Tis the season...

peace

Halloween pictures (better late than never!)

The Snow Queen casting her spell on me (ie, she really didn't want to smile for a picture) and Dark Knight (aka Big Muscles) Batman.  Kai was, well, a baby this year.  :-)  First time EVER I didn't make their costumes for Halloween.  The sad thing is they seemed more excited to pick them out from a store than when I made them for them.  Maybe it's because they didn't have to try it on a hundred times before they could actually wear it!  Ah well, fun (and a sugar high) was had by all.

Dividing of the spoils!

peace

For my dad

And anyone else who likes pictures of a cute baby!

The beautiful quilt Kai is laying on is a family handmade, family passed down heirloom I have been blessed to inherit.  After my grandfather's death this summer, my parents found tons (probably literally!) of family pictures from the past 100+ years.  Apparently in the midst of that photographic history are several pictures of my grandpap, his sister and maybe some other relatives as babies laying on beautiful family handmade quilts.  Here's to carrying on that tradition that includes 2 of my favorite things in the whole world: hand sewn fabric goodness and people I love! 

peace

Tristan turned 5!

On Sunday our May Day baby, our come in the middle of night baby, our wear his thoughts/emotions all over his face baby, our super kind, super sensitive baby, our when he smiles you can't help but to smile back (even when he is being naughty) baby, our all boy, leggo loving baby turned

No longer, baby.  All big kid.  But even big kids like snuggles and kisses and mama hugs and tickles (thank goodness or I may be freaking out!).

Happy bday to our big boy!

First picnic of the year!

I know that Spring began about 6 weeks ago or so but you wouldn't have known it around here.  Less than a week ago we awoke to this disheartening sight:

However, today we were blessed with this.  Spring literally came all in one day today.  We had thunderstorms this morning with some pretty serious downpours, then the sun came out and BAM! the grass turned green.  I mean literally today the grass changed color.  Yea, my grass has superpowers.  I know, pretty cool.
 

Then while we were eating, we had the pleasure of a visit from an old friend.  We haven't seem Mr. Rose-Breasted Gross Beak since last year.  It was great to catch up.  He joined us for dinner, though he preferred mixed seeds to the chicken, pita chips with hummus and veggie sticks we were eating.

And later, we spotted a new friend in the yard.  A little shy, she was.  Didn't quite catch her name.  Maybe next time.

And the neighborhood trouble-makers are back in town, Mr. & Mrs. Cowbird.  Always looking for someone else's nest to pawn off their eggs on.  At least they keep things interesting around here and sing a pretty tune.

For a week filled with tantrums, allergies, colds, and the stomach flu, this was a really nice end to the day.  How is your Spring shaping up?

peace

Sharp inhale...

Two robins are in the yard (on top of the snow) right now chasing each other back and forth. 

Spring?  Spring?  Is that you?

peace

My life is a musical, apparently

I don't know where it comes from but I swear our kids are Broadway musical prodigies.  They have never seen a musical (although the Backyardigans are pretty musical-like).  I don't even like musicals (except Oklahoma, I don't know why).  But there are at least half a dozen times during the day when our kids are engrossed in some kind of pretend play and they break into song.  And not just all of a sudden they start singing Mary had a little lamb or something that has nothing to do with their play.  No, they have a well written, scripted out transition from whatever they are pretending into a dramatic singing and dancing chorus that underscores whatever climax they have reached in their story.

For example, today they were playing "police school".  They were learning how to become police officer.  Abigail was discussing with Tristan what a police officer's job consists of, such as chasing bad guys (of course).  She went on to say, "that is not the only part of our job, is it Tristan?  Oh no, it is not.  Ready everyone!  ~(singing and dancing now) That is, noooooooo, that is not the only part of our joooooobbbbb!~  And off they were in some semi-coordinated song of the details of a police officer's duties.  I can't help but to bob my head while I am chopping cabbage and they are parading around the house but another part of my wonders, where does this come from?!

Now I must admit here that Matt and I both have a tendency to sing everyday requests to our kids when we are feeling frustrated with them but don't want to show it or when something annoying has happened to us and we want to tell each other about it without it sounding like we are bitching.  Let me warn you, people, it is terribly frightening to face the unknown influence a parent has on their child.

To get a taste of my life as a musical, here is a video of Abigail playing her guitar and singing Tristan to "sleep":

peace

You have got to be kidding me!

Another x?@2*! snow day!! 

We are at about 5 snow days which in itself isn't so bad but add at least as many days with delays and probably over double that in days home from school because of being sick and I am about to slaughter this winter!!!  I know that spring is coming because the birds are noisier, the temperature is not in the negative numbers and I have even seen grass (not here but in valley type places).  But right now I would really like to take Punxsutawney Phil, shove him face first in the snow and ask, "Is this what an early spring looks like?  Really?"

Ok, I am done now.  I just needed to vent on the blogfront rather than on the homefront.  To another day filled with fighting over legos, cabin fever, and trying not to mastermind plans to kidnap a groundhog...

peace 

My bad!

I totally meant to highlight the jewerly artist that produced my ring in my post Thursday.  In my haste to run out the door, I completely forgot!  My big bad!! 

So without further ado, my beautiful, simple-but-elegant, textural ring was made by Chris Mueller who has a lovely shop on Etsy.  Chris has an eye for clean modern design inspired by nature.  Love it, love it, love it!  She also was wonderfully helpful and patient with walking Matt through the process of a more commplicated order through etsy.  Thanks so much, Chris, for your personal customer service and your original work! 

Here are some of my favorite pieces from her etsy shop:

Freshwater pearl, textured, etched, sterling silver bracelet

 Vibrant blue Australian boulder opal - ring - sterling

Lily Pad Earrings with Frog - 14k Gold, Sterling silver

So check out Chris' shop!  She comes highly recommended.

peace

From my Valentine...

Matt and I have never been very into Valentine's day.  Sure, we have gone to dinner or to see a movie but we have always viewed it more as a Hallmark holiday where people are encouraged to spend reckless amounts of money on unnecessary stuff.  Married for 8 1/2 years, two kids and an intense job life, later however, have encouraged us to use Valentine's day as a reminder to appreciate and celebrate the one we love.  Not to replace everyday affection and appreciation but just to remind us that thoughtful gift giving is more about giving a piece of yourself than consuming commodities.

And this Valentine's day, I received a most wonderful and beautiful gift.  My engagement ring and wedding band were passed down to me from Matt's mother's mother.  I have loved these rings for their history and family significance.  I have felt very honored wearing the rings of a strong woman I never had the pleasure to meet but have heard so much about.  I have often looked at those rings on very ordinary days and wondered about the everyday life of the woman who wore them before me.  60+ years of living and use, however, have worn those rings down and they cracked.  Not wanting to risk ultimately destroying the rings by repairing and continuing to wear them, I retired those symbols of love and commitment some time last year.  Below is my Valentine' day gift for this year:  a new engagement ring/wedding band.  Not to replace my family heirloom but to continue what they symbolize; everlasting commitment, honesty, love and devotion.  Thanks, babe, I love it!

  peace

End of a season

Swimming season that is.  Abigail had her championship meet last weekend.  Before joining the swim team, she had been taking swimming lessons almost constantly for three years.  It has been amazing, though, to see how enormously her skills developed in just one season by practicing twice a week and having a chance to be surrounded by her older, more experienced teammates. 

Here she is in action!

peace