462187471_b2b47d2946.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2gAvtA" title="IMG_5731"><img alt="IMG_5731" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7901/46418376565_32656b6fcd.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1v37v3" title="IMG_5820"><img alt="IMG_5820" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933457006_05aa2f2512.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/06/4-years-update.html">4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/03/4-12-years-update.html">4 1/2 Years</a>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2nb54t" title="IMG_5917"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288643951_e4b827d867.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5917"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/64N895" title="IMG_6090"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51319295155_9e8893c075.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_6090"></a>
<br/><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/5-years-update.html">5 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2021/10/6-years-update.html">6 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-86292959138760325972022-05-09T07:22:00.001-05:002022-05-09T07:22:00.223-05:005 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/435fY9" title="IMG_6119"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51853475513_48274f67c3.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_6119"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">5 Years Old</span></center>
You're 5 years old!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/F2a18c" title="IMG_8778"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51493562942_782c82f865.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_8778"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">April 30</span></center>
It's hard to believe we're here. 5 years worth of updates. I'm so glad I wrote these all down, because otherwise I know many of these details I'd forget. I know everyone says it goes by so quickly. And yes, I know it's so cliched. But when it's happening to you, it's feels so, so true. So let's get started! As I wrote when your sister turned 5, these is the last of these. When you get to be the one telling your own stories, based on your memories. I'll still be here posting pictures and adventures (assuming I can actually make that happen!), but they won't be specific to you and what's happening in your life.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/n882nY" title="IMG_8857"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712270903_3d35a56ce7.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_8857"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">May 9</span></center>
For your fifth year update, no official stats since we haven't made it to the doctor yet. (Likely by the time I post this, it will have happened. And it did! Three months after your 5th birthday you were 42.5in (27%ile) and weighged 32 lbs (0.8%ile).) You're wearing mainly 4t tops and bottoms. Your shoes are size 11.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/0Jt905" title="IMG_9025"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712274848_8eb9cab974.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9025"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">May 27 - Preschool Graduation</span></center>
As I mentioned in your last update, you still are very specific about what you want to wear. Always jeans, especially tie ones. Button-down shirts, especially long sleeved. Long socks, pulled all the way up, likely not matching. And hopefully the jeans have belt loops, and then you can wear a belt.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/a5rX02" title="IMG_9130"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712943785_1f7c0c9854.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_9130">
</a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">June 11</span></center>
At the end of July you fished your time at your preschool, one we'd been attending since your sister was only 3 months old. It felt like an end of an era and months later I'm still in disbelief. I know you miss it too. You were recently disappointed to realized that you won't get to celebrate Purim at your current school, since your preschool had been Jewish while your current school is Catholic.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/viA20E" title="IMG_9154"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51712335983_dc2fc6cb92.jpg" width="340" height="418" alt="IMG_9154"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">June 14</span></center>
As for friends, COVID took away a lot of the 4-year-old experience. You went to one in-person birthday the last year you were at your school, although did go to one zoom birthday. Because of that, I didn't see a lot of you interacting with your friends, but those that you spent years with at school were O, I, T, D, J, and B.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uN31q3" title="IMG_9536"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51727501406_a1804eb240.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9536"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">July 22</span></center>
You were so excited to start at your new school because your cousin would be there with you. Thankfully for your teachers, you aren't in the same class, but his class is the one you spent with during recess. (Which has lead to some interesting confrontations when you've gotten in trouble after hitting someone that called your cousin a baby, or hit your cousin first.) Because you're spending so much time with your cousin on the playground, you haven't made a lot of close new friends, but ones you do talk about are N and M.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/6Ln44P" title="IMG_9716"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51853485023_ee8610f7b8.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9716"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 9</span></center>
You playyed soccer again in the Fall, and were actually pretty good. Although by the end you were complaining that you didn't want to play soccer anymore and wanted to play Tball again. (Don't worry, you're signed up to play Tball in the Spring.) Also through the Fall you took Ninja Warrior Classes, which you really enjoyed. Recently we've signed you up for Ju Jitsu classes as well, as a way to get a bit of agression out.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/A21H56" title="IMG_9913"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51866879501_5dd01f68f3.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9913"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 5</span></center>
You're still are a bit of a picky eater, but you have your favorites. You love eggs, and are always quite upset when we tell you we don't have enough time to make eggs every morning before school. You love cinnamon and honeybuns. You like a warmed-up croissant. You love macaroni and cheese, and would eat it every night if you could. You also love strawberries. You like the idea of dessert, but most times will eat a couple of bites and then decide you don't want anymore.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/e1x45b" title="IMG_9941"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51867193999_3e6efb7a9d.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_9941"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 6</span></center>
You love being able to help and do things. You love helping your dad cook in the kitchen. You received your own, real tools for your birthday and are now always asking to go to the garage to do projects. You received your own little leaf blower for Christmas and were so excited. (And yes, your birthday was in October, so that fact I'm writing about Christmas means I'm a little late.)
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/75M0fU" title="IMG_0335"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027836803_ae1fb19ae7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0335"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 22</span></center>
You are such a unique little person, with very defined likes and dislikes. You go 100 mph all the time, non-stop. But you also always want snuggles and a "true love kiss" at bedtime, and if possible always want to be on my lap on the couch. I'm still so in disbelief at how quickly it's all gone and how much of a grown-up you're quickly becoming.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LvUb20" title="IMG_0579"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027844423_30c2381efd.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_0579"></a><br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">5th Birthday Party</span></center>
Here's a comparison with your sister at 5 Years.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/t66WRP" title="IMG_5917"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288643951_e4b827d867.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5917"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/435fY9" title="IMG_6119"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51853475513_48274f67c3.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_6119"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/5-years-update.html">5 Years</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
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<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/03/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3pa28J" title="IMG_5798"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027753918_1eaabe1678.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5798"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/C5sxee" title="IMG_5807"><img alt="IMG_5807" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156317112_896ce4d1fa.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2Kb59a" title="IMG_5830"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49448047897_a6b2943508.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5830"></a>
<br/><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/07/2-14-years-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a><br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ao65C0" title="IMG_5859"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056824627_b2f7936bf7.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5859"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/bRA48J" title="IMG_5945"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288784872_264efeee00.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5945"></a><a title="IMG_5976"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717130402_43e7417a60.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5976"></a>
<br /><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a>~<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2021/01/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a>
<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/86rk5p" title="IMG_6086"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110468773_e845895c86.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_6086"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/J503vM" title="IMG_6102"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381238048_f6fa7017c5.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_6102"></a>
<br /><a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2021/07/blog-post.html">4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2021/10/4-12-years-update.html">4 1/2 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-269232917779455802022-01-10T07:26:00.004-06:002022-01-10T07:26:00.184-06:00Top Books of 2021I may have already posted my top books of the year on Instagram (and I'm pretty sure anyone reading this, is also following me there), but for traditions sake, wanted to also post them here!
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CYE_hthro80/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CYE_hthro80/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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2021 was another really strong reading year for me. After staying home most of 2020, doing pratically nothing, I kept the habbit of reading a ton, even as life got more back to normal. I didn't read as much as I did in 2021, but it was quite close. This year I read 84 books, and 30,853 pages. (In comparison, durring 2020, my strongest reading year ever, I read 88 books and 32,314 pages.) So here's my top 11, in the order I read them.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ5AdZZHCo2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ5AdZZHCo2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ5AdZZHCo2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>1. <I>Meet Me in Bombay</I> by Jenny Ashcroft</B>
<br>I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and it was such a pleasant surprise. The majority of it take places in India durring World War I. There's a romace that's a bit heartbreaking. I reminded me a bit of one of my favorites, A Little Princess. Even thought I read it durring early January, it's one that stayed with me.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CK_9D3CnhFy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CK_9D3CnhFy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CK_9D3CnhFy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>2. <I>Happily Ever Afters</I> by Elise Bryant</B>
<br>I won this one too, although from another Bookstagramer. It's a YA, and under normal circumstances, I would have enjoyed it. However, it took place in my hometown of Long Beach, California. Getting to read and experience my hometown through a book was amazaing. It brought back memories of high school, and it had such a feeling of nostolgia for me.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLEtbUinOt9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLEtbUinOt9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLEtbUinOt9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>3. <I>Yellow Wife</I> by Sadeqa Johnson</B>
<br>Yes, another one I won in a Goodreads giveaway. (I promise this is the last one for a while!) This book is heartbreaking, and it's hard to say you enjoy it. But it's one that stays with you. It takes place in Virginia durring slavery. It isn't an easy read, but definitely one I'd recommend.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLh_q9Yn4i5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLh_q9Yn4i5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLh_q9Yn4i5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>4. <I>Yellow Springs Road</I> by Janie Chang</B>
<br>Last year I really enjoyed Janie Chang's newest book, Library of Legends. I had loved her debut years ago (<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2014/02/in-after.html">This is the post I wrote about it</a>), so this year decided to purchase (yes, I actually bought this one!), her last book which I had missed. I've loved all her books so much! They all take place in China, and while historical, each has a bit of magic mixed it. They're a bit hard to describe, since there's nothing really like them, but I've loved them each so much.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNvtkBiLRJ6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNvtkBiLRJ6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNvtkBiLRJ6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>5. <I>Today Tonight Tomorrow</I> by Rachel Lynn Solomon</B>
<br>I know so many people love Rachel Lynn Solomon, but this was much first book by her. It's a YA, and aspects of it reminded me of my college experience. The reason it spoke so much to me though, is a lot due to the Jewish representation. I don't remember reading a lot of books about Jewish girls growing up (besides those that were historical), and wish books like this had been there for me.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPLfaiqL38V/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPLfaiqL38V/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPLfaiqL38V/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>6. <I>Enchantress</I> by Maggie Anton</B>
<br>I discovered Maggie Anton years ago with her Rashi's Daughter trilogy. (<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2009/08/rashis-daughters.html">Here's</a> the post I wrote years ago when I finished reading the trilogy.) She hasn't writtin much else, but did write two books that take place in biblical times. There's nothing else out there really like her books! It's such a unique period in history especailly seeing these aspects of Judism.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWRCsSLHic/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWRCsSLHic/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWRCsSLHic/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>7. <I>Well Played</I> by Jen DeLuca</B>
<br>This is a second in a Romance trilogy, the first of which was on my favorites list last year. I love how these books take place at the Renassiace Faire, and it brings me back to all the years I spent going to our local faire.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ80fVbL30c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ80fVbL30c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ80fVbL30c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>8. <I>Moloka'i</I> by Alan Brennert</B>
<Br>Another historical fiction so heartbreaking at times, that's it hard to use the word love. It takes place in Hawaii, in a leporasy colony. It spands several decades, and it such an amazing story. It's one you don't forget.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUZ_S4oL8CK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUZ_S4oL8CK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUZ_S4oL8CK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>9. <I>Frankie & Bug</I> by Gayle Forman</B>
<br>Another Goodreads win! The last of those on the list. This was full of nostalgia for me (clearly a theme that gets books on this list for me). It takes place in the 80s in L.A.. It's deeper than I realized it would be, but given the time and location, it shouldn't have been too much of a surprise.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDfBPsLCbh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDfBPsLCbh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDfBPsLCbh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>10. <I>The Women of Chateau Lafayette</I> by Stephanie Dray</B>
<br>This is the 4th year a book by Stephanie Dray has been on one of my lists. (To be fair, one year she wasn't in the top 10, but made my honorable mention list.) Like her others, this was in historical. It's told over three timelines, the American and French Revolutions, World War I, and World War II. Each was such a unique persepcetive, and even with it's length it's one I couldn't put down.
<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWGPRp1LuQt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWGPRp1LuQt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWGPRp1LuQt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
<B>11. <I>The Matzah Ball</I> by Jean Meltzer</B>
<br>A Romance about Hanukkah?!? Such an amazing idea to me! This felt just like a Hallmark Holiday Movie, except centered around Hanukkah. Like many others on this list, It's one I loved because of how I related to it, and saw so much of myself and culter within its pages.
<br><br> <center><B>To see my favorite books from years' past go here:</B><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/12/top-books-of-2020.html">2020</a><br>
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/01/top-books-of-2019.html">2019</a><br>
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/best-books-of-2018.html">2018</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2014/12/top-10-books-of-2014.html">2014</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-10-books-of-2013.html">2013</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2012/12/top-10-books-of-2012.html">2012</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-63738849094292987852021-10-05T07:35:00.002-05:002021-10-05T07:35:00.270-05:006 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/G778Lt" title="IMG_6090"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51319295155_9e8893c075.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_6090"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">6 Years Old</span></center>
A year ago, really more than a year ago, given how long it's taken me to write this, I said my daughter had graduated from the blog. And while yes, that's true in a way (especially since I don't really write here anymore), I never planned for her to disappear completely. I won't be sharing her height and weight or particular likes and dislikes or who her friends are. But I always planned on sharing something. So here finally, are much belated photos, to celebrate turning 6!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/m1tyvv" title="IMG_5463"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339814666_0246f7118c.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5463"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">December 25</span>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/u6rkzv" title="IMG_5665"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339218713_4913f8c5b7.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_5665"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">January 13</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/08Kum0" title="IMG_5813"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50365120163_53dfb4d8cb.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5813"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">February 15</span>
<br/><a title="IMG_5946"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717197482_6b55c89299.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5946"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">March 2</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/s6Tc9P" title="IMG_6261"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717265362_f3840b36a6.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6261"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">April 15</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/gH6J7q" title="IMG_6377"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50716501003_d85e2f868b.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6377"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">May 19 - Last Day of Pre-K</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/u99H5X" title="IMG_6575"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50730022703_2f513d14af.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_6575"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">June 13</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/k6N22U" title="IMG_6752"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110624661_bf6565bec6.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6752"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">July 19</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/wYvh1x" title="IMG_0156"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51246543960_7158a0850d.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_0156"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">August 10</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/494M60" title="IMG_7094"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110673746_316b8434ab.jpg" width="437" height="313" alt="IMG_7094"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">September 13</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/j976k8" title="IMG_7517"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51318469658_3d2f55c0da.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_7517"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">October 31</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7vz1K0" title="IMG_7560"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51319044324_7ed9853421.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_7560"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">November 3</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w7yVJS" title="DSC_0597"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50991527196_0d31c77e14.jpg" width="401" height="418" alt="DSC_0597"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">December 18 - 6th Birthday Party</span>
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16087126090" title="1 Month Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="1 Month Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/16087126090_d89b429386.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16501380731" title="2 Months Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="2 Months Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16501380731_debfc3b494.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16620378820" title="IMG_3341 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3341" height="225" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16620378820_7c4d8705cc.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/01/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/02/2-month-update.html">2 Months</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/03/3-months-update.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16543276733" title="IMG_3543 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3543" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7708/16543276733_60afcf601d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/17432521320" title="IMG_3698 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3698" height="225" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5327/17432521320_9556445df5.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/18822301341" title="IMG_3783 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3783" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/378/18822301341_01c463c23b.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/04/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/19210948874/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_3893"><img alt="IMG_3893" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/392/19210948874_76b05c5f8f.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20667211146/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_4002"><img alt="IMG_4002" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/610/20667211146_391ce63aaf.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20858789214/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4080"><img alt="IMG_4080" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/20858789214_6b5d23c91c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/07/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/08/8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/09/9-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22320469682/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4140"><img alt="IMG_4140" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/22320469682_f64ff308b8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22559126648/in/dateposted/" title="11 Months"><img alt="11 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/22559126648_24a7c163b9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/23790601442/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="12 Months"><img alt="12 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/23790601442_131796f9c6.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/10/10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/11/11-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/12/12-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/24386028883/in/dateposted/" title="14 Months"><img alt="14 Months" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/24386028883_1127d0878b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/70NYw0" title="16 Months"><img alt="16 Months" height="225" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7421/26859400183_49a2ef01ec.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Kb147S" title="IMG_4546"><img alt="IMG_4546" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8861/27806304054_e88db70c6c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/03/14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/06/16-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/08/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/55VTLR" title="2 Years Old"><img alt="2 Years Old" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/767/31371765960_048991c856.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w43c23" title="IMG_4963"><img alt="IMG_4963" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3780/33542508941_c665d1a519.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/80V38A" title="IMG_5104"><img alt="IMG_5104" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36304692482_f13df5471e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/01/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/04/27-months-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/2-and-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/zou3c4" title="IMG_5163"><img alt="IMG_5163" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/26141351748_86855f3545.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/389ZX3" title="IMG_5395"><img alt="IMG_5395" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/40257805692_6c500c2891.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5hj517" title="IMG_5428"><img alt="IMG_5428" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/28785875548_aa107cb30d.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/3-13-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/CF8nyE" title="IMG_5487"><img alt="IMG_5487" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/44462187471_b2b47d2946.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2gAvtA" title="IMG_5731"><img alt="IMG_5731" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7901/46418376565_32656b6fcd.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1v37v3" title="IMG_5820"><img alt="IMG_5820" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933457006_05aa2f2512.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/06/4-years-update.html">4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/03/4-12-years-update.html">4 1/2 Years</a>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2nb54t" title="IMG_5917"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288643951_e4b827d867.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5917"></a>
<br/><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/5-years-update.html">5 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-17383146940191999192021-10-04T07:38:00.001-05:002021-10-04T07:38:00.249-05:004 1/2 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/J503vM" title="IMG_6102"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381238048_f6fa7017c5.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_6102"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">4 1/2 Years Old</span></center>
You're 4 1/2 years old!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/aSg3pg" title="IMG_7667"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51317587937_dc30c59fb4.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_7667"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">November 21</span></center>
We even have official stats this month. Only though, because by the time we took you to your 4 year check-up, we were 6 months late. Regardless though, you were 41 inches tall (35.9%ile) and weighed 29 lbs (0.63%ile). You're wearing mainly 4t tops and 3t bottoms. We just bought you a new pair of shoes for the fall and they're size 11.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/58e2F8" title="IMG_7825"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51318587103_936cf0184e.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_7825"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">December 13</span></center>
Speaking of clothes you have a very defined style. You want to wear long jeans, preferably buttons, not tie, even in the heat of summer. (You'd also wear long-sleaved shirts too.... but those may have magically disappeared from your room.) You want to wear button shirts (aka colared button-down shirts). We've made sure to buy you extra pairs of each so you have enough to wear each day of the week.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1C101p" title="IMG_8080"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381794059_8e8c72918e.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_8080"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">January 7</span></center>
You still aren't a huge eater, but do have your favorites. You love a sandwhich, especailly one with meat and cheese. You're also a big fan of hummus and crackers. Mac and Cheese and quesdillas are other good options. Plus those times you'll ask for a protein shake, taking after your dad. Then there's breakfast. Quarantine definitely got you used to have a large breakfast every day. Some of your favorites are egg and cheese sandwhich, "smashed-up eggs," scrambled eggs with truffle gouda, french toast, or cinnomon toast. You do love cinnomon, and once decided to eat a spoonful a cinnamon because you loved it so much. (Turns out, it's not that great, all at once, by itself!)
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/jBq4Q0" title="IMG_8155"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51382116910_f48d138bdb.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_8155"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">February 1</span></center>
Next fall you'll you be starting at your sister's school. (Which means our daycare which we attended since March 2015, will be no more!) You keep saying how excited you are to go to Kindergarten, then we have to remind you, you'll be starting Pre-k. You're so excited though because your cousin (who is 6 weeks younger than you) will be there too. At least one friend from your current daycare will be joining you. (Given Covid, and the lack of interactions I've had with the other parents, I'm not sure where most will actually be going.)
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/m46h9C" title="IMG_8300"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381105311_e8131867de.jpg" width="313" height="391" alt="IMG_8300"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">February 20</span></center>
On the subject of school and friends, your two closest friends are O and I. Of course neither will be attending school with you next you, but one of them should be going to Hebrew school with you.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/296w91" title="IMG_8374"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381340163_36f8a535c5.jpg" width="313" height="380" alt="IMG_8374"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">February 26 - Purim</span></center>
You played soccer this Spring. About half the time you actually played scoring goals even. The other half, you basically stood around and refused to participate. You played tball over the Summer, and actually compared to last year did quite well, actually trying to get the ball on the field. You did swimming lessons as well, and while not a full swimmer yet, you're strong enough to jump in and swim to the side on your own.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/xdP09e" title="IMG_8404"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51462028965_46bdd9dbc7.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_8404"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">March 5</span></center>
You still love all things that move. Tractors, lawn mowers, fire trucks, police cars.... every day it's so exciting on the drive when you see one. You even had the chance to use the leaf blower are your Nana's recently, which blew your mind. You're constantly asking me how old do I have to be to have my own lawn mower or motorcycle or tractor or something else.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Z84Js7" title="IMG_8552"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51461306638_083780d468.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_8552"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">March 21</span></center>
You have somehow turned into this crazy little person. Sometimes it's hard to believe. It's just so crazy to read back through these updates I've written and see how much has changed and yet how much stays the same. (Who would have thought after having a lawn mower themed party when you turned 2, you'd still be obsessed with them!) I'm definitely intrigued to see what else changes and what else stays the same in the years to come, but also wish things would slow down, even just a little.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/U4W022" title="IMG_8657"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51493563757_f5959f60df.jpg" width="413" height="418" alt="IMG_8657"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">April 9</span></center>
Here's a comparison with your sister at 4 1/2 Years.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/P5R83p" title="IMG_5820"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933457006_05aa2f2512.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5820"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/J503vM" title="IMG_6102"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51381238048_f6fa7017c5.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_6102"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/03/4-12-years-update.html">4 1/2 Years</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JgXb02" title="IMG_5461"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/42402559584_eb143d82c0.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5461"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Wg9t0" title="IMG_5495"><img alt="IMG_5495" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45514138434_48b4022626.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/03/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3pa28J" title="IMG_5798"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027753918_1eaabe1678.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5798"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/C5sxee" title="IMG_5807"><img alt="IMG_5807" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156317112_896ce4d1fa.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2Kb59a" title="IMG_5830"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49448047897_a6b2943508.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5830"></a>
<br/><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/07/2-14-years-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a><br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ao65C0" title="IMG_5859"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056824627_b2f7936bf7.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5859"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/bRA48J" title="IMG_5945"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288784872_264efeee00.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5945"></a><a title="IMG_5976"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717130402_43e7417a60.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5976"></a>
<br /><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a>~<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2021/01/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a>
<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/86rk5p" title="IMG_6086"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110468773_e845895c86.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_6086"></a>
<br /><a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2021/07/blog-post.html">4 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-26139545891380421592021-07-19T07:46:00.002-05:002021-08-01T20:50:20.014-05:004 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/86rk5p" title="IMG_6086"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110468773_e845895c86.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_6086"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">4 Years Old</span></center>
You're 4 years old!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/GN8HC5" title="IMG_6647"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50730795331_9c4559a518.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6647"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">July 1 - Heading back to daycare after 3.5 months!</span></center>
I feel like a blinked and you went overnight from being a baby to an actual kid. It's so hard to really grasp that we're completely out of the baby years here. Who would have thought it goes by so quickly, especially from the other side.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/05gf4p" title="IMG_6735"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110625261_4453b955fc.jpg" width="313" height="438" alt="IMG_6735"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">July 18</span></center>
No official stats since at the time I'm writing this (over 3 months past year actual birthday), we've yet to take you for your 4 year check-up. We'll see if that changes by the time I post this. You are wearing size 10.5 shoes, 4t tops, and 3t bottoms. Or least 3t bottoms that have some type of drawstring. Otherwise 2t might fit in the waist.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/v2pf8W" title="IMG_6906"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110394854_eae34dc43c.jpg" width="313" height="391" alt="IMG_6906"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 9</span></center>
For your birthday we talked about inviting a couple of friends over, but for a variety of reasons, that didn't work out. We did instead invite your cousin over for cupcakes, which was still a lot of fun. But not what we would have planned otherwise. You actually haven't been to a single birthday party since July (#lifeduringcovid), but did get invited to a Zoom party with Elsa.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/n9FTRd" title="IMG_6969"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110556523_cc8d8de7f0.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6969"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 16</span></center>
You have quite the personality. I'm not even sure how to really discribe it! You're always saying some of the craziest things. ("When can I have my own shed? I'll put my tractor, pushing lawn mower, and bike in it and it will always stay clean.") Or that one of your favorite Christmas presents was a robe, which you call a bra, which leads to phrases like, "Will you hang my bra up just like Sissy's?"
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1627pX" title="IMG_6974"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110556333_710d506c6a.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6974"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 19</span></center>
In terms of food, you have your defined favorites. You love a charcuterie board, always asking for cheese and salami for dinner. For lunch at school, you want the same thing every day (cheese and turkey sandwhich, yogurt, and fruit). And on the days we pack something different you likely won't eat it. You still love tacos and quesdillas. And since I'm pretty sure I haven't written in here, there was that time over the summer where you asked for a salt sandwhich because "I've never had that before." So we sprinkled some salt on a piece of bread which you then ate and asked for another one.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/gX5S54" title="27"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110031587_2f23ccb651.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="27"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 31</span></center>
You love fire trucks and fire fighters. The highlight of most days is when we get to drive by the fire station on the way to your school to see if the trucks are out. Of course you still love tractors, flat-bed trucks, box trucks, buses.... basically anything with wheels. And of course you love playing "box man" which consists of putting a bunch of boxes on a chair and pretending it's a dolly.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/M880P2" title="IMG_7102"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110577278_0e73663a03.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_7102"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 15</span></center>
We did start chapters books, which I was really excited about. We started with Dragon Masters' Rise of the Earth Dragon, which you really liked. You then picked Henry Huggins by Beverly Clearly, solely due to the fact there was a dog on the cover. That one has taken a little bit longer to get through and we'll read a chapter in several sittings, but you're still a fan.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/29151T" title="IMG_7105"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110673471_cd16a8e0d0.jpg" width="313" height="438" alt="IMG_7105"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 17</span></center>
You love jeans. Each day you complain if I don't put you in jeans because "they have pockets." You're always asking, "When can I have my own belt?" I'm sure one of the best parts for when you finally start school will be getting to wear a belt. (Although, they aren't technically required till Kindergartnen.)
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/9Se037" title="IMG_7153"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110579598_14aa3a821b.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_7153"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 27</span></center>
You are so much fun and such a character. One that definitely tests all our patience. But you're still so snuggly and love to tell me, "You're the best Mommy ever." Your dad and I alternate putting you and your sister to sleep each night and the nights I put your sister to sleep you always want me to come snuggle with you after.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/a99F58" title="IMG_7326"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51318266066_ba7f488012.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_7326"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 13</span></center>
I'm still in awe of how much you've grown and the little man you're becoming. And especially knowing how quickly these first four years have gone, I can only imagine how quickly it will feel after four more when you're 8, then 12, 16....
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7BKReF" title="IMG_7417"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51318472663_17a4bf2203.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_7417"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 24</span></center>
Here's a comparison with your sister at 4 Years.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/643r96" title="IMG_5731"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7901/46418376565_32656b6fcd.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5731"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/86rk5p" title="IMG_6086"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110468773_e845895c86.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_6086"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/06/4-years-update.html">4 Years</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JgXb02" title="IMG_5461"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/42402559584_eb143d82c0.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5461"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Wg9t0" title="IMG_5495"><img alt="IMG_5495" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45514138434_48b4022626.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/03/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3pa28J" title="IMG_5798"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027753918_1eaabe1678.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5798"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/C5sxee" title="IMG_5807"><img alt="IMG_5807" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156317112_896ce4d1fa.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2Kb59a" title="IMG_5830"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49448047897_a6b2943508.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5830"></a>
<br/><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/07/2-14-years-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a><br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ao65C0" title="IMG_5859"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056824627_b2f7936bf7.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5859"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/bRA48J" title="IMG_5945"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288784872_264efeee00.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5945"></a><a title="IMG_5976"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717130402_43e7417a60.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5976"></a>
<br /><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a>~<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2021/01/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-63012317891019427942021-06-28T07:34:00.016-05:002021-06-28T07:34:00.254-05:00In MemoryA couple days ago I shared the photo below to my Instagram stories. I saw it pop-up in my Instagram memmories from 3 years ago, and as adorable as the photo was, wanted to share it.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkU9z0rD6LW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkU9z0rD6LW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkU9z0rD6LW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote><p><br /></p> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
When looking through my story's views I was surprised to see my grandmother's username listed. I knew she hadn't been doing very well and didn't think she was using her phone anymore. But seeing her name excited me. Maybe she was doing better than expected! And if she did have her phone, I should call her.
<br><br>Three days later I was driving to pick up school uniforms from a friend. Her sons had outgrown them, and my son would need them for the school he was starting in the fall. Under normal circumstances I'd call my grandmother in the car while driving home from work. Honestly, without a commute, that didn't happen very much lately, but I did still occasionally call her when I was parked outside during my duaghter's dance class. I thought about calling her on the drive over, but hadn't been to this friend's house before and knew I'd need my phone to navigate. I made the decision that once I picked up the clothes, I'd call her on my way to pick up my son from preschool.
<br><br>As I was turning into her neighborhood, my dad called. I silenced the phone since I was only a couple turns away, and told msyelf as soon as I picked up the clothes from her porch I'd call my dad back first and then my grandma.
<br><br>Except, as you might guess by the fact I'm actually writing something here, that didn't happen. Instead my dad was calling to tell me that my grandmother had died about an hour ago.
<br><br>My grandma had turned 89 earlier this year, so it wasn't too much of a surprise, even when my dad told me it was close a couple of weeks ago. I know the last decade especially has been really hard for her. She lost my grandfather just over 11 years ago, and then my mom, her daughter, 18 months after that. About 3 years ago she had a bad fall and had to move out of the retirment community she had lived in with my grandfather. And then of course there was COVID. I would talk to her and she'd tell me how alone she was, how they'd bring her food and she'd eat in her room, alone, by herself. She had lost so many loved one throughout the years, and her life was so different from what it once was barely 10 years ago.
<br><br>With all that said, I'll still miss her. Similar to the posts I wrote when <a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2010/05/untitled.html">my grandpa</a> and <a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-memoriam.html">my mom</a> died, I wanted to share a handful of photos of her looking back on her life.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/st8v22" title="img008"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7157/6455585009_8f3490d17b.jpg" width="313" height="429" alt="img008"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/qW3BQ4" title="black dress w mom cooking"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7014/6455602765_94d2975065_n.jpg" width="447" height="313" alt="black dress w mom cooking"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Hc1R7s" title="Manzanillo Las Hadas Nov 1985001"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/6043/6313569905_1dc44f5f3b_n.jpg" width="470" height="301" alt="Manzanillo Las Hadas Nov 1985001"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ES5081" title="img032"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7027/6455588637_fbe8d7abba.jpg" width="449" height="313" alt="img032"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/57763019/" title="Towson Diner"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/27/57763019_b04e035d38.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="Towson Diner"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/9Y7939" title="00071"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8030/8048783333_ce180d88db.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="00071"></a>
"<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w1pmU0" title="IMG_2843"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7548/16084138352_b2b93aef87.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_2843"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/6D5a1J" title="IMG_2381"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027487976_a43f3f82ce.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2381"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/rL5rB0" title="IMG_3507"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933246341_8a514c70bd.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_3507"></a>
Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-65916618955719936332021-01-25T07:02:00.007-06:002021-01-25T07:02:00.538-06:003 2/3 Years Update<center><a title="IMG_5976"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717130402_43e7417a60.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_5976"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">3 2/3 Years Old</span></center>
You're 3 2/3 years old!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/X1eJJ6" title="IMG_5918"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50716337863_1320363213.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5918"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">February 29</span></center>
Talk about the world changing since I last posted! The last update I wrote was in early March and since then we're in a whole new world. Mid-March is when the world shut down for Covid-19. Your baseball season uprubtly ended, your daycare closed and you were sent home for "2 weeks" until the virus got in control. Excecpt 2 weeks very quickly spiraled out of control...
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/0xNKZ1" title="IMG_5978"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717115291_8d3d18312e.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5978"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">March 10 - Purim</span></center>
I will say that being in a house with your sister, with both parents working from home, we barely survived it, you especially. I don't want to relive a lot of the details, but let's just say events led to all the outlets in your rooming being changed out with blank plates and your dad bonding with a woman in the aisles of Walmart on the best way to clean-up a mixture of baby powder, lotion, and toothpaste from carpet. (See photo below) If you're wondering the answer is to let it dry and then scrape it up!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Tuoo5H" title="IMG_6001"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50716375433_c3575231ef.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_6001"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">March 15</span></center>
On the last day we picked you up your teacher told us to work on potty training. Let's just say it's a good thing we were home for more than 2 weeks! The worst of it was the day you decided to paint the inside of your closest during naptime, and no, it wasn't with chocolate. But we've made it to the other side, and we've managed to move on!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/6x8Z0j" title="IMG_6103"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717184602_8e37d9dcc9.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_6103"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">March 28</span></center>
In June things in Louisiana started to open back up. (Just in time for cases to spike back up, but that's a different story!). At the end of June your tball season resumed with a bunch of new rules (no handshakes, no bleachers open, parents wearing masks). But you didn't care because you were having fun playing ball with your cousin.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/15H454" title="DSC_4799"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49928077686_1e90664383.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="DSC_4799"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">April 1 - Front Porch Pictures</span></center>
Also in June we were able to do our summer swin lessons which you've done really well at. We spent many a day at our nieghborhood pool this summer (basically for the first time ever) and you're practically to the point where you can swim on your own.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Ny6jPK" title="IMG_6151"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717185916_a60a648b43.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_6151"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">April 9</span></center>
Even more exciting in July you were finally able to go back to daycare! You spent the month of July in your old Zikiot class, before moving to Paparim in August. (And yes, you were 3 2/3 years at the end of June. But you're not 4 yet, so it works!) It's hard to believe you're currently in the oldest class at your school! Especially since we've been going there since February 2015 when your sister started. But next year you'll be moving on and finally again be at the same school with your sister starting Pre-k.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1gT2tH" title="IMG_6218"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717190936_1ed8be44d3.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6218"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">April 18</span></center>
Over these last few months there's been a lot of tv and movie watching. You and your sister have basically binged watched the entire series of Dr McStuffins. There's been a few movies that have gotten on a ton of views Onward initially in quarantine, then The Rescuers for a while, followed up with Bolt, but lately it's Kung Fu Panda.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/tLg982" title="IMG_6467"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717233056_b96cac6182.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6467"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">May 31</span></center>
You're still obsessed with all things that move. Tractors, garbage trucks, mail trucks, etc.... To be honest part of the success of getting you potty trained involved the promise of your own tractor. You love all books about trucks and construction. A few favorites are Avi the Ambulance, Little Excavator, BuildaBlock, and Building Our House. Other favorites, on different topics are are How I Met My Monster and Randy Riley's Really Big Hit.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/996mrB" title="IMG_6493"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50730868282_e55029ebdb.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6493"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">June 5</span></center>
The year your sister turned 4 was big on birthday parties and making friends. Unfortunatly, it doesn't look like this is going to be the same type of birthday party year for you. Although you did go to one friend's pool party this summer and we're talking about having a couple friends over to swim for your birthday. Even without parties, you're still good friends with O and I in your class. (And also still talk about F, who didn't go back to school after they reopened.)
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/qo7Uk2" title="IMG_6553"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50730764836_95bef65938.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6553"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">June 10</span></center>
This update has definitely been like no other I've written before. But then again life has been like no other lately. Hopefully by the time I sit down to write the next one of these updates things are a little more normal, but it's hard to see when or how that will happen at this point.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/70uHa3" title="IMG_6601"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50730857802_6b1521ec28.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_6601"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">June 20</span></center>
Here's a comparison with your sister at 3 2/13 Years.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/mez9F5" title="IMG_5487"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1853/44462187471_b2b47d2946.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5487"></a><a title="IMG_5976"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50717130402_43e7417a60.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5976"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JgXb02" title="IMG_5461"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/42402559584_eb143d82c0.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5461"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Wg9t0" title="IMG_5495"><img alt="IMG_5495" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45514138434_48b4022626.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/03/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3pa28J" title="IMG_5798"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027753918_1eaabe1678.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5798"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/C5sxee" title="IMG_5807"><img alt="IMG_5807" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156317112_896ce4d1fa.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2Kb59a" title="IMG_5830"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49448047897_a6b2943508.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5830"></a>
<br/><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/07/2-14-years-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a><br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ao65C0" title="IMG_5859"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056824627_b2f7936bf7.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5859"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/bRA48J" title="IMG_5945"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288784872_264efeee00.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5945"></a>
<br /><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/04/3-13-and-3-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-18973516054512318442020-12-31T17:05:00.001-06:002020-12-31T17:05:03.729-06:00Top Books of 2020I may be an inconsistent poster here, but one thing I have kept up with fairly consistently is my end of the year favorite books. I'll also add that 2020 has been a year like none other. There were a lot of lows, but with all the time spent at home I've spent a lot of time reading. I've been tracking my books on Goodreads since 2007 and 2020 was the most I've read in a year, both books and pages in a significant way.
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This year I read 88 books. (My previous high had been 71 in 2013, the last complete kid-free year.) I read over 32,400 pages. (The previous high had been 26,800 again in 2013.) Also this year, I've spent a lot more time sharing books on Instagram. I'm pretty sure anyone who may be reading this is already following me there, but just in case, if you're looking for more realtime updates, that's a good place to go. For some of these books I've shared them on Instagram throughout the year, and if that's the case I've included those images here. With that, here's my list of favorites from the year, listed in the order I read them.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CArV-OUH1Ql/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CArV-OUH1Ql/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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<B>1. <I>Becoming Queen: How a tragic and untimely death shaped the reign of Queen Victoria</I> by Kate Williams</B>
<br>Read May 20 - May 26, 2020
<br>I loved this nonfiction book on both Princess Charlotte and her similarities with Queen Victoria. Princess Charlotte is such a fancinating figure. The fact that she died so young in childbirth with such a future ahead of her heartbreaking. Yet if she had lived Queen Victoria would never even have been born. Talk about a crossroads of history!
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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBJzPIPnkPi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B> 2. <I>The Library of Legends</I> by Janie Chang</B>
<br>Raed June 4 - June 7, 2020
<br>While I wasn't willing to rank my top 10 in order of favorites, I will say without a doubt, this was my favorite of the year! It takes place in China during WWII. There's a bit of a love triangle in it. But what stayed with me the most is the magic! This is my second book of Chang's and I've really enjoyed them both. She's slowly becoming one of my favorite authors!
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBhPaVPnqgU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBhPaVPnqgU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBhPaVPnqgU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<b>3. <I>Well Met</I> by Jen DeLuca</b>
<br>Read June 13 - 16, 2020
<Br>I loved this romance set at a Renaissance Faire. I have such strong memories of going to the Faire year after year growing up and this brought me back there. Yes, the love story was cute, but it's the setting that this is on the list.
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<B>4. <I>The Lies That Bind</I> by Emily Giffin</B>
<br>Read June 20, 2020 (Yes in a single day!)
<br>I know there's mixed reviews on this, but I really enjoyed it. Of all of these books on this list, this is the one I most want to reread (likely because I devoured it so quickly!). There's a pretty big twist in this that I had hoped for, but didn't see coming. It'll be interesting to see how thise reads now that I know what to expect.
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<B>5. <I>Piecing Me Together</I> by Renée Watson</B>
<br>Read June 27 - June 28, 2020
<br>I made a point to read more Black authors this year, especially after everything that occured this summer. There were several I was a fan of, but loved this one the most. Yes, it's about race and what's it's like being Black in America. But it's also about growing up without money. It just managed to capture the feeling so well of what being a young teenager is like. I believe this is marketed as Middle Grade, but there are some very grown up themes in it. After enjoying this one so much I've started to read through more of Renée Watson's backlist. This Side of Home is another of hers I enjoyed (but not as much as this!); that one is instead considered YA. She has a couple of children's books as well that I'd love to add to our collection.
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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CD9TDrKnaGk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>6. <I>My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton</I> by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie</B>
<br>Read August 10 - August 21, 2020
<br>I loved Stephanie Dray's Lily of the Nile books and was excited about this one. Although since I hadn't been into Hamilton, I didn't feel "qualified" to read this. Thanks to Disney+ though, I was able to watch Hamilton on July 4th. A month later I decided to read the book (and then of course once finished watched the musical again). For those reasons my enjoyment of this books is combined with the musical, but I am able to keep the straight in my mind, at least for the most part. Especially if you enjoy the musical, I'd highly recomend this book, telling the story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton.
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<B>7. <I>The Bookshop on the Shore</I> by Jenny Colgan</B>
<br>Read Setember 4 - September 6, 2020
<br>I read two books from Jenny Colgan this year, both from the Scottish Bookshop series. I enjoyed them both, but this one, the second was my favorite. It's just such an adorable story. With the lack of traveling this year, this book transported me to Scotland and I had fun being there!
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGKpPmlHrLJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGKpPmlHrLJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGKpPmlHrLJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>8. <I>The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla</I> by Lauren Willig</B>
<br>October 8 - October 11, 2020
<br>Nine years ago I started reading the Pink Carnation books. (<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2011/12/who-is-pink-carnation.html">Here's</a> my review fom then even!) My mom had lent me the books because she had enjoyed them and thought I would. Of course she was right! I never got to tell her though since I started the first less than 24 hours before she died. Through the years I've read one or two, but this year I comitted to finishing the series. I read books 9 - 12 this year. (It had been a while since I had read any, reading book 7 in 2015 and book 8 in 2017!) I had assumed I'd have the final book on my list, and while I enjoyed it, I've actually included book 11, the second to last. This one has a bit of a Halloween theme to it. (Perfect since I read it in October!) I really enjoyed finishing the series this year, and can't beleive it took me so long to do so.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1Fh4JHBCq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1Fh4JHBCq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1Fh4JHBCq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>9. <I>A Most English Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Daughter</I> by Clare McHugh</B>
<br>October 19 - October 26, 2020
<br>I read one book on Queen Victoria's cousin this year and then this one on Queen Victoria's daughter. (Of course there were the Pink Carnation books as well taking place around the same time period.) Clearly I read a lot from this time period, but this felt like a new perspective. Partly because while it does start in England a significant portion takes place in Germany. This was a debut book from the author, but I'm excited to see what she comes up with next!
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQn5XOHde_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQn5XOHde_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQn5XOHde_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by shoshanah (@shoshanahinla)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<B>10 <I>Red, White & Royal Blue</I> by Casey McQuiston</B>
<br>Read November 4 - November 8, 2020
<br>I know I'm a year late to this one, but no surprise, I loved it too. The love story was awesome. I also loved all the random pop culture bits. It was so much fun! This was also a debut and an author I'm excited to read more from in the future.
<br>
<br><B>Honorary Mentions</B>
<br><I>American Royals</I> by Katharine McGee
<br> <I>Chain of Gold</I> by Cassandra Clare
<br><I>Mrs. Everything</I> by Jennifer Weiner
<br><I>The Sworn Virgin</I> by Kristopher Dukes
<br><I>The Secret Commonwealth</I> by Philip Pullman
<br> <I>Secret Sisters</I> by Joy Callaway
<br> <I>You've Been Volunteered: A Class Mom Novel</I> by Laurie Gelman
<br> <I>Prairie Lotus</I> by Linda Sue Park
<br><I>The Last Letter from Your Lover</I> by Jojo Moyes
<br><br> <center><B>To see my favorite books from years' past go here:</B><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/01/top-books-of-2019.html">2019</a><br>
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/best-books-of-2018.html">2018</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2014/12/top-10-books-of-2014.html">2014</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-10-books-of-2013.html">2013</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2012/12/top-10-books-of-2012.html">2012</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-1726844689901291762020-10-26T07:44:00.001-05:002020-10-26T07:44:01.444-05:005 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2nb54t" title="IMG_5917"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288643951_e4b827d867.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_5917"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 Years Old</span></center>
You are 5 years old!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/o62pDb" title="IMG_4184"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49447678891_986fb7b046.jpg" width="313" height="438" alt="IMG_4184"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">June 24</span></center>
I remember years and years ago, on Girl's Gone Child, Rebecca Woolf wrote how 5 was the age her kids graduated from the blog. It was when it stopped being her story and their own story started. I've always thought that made sense. It's the year you start school and longtime friends begin. Even before I was pregnant I planned to do the same with my future children. And somehow we're here and I can hardly believe it. Wasn't it yesterday you were born? How on earth have these years flown by so quickly?<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/49447752451/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_4374"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49447752451_410a4c1032.jpg" width="313" height="438" alt="IMG_4374"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">July 20</span></center>
So for one final time, here are a couple of stats for you. At your 5th year check-up you were 44 inches tall (76th%ile) and weighed 35 lbs (15th%ile). You're wearing a mix of 4t and 6t clothes and size 11 shoes.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/G72Q73" title="IMG_4470"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056667481_7b4eaf77cc.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4470"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">August 12</span></center>
In the fall you started Pre-K at a brand new school. A handful of others from your Preschool were there too and while all 4 girls wound up in different classes, one of the boys was in your class. It took you a bit to adjust. Previously you had been a bit of a Queen Bee and it took you a while to realize not everyone would play exactly what you wanted. But after a couple of weeks into the school year you had quickly made new friends, especially with E.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/nMP04B" title="IMG_4613"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056088263_1d15831a21.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4613"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">August 31</span></center>
In the fall you played soccer with one of your old friends from preschool. For the spring you're signed up to play again, this time with a group of girls from your new school. You also doing tumbling on Tuesdays after school and are slightly upset that I never signed you up to play after school basketball as well!<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/46YB50" title="IMG_4757"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50081585392_d7b2a9eb05.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4757"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">October 9</span></center>
You still love books. We've been continuing with early chapter book series. Recent favorites there have been Princess in Black and Ivy and Bean. Others non-chapter books that you really enjoy are the Pinkalicious series and Elephant and Piggie series.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/91ZUir" title="IMG_4857"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50081332156_83d0589ef2.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_4857"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">October 19</span></center>
One big change of your new school is that they have a cafeteria. After bringing your lunch initially you quickly insisted you wanted to eat there every day. Doing so has actually introduced you to salads were previous you hadn't really tried. Overall though you aren't a picky eater. Some favorites are gumbo, spaghetti, soup, cereal, and pretty much any dessert.<br />
<br /><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/jo5pF3" title="IMG_4946"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50080750128_fdb1a4a0dd.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4946"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">October 27</span></center>
You don't watch a ton of tv, but a favorite would likely be Pinkalicious. Instead we're much more likely to be watching movies. You recently saw Frozen 2 in theaters and really liked it. Other favorites have been any of the Toy Story movies or Trolls.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/9r392q" title="IMG_5119"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50106415551_b2effb39de.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5119"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">November 10</span></center>
It's hard to believe this is the last of these type of updates I'll be writing. I want to say that you'll still be on the blog, but that would mean I actually need to sit down and write, which as we've seen doesn't happen often. It's crazy to think that your baby-hood is over and you've basically your own person now.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/35aPQ7" title="IMG_5320"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339825366_a941a117c0.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5320"></a>
<br/><span style="font-size: x-small;">December 11</span></center>
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16087126090" title="1 Month Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="1 Month Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/16087126090_d89b429386.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16501380731" title="2 Months Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="2 Months Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16501380731_debfc3b494.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16620378820" title="IMG_3341 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3341" height="225" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16620378820_7c4d8705cc.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/01/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/02/2-month-update.html">2 Months</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/03/3-months-update.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16543276733" title="IMG_3543 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3543" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7708/16543276733_60afcf601d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/17432521320" title="IMG_3698 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3698" height="225" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5327/17432521320_9556445df5.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/18822301341" title="IMG_3783 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3783" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/378/18822301341_01c463c23b.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/04/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/19210948874/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_3893"><img alt="IMG_3893" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/392/19210948874_76b05c5f8f.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20667211146/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_4002"><img alt="IMG_4002" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/610/20667211146_391ce63aaf.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20858789214/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4080"><img alt="IMG_4080" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/20858789214_6b5d23c91c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/07/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/08/8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/09/9-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22320469682/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4140"><img alt="IMG_4140" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/22320469682_f64ff308b8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22559126648/in/dateposted/" title="11 Months"><img alt="11 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/22559126648_24a7c163b9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/23790601442/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="12 Months"><img alt="12 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/23790601442_131796f9c6.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/10/10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/11/11-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/12/12-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/24386028883/in/dateposted/" title="14 Months"><img alt="14 Months" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/24386028883_1127d0878b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/70NYw0" title="16 Months"><img alt="16 Months" height="225" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7421/26859400183_49a2ef01ec.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Kb147S" title="IMG_4546"><img alt="IMG_4546" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8861/27806304054_e88db70c6c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/03/14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/06/16-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/08/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/55VTLR" title="2 Years Old"><img alt="2 Years Old" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/767/31371765960_048991c856.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w43c23" title="IMG_4963"><img alt="IMG_4963" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3780/33542508941_c665d1a519.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/80V38A" title="IMG_5104"><img alt="IMG_5104" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36304692482_f13df5471e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/01/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/04/27-months-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/2-and-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/zou3c4" title="IMG_5163"><img alt="IMG_5163" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/26141351748_86855f3545.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/389ZX3" title="IMG_5395"><img alt="IMG_5395" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/40257805692_6c500c2891.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5hj517" title="IMG_5428"><img alt="IMG_5428" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/28785875548_aa107cb30d.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/3-13-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/CF8nyE" title="IMG_5487"><img alt="IMG_5487" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/44462187471_b2b47d2946.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2gAvtA" title="IMG_5731"><img alt="IMG_5731" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7901/46418376565_32656b6fcd.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1v37v3" title="IMG_5820"><img alt="IMG_5820" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933457006_05aa2f2512.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/06/4-years-update.html">4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/03/4-12-years-update.html">4 1/2 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-10828862822524375962020-10-05T07:55:00.002-05:002021-01-24T21:02:07.888-06:003 1/3 (and 3) Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ao65C0" title="IMG_5859"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056824627_b2f7936bf7.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_5859"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">3 Years Old</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/bRA48J" title="IMG_5945"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288784872_264efeee00.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_5945"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">3 1/3 Years Old</span></center>
You're 3 1/3 years old!
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/TQ8f73" title="IMG_4443"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056916052_41301a6e04.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_4443"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 6</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5d643E" title="IMG_4458"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056914997_d85719d343.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4458"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 12</span></center>
Or I guess more importantly you were 3 years old in October! At least I'm remembering to take these pictures. Although at the time I'm writing this I have yet to take you 3 1/3 year picture, so we'll see if that actually happens.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/0Vgn16" title="IMG_4500"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056666541_5fceea2f0f.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4500"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">August 24</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/251308" title="IMG_4678"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056083298_cc705d873e.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4678"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 15</span></center>
At your 3 year visit you were 35.5 inches tall (10th%ile) and weighed 24 lbs and 16 ozs (up to the 1st%ile!). Your wearing a mix of 18 month and 2t bottoms mixed in with some 3t tops. For shoes, you're in size 8.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Ap0n1" title="IMG_4686"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056974567_b8c7349d45.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4686"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 21</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/80M2xE" title="IMG_4742"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056971622_deb6051b97.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_4742"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">September 30</span></center>
You had a blast at your 3rd birthday. You had a bunch of your friends from school there to play with you at the "jump-y place." It was themed "Things That Go," which is perfect for you. All the time when we're driving you're pointing out fire trucks or motorcycles or lawn mowers to me. You have no problem correcting me either saying things like "No that's an backhoe, not an excavator!"
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/6966cP" title="IMG_4792"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50081335646_f2134b2483.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_4792"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 12</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LT5Z0f" title="IMG_4878"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50081578157_f320e6b160.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4878"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 20</span></center>
This past Fall you played soccer with one of your friends from school and had a great time. In the Spring, you can't wait to play Tball with your cousin. You love LSU sports, especially Joe Burrow. You have a Joe Burrow jersey and if you could, you'd wear it everyday. You'll ask "When I'm a grown-up, can I play baseball with Daddy and Joe Burrow?" and don't quite understand all the reasons why it can't happen.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/a913Q7" title="IMG_4914"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50080751678_33e2786b85.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4914"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 24</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3wQ2k0" title="IMG_4978"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50081571677_943c6666e8.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_4978"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 27</span></center>
Potty training is still a bit of a work in progress. Some days are better than others, but I figure, you'll get it out eventually, right?
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/t16a1f" title="IMG_5025"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50081320801_08de4495a9.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5025"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">October 31</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/186q2Q" title="IMG_5180"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339093018_361d60c66c.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_5180"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">November 28</span></center>
Your absolute favorite food is tacos. If doesn't matter what it is, if it's in a tortilla you'll eat. And yes, we've tried it... anyone else ever eat jambalaya in a tortilla?
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/t4bn08" title="IMG_5519"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339956642_95b614849e.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_5519"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">December 25</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5i9Vwb" title="IMG_5660"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339909371_6a3ca5ee37.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5660"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">January 13</span></center>
You are all boy. So destructive and constantly on the go. But you have a sweet side to you too. You still give hugs and kisses and will tell me, "best mommy ever."
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2zz7pB" title="IMG_5820"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50365119668_ebaf854806.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5820"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">February 15</span>
<br/><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/87tpjN" title="IMG_5855"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50365117238_43d96fcc28.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_5855"></a>
<br/> <span style="font-size: x-small;">February 22</span></center>
In some ways I can't wait for you to get a little bit older. Maybe you'll listen a little better then... maybe you'll actually be using the potty then... but then again, I think I'd miss how little and adorable you are now.
<br/>Here's a comparison with your sister at 3 Years and 3 1/13 Years.
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/0V2A11" title="IMG_5395"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4746/40257805692_6c500c2891.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5395"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ao65C0" title="IMG_5859"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056824627_b2f7936bf7.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5859"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">3 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/28JmMt" title="IMG_5428"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1742/28785875548_aa107cb30d.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5428"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/bRA48J" title="IMG_5945"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50288784872_264efeee00.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5945"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/3-13-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JgXb02" title="IMG_5461"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/42402559584_eb143d82c0.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5461"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Wg9t0" title="IMG_5495"><img alt="IMG_5495" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45514138434_48b4022626.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/03/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3pa28J" title="IMG_5798"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027753918_1eaabe1678.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5798"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/C5sxee" title="IMG_5807"><img alt="IMG_5807" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156317112_896ce4d1fa.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2Kb59a" title="IMG_5830"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49448047897_a6b2943508.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5830"></a>
<br/><a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/07/2-14-years-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-34-and-2-12-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-7015310914813751882020-05-17T09:07:00.000-05:002020-05-17T09:07:07.262-05:00BrokenThe Friday before everything shut down my engagement ring broke. I was at work with my hands in my back pocket when I felt something odd. I pulled the foreign object out and find it to be the biggest diamond from my ring. I searched on the carpet around where I was standing and in the folds of my pocket trying to hopefully find the last of the tiny diamonds. <br />
<center><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6SUxyu8u5ww/XsCZmxg-MhI/AAAAAAAAE_8/WxWpoSZToos5y7DyTkr0NG9CywB9SqcYwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/7D50ECEE-1230-4365-8B16-685380864D65.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6SUxyu8u5ww/XsCZmxg-MhI/AAAAAAAAE_8/WxWpoSZToos5y7DyTkr0NG9CywB9SqcYwCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/7D50ECEE-1230-4365-8B16-685380864D65.JPG" width="418" /></a></center>That weekend, the first without my engagement ring in close to 10 years, was the last time things were normal. Thursday night, the night before it happened, was Elley's first soccer practice. She had so much fun and was so excited about playing a season with all her friends from school. Friday night was Bear's first tball game. The atmosphere around the ballpark was electric and the Boy couldn't help but look forward to the many nights and weekends we'd likely be there spent watching our kids play.<br />
<center><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KoehZWY5AJs/XsCaDFB85jI/AAAAAAAAFAE/vsEWh2Nv3N4qW0W-m_pYNN7mA5HQuhfXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/5357483A-EB8A-4D59-98C3-6B6D9E2887F7.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KoehZWY5AJs/XsCaDFB85jI/AAAAAAAAFAE/vsEWh2Nv3N4qW0W-m_pYNN7mA5HQuhfXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/5357483A-EB8A-4D59-98C3-6B6D9E2887F7.JPG" width="418" height="418" data-original-width="1440" data-original-height="1440" /></a></center>Saturday Elley was double-booked for birthday parties. The first was a pancakes and bowling party. Bowling first and then decorate your own pancake. She went with sprinkles, syrup, and strawberries. Ending the party by playing video games and spending seemingly houses trying to redeem her tickets for the perfect item. The party was at the mall and I thought about dropping my ring off to be repaired. But we were running late and needed to meet the Boy and Bear for lunch, so I decided I'd do it another time.<br />
<center><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zII3JD3kUzU/XsCad2N7HlI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/vQ7GZMkN17k0Bf3uwpUVaqu9oo7LM1AyQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/9F98F4F3-DAF3-4541-87F0-95692AB333E5.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zII3JD3kUzU/XsCad2N7HlI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/vQ7GZMkN17k0Bf3uwpUVaqu9oo7LM1AyQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/9F98F4F3-DAF3-4541-87F0-95692AB333E5.JPG" width="418" height="418" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1600" /></a></center>Later that afternoon, we had a party of the "Jump-y Place." It's the number one place we go for parties and still after all this time, she loves it, especially the balloon drop. Several girls from Elley's soccer team were there as well as the coach, who talked about his game plan for the season to come.<br />
<center><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hal8Rnax0w0/XsCaXYlMQSI/AAAAAAAAFAM/MIwP5jqLcIQ0tdD_d1raWFNqwdwYI80ZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1FAFE880-3FBE-4F34-9B39-4C7424B37F1D.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hal8Rnax0w0/XsCaXYlMQSI/AAAAAAAAFAM/MIwP5jqLcIQ0tdD_d1raWFNqwdwYI80ZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/1FAFE880-3FBE-4F34-9B39-4C7424B37F1D.JPG" width="418" height="418" data-original-width="1440" data-original-height="1440" /></a></center>Sunday Elley went to Hebrew School in the morning. They got to make Hamentaschen that day in anticipation of the following week's Purim carnival. Even Monday things were still normal and Bear got to dress up as a dragon for his school's Purim party.<br />
<br />
But by the end of the week, things week different. Soccer practice was canceled on Thursday night. Tball was canceled on Friday night. The St. Patrick's Day parade was canceled on Saturday. The Purim carnival on Sunday was canceled. Elley went home from school on Friday with a bunch of worksheets and a letter that an e-mail would be sent the following week outlining the next month of distance learning. Saturday I went into work to pick up supplies for working from home.<br />
<br />
That Friday, I never would have guessed that two months later we'd still be home. The soccer season has been canceled. The rest of the year of school moved online. We've even had Hebrew School online sessions. Here in Louisiana things are finally starting to reopen, although we haven't yet ventured out, except for one of us heading to the grocery store.<br />
<br />
It's hard to imagine what life is going to be like going forward. How will sports for kids happen? Or professional sports for that matter? What will school be like in the Fall? Even if it's in person, my heard breaks a little thinking that Elley may not get to see some of her closest friends if they aren't in her class and aren't able to play with other classes. It's just so hard with so much unknown.<br />
<br />
And still I have my broken engagement ring waiting in a zip lock back in my purse. Maybe eventually things will be back to normal enough where it's worth bringing it somewhere to be fixed. But in some ways, it kind of matches the rest of the world, broken, waiting to be put back together.Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-5267879536916479422020-03-02T07:41:00.001-06:002020-10-25T20:20:28.675-05:004 1/2 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1v37v3" title="IMG_5820"><img alt="IMG_5820" height="470" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933457006_05aa2f2512.jpg" width="313" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4 1/2 Years Old</span></center>You're 4 1/2 Years old!<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5BFf8J" title="IMG_2782"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027646372_75ddd72e0f.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2782"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">December 22</span></center>Practically a grown up! You're wearing a mix of 4 and 5 clothes and size 10 shoes.<br />
<center><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2fmw72" title="IMG_2907"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156136771_4cddaea5ff.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2907"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">January 2</span></center>You're about to start big kid school, which I can hardly believe. But you'll soon be off to Pre-K at the same school we expect you to be at till 8th grade. One of your best friends from your pre-school won't be there, but several of the other girls from your old school will. A couple of boys as well, one of which is in your new class.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FKY228" title="IMG_2955"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156227472_0662a61013.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2955"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">January 11</span></center>You still love books and you love being read to. One of your current favorites in Pinkalicious. We're also still in the midst of chapter books, currently reading Sophie the Mouse.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/sfUY9V" title="IMG_3110"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933516292_163ce60865.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_3110"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">February 14</span></center>We don't watch a lot of TV, but when we do it tends to be PBS kids. Of which your favorite show is Pinkalicious (sensing a theme here?). You're also a big fan of movies. You've learned we have a ton of movies in the house and are working your way through them all. It's hard to say if you have a favorite, maybe the Toy Story movies?<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/b62175" title="IMG_3307"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933285336_48f4aff27f.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_3307"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">March 17</span></center>You'll be playing soccer again in the fall. Also the gymnastics program you did at your daycare has a session at your new school, so you'll be doing one there as well. You took swimming lessons over the summer and are at the point where you can swim a few strokes on your own.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/NTH74s" title="IMG_3384"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48932722818_8eb1f54fce.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_3384"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">April 5</span></center>For favorite foods, you love peanut butter sandwiches and will also choose to go to Cane's because of Cane Sauce. In all honesty you're a pretty good eater, although you've definitely picked up your Mommy's sweet tooth.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3mM4Xt" title="IMG_3667"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48932664543_fbcb72d960.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_3667"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">April 24</span></center>Again, I can hardly believe how big you've gotten. Especially now that you're about to start "big school." It's like a completely new chapter of your life that I'm not sure I'm quite ready for.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/935U0a" title="IMG_3965"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49447599176_fea73e2dd8.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_3965"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">May 30</span></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16087126090" title="1 Month Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="1 Month Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/16087126090_d89b429386.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16501380731" title="2 Months Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="2 Months Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16501380731_debfc3b494.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16620378820" title="IMG_3341 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3341" height="225" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16620378820_7c4d8705cc.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/01/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/02/2-month-update.html">2 Months</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/03/3-months-update.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16543276733" title="IMG_3543 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3543" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7708/16543276733_60afcf601d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/17432521320" title="IMG_3698 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3698" height="225" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5327/17432521320_9556445df5.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/18822301341" title="IMG_3783 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3783" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/378/18822301341_01c463c23b.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/04/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/19210948874/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_3893"><img alt="IMG_3893" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/392/19210948874_76b05c5f8f.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20667211146/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_4002"><img alt="IMG_4002" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/610/20667211146_391ce63aaf.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20858789214/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4080"><img alt="IMG_4080" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/20858789214_6b5d23c91c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/07/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/08/8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/09/9-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22320469682/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4140"><img alt="IMG_4140" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/22320469682_f64ff308b8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22559126648/in/dateposted/" title="11 Months"><img alt="11 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/22559126648_24a7c163b9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/23790601442/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="12 Months"><img alt="12 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/23790601442_131796f9c6.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/10/10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/11/11-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/12/12-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/24386028883/in/dateposted/" title="14 Months"><img alt="14 Months" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/24386028883_1127d0878b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/70NYw0" title="16 Months"><img alt="16 Months" height="225" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7421/26859400183_49a2ef01ec.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Kb147S" title="IMG_4546"><img alt="IMG_4546" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8861/27806304054_e88db70c6c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/03/14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/06/16-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/08/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/55VTLR" title="2 Years Old"><img alt="2 Years Old" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/767/31371765960_048991c856.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w43c23" title="IMG_4963"><img alt="IMG_4963" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3780/33542508941_c665d1a519.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/80V38A" title="IMG_5104"><img alt="IMG_5104" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36304692482_f13df5471e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/01/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/04/27-months-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/2-and-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/zou3c4" title="IMG_5163"><img alt="IMG_5163" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/26141351748_86855f3545.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/389ZX3" title="IMG_5395"><img alt="IMG_5395" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/40257805692_6c500c2891.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5hj517" title="IMG_5428"><img alt="IMG_5428" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/28785875548_aa107cb30d.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/3-13-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/CF8nyE" title="IMG_5487"><img alt="IMG_5487" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/44462187471_b2b47d2946.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2gAvtA" title="IMG_5731"><img alt="IMG_5731" height="225" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7901/46418376565_32656b6fcd.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/06/4-years-update.html">4 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-88536617936450615202020-02-24T07:29:00.000-06:002020-03-01T20:16:56.787-06:002 3/4 (and 2 1/2) Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/C5sxee" title="IMG_5807"><img alt="IMG_5807" height="470" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156317112_896ce4d1fa.jpg" width="313" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 1/2 Years Old</span></center>You're 2 3/4 years old! <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 3/4 Years Old</span></center>Which yes, means this is also your 2 1/2 years update.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">February 9</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">February 16</span></center>You're 23 lbs and 2 oz (0%ile). It's an official weight since we were at the dr recently for an ear infection. Although it's the first you've had since you had tubes just over a year ago. You're wearing a mix of 12 and 18 month clothes. You're wearing size 8 shoes (although I think you technically can squeeze into your old 6s.) We actually just started potty training and you're doing pretty good. But before that you were wearing 2T pull-ups.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">February 23</span></center>You have become such a character. You've developed this evil mastermind-type laugh, that I can't quite get over. You want to do everything your sister is doing, which I guess has been a common theme. In addition to calling her Kay-Kay which you've done for a while now, you've also started to call her Sissy.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/V352U4" title="IMG_3216"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933307096_0f3b2ee247.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_3216"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">March 3</span></center>Food is still a struggle, in that if your not hungry you just won't eat. But we can normally count on you to eat hamburgers, chicken, burritos, or cheese. But I will say at your last appointment, you had the highest percentile in weight since you were just a couple of month old.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/15BGF7" title="IMG_3310"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933469087_4eb9bd735c.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_3310"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">March 17</span></center>After seeing your big sister go to party after party, you finally got to go to one of your own. You had a blast at the park at O's party playing with your friends from school O, KA, and P.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/930g1T" title="IMG_3507"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48933246341_8a514c70bd.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_3507"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">April 22</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">April 24</span></center>You got a tool bench for Christmas which is one of your favorites. You love to pick up tools and go around fixing things. You've even corrected me a few times when I haven't named the tool right. You're still obsessed with tractors and lawn mowers, although construction equipment is pretty up there too. Any time we're driving around you're quick to spot any equipment we drive by.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">May 3</span></center>You do love playing in the play kitchen mixing stuff up. We actually bought you a train table for Christmas, and while we may not like playing with it that much, you do love destroying it. Other favorites are playing "mobiles" (Playmobils) or board games.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">May 25</span></center>You are constantly non-stop, on the go. It can definitely be difficult for you to calm down and listen, but it's a work in progress. You're just a crazy and wild bundle of energy. It's hard to believe what a little person you've turned into.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3622GS" title="IMG_4314"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49447284923_21707d504c.jpg" width="313" height="438" alt="IMG_4314"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">July 7</span></center>Here's a comparison with your sister at 2 1/2 Years and 2 3/4 Years.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/71SgiS" title="IMG_5104"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4372/36304692482_f13df5471e.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5104"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/C5sxee" title="IMG_5807"><img alt="IMG_5807" height="310" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156317112_896ce4d1fa.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/2-and-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/669575" title="IMG_5163"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4743/26141351748_86855f3545.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5163"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2Kb59a" title="IMG_5830"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49448047897_a6b2943508.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5830"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/2-and-12-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JgXb02" title="IMG_5461"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/42402559584_eb143d82c0.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5461"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Wg9t0" title="IMG_5495"><img alt="IMG_5495" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45514138434_48b4022626.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/03/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a><br />
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<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/07/2-14-years-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-25759914901296438022020-01-04T09:17:00.000-06:002020-01-04T09:17:03.168-06:00Top Books of 2019Why hello there! Yes, it's me. I just wanted to check into this mostly forgotten corner of the internet to share my top books of 2019. I know I'm not writing book reviews here, but I'm still reading! This was actually one of my best reading years in a long time. The best since having kids, really. So here are my favorites, listed in the order I read them. I did manage to narrow my list down to 10, but there were others I was sad to be leaving off that I have included at the end as honorary mentions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1-C4H6Nm0Y/XhADitXm0FI/AAAAAAAAE2k/vMq23MhXCAcR8Yk9wWtUHN0EM5SKRqIvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dinosaurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1-C4H6Nm0Y/XhADitXm0FI/AAAAAAAAE2k/vMq23MhXCAcR8Yk9wWtUHN0EM5SKRqIvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/dinosaurs.jpg" width="132" height="200" data-original-width="331" data-original-height="500" /></a></div>1. <I>The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World</I> by Stephen Brusatte<br />
I was dinosaur obsessed as a little kid and I loved getting back into that world with this book. I was surprised how much research continues to happen in the field. There continues to be many dinosaurs discovered all the time, which I hadn't realized. The author is around my age as well, and I think the idea of being a paleontologist is so cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ugPxcaTshnI/XhAE20eLS2I/AAAAAAAAE2w/L7ISoNXY7dk2ySzJZ8p9EARgbTAf3CoUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rebelqueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ugPxcaTshnI/XhAE20eLS2I/AAAAAAAAE2w/L7ISoNXY7dk2ySzJZ8p9EARgbTAf3CoUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/rebelqueen.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="315" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>2. <I>Rebel Queen</I> by Michelle Moran<br />
This was so fascinating to read. It tells the story of Queen Lakshmi, one of the last queen's of India prior to the British conquest. It's told from the point of view of Sita one of her female guards. I loved the details and the historical aspects of this one. Months later it's still one that I can't forget.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4MVuexvJHE/XhAFuWoMa4I/AAAAAAAAE24/A-z9fBPpq707PR9m3W327-AQrPduGr4BQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/luckyones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4MVuexvJHE/XhAFuWoMa4I/AAAAAAAAE24/A-z9fBPpq707PR9m3W327-AQrPduGr4BQCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/luckyones.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="333" data-original-height="500" /></a></div>3. <i>We Were the Lucky Ones</I> by Georgia Hunter<br />
This is one that's been on best of lists since it was published in 2017. A Holocaust survival story that almost too good to be true, and yet it is since it was based on the author's family's survival story. There were a lot of siblings and at times it can be hard to keep them all straight. But there's several haunting scenes in it that you can't forget.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQvcTA5pE8o/XhAG_Kqv47I/AAAAAAAAE3E/n51s5J0sVW4Pk-6n8kGCW3J6EtzE9w8HgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/redscrolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQvcTA5pE8o/XhAG_Kqv47I/AAAAAAAAE3E/n51s5J0sVW4Pk-6n8kGCW3J6EtzE9w8HgCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/redscrolls.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="1064" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>4. <i>The Red Scrolls of Magic</I> by Cassandra Clare & Wesley Chu<br />
I read 3 of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter books this year. I enjoyed them all by this one narrowly beat out <I>Ghosts of the Shadow Market</I> to make the list. I loved getting to go back in time and see how Magnus and Alec's love story began. At this point there's so many Shadowhunter books it would seem a little intimidating to get started, but I continue to enjoy them! (It also helps that my mom introduced me to them when there were only 3! Little did I know 10 years later they would still be published.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOdJkoJS_uw/XhAIMeauaYI/AAAAAAAAE3M/TtY-wIiEMk4Fx_soC8pQVegjig3lTC4-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/soldmonday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOdJkoJS_uw/XhAIMeauaYI/AAAAAAAAE3M/TtY-wIiEMk4Fx_soC8pQVegjig3lTC4-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/soldmonday.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>5. <I>Sold on a Monday</I> by Kristina McMorris<br />
Another of those haunting stories that just stays with you. It's a story of a newspaper reporter and the aftermath of having one of his stories go nationwide. There's a bit of a love story in it, which helped offset the sad mystery throughout. Another one that shows some of the dark times of history that we don't want to forget.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqn8xFXGMMU/XhAJXOAWs3I/AAAAAAAAE3U/Dz51lTZ2_OQWFc_ubXnWfVaAlnbs_-CkACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/seawomen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqn8xFXGMMU/XhAJXOAWs3I/AAAAAAAAE3U/Dz51lTZ2_OQWFc_ubXnWfVaAlnbs_-CkACNcBGAsYHQ/s200/seawomen.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="1061" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>6. <I>The Island of Sea Women</I> by Lisa See<br />
Such a fascinating story of a culture I knew nothing about going in. This takes place on the Korean Island Jeju starting just before World War 2. I've read several books by Lisa See, but I think this might be my favorite. It has some familiar themes as others, showing the ups and downs of female friendship, but yet it's also so different than her others. Like many others on this list, this isn't an easy one to get through, but it's one that's hard to put down and impossible to forget.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lymyyeQWb0M/XhAKwecWTFI/AAAAAAAAE3g/3sMDJWQsQL4puy2EY5V-qIEY9JVcDHl9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bebrave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lymyyeQWb0M/XhAKwecWTFI/AAAAAAAAE3g/3sMDJWQsQL4puy2EY5V-qIEY9JVcDHl9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/bebrave.jpg" width="132" height="200" data-original-width="263" data-original-height="400" /></a></div>7. <I>We Must Be Brave</I> by Frances Liardet<br />
Out of all the books I read this one made me cry the most. It takes place during England and starts with a little girl being sheltered in the midst of an air raid. I wouldn't describe this one as haunted though. For taking place during a war it isn't full of a bunch of atrocities. Instead so much is about love and loss and parts are heartbreaking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thxPRTNvt90/XhAL98tsrxI/AAAAAAAAE3o/7Yr2pvvzQdo5BpbSS_ZmQDNDk1fUj4-xQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/christmasshopaholic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thxPRTNvt90/XhAL98tsrxI/AAAAAAAAE3o/7Yr2pvvzQdo5BpbSS_ZmQDNDk1fUj4-xQCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/christmasshopaholic.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="332" data-original-height="500" /></a></div><I>8. Christmas Shopaholic</I> by Sophie Kinsella <br />
Out of all the books on this list this is by far the lightest. It was so much fun getting back into the world of Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood). There were times that I was laughing so hard I had to put the book down. This has all my favorite parts of the early Shopaholic books and was especially the perfect read around the holidays.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WY76WEENLo/XhANF26YfrI/AAAAAAAAE3w/XMBXtyxhNEQ7kbGmx-Pga-ia32HwBlffwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/crawdads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WY76WEENLo/XhANF26YfrI/AAAAAAAAE3w/XMBXtyxhNEQ7kbGmx-Pga-ia32HwBlffwCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/crawdads.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="1063" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>9. <I>Where the Crawdads Sing</I> by Delia Owens<br />
Another you continue to see on best lists. This was different than I though it would be, but I completely get what all the hype if about! There was a bit of a twist near the end that I didn't see coming at all. (Although it's a little obvious, given some of the clues, I just didn't let myself believe it.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_i5mz9nqIw/XhANyk29w-I/AAAAAAAAE34/gahx6_hyDnsieBJG5O72ds7rnAZlY9Z1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/spiel_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_i5mz9nqIw/XhANyk29w-I/AAAAAAAAE34/gahx6_hyDnsieBJG5O72ds7rnAZlY9Z1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/spiel_.jpg" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="331" data-original-height="499" /></a></div>10. <I>It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories</I> Edited by Katherine Locke & Laura Silverman<br />
This is a collection of YA short stories all with a Jewish theme. There's been several similar Christmas themed books out there and I was so excited to see that this existed. It seems to be marketed as a Hanukkah book and while there are Hanukkah stories in it, it's more of a collection of being Jewish as a teen or young adult now. There were many different perspectives, feeling too-Jewish as well as not Jewish enough. There were stories on Birthright trips and Jewish summer camps both experiences I, as well as many other, have found memories off. I was a little surprised at the number of stories with a LGBTQ-slant, although I get how that makes sense today. I loved reading it so much now, but I think if I had read it in college, I would have loved it so much more.<br />
<br />
<B>Honorary Mentions</B><br />
<I>Daughters of the Nile</I> by Stephanie Dray<br />
<I>The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding</I> by Jennifer Robson<br />
<I>The Other Einstein</I> by Marie Benedict<br />
<I>The Perfect Couple</I> by Elin Hilderbrand<br />
<I>Ghosts of the Shadow Market</I> by Cassandra Clare<br />
<I>The Nightingale</I> by Kristin Hannah<br />
<I>Disney's Land: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World</I> by Richard Snow<br />
<I>Front Desk</I> by Kelly Yang<br />
<br />
<center><B>To see my favorite books from years' past go here:</B><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/best-books-of-2018.html">2018</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2014/12/top-10-books-of-2014.html">2014</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-10-books-of-2013.html">2013</a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2012/12/top-10-books-of-2012.html">2012</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-27169837642280167352019-07-29T07:23:00.000-05:002019-07-29T07:23:05.057-05:002 1/4 Years Update<center><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3pa28J" title="IMG_5798"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027753918_1eaabe1678.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_5798"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 1/4 Years Old</span></center>You are 2 1/4 years old!<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3sCDpc" title="IMG_2178"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7896/47304915531_1ece750965.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2178"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 27</span></center>No doctor appointment, so no official stats. And all the clothing is pretty much the same sizes (12 or 18 months clothes, size 6 shoes, size 4 diapers).<br />
<center><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3BJ054" title="IMG_2370"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027523883_4d44909954.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2370"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">November 14</span></center>You are such a little person! Seriously, you are no stop, on the go, all the time. You still love tractors, trucks, and trains. Although a current favorite is sports. You love wearing clothes with baseball or footballs on it, and you absolutely love going to LSU baseball games with your dad. We actually signed you up to play soccer this year, and while you love the idea of going to soccer, you're not always as sure when you're out on the field with everyone else.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/0oYD52" title="IMG_2592"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027564921_5b6217151b.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_2592"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">December 2</span></center>You still aren't a great eater. We can normally count on you to each chicken and it used to be strawberries, but not even that any more. You will normally eat breakfast, depending on the day eating frozen pancakes, croissants, granola bars, or scrambled eggs.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/gXaDZK" title="IMG_2792"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027576168_9463280052.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2792"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">December 23</span></center>You've had some issues listening lately, I think resulting from wanting to do thing your way. Unfortunately that does mean we've gotten a few notes home for hitting or biting your friends.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/K7HjJe" title="IMG_2862"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156162496_c16c79c725.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2862"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">December 29</span></center>Your favorite thing to do is playing in the toy kitchen cooking food or coloring. Although to be honest, at the very top of that list is whatever your sister is doing. Basically if she's is doing it, you're over there following her wanting to do it too.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/T98i6Y" title="IMG_2876"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156237862_32246b715d.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2876"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">December 31</span></center>When did attempt a first movie with you, <i>How to Train Your Dragon Hidden World</I>, unfortunately it didn't go that well. We actually wound up spending most of the movie in the lobby while your daddy and sister finished watching.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/d229e5" title="IMG_2921"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156154551_719584cb7c.jpg" width="418" height="418 alt="IMG_2921"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">January 4</span></center>I'm a little in disbelief that you've gotten so big. You're practically a grown up at this point. I know we still have some big milestones ahead (potty training for one), but it's still a little crazy to me that you're not really a baby anymore and are practically a big kid!<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/n5c1at" title="IMG_2941"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48156229277_81fa58d21b.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2941"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">January 6</span></center>Here's a comparison with your sister at 2 1/4 Years.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5qKqGF" title="IMG_4963"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/3780/33542508941_c665d1a519.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_4963"></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3pa28J" title="IMG_5798"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027753918_1eaabe1678.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="IMG_5798"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/04/27-months-update.html">2 1/14 Years</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JgXb02" title="IMG_5461"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/42402559584_eb143d82c0.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5461"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Wg9t0" title="IMG_5495"><img alt="IMG_5495" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45514138434_48b4022626.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2019/03/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-22922594817979837712019-06-10T07:05:00.000-05:002019-06-10T07:46:25.098-05:004 Years Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/2gAvtA" title="IMG_5731"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7901/46418376565_32656b6fcd.jpg" width="313" height="470" alt="IMG_5731"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4 Years</span></center>You're 4 years old! I can hardly believe it. Where on earth has the time gone?!?<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4Gp7v7" title="IMG_1937"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4914/46187252822_942c6d13c3.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_1937"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">August 21</span></center>At your 4 year doctor appointment you were 41 in tall (77th%ile). You weighed 29 lbs (6th%ile). You're mainly wearing 4t clothes and are still wearing size 9 shoes. <br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/96vrW3" title="IMG_2023"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7803/40259559433_b9f4875f21.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2023"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">September 19</span></center>We've started reading chapter books at bedtime, and you're really enjoying them. So far we've read Socks and Beezus and Ramona, both by Beverly Clearly, The Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West, and The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. On the other hand, on nights where your Daddy puts you to sleep you play board games together. Your current favorite is "Monsters" (Kingdom of Tokyo). According to him you love earning token and exchanging them to buy things.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Jihb1R" title="IMG_2101"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7905/40340066043_3d46f28f85.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2101"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 6</span></center>It's finally gotten to the point where your brother is really old enough to play with you. It's awesome for you because now you have a playmate who is willing to do basically whatever you tell him to.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/E3bSv0" title="IMG_2271"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7821/33429136328_547e22f9be.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2271"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 31</span></center>We're at the point where we've had a couple of teacher conference, and so far the message is the same, you're a leader, which is good, unless you're leading people to do the wrong thing. You definitely want to be in charge and want to make sure everyone is doing exactly what you want to do.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/oA704g" title="IMG_2377"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027592632_ca6e364b33.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_2377"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">November 15</span></center>Of course, through this all you have some great friends. I is still a favorite, and C seems to be another great friend as well. And lucky for you a handful of your classmates will be with you when you start your new school next year.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ro93qL" title="IMG_2474"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027581967_8dc182ed30.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2474"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">November 16</span></center>You're so opinionated and you know exactly what you want. Of course what you think is always 100% correct. We've already gotten in a few arguments such as when you told me you KNEW you were getting invited to a birthday party even though we hadn't gotten an invitation yet. (Turns out, you were right!) Of course, I can already see what these fights will look in 10 years when you're a teenager!<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5f636G" title="IMG_5586"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7865/32363314787_f49b2fcf75.jpg" width="438" height="313" alt="IMG_5586"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">December 2</span></center>You've gotten so big, and yet you're still so little. You still love being carried around. While you can go to the bathroom by yourself, you'd much rather have company with you when you do so. You still need 3 million things before going to bed (the fan on, the knot game, to kiss your cabbage patch dolls) and as much as I might complain walking back up the stairs each night, I know pretty soon you're going to be too big to tuck in... which is so crazy I can't even articulate!<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/A4CVF2" title="IMG_2723"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48027550456_b6b2c1d4bf.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2723"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4th Birthday Party</span></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16087126090" title="1 Month Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="1 Month Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/16087126090_d89b429386.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16501380731" title="2 Months Old by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="2 Months Old" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16501380731_debfc3b494.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16620378820" title="IMG_3341 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3341" height="225" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16620378820_7c4d8705cc.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/01/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/02/2-month-update.html">2 Months</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/03/3-months-update.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/16543276733" title="IMG_3543 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3543" height="225" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7708/16543276733_60afcf601d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/17432521320" title="IMG_3698 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3698" height="225" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5327/17432521320_9556445df5.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/18822301341" title="IMG_3783 by Shoshanah, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3783" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/378/18822301341_01c463c23b.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/04/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/19210948874/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_3893"><img alt="IMG_3893" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/392/19210948874_76b05c5f8f.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20667211146/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="IMG_4002"><img alt="IMG_4002" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/610/20667211146_391ce63aaf.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/20858789214/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4080"><img alt="IMG_4080" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/20858789214_6b5d23c91c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/07/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/08/8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/09/9-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22320469682/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_4140"><img alt="IMG_4140" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/22320469682_f64ff308b8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/22559126648/in/dateposted/" title="11 Months"><img alt="11 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/22559126648_24a7c163b9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/23790601442/in/album-72157650382995952/" title="12 Months"><img alt="12 Months" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/23790601442_131796f9c6.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/10/10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/11/11-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2015/12/12-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoshanah/24386028883/in/dateposted/" title="14 Months"><img alt="14 Months" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/24386028883_1127d0878b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/70NYw0" title="16 Months"><img alt="16 Months" height="225" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7421/26859400183_49a2ef01ec.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Kb147S" title="IMG_4546"><img alt="IMG_4546" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8861/27806304054_e88db70c6c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/03/14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/06/16-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/08/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/55VTLR" title="2 Years Old"><img alt="2 Years Old" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/767/31371765960_048991c856.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w43c23" title="IMG_4963"><img alt="IMG_4963" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3780/33542508941_c665d1a519.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/80V38A" title="IMG_5104"><img alt="IMG_5104" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36304692482_f13df5471e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/01/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/04/27-months-update.html">2 1/4 Years</a>~<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/2-and-12-years-update.html">2 1/2 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/zou3c4" title="IMG_5163"><img alt="IMG_5163" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/26141351748_86855f3545.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/389ZX3" title="IMG_5395"><img alt="IMG_5395" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/40257805692_6c500c2891.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5hj517" title="IMG_5428"><img alt="IMG_5428" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/28785875548_aa107cb30d.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">2 3/4 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-2-and-34-years-update.html">3 Years</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/3-13-years-update.html">3 1/3 Years</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/CF8nyE" title="IMG_5487"><img alt="IMG_5487" height="225" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/44462187471_b2b47d2946.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/3-23-years-update.html">3 2/3 Years</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730869259900917297.post-69696021676803496992019-03-11T07:17:00.000-05:002019-03-11T07:17:12.665-05:0024 Months Update<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="470" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="313" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">24 Months</span></center>You're 2 years old!<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5eY250" title="IMG_1952"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/44420909010_c09cd41158.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_1952"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">August 25</span></center>I can hardly believe it. Two just sounds so old. And yet, in a way, you're still so, so little.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/0v3094" title="IMG_1969"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4908/32365633128_2d07aa6d15.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_1969"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">September 2</span></center>For a few official stats, at your 2 year appointment you weighed 19 lbs 2 oz (0%ile). You were 31.9 in tall (3rd%ile). Your head circumference was 47 cm (11.6%ile).<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3y1pno" title="IMG_2016"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/32282432107_d7b16d18ea.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2016"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">September 15</span></center>You're mainly wearing 12 months, with a couple of 18 months tops thrown in. You're wearing size 6 shoes. (And if you had your say about shoes, you'd always, always want to wear your boots.)<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/ru8V68" title="IMG_2044"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7854/46501242774_f2705d5ae5.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="IMG_2044"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">September 23</span></center>As I said in my last update, you're talking non-stop. A recent update though has been singing. For example, on the drive home today as it was raining, I hear in the back seat, "Rain, rain go away, another day." Or while changing you into pajamas to go to sleep, it was a perfect for "Jingle bells, jingle bells, all the way!"<br />
<center><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/P21Yy5" title="IMG_2063"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7897/40259555073_6bd1467e08.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2063"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">September 28</span></center>Speaking of going to sleep, your are still sleeping with at least one, sometime two My Little Ponies. (After all, they are perfectly handheld, and the most essential part, they have hair.) But you've also started to collect things in your bed as you're sleeping. Tonight for example, in bed with you was a pony, stuffed dinosaur, stuffed tiger, stuffed skeleton, giant giraffe pillow you received for Christmas (and yes, I am writing this 2 months late), as well as a plastic tractor, and plastic dinosaurs.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7Wwfg6" title="IMG_2039"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7873/47224491041_c9c37c16eb.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2039"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">September 30</span></center>Dinosaurs are one of your current favorites, along with trucks, tractors, or lawnmowers. You have a dump truck you love filling with stuff and dragging all around the house. Or instead, you'll sit on the tricycle (a 2nd birthday present) or fire truck (a 1st birthday present) and ride them around the house. Both of them also have hidden compartments for storage, so you're constantly hiding things in them in addition to your yellow chair (also a 1st birthday present).<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38Pw36" title="Explore Yard Fun"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4866/45325002805_d666aeebfd.jpg" width="418" height="313" alt="Explore Yard Fun"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 9</span></center>You recently have started being afraid of monster or Bergens (the bad guys from Trolls). Nothing crazy, but you won't willingly go into a room by yourself or when it's dark since there might be a monster. Luckily you'll often find your older sister is willing to accompany you.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/8To1zS" title="IMG_2122"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7862/40340063233_a7005b4b7a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2122"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 13</span></center>You still love your big sister, and want to do anything she's doing. For an interesting turn, now she wants to copy everything your doing. It makes it so much fun when one of you is doing something they shouldn't as soon as one stops the other starts instead for a vicious cycle. One of which would be jumping on the couch. Although I do have it admit it is pretty adorable that every time you jump on the couch you yell out, "No monkeys jumping on the couch!"<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/51tW6u" title="IMG_2147"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7855/47252448882_f7c23a73a8.jpg" width="418" height="418" alt="IMG_2147"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 24</span></center>It's funny because while I can't quite believe how big you are, you still seem so much smaller than your sister was at this age. I'm sure it's a second child thing. Either way though, it's crazy how these past 2 years have flown by and that I can barely even remember you as a newborn. Hopefully now that I'm in less of a newborn fog, I'm able to remember more of these adorable details from 2!<br />
<center><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/U5Ts21" title="IMG_2294"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7821/47252488962_93ff03151d.jpg" width="313" height="418" alt="IMG_2294"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2nd Birthday Party</span></center>Here's a comparison with your sister at 24 months.<br />
<center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/5Q1178" title="2 Years Old"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/767/31371765960_048991c856.jpg" width="200" height="310" alt="2 Years Old"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/Gz4J06" title="IMG_5558"><img alt="IMG_5558" height="310" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/46581679914_72f3a2495e.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/01/24-months-update.html">24 Months</a></center><center><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/3R17c0" title="IMG_4645"><img alt="IMG_4645" height="150" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5656/31318512295_a5f028a81c.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<a href="https://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/11/baby-bears-birth-story.html">Birth Story</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/w5D9RA" title="IMG_4690"><img alt="IMG_4690" height="225" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/780/31563371046_37cf42e2c9.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/p1Ss6f" title="IMG_4786"><img alt="IMG_4786" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/32845143985_e9e517ae46.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4j7493" title="IMG_4910"><img alt="IMG_4910" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/617/32722291501_6438db652e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2016/12/1-month-update.html">1 Month</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">2 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-2-months-updates.html">3 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/4vaHDc" title="IMG_4930"><img alt="IMG_4930" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3788/33631261746_f9c0cf8a0d.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/uoBT23" title="IMG_4979"><img alt="IMG_4979" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/34448440146_5f0875dd51.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JEr720" title="IMG_5011"><img alt="IMG_5011" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/34170092233_7460cd738e.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/03/4-months-update.html">4 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/05/5-months-update.html">5 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-months-update.html">6 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/g38YXV" title="IMG_5053"><img alt="IMG_5053" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/35664689733_e79691d120.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/7t9J8d" title="IMG_5080"><img alt="IMG_5080" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36335554581_136fa179d8.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/cL2252" title="IMG_5124"><img alt="IMG_5124" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37906208142_c411b1126c.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-months-update.html">7 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">8 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2017/11/9-8-months-update.html">9 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/073e82" title="IMG_5144"><img alt="IMG_5144" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37906124492_781920131b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/FrMw8U" title="IMG_5156"><img alt="IMG_5156" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28235239059_e684b3d8d7.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/99jCwR" title="IMG_5238"><img alt="IMG_5238" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/25431669617_976c997867.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">10 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">11 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/04/12-11-10-months-update.html">12 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/10vN1Z" title="IMG_5383"><img alt="IMG_5383" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/26430602388_a796ac32fc.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/LMpi23" title="IMG_5410"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/27923407858_5d2450a43d.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5410"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/38N4e8" title="IMG_5429"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42658724771_607ae265bc.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5429"></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">14 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/16-14-months-update.html">16 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/06/18-months-update.html">18 Months</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/JgXb02" title="IMG_5461"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/42402559584_eb143d82c0.jpg" width="150" height="225" alt="IMG_5461"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/shoshanah/1Wg9t0" title="IMG_5495"><img alt="IMG_5495" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/45514138434_48b4022626.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/09/20-months-update.html">20 Months</a> ~ <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-months-update.html">22 Months</a></center>Shoshanahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15707241263291051104noreply@blogger.com0