The Great Outdoors

Despite the dreary weather we are having (flurries yesterday-say what?) or perhaps because of it, I can't help but dream of swaths of green, colorful blooms, outdoor rooms, frosty drinks on the porch, splashing feet in aqua waters, and even shady corners, pebbles underfoot, birds chirping in the afternoon sun. I lost myself there for a moment, now I just want to get lost in any one of these beautiful outdoor spaces.

{all images via the prolific garden inspiration over at garden rooms}

For the Small Set

Sweet, simple spaces for the little guys and gals.

{images via Megan Morton and Sara Silm of HOME}

I love my "JOB"

After all, where else can you be challenged to a Hungry Hippos tournament at 11:00 am and then follow-up with catch the underwear clad opponent at 11:15. This is my kinda work!

{the four-year-old, Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 11:00 am}

A Week of Firsts!

Phew, we've had a week of firsts around here! This may very well be the happiest little boy on the planet. He has waited sooo long to lose a tooth. And now, just two short months from his 8th birthday, it finally happened. He was thrilled beyond words and talked about it all weekend long. He cradled that itty bitty tooth in the palm of his hands as if it was the most precious diamond in the world. And of course, there was much speculation on how generous the tooth fairy might be. Now, there are at least three more of those little suckers loose and awaiting a good tug to free them from their confines. Man, I guess the tooth fairy hasn't been made aware of the recession! Someone, that would be moi, needs to visit the ATM asap.

{1st tooth lost, September 6, 2009}

Small Talk

Last night as we were winding down our bedtime routine, lights off and having our final "good night" chat, J. the four-year-old says to me, "mama, I wanna fly." You mean like a bird, I say.

"Yesh," says he, arms outstretched for effect, "like a bird."

"Maybe me go in space ship?" Sure, I said, why not. "Otay, goo nigh."

Oh, how I love "seeing" the workings of this little mind in action. And J., just so you know, someday you will SOAR, yes.you.will. Of this I am certain.

{image, J. the 3rd of July, 2009}

I just had to share...

I found a link to this awesome site on an equally awesome, new-to-me blog today. And well, I just had to share. First, let me say that I am a complete idiot when it comes to technology. So I'm amazed that I was able to make this in no time flat and it was absolutely easy peasy and so much fun to boot. With a little imagination and time, I think the results would be fantastic! Oh, and did I happen to mention it was free. Yep, I said free! So thank you Erin for sending me in the direction of Jennifer who shared the wonderful link to Animoto. Now go and put a little video together yourself, see if you can resist. Oh yeah, do share your results!

{video by me of the boys and their cousins}

Warning: This may be Too Much Information, I apologize in advance.

If you are a mommy of little boys, check this out and you will understand. If you are not, SORRY! But this is the stuff parenthood is made of...

{buy your very own Tinkle Tube @ Baby Rock Apparel}

Oh, the cuteness!

If I had a little girl, she would be donning these like YESTERDAY! I can hardly stand the cuteness.

Raina, girl, you must, must purchase these sparkly beauties for The Pea and then send me snapshots. Seriously, or Auntie NKP may just have to send her a pair. I'm thinking paired with the pink Chucks and maybe even the fancy tutu skirt, if she's feeling reeeally brazen?

{spotted on the lovely blog, Bird and Banner}

{buy 'em here}

Just Call Me Sentimental

{summer 2007}

{summer 2009}

Oy! Do they have to grow up quite so fast?

Tonight all the kiddos in the cul-de-sac ran around in wild packs from one backyard to the next. Just last summer, the youngest would have been clinging to my shin, fearful to put even two steps between us. Tonight, he was just one of the big kids, having some summer time adventures, his only fear- not keeping up with his older brothers.

Making Cookies with a Three-Year-Old

Okay, so there will be no photos of the "making" portion of this little endeavor. Seriously, I would have lost my mind trying to juggle the food processor, sharp blade, little fingers, and unwieldy camera. And don't even get me started on the flour, which elicits shouts of glee from aforementioned three-year-old- "Oooo, pretty snow!"

So let's just skip to the warm, fresh baked just out-of-the-oven meyer lemon shortbread. Yum, right? Evidently not if you are three.

This was the expression I was met with when asking, "J, do you like the cookies?"

Let's just say he wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about the prospect of eating them as he was with the prospect of making them.

Three-year-old response- "I like Oreos!"

Oh well, perhaps his palate will be more refined in a few years, until then Oreos it is.

Happy boy=happy mama=more meyer lemon shortbread for me! That's an equation I can get behind.