rabbits
Posted Feb 19, 2012, 6:05 pm
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Hi, I'm Lotus, Katie Pillar's cousin. I'm waiting at home for my first host, so if you are interested in hosting me, please PM my mentor, rabbits. Even though I was bought in a store, I am a handmade toy. I am a 'Podling', and I sleep in my cocoon every night.
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 15, 2012, 1:37 am
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Lotus was very happy to arrive in Iola, Kansas, today!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 15, 2012, 1:39 am
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Today, host mom took me for a walk down the road where she said there was a lovely Bradford pear tree that she wanted to photograph me with. Then we walked over to the Cottonwood Garden where we found one bush blooming with dainty, white flowers. On the way home, she showed me one of her favorite houses. She said it was built in the late 1800s!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 15, 2012, 1:41 am
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For today's journey, host mom drove over to Riverside park and climbed over the dike, to see the river!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 17, 2012, 3:32 am
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Oh goody, a road trip! We got all packed up!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 17, 2012, 4:51 am
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We stopped at the rest stop, just south of the Arkansas border, to stretch our legs and get some pictures in the Ozark Mountains!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 17, 2012, 11:51 pm
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We got ready, then wandered around the Arkansas Anime Festival and looked at all of the people in costumes! I really liked the black light lounge!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 18, 2012, 2:20 am
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The host family and their friends dressed up and changed costumes lots today!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 19, 2012, 4:29 am
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It was time to go home today, and the first place we stopped was the National Fish Hatchery, in Neosho, Missouri! I had so much fun exploring the museum and feeding the fish!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 20, 2012, 1:29 am
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As we left the fish hatchery, we noticed a beautiful old cemetery. One of the TVs in the group has a goal to visit 10 cemeteries, so we stopped to help her fulfill her goal. It was very peaceful and beautiful there.
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 20, 2012, 4:44 am
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The host family said that they can't imagine driving through Carthage, MO and not stopping at the Precious Moments Chapel! It's such a beautiful, amazing place!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 21, 2012, 3:43 am
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Some of the hedgehogs (and Dove the doggie) came out to play today!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 23, 2012, 4:43 am
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Host mom took me to the Neosho River this morning to see how much the spring rains have made it rise! The current sure was running fast; we made sure not to go too close to the edge!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 24, 2012, 4:02 am
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When we passed through Lyndon, KS, host mom stopped to show us the water tower and a historical log cabin! The low clouds made me kind of nervous, but host mom said tornadoes aren't likely today.
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 24, 2012, 5:11 am
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We went to find a Wal-mart while we were in Topeka and found this interesting drive in movie theater marquee in the parking lot. Host mom took us over to have a look, and we learned that we were looking at a piece of history!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 25, 2012, 5:31 am
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Today we went to Easter play practice! There were lots of kids and costumes and everybody was having so much fun!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 26, 2012, 1:50 am
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The sky was so pretty as the sun prepared to sink below the horizon- the picture doesn't do justice to how pretty the scene really was!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 26, 2012, 4:14 am
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Today was a lovely spring day and when we drove by Hillbrant House, host mom got very excited and said we just HAD to stop for pictures with the newly blooming flowers!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 27, 2012, 5:31 am
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Dandelions in the lawn are a certain sign of spring!
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 29, 2012, 4:27 am
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It's been a really busy couple of days, so host mom took me for a walk after work. She showed me a lovely but somewhat rundown house a couple of blocks from home, that used to be a coach house. It still looks very pretty, even if it has seen better days.
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 30, 2012, 3:48 am
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Host mom said she experienced "sticker shock" at the gas station today... the price of gas is rising quickly 
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MamiTig
Posted Mar 31, 2012, 5:57 am
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Tonight was the last night of play practice before the first performance! Everyone was so excited!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 1, 2012, 5:34 am
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Host mom stopped and showed us the water tower in Thayer, on the way to church today. This one is the most round of all the water towers we've seen!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 2, 2012, 5:24 am
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Twin Trestles is such a fascinating place, I don't think I will ever tire of going there! So much to see and explore. It's just starting to green up and look pretty now
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 3, 2012, 5:03 am
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We went to Topeka and saw tractors! Lotus liked that the brand name is "caterpillar."
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 3, 2012, 5:41 am
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Host mom made herself a pretty skirt today!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 4, 2012, 5:22 am
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We stopped at Garnett's South Lake in the morning, to look for Canada geese, and we also found mushrooms!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 5, 2012, 3:44 am
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Host mom bought some very brightly colored fabric and said she is going to make some spring dresses for the little girls!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 6, 2012, 5:09 am
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We were going to Topeka today and Anastaysia talked host mom into stopping at a lovely old cemetery called Mt. Hope! It had graves from the early 1800s... so much history!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 7, 2012, 3:32 am
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Lotus got to try Mexican food at El Charro today, yum!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 7, 2012, 5:15 am
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We drove out to Arnold's Greenhouse today, to get some early planters and enjoy all the things there are to see!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 7, 2012, 10:12 pm
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We stopped in at the convenience store in LeRoy and saw some interesting things!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 9, 2012, 4:05 am
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Today was the host family kids and their friends' final performance of the Easter play. The kids did the entire service, and they did such a wonderful job. Afterward, there was a yummy potluck!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 10, 2012, 5:45 am
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Today we startled a small flock of sheep by stopping to take pictures!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 12, 2012, 4:41 am
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Host mom took us to the river today. It was gray and chilly, but the trees and wildflowers were bright and happy!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 13, 2012, 4:11 am
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Today was gray again, AND rainy, so we didn't get a chance to do anything very exciting. We sat on the porch and watched the clouds, and visited with the outdoor kitty, Halo. Host mom finished making a dress for one of her daughters! She is going to make two more in the same colors, but different combinations, so her youngest three daughters will complement each other nicely
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 15, 2012, 5:43 am
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It was gray and rainy again today, but Lotus enjoyed the warm meal and great company at the SDA church potluck!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 16, 2012, 5:19 am
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Today the host family took us to Gage Park in Topeka, to celebrate a birthday! There was a lot to do and we had tons of fun playing!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 17, 2012, 4:51 am
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On the way home from work, host mom stopped to show us the pretty scenery and the rural water tower that is just west of Colony, Kansas! It was such a pretty day!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 19, 2012, 4:48 am
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Lotus joined the hedgehogs for dinner!
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MamiTig
Posted Apr 20, 2012, 4:13 am
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Lotus is ready to travel!
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 25, 2012, 12:43 am
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Hi there! Lotus has arrived safely in New York!
Right now she's sleeping in her pod, recovering from her long journey.
She tells me that she'll post some pictures and stories tomorrow. 
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 8:13 pm
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My host mother is not very computer savvy. She tells me there are tons of pictures on her computer of ME! BUT, she has to figure out how to resize them. And she doesn't know how yet.
We're having a lot of fun! I can't wait to add my stories to the pictures once she figures them out.
Sorry Rabbit! She's trying. She's nice and taking good care of me. She's just a little bit of a spaz with technical stuff.
Love, Lotus
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 8:53 pm
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Here's Lotus! This was the day she arrived. She's on the front seat of our minivan, where her package was opened. Thanks to Mamatig for the great card with photos!
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:02 pm
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My host mom had to get some money out the bank. So we went to the drive-thru ATM. I liked the buttons and the screen so when I asked her to take my picture with them, she said yes! But guess WHAT?! She and I were so busy taking the picture, she left her card in the machine! Luckily the bank called her right away and she got it back safely the next day. Whew!
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:08 pm
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Well, they have a lot of fruit here! The kids in this family eat ton of it. And they were showing me around and thought I'd look nice here with the collage above me. That was made by their friend.
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:11 pm
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Sleep. This is me in a huge sleeping bag that I shared with one of the host kids and his friend. They had friends sleep over A LOT for a while there! I thought this family had 4 kids but it turns out there are really only 2 and the extra ones were just visiting while their mom was far away in Italy. I took some pictures with the kids and you'll see those later.
Hope you're doing well at home, Rabbit.
Love,
Lotus
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:16 pm
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Here I am visiting the apartment of the grandma of those extra kids! My host mom was dropping ALL the kids off there for a little visit. Then she and I went to a boring appointment about insurance or something. I waited in the van.
Love, Lotus
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:22 pm
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The view from the grandma's window. Very nice!
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:25 pm
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Here I am with one of the extra kids, Andie and her sweet little dog, Ruby. Ruby gave me a kiss. 
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:34 pm
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Here we are about to start on an adventure! We're going to visit an old homestead, have a picnic and work in an old blacksmith's shop! It's really cold and we didn't expect it to be. Hopefully we'll eat inside! My host mom took a bunch of pictures of this day. We made gingerbread in the old house, we used a cross cut saw and hiked, and hammered glowing hot iron! Don't worry Rabbits, I didn't get too close to the open fire. There were a lot of mothers there who all seemed to be hyper-alert about safety so it was fine. You can see my host kids here- Kaya is looking grumplily towards something. She doesn't remember what it was, though. She's not ususally grumpy. She's so nice. And Gowan is holding me. He loves me and I love him. And Maggie is near Gowan- she likes to talk in a silly voice a lot with Gowan. Andie is the other big one- she introduced me to the cute little dog the other day. None of these kids go to school! At all!! WOW. It's a little nutty. But they do a lot of other stuff so I guess it's ok.
Here you go...many pictures! I hope you like them Rabbits! I'm having fun here!!
Love, Lotus
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:39 pm
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Really old covered bridge!
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:42 pm
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Making gingerbread in the old house
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:45 pm
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Fireside in the old house.
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:48 pm
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The homestead, doing chores outside.
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:50 pm
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More sawing.
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 9:53 pm
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Hiking back from the homestead to the picnic spot. Thankfully, we ate inside. It was weirdly cold for this time of year, or so they tell me.
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 10:00 pm
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Here's Kaya making a fire poker! Yikes!
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 10:05 pm
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Here they are, all done! You can't see what they made very well, but I can verify that up close and in person these are really awesome things! Gowan and Andie made plant hangers, Maggie made a heart trivet for hot dishes, and Kaya made a fire poker for camp fires. They were all getting tired out and so was I. We headed home after this. Then, some of the kids went to the library to watch Harry Potter while my host mom ate cake at a teahouse with another grown-up without any kids, regular OR extra. I went with her but we forgot to take any pictures. It was fun, though!
Miss you, Rabbits! Hope all is well at home in Germany.
Love, Lotus
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Birdie87
Posted Apr 28, 2012, 10:08 pm
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Oh, actually, my host mom DID take one picture last night. She just reminded me. This is us waiting for the kids to be done watching the movie. We're in the library. This is a bigger library that they have in Rosendale. That library is tiny. I haven't seen it yet, but they tell me I will. This was is in Gardiner, NY. It's a pretty new building. Their friend is the head librarian! Cool.
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Birdie87
Posted May 6, 2012, 1:45 am
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I went for a walk with my host mom and their dog, Shiloh. We stopped at this really beautiful pedestrian marketplace called Water Street Market. It's right on the way on the Rail Trail! Here are a few pictures of me there!
Love, Lotus 
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Birdie87
Posted May 6, 2012, 1:47 am
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With some cool art!
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Birdie87
Posted May 6, 2012, 1:49 am
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Can you spot me? I love these sculptures!!
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Birdie87
Posted May 6, 2012, 1:56 am
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Last weekend my host mom and kids volunteered at a food donation drive for the Rosendale Food Pantry. Here I am, smiling at the people headed into Emmanuel's grocery store to shop. Many of them gave donations of money and food. After we were done we loaded all the donations into the my host mom's van, picked up my host dad and went to the pantry to log the donations and stock the shelves. I was there, but we forgot to take any pictures since we were all working so hard!
I'm having a great time in NY and have lots more to tell you and many more pictures but it's been a busy week. Now, I'm just going to go watch Avatar with my temporary siblings and host dad.
Love, Lotus
P.S. My host mom is trying to get fancy with those pink hearts and star. 
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Birdie87
Posted May 11, 2012, 2:34 am
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Oh, this was fun! It was my host parents wedding anniversary and we went out for dinner! I LOVED it! And the little toddler who visited our table a lot was very friendly and we got along so well! (My host mom didn't take her picture, though.)
Here I am with the host kids, enjoying some food.
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