Game On.

It's soccer Saturday.  Heck, around here, it's soccer everyday.  We are finally coming out of the winter doldrums and the forecast calls for 73 beautiful degrees.  Hello sunscreen!

And in case you were wondering about the photo above, yes, it was a goal.

Happy almost Spring, friends.

Happy New Year!

Hellooooo!  And Happy New Year!  Long time no talk.  I'm not back to blogging, alas, no time as the threesome below has been keeping me busy nonstop, but if for no one other than myself, I try to document a snapshot of my offspring at least once a year.  If you have children then you know how difficult it is to get even one good image of a smiling, cooperative child.  However, if you have upwards of one child, well, it's almost impossible to get said shot.  See proof below.

Nonetheless, looking at my boys goofing around, I'm reminded as always to count my blessings and, truth be told, I think I like the blurry, fuzzy, slightly out of focus shots the best.  After all, life doesn't stand still and clearly, neither do my threesome.

And yes, in case you were wondering, this one is almost always the culprit.

Happy New Year, friends.  I hope 2013 brings you all joy, peace, and blessings too numerous to count.

Grateful

This threesome has been particularly troublesome lately. Mind you, not all three at once. It's usually two out of the three that are on a wild streak. Just enough to push me to the edge, but not quite over. Sneaky, aren't they. So I thought it was a good time to stop and smell the roses. Cause even when they're bad, they're so, so good. And the roses, well, they're pretty damn cute, huh?

Circa 1973

Yes, this is me, the wee one in white some 38 years and one day ago. Yesterday was my birthday and while I'm generally not one to whoop it up on these occasions, my family, as usual, wouldn't let me lay low.

Before the sun was even up, I found this birthday greeting in my inbox. The adorable munchkin is one half of my doubly sweet twin nephews, who themselves are about to celebrate their milestone second year. I love the emphatic "No Happy Birthday!" while my poor sister is pleading for cooperation. You go Ari!

As the sun rose and my threesome awoke I was the recipient of this utterly perfect birthday card presented by the middle child on behalf of himself and his brothers.

Note the "good at cleaning" notation. Oy. Perhaps I need to re-evaluate my priorities!

And then there was the gift from my Mister P. The craigslist find that would be mine. Say hello to my new lovuh, er, I mean my new credenza. Please ignore the hot mess that is my garage and check out the hotness of this vintage beauty, circa 1974.

Lastly, there was cake. Lots of cake. Because when you are 38 and grey hairs are cruelly beginning to make their presence known, the last thing you do is say no to cake.

He's THE man!

The Man in my life is, at this very moment, upstairs in our bedroom working his bulging muscles installing hardwood floor. That is a testament to his greatness, and generosity, and complete and total selflessness. Seriously, I picked, or should I say I was blessed with, a good one. A top-notch daddy, the best husband in the world, and all around nicest guy you could ever meet, my Mr. P.

Happy Father's Day, we love you beyond words, above all else, Mr. P!

From the Archives: Our Small Fry Sportin' Some Big Moves

Hubby just pulled up this video and we almost burst at the seams with laughter. This is the youngest of our threesome, we like to call him Superstar. The video was taken while we were on vacation over two years ago, which would have put him right around two at the time. He has always had an insane love for music and dancing, especially "ip op," as he likes to call it. That summer Hairspray, the movie, was on constant rotation. He memorized all the choreography. Seriously, I kid you not, and loved to sing along in his then broken English. What do you think?

The kid's got some moves, if I do say so myself!

{J, circa summer 2007}

A Four Letter Word We should All Know: HELP

Another is give. If you can.

Here is a list of charitable organizations active in Haiti.

And then go read this. It's pretty amazing, in my most humble opinion.

{perfect sentiment pictured above spotted on vi.sualize}

Friday Fixation: {Mr. P}

He doesn't make many appearances around here, but I have a feeling he can often be found lurking in the shadows. And most definitely, he can always be found lurking in the shadows that line my heart and soul. And speaking of hearts, his is as big and kind and generous as the sun is bright and hot. If you haven't already guessed by now, I'm talking about my dear husband, Mr. P. It's his birthday today and he is my Friday Fixation. Come to think of it, my every-day-of-the-week fixation if truth be told. We've been a twosome for a very long time. So much so, that without him there is no me. Nope. In fact, it's almost not fair that it is his birthday because really, he is my gift from the universe.

I'm so blessed to have you in my life, M. Happy, happy birthday my love!

-forever, nelya

Sunday Outing

We went on a little outing yesterday afternoon to the mountains. The foliage was spectacular and it literally rained beautiful golden, crimson, and orange-hued leaves. The river was a foaming, churning living thing. A perfect target for little boys with handfuls of stones. A glorious sunset followed us home and I could not help but click away on my camera as we drove through charming towns with glorious examples of southern vernacular. Graceful columned grand dames and tiny cottages, lights aglow as the day receded into night.