i love plum

ho hummmm.....

2011-11-04T14:01:00.000-04:00

this is what's doin' around here today

miss sicky-mcsicker napping with her buddy on the couch

and mr i.am.in.lurve.with.you napping on my bed

wish i could freakin' relax!

(i don't think i know how)

the end

halloweeeeeen....

2011-11-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

allow me to translate:

zoe ~ albert einstein

stella ~ a horse that kept falling asleep (i don't know where the head is)

ruby ~ ummmmm, a ghost? (ruby was happy she didn't have to 'be seen' in any pictures)

they had fun

they got a ton of loot

nobody froze

we were done in an hour and a half

i ate junior mints

the end.

if you give a baby dinosaur a cheerrio...

2011-10-30T18:21:00.001-04:00

if you give a baby dinosaur a cheerrio

chances are he'll go to great lengths to get another one.

he'll push the chairs out from the kitchen table-

which will remind him

how you were sitting there this morning eating something tasty in a bowl

and how you so sweetly gave him just one to taste-

he'll look around and won't know you're watching

because if you're watching you won't be paying attention to the dishes you're doing

and if you're not paying attention to the dishes you are doing

chances are he could casually make his way up without you noticing.

and if you didn't notice then

maybe

just maybe

he could get said cheerrio

that's been left

behind

and when he gets said cheerrio

it'll remind him that

it was you who gave him that tasty bite this morning

and that's when he'll realize

he's on top of the kitchen table

while you're watching-

so,

if you give a baby dinosaur a cheerrio

chances are

he'll do what he has to do to get another one-

getting caught be damned ;0

*based loosely on the if you give a mouse a cookie book

clowning around...

2011-10-14T13:39:00.001-04:00

dogs: have been bolting every time they see a squirrel...for the second day in a row they broke free from me when i was walking them and they were gone for a good hour. when they finally showed up they smelled horrific! i tried to get the bad boys into the tub to no avail. they've been on lock-down since. dad will have to wash them when he gets home (he'll be psyched). despite my best efforts my house smells like a barn.

ruby: i got home a little early from work last night and was able to see the girls before they went to sleep. ruby said : 'mom, the kids asked me why i had to stay back in second grade' me: 'yeah? what did you tell them?' ruby: 'that my mom said it was the perfect place for me' me: 'that's a great answer ruby! do you feel like it's the perfect place for you?' ruby: 'yes but can i skip third grade' :)

senior pix...

2011-10-12T09:39:00.000-04:00

my friend asked me if i'd take her son's

senior pix

i was flattered to say the least

i was a nervous wreck

woke up way too early second guessing myself

i'd never taken 'pro' pix before

i'm pretty darn happy with how they came out!

these two made my first time super easy

what good kids

hope they like!

the 'it' girl...

2011-10-11T09:03:00.000-04:00

happy tuesday!

the 72 buick...

2011-10-10T09:30:00.000-04:00

i wish i could say this beauty was ours

it's a 72 buick gran sport

with a 455 motor

to me that means nothing other than the fact that

i was two when this car came out

and that the motor is 455lbs ;)

craig's dad is restoring this girl

the body still needs work but the interior is almost done

while i was at work saturday

craig and the girls cruised hampton

pretending the car was theirs

eating fried dough

and getting big thumbs up by all the spectators

who wished the car was theirs too

morning light...

2011-10-07T10:35:00.000-04:00

ooooooooo, cooolio!

booooooooooo

2011-09-29T13:48:00.000-04:00

baby boo

i love you!

ps...i'm 9mths old!!!

atta-girl

2011-09-26T19:49:00.000-04:00

when making it to the end of the balance beam

by yourself is

the

most

important

thing!

apple bottom girls...

2011-09-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

apple picking

at butternut farms

on a perfect fall day

is the best!

wedding (it's all in the details)...

2011-09-08T13:07:00.000-04:00

we went to bre & nate's wedding this past weekend

unbelievably the weather cooperated after rain was predicted

even if it poured not a detail would have been lost

i didn't know where to look first

my eyes savoring this little slice of heaven on earth

dive in

you'll be lost too

congrats guys!

last days of summahhhh....

2011-09-05T17:30:00.000-04:00

we're soaking up the last days of summer

pretty soon the frogs and toads will say sayonara until next year

this poor guy endured quite the manhandling yesterday

he was the biggest one caught so far

miss ruby just didn't want to let him go

don't worry

we did!

frog expressions from left to right:
1. aaaaaaaahhhhhh. get me outta here!
2. now i'm getting pissed (you see the scrunch in his eyes too don't you?)
3. this is it? this is my life? don't i get a last supper? (he's frowning, poor guy)

****

we went to a fabulous wedding last night...

photos tomorrow!

day 2...

2011-09-01T21:18:00.000-04:00

today was the first day with all three at the same school

my brown eyed girl had a better day today

and miss s gave it a big thumbs up

i could hear her whispering to herself all day long

'i love school, i love school'

this will be zoe's last year at this wonderful school

we are so lucky to have this tiny private like public school in our itty bitty town

now bring on the apples, pumpkins and pie!

day 1...

2011-08-31T09:56:00.000-04:00

i watched with desperation

as she fell back inside herself

becoming as tiny as she could

invisible

a heart shattered

a soul stamped on

sounds of children all around laughing

surrounding her

as she fell

deeper and deeper

into

nothingness

as a mother you want to protect your children from everything, everyone. you want to take on their pain, their worries, their insecurities, their anxieties so that perhaps you free them so they can just be a kid. i so wanted to see my girl laugh with her friends this morning as i dropped her off at school. i wanted them to surround her and hug her and tell her that no matter what they've got her back. i wanted to see excitement in her big brown eyes and with it the belief that this would be her year to shine. alas, none of that happened. i don't know how i allowed this fantasy to even enter my mind. i know how cruel children can be without them even realizing it. i felt her pain deeper than i've ever felt any pain. my heart shredded. my stomach in knots. it's taking all i have not to drive back to the school, scoop her up in my arms, hug her and tell her this is all just a bad dream....

two days past eleven...

2011-08-28T15:03:00.000-04:00

a two day late

public announcement:

(hands cupped around my mouth as i shout at the top of my lungs)

this gorgeous girl

who proudly sits above

is now 11years + 2 days old/young!

we had a busy day

out to lunch,

took the girls to get feathers put in their hair

what a racket that is

took 5 minutes and cost over $100

say what????

i'll do it myself next time ;)

dinner of choice

presents,

cake

voila!

as quoted by her in a text to her auntie liss:

"when i turned 11, i realized that i have the strength that i didn't have before, and that is to be 11"

amen sista!!!!

summ-ahhhhh

2011-07-05T18:55:00.000-04:00

ogunquit beach on the 4th

poolside on the 5th

our summer continues to be pretty great

minus all the ear-wrenching sibling spats that make me

oh-SO-grateful to have a job to escape to ;)

every time i hear the girls scream 'ICE CREAM MAN'

i secretly hear eddie murphy and his ice cream man comedy routine

don't lie

you know what i'm talking about

ok, maybe you don't but that just means you're not a cool 80's chic ;)

(and if you're a guy reading this well then you must be my dad)
and on the not-so-cool news of the day let me just say...
i know where my kids are at all times of the day
i know when they're sick,
i know what they're eating,
i make sure they have what they need,
i know if i'm not with them then they are with someone i trust,
i know if they've scraped their knee,
i know if they need bug spray,
i know that if they're eating all the way up to dinner time then what they're eating is considered part of their dinner.
i know who wants pink, green, blue,
i know when they're lying to me,
i know when they're sad,
i know when they've had an 'ah-haa' moment
i know that 98% of the time they lurvvve each other
and that the other 2% is reserved for a good debate.
i would most certainly know that if my kids were missing for more than 31 days
that the person responsible for them missing
would be me.
may that sweet little caylee anthony rip.

8 and a day late!

2011-07-02T12:38:00.000-04:00

this beautiful girl turned 8 yesterday

she had big plans in place for this great day

a list made months in advance

t-bone steak for dinner

whipped potatoes

steamed broccoli with my special sauce

and in lieu of a cake

make your own sundaes

she got everything she wanted

a cool retro style bike

a huge ugly doll

a new ipod shell

lulu and the brontosaurus

a kite

a lava lamp

a beautifully written card from zoe

and so much more

having sundaes on this hot night

perfection

hopped in the car for an evening game of mini-golf

and it started to rain

so we went bowling instead

i was pleasantly surprised by the re-do

of the snack bar

i was smitten

her birthday wouldn't have been complete

if not spent with

her best friend

they complete each other

boo!

dear ruby,

i hope you had wonderful day.

you have a way of looking at everyday things in a unique, magical way.

this gift of yours is one i can't wait to see evolve as you grow - to see what you do with this gift.

you take your time and enjoy being the kid you are.

i will be most proud of who you become because i know how you got there.

i love you ruby-doo!

a climbing we will go...

2011-06-26T18:10:00.000-04:00

i was always curious about this place we drove by almost daily.

and today we checked it out -

locals...holy fun!

what an amazing way to build self confidence, have fun, encourage your friends...

the list can go on and on and on.

we'll become 'regs' for sure!

zoe is a natural with her style and agility.

ruby walked in there shaking in her boots and conquered her fears quickly with the support

of the amazing staff.

i wasn't dressed for the walls but snuck in a mini climb in their boulder room ;0

sssshhhhh

we can't wait to go back!

2011-06-15T18:57:00.000-04:00

if only things were black and white....

2011-06-09T15:45:00.000-04:00

lucky: best friends?

bruno: you bet bro, always.

stella graduated preschool!!!!!

a little celebratory rainbow treat

kindergarten!

100 degrees out....sweet ;)

holllaaaa....

2011-06-02T20:22:00.000-04:00

oh snap!

my beauties

ruby and da goils

stella and a sweet friend

holy great picture a new fave

when dear mother will things ever slow down?

these are all taken last week

wait.

was it last week or was it the week before?

it was hot out i do know that.

i was wearing jeans that day i know that too because i remember being too hot not haute.

anyways,

here i am

today

making a post

because i had a minute.

muah!

da bros.....

2011-05-21T09:14:00.000-04:00

mush ball

baby boo boo

ginormous beast

big baby

brotha from anotha motha

big bean

baby dinosaur

baby boy

gentle giant

dog for sale...two for one special ;)

the loot...

2011-05-14T10:32:00.000-04:00

from left to right

top to bottom

my 'i'm going to smile because mom told me to not because i want to' smile
oooohhh, you remembered mom!
i love, love, love glitter make-up
you got me good with this one!
fist pump and a yesssssssssssssssss
yep...it's a book (yawn)
double fist pump = extra good
i'm going to sing opera...aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ummmm, yeah. thanks for the thought but this will go in the 'wait until i'm REALLY bored pile'

* a post dedicated to the pops, grammies, aunties and uncles!

say what she's 5555555555555....

2011-05-13T14:36:00.000-04:00

she's 5

she received her first flower from a sweet boy in her class today

he bent down on one knee and softly said 'happy birthday stella bella'

i teared up...wusssss

i took her to her fave pizza joint for lunch

and bought her a pink balloon after

we stopped at my favorite field

and even though she didn't want me to let me take some shots

we came home and she watched a movie

while i made frosting that called for 6 sticks of butter

she requested a rainbow cake

so underneath that thick gooey frosting

there are colors as bright as she....

happy birthday to our sweet girl

* this was actually posted yesterday on her birthday but blogger had some issues and it never made it to publishing!

this girl is 5555555555...

2011-05-12T14:16:00.000-04:00

she's 5
she received her first flower from a sweet boy in her class today
he bent down on one knee and softly said 'happy birthday stella bella'
i teared up...wusssssss
i took her to her fave pizza joint for lunch
and bought her a pink balloon after
we stopped at my favorite field
and even though she didn't want to she let me take some shots
we came home and she watched a movie while i made frosting

frosting that has 6 sticks of butter in it.

she requested a rainbow cake so underneath
that thick gooey frosting there are colors as bright as she
happy birthday to my sweet girl....

m&m cookies....

2011-04-11T19:39:00.000-04:00

don't hate

appreciate

the bits of color

red, blue, green, yellow

spring

weeeeeeeeeee!

fantoosh degrees today

started to purge the shigatzzz

out of our house

out of my life

thank goodness

for spring

i love a new beginning

whatever...

2011-04-09T12:23:00.000-04:00

woot woot...

it's flippin' spring happy happy joy joy

we're eating chocolate eggs and making stuffed shells

amen

42

2011-04-05T10:36:00.000-04:00

i love that when you walk by a mirror you look at yourself and say out loud 'god i'm handsome'
i love that you find me beautiful first thing in the morning without a stitch of make-up on
i love that you don't conform into what/who others think you should be
i love that we finish each others sentences and have the same sick sense of humor
i love that you work harder than anyone i've ever known...nothing more unattractive than a lazy guy
i love that you say it how it is whether it's something i want to hear or not
i love that you'd give the shirt off your back to anyone including those that have done you wrong in the past
i love that you're not a quitter...we've gone through so much and you're still looking ahead
i love that you make me feel safe
i love that you've stuck by my side for the past (17?) years...i'm the most difficult person i know
i love that you are a great dad
i love that i still get butterflies in my stomach when i see you unexpectedly somewhere
i love that we've had each other through thick and thin and will continue to until we're old and cranky
i love that you're insanely smart
i love that you are the most honest man i know
i love that you're a true friend
i love that today is your birthday
i love that you're my husband
i love you...

king kong...

2011-03-25T16:28:00.000-04:00

well apparently bruno has become my muse

how could he NOT?

his cuteness is going to allow for a lot of bad puppy behaviors to be overlooked

not.good.i.know!

we've dubbed him king kong -

he likes to push down the baby gates with his head :O

oy'

b-man

2011-03-09T13:04:00.000-05:00

the need of having this much cute in your life goes without question

da boyz...

2011-02-26T11:30:00.000-05:00

it's safe to say these guys are officially bros

bruno fits right in here and is such a love.

our baby dinosaur...

2011-02-24T14:08:00.001-05:00

here's our baby dinosaur

we LOVE him!

why hello there!

2011-02-23T19:37:00.000-05:00

things clear to me

a list because i love lists:

one thing is at least consistently consistent...i've been completely inconsistent with just about everything.
putting unnecessary pressure on myself to do any ONE thing everyday is just.too.much
hence project 365...i made it what two weeks? lol
my life is pretty crazy so why not throw another puppy into the mix...make it extra special
wanting the said second puppy is definitely my inner self trying to fill a sad void i've felt over the past year
his name is bruno and expected home any minute now.
my girls are on vacation and have a combined three projects due for school...i am completely irritated by this!!!! wtf! it took ME three hours to finish a stinkin' music report today ;)
i need to change the look of my blog...it's time.
maybe then i'll feel like coming over here!
i'm making manhattan clam chowder for my dad tomorrow...hope it's good!
last night i was THRILLED to be at work to escape the trapped feeling you get when your kids are sick. it's been a week now and poor ruby still has a fever.
i highly recommend this children's book ...
i hate that my kids have to grow up...makes me sad yet proud at the same time.
i miss my sisters and wish they lived next door.
i really love my job...all of them.
i got this and can't believe with the amount of baking i do it's taken me so long!
i've been on a marsala bend lately....in cooking that is!
i'm dying to eat mistral's tuna tartare...
one of these days i'm going to break out the sewing machine again...too much construction going on in our house right now :(
i promised my mom i'd update with pictures more often...that promise i can keep.

night night...gonna go wait by the window for the arrival of our new son!

day 11/365/2011

2011-01-21T19:51:00.000-05:00

peek-a-boo...

day 10/365/2011

2011-01-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

self...

day 9/365/2011

2011-01-19T18:43:00.000-05:00

feet firmly planted

in shoes too big to walk

will fill those big shoes and run

and run and run...

day 8/365/2011

2011-01-19T18:34:00.000-05:00

yeah, yeah, yeah

i'm late, i know.

that's what happens when mama is workin a lot!

this was taken yesterday the 18th!

day 7/365/2011

2011-01-17T12:46:00.000-05:00

a day late due to work

taken yesterday at l'andana

day 6/365/2011

2011-01-15T13:10:00.000-05:00

a girl and her dog...

day 5/365/2011

2011-01-14T14:03:00.000-05:00

waiting patiently for the cookies to be done...

day 4/365/2011

2011-01-13T16:56:00.000-05:00

day 3/365/2011

2011-01-12T16:10:00.000-05:00

8 cups winter fresh snow

1 can delish sweet condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

day 2/365/2011

2011-01-12T10:24:00.000-05:00

this should have been posted yesterday as it was taken yesterday!

i got home WAY too late from work!

pretty boring pic...my drive from NH to MA

day 1/365/2011

2011-01-10T13:49:00.000-05:00

it's been foreVah!

anyone still out there?

i'm going to attempt

attempt

to redeem my failed project 365/2010

and start fresh!

i've been neglecting all things creative lately including my blog

so i thought the least i could do is pull my camera out and get movin'!

2010-12-11T13:42:00.000-05:00

i did it!!!

really didn't think it would happen!!!

it'll be in the mail soon :)

peace mon!

2010-12-09T17:05:00.000-05:00

two kids down

one to go...

maybe i will get our christmas card done this year!

an out take from our shoot this afternoon

(and this is the one who hates the camera)

a new day...

2010-12-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

woke up this morning after a fit-full sleep

the dog was barking until all hours

thoughts swirling around and around in my head

didn't think i was going to get any rest

thought for sure i could feel my head pounding at 5 am

i rose out of bed before daylight and found that

clarity

welcomed me

i felt relief

perhaps it was the tears i shed last night

my words heard

my heart listened

i will take each day as it comes

as my man does

i will dip into my craft

and shrug off the bad stuff

the stuff i can't control

and

breathe

2010-12-05T20:06:00.000-05:00

i know i've been gone

lot.

my hope is with a new year just around the corner

i will feel like a fresh start is in order.

there are so many things about this past year i just want to forget

and so i do

ignoring them.

i haven't wanted to visit all those happy blogs in my sidebar,

haven't wanted to post lately because

i don't want to be debbie downer.

i'm working through something inside myself that just takes time.

patience.

i want to keep it real around here and

posting the fa-la-la's of my day seem like a lie.

i'm not a liar.

i'm keeping my fingers crossed that i get swept up in the christmas spirt

asap.

love,

scenes from the city...

2010-11-16T13:02:00.000-05:00

i know my posts have been inconsistent lately

that's life

i've taken on the motto

'i'll get to it when i get to it'

that's a pretty tough sentiment to live by when you're as controlling as i am.

i NEED to be in control and over the past year i've felt things are OUT of my control.

hard pill to swallow but little by little i am

craig and i got away to our much loved and missed 'bean' town last weekend.

it was my birthday

i turned 25

cough

we loved every minute of it

we realized that even after being together for 15 years we still really like each other

that's hard to say for a lot of married couples so i count ourselves as lucky

i'm certainly not the easiest person to be with and frankly neither is he :O

we had an amazing dinner at mistral

where we were treated like royalty

and we laid our heads at the inn at st botolph

amazing

picked out my own birthday cake from flour

and shopped at trader joes

was

nice

the escape from the daily grind was awesome but some things never change

i actually like the daily grind

i'm a routine kind of gal i guess

peace out peeps

until next time

2010-11-05T14:53:00.000-04:00

today i'm just going to be....

running on empty..

2010-11-04T18:07:00.000-04:00

i've felt like running.

running away,

running towards,

running and running and running
until i can catch my breath
again
and run some more...
from.
to.
and
back again.

2010-10-07T13:40:00.000-04:00

when i look at you...

here...

2010-10-05T09:40:00.001-04:00

hello!

we're still here.

fall is busy, busy being pulled this way and that.

trying to find that balance

and having to let certain things fall behind.

thinking of you!

apples or children...

2010-09-24T12:37:00.000-04:00

sometimes waiting can be the best part of getting something you want.

the anitcipation

of the good,

the sweet,

the prize.

taking your time to get to that special place

where the treasure will be found...

looking this way and that

wondering if this one will be the best choice.

and when you've found what you're looking for

so beautiful,

and shining

waiting there just for you

you gently hold it until it's free in your hand

and you look at it,

amazed

that

this sweetness

is yours.

a guy...

2010-09-15T12:29:00.001-04:00

i love a guy who doesn't lack self confidence.

a guy who will defy all odds and remove a 5lb bag of potatoes hidden on the counter.

a guy who in MY time of need ~~pms~~ will eat all the cupcakes he could possibly reach so i'm left with none.

a guy with such moxie,

a zip in his step,

a non discriminating bone in his body...barbie, pillow stuffing, dog mat, trash, lunch box, shoe, book, wii, cactus, CUPCAKES.

he enjoys them all...

quite equally in fact.

he's a guy we hate to love but love to hate.

he's our lil' guy and we're keepin' him.

innocence...

2010-09-09T17:39:00.000-04:00

i wish they'd stay this innocent forever...

when holding a bug isn't creepy

and i'm their best friend.

dog on the kitchen table....wahhhhhh

2010-09-08T10:39:00.000-04:00


manners

i'm stoic.
i'm pensive.
i'm trying to decide how exactly to get from here to the counter so i can try those brownies.
mom says i can't sit on the kitchen table.
i pretend not to listen because frankly i dig it up here!
tonight's my first night of school.
mom thinks i'll be the class clown
i wonder why?

four is big...

2010-09-02T13:06:00.001-04:00


on our way

we're here

a bit shy

mom forgot to cut my nails

feet firmly planted


sporting a little fancy

i call her 'nonnee', 'dude', 'ween bean'...

there are many more nicknames but you may not get my humor so i'll keep them private.

however-

i was informed today by little miss sunshine

that i can call her stella now that she's a big girl.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

she's all amped up

ready to walk up that long flight of stairs,

say goodbye to me at the door

and go on with her four year old self.

i deflate thinking it's going to be harder than that but it's not

and alas

i'm alone

going down that long flight of stairs...

back to school...

2010-08-31T20:02:00.000-04:00

back to school.

they were nervous

but good nervous.

i told them the minute they find their desks they'd be all better.

it happened sooner than that.

as soon as they stepped onto the playground they were surrounded by friends -

measuring each other to see how tall they'd gotten over the summer.

all the butterflies went away.

they are lucky...

their school is like a big hug

warm, comforting, safe.

they were all smiles this afternoon when i picked them up too.

it was a great first day back.

mischief named lucky...

2010-08-26T20:49:00.000-04:00

zzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

boy am i pooped.

i had a blast chewing up the handmade pillows mom made

blast!

she left them right there on the couch for me...so nice of her

i am onnnnnne lucky guy let me tell you!

ha ha get it?

lucky?

that's me!

i also enjoyed the grill cover

that was fun

the screen to the slider?

super duper times

spider plant?

that thing was creepin' me out

wrapping paper?

ya-hooooooo!

i wonder what mom's gonna let me play with tomorrow!

can't wait

night!

when 9 becomes 10...

2010-08-26T16:03:00.001-04:00

ten years

a decade

gone.

it happens fast

faster than you'd think,

faster than you'd like

you can't stop it.

time...

each second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year

you've enriched our lives

and made us better.

you continue to be a thoughtful,

deep, connected, authentic young lady

who is on a good path that can lead you anywhere

the choice is yours!

to my first baby,

i love you doll,

happy birthday!!!

a dress...

2010-08-18T19:00:00.000-04:00

light

catching each exhale of breath

waiting

to be worn

again...

bye dad...

2010-08-16T16:44:00.000-04:00

dear dad,

you forgot me this morning.

i know you had a lot on your mind

and it was an oversight,

i certainly forgive you because you.are.da.man!

maybe you're a little annoyed that i ate an entire bag of trader joes trail mix with dried cranberries

on our way home from the cape last night and

got a little sick on your lap just ten miles from home.

i really love you dad

and want to ride in the big boy truck

don't forget me tomorrow...

ok?

woof

sweet melissa...

2010-08-10T09:45:00.000-04:00

my baby sister graduated this weekend

from goddard college in beautiful vermont.

words can't describe this amazing girl

her beauty resonates from the inside out,

her presence always complete and 'there'

her words are healing,

her touch is healing,

she is very real

authentic.

someone i, as her oldest sister

learns from every day

trying myself to be more real

authentic.

it's not easy remaining true to oneself

always

but she does

and does it with both beauty and a rawness that can only be considered

truth.

i love you sa sa!

namaste

hair-do's

2010-08-04T21:15:00.000-04:00

i'm beautiful!

mommy cut my hair with the huge orange scissors that she also uses when she wraps presents,

cuts flowers,

does crafts with...

i saw her cut zoe and ruby's hair with them so i thought, why not?

i am pleasantly surprised to find she's got some serious talent with those scissors

that i'm sure are dull, damaged, and i know have dried paint on

i know she's got fancy pink ones and i did ask her why she can't use those...

after all pink IS my favorite color

those are for fabric ONLY she said...

geeeesh.

well hello there!

2010-08-02T11:26:00.000-04:00

a week gone by
no posts
no phone calls
nose to the grindstone.
the girls had yoga camp which was 45 minutes away but only 3.5hrs long
so i spent my mornings driving to and fro and back again in the afternoon
it was tough but totally worth it.
stella was a trooper and was treated to lots of baked goods :)
august is now here
the summer halfway over
we've eaten lots of corn,
been to the beach,
teased some bats,
became ice cream connoisseurs,
read some good books,
picked strawberries,
blueberries,
and more.
got a puppy
(who is driving us mad),
enjoyed our friends,
brushed up on some schoolwork,
did lots of crafts,
saw lots of movies,
camped out in the playroom,
blew bubbles,
stared at the stars,
saw many a sunset...
what's left?
lots.
head over to my other blog to see some fun pix!

silhouettes...

2010-07-22T09:10:00.002-04:00

it's been sooo long...
jenny and i are two busy mama's but found time to connect this week.
we did silhouettes.
two different sunsets
two different coasts
both beautiful!
i wonder if they were taken on the same day!!!
c-ya!

blah

2010-07-17T10:59:00.002-04:00

life is hectic during the summer. constantly trying to keep everyone occupied, happy, NOT fighting is draining the heck out of me. mostly i just want to walk around with ear plugs in and blinders on so i can just ignore the ugly. the girls are getting on each others nerves which leads to the constant bickering which leads to a crazy mama who can't wait to go to WORK!!! i've let all my OCD's go...messy house, fine. shizzzola everywhere, fine. puppy food on the floor, fine. dried cocoa butter on the counter, fine. dust, fine. it's ALL fine. don't care anymore. ok. i'm totally lying about caring. it kills me but i am learning in my old age that i just.can't.control.EVERYTHING!

i let my dining room become an art studio for the girls for three whole days. paint on the floor, feathers, glitter, pom poms, sequins....all over the place. i didn't care. know why? every time things got a little rough around here i didn't send them to their rooms or a time-out. i sent them to the dining room. where they'd pick up a paint brush and create. the tension, the nastiness, the fighting all stopped. kind words were used, encouragement given, smiles to be had. an experiment gone good. all the negative energy evaporates when making something beautiful or even not so beautiful ;)

c-ya

dis and dat

2010-07-12T17:20:00.008-04:00

apparently i'm not being good about posting on my blog...
tisk, tisk!
a few days in round-up
~ been to the pool
~ hosted a sleepover for ruby
~ zoe was party girl all day thursday into friday
~ worked friday night

saturday rolls around and i'm given it off!
craig and i go on a date
and head into portsmouth.
we went to the green monkey and had dinner and drinks at the bar.
this time around we had a good bartender...
to me that makes such a difference!
ps. they have the best butterscotch pudding EVER!

this is me in the parking garage.
i loved the light.
not a great shot but interesting enough.

sunset shot taken from the roof of the parking garage.

the girls and i went to the beach again today.
it was high tide
and yes, i knew it would be.
i didn't care that all we could sit on were rocks for the first couple of hours.
while waiting for the tide to go down we walked into town

and checked out the candy store...
loads of pretty things in there!
i let the kids each get a lollipop.

1.2.3....say cheese!

c-ya!

henna

2010-07-07T13:24:00.003-04:00

it's hot,
humid,
barely tolerable out.
we be cranky
over heeeeahhh.
lots of ice pops, ice cream, ice consumption going on.
we pulled out the henna and did some tattooing...
came out beautiful.
i'm off to work and the kids off to nonno's pool to cool off...
have a sweet day.
c-ya!

florabud

2010-07-05T11:36:00.001-04:00

come visit me at florabud :)

ruby my sprite...

2010-07-01T10:36:00.012-04:00

oh ruby.
my sweet,
spunky,
original
piece of artwork.

you are seven today
and i love you seven x infinity.
you never cease to amaze me with your creativity
and your willingness to be YOU.
you embrace your originality
and never fall into the crowd.
you are who you are and i LOVE that about you.
you make no apologies for doing things your OWN way,
in your OWN time.
the gray hairs on my head...they're all for YOU!
but that's ok
ruby
because they're from you my doll.

you are a great friend and even better sister

everyone wants some 'ruby'

it's been predicted that you'll be the one
with the piercings and tattoos
my punky ruby
i so heart you

you make us laugh

you are sensitive

you are an amazing artist

your artwork brightens my day

we love you so much ruby-doo

happy birthday my sweet girl!

*
ruby lydia
est. 2003

2010-06-29T08:50:00.006-04:00

sacked out after a 15 min drive :O
sleeping on daddy is like sleeping on a cozy cloud

peek-a-boo!

waiting patiently for lunch to come

i heart this shop
they always have the best windows

heading towards the main attraction
can you guess?

*
still playing catch up...
we took a quick trip to portsmouth saturday
had lunch and did a little birthday shopping
then zoomed home for me to get ready for work
it was such a nice day
i could have stayed there forever.
c-ya!

random, smandom....

2010-06-28T13:15:00.013-04:00

clearly loads of catching up to do beginning with field day
at the girls school

it was hot out
but everyone was happy

just a little healthy competition
where everyone had f.u.n.

watching these two cracked me up

ruby doing her thang'

a few days later we took our first trip of what will be many to
butternut farms
one of my most favorite places to go,
ever.
we picked 18lbs of strawberries!!!!

ruby's a born farmer

the man of the bunch treating the girls to a lil' ride ;)

later that same day we got a furious storm
stella was scared
but intent on watching the 'show'

mesmerized

and happily took part in a lil' old fashioned puddle jumping.
c-ya!

team up thursday...

2010-06-24T11:34:00.004-04:00

'golden light'
top as portrayed by jenny
bottom,
moi.
happy thursday to you.

lucky...

2010-06-23T15:46:00.005-04:00

i've been mia.
and this is why.
busy,
very busy.

he's a good pup.
curious,
adventurous,
sweet.
his breed is a mystery
nobody seems to know for sure.

i know you think i'm crazy
and i certainly won't argue you there.
it's just that this guy needed us
perhaps just as much as we needed him.

team up thursday...

2010-06-17T08:25:00.002-04:00

water, water, everywhere!
our theme this week.
kids + summer = swimming!
lessons won't be far behind for my girl!
happy thursday!

patty-cake

2010-06-16T19:47:00.008-04:00

stella was invited a friends birthday party today...it was at a country club. we happily obliged.
the water was uber cold and not meant for mommies. i didn't even bother wearing my suit. i had zero intention of getting wet, there for why bother with the spandex. kwim? luckily my girl wasn't a huge fan of the water and only got as far as her knees. she opted instead to play with her friend kate who she has declared her 'bff'. love hearing that from a four year olds mouth. adorable. sweetly enough miss kate will be in stella's class again next year...phewww!

they had loads to talk about. in between the chatter a few games of 'patty-cake' were played. they marked it with an X and put in the oven for you and me ;)

they look deep in gossipy conversation. i can just picture this exact shot ten years from now. stella pickin' a wedge, smacking her gum, looking over her shoulder at ryan...making sure he's noticing her cuteness. it's SO going to happen.

and off they go. to get cake. because when you're four, going to get cake while holding your best friends hand is all that really matters. especially when the said cake is pink.

peace out.

2010-06-14T17:10:00.002-04:00

so long peeps!
i'll see you around.
have a great summer!
see you when we're the BIG kids of the school.
today was the last official day of preschool
i know, i know,
graduation was last week
but they always follow graduation with a final day to say 'see ya!'
this girl went from shy, clingy and antisocial
to
outgoing, full of personality and loving her lil' friends.
this is the last full week for the big kids...
can't wait for summer to begin!!!

it's thursday!

2010-06-10T08:25:00.002-04:00

jenny and i chose 'lines' as our theme this week
i'm in love with these two shots together!
that kitty is too cute!
any locals know where my shot is taken from??

class of 2010...

2010-06-09T14:55:00.002-04:00

baby girl
graduated her 3 year old class!
she's got years and years of homework, tests, and projects
ahead of her
one more year of preschool bliss...
thank goodness!

2010-06-04T14:04:00.004-04:00

we're just hanging around like monkeys today
hot and humid
swinging in the breeze...

2010-06-03T13:52:00.002-04:00

i love it when it thunders
and i have nowhere to go...

a lot...

2010-06-02T10:40:00.004-04:00

i've been ignoring a lot of stuff lately...
a.lot.
phone calls,
emails,
dirt.
i'm trying to get myself motivated but everywhere i look there's something i want to hide.
piles of paper,
laundry,
bread that's gone moldy,
me.
i've got dreams.
big, big dreams...
the ones that make your chest feel constricted because those dreams just aren't happening now.
do you know the ones?
the ones that can't come fast enough and you just can't figure out a way to make them a go.
i find my mind gets caught up in such crazy, debilitating thoughts
that stop me dead in my tracks.
oil spills,
children killing children,
bullying.
horrible,
negative crap...
the reason i NEVER watch the news
but somehow my ignorant bliss is interrupted by
blips on the radio,
the internet,
the bar.
i just want to be a kid again
and worry instead whether i should ride my bike or go on the swings.

bistro 5

2010-06-01T10:42:00.011-04:00

just a few shots from my bistro 5 shoot...

bistro 5
5 playstead road
medford, ma 02155
781-395-7464

team up thursday...

2010-05-27T08:18:00.003-04:00

i'm quite lucky to have such an understanding partner
goodness knows i've had better months
her patience is so appreciated!
we did 'letters' this week.
mine is from an old-school mechanic shop
near my house.
i love that the blues match...eye popping.
jenny's T is great...i would have never thought to do that!!!
i think the two shots together look great!

goodnight molly...

2010-05-24T10:42:00.002-04:00

it's time.
our sweet, beautiful, brindle english mastiff
must go off to play with sam, megs, juba...
*
she was our first 'kid'.
our $2100 dog.
the dog that i financed :O
the dog that had health insurance when we didn't.
the dog whose slobber defied the laws of gravity time and time again.
the dog that had a different bark for different occasions.
the dog that protected us,
made us feel safe,
loved.
she will be leaving us at 5:30 tonight
so when that sun sets
just over those hills,
think of her running free
and
send her off with loads of blessings.
she will be missed beyond measure...
she was some dog.

in the stands...

2010-05-20T16:16:00.007-04:00

the same shot can make you feel differently

depending on the editing...
see what i mean???
little sister is busy having her snack and cheering biggest sister on!
go zoe!

randoms...

2010-05-19T13:58:00.010-04:00

been neglecting it over here...
some random shots over the past few days.
peace out ;)

VOTE for stella!

2010-05-17T21:14:00.001-04:00

go
vote
for
stella!

2010-05-13T19:59:00.002-04:00

ah haaa!
proof i do have a middle child.
presenting the mysterious,
hates to have her picture taken,
queen of the instigators
ruby-d000bi-doo!
boo!

four...

2010-05-12T13:04:00.005-04:00

4.
my baby is four.
she is the baby that calmed me (no easy task).
she is the baby that made me slow down (i know everything i do is fast!)
she is the baby who is now a big girl...
who informed me this morning that 'all that baby stuff has got.to.GO!'
i don't want any of my babies to grow up...
but watching them do so is amazing and i am proud.
proud of who they are and how tender their hearts are.
happy birthday sweet stella.

star.
tremendous spirit.
enormous heart.
loving.
laughs a ton.
adorable.

sweet

2010-05-07T13:03:00.001-04:00

sweet.

boo

2010-05-06T10:07:00.004-04:00

'you can't see me!'
nope.
not at all.

the shot that made my heart stop.
omg!
her personality is spilling out of those eyes!!!!

goofy girl in her weddin' dress.
love the veil ;)
have a good day.

yellow matters

2010-05-05T12:26:00.008-04:00

when you're in a field of flowers
with the birds singing above...
you forget about everything that doesn't matter
and remember those that do.

spinning...

2010-05-04T09:06:00.006-04:00

spin baby spin...

a girl and her make up...

2010-05-03T14:00:00.011-04:00

i was loving the light under the table
and was going to keep it a mystery as to what
was going on on top of the table
but it was just too cute.
take note ladies...
a little horizontal blush on the forehead will be the new trend to watch ;)

i'm here...

2010-04-30T17:12:00.002-04:00

i'm still standing.
nothing is going to knock me down.
i say...
keep um' coming,
bring it on,
hit me with your best shot,
b.r.i.n.g. i.t!

team up thursday week 14

2010-04-29T07:28:00.004-04:00

'games'
our theme for team-up thursday.
i love the 'game on' tee in jenny's shot...
couldn't be more perfect.
stella is poised and ready to roll her ball down the lane.
life is simple and sweet when games are involved.
never too late to play!