Importance of Grandparents

It's been so long that I've posted on this blog, I almost forgot how with all the updates to blogger. Over the last few months, I've been recharging, and now there is a nice ebb and flow to our home, and lives.

My inlaws came to town for Domi's Senior Band Night, which I appreciate so very much. Both my parents are deceased, so I treasure the time with Mike's parents, and the simple things they offer to my children. Our generation is a quick and fast one, but children (and teens) still need the knowledge that elders hold, and nothing takes the place of a simple, honest, and pure lifestyle.

La Playa

A shot that makes me happy.

My Yogi

Closing Circle



Savasanah



Namaste

Powerful Image of a Child

Full of Intelligence, Curiosity, and Wonder.



One of many reasons why I am proud to be a Reggian-inspired caregiver and educator. Teachers seek to hold before them this powerful image as they support children in exploring and investigating.

Muddy Piggies | BSM

You're only a child once. Relish it.

Even When Skies Are Gray | BSM

You are my sunshine.



You make me happy, Corazón.




For more Best Shots, head over to Tracey's.

Artful snippets

Gorgeous day today. We spent the majority of the morning playing outside and exploring in the "atelier" (aka covered patio).

Artful Hands

We've been doing a clay exploration since last week. Even though the photo is a bit flawed in my opinion, I love how Sophia's artful hands were captured. They're usually strewn with paint, but you're only a kid once.

Black and White

I just realized I'm on a B&W photo trend here with my posts lately.
This is from our art exploration today, which was Black and White painting.
Who knew these two colors would be so fun to work with?

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Thanksgiving 2008

This year was probably the smallest Thanksgiving dinner in our hosting lifetime. Our guestlist was in the single digits, whereas in the past, it averages between 15-25 heads. Even though I missed having the hustle and bustle of a pack filled home, the quaintness of our intimate dinner with our lovely family members was a relaxing change.

What really helps this [frazzled] hostess now is her teens can do a lot of the prep work. In the past, I've been known to spend the ENTIRE day before Thanksgiving (or any other formal dinner) just dressing up my table. Ironing linens, polishing the silver to shiny perfection, setting the table per Emily Post etiquette, creative napkin folding, finding the perfect centerpiece, and even the final touch of personalized place cards. Yes, I get much satisfaction from these arduous tasks. And, I admit, this is the time, when I have been known to almost turn Martha Stewart crazy (short-tempered, nit picky, and maybe a bit of yelling here and there). ;)

However, since we had a smaller fete this year, these tasks were delegated to Domi and Jay. As Domi polished the silver candlesticks and Jay set the table with the Lenox Solitaire China and vintage circa 1921 Grosvenor flatware, I tell them, "one day, these heirlooms will be yours!". They both looked at me with this blank stare, and then went back to work, without saying a word. Ah well.

I share the same passion with certain antique items as both my maternal and paternal grandmothers. My paternal grandmother was an antique reseller herself. Maybe Sophia will be share in her mom's enthusiasm when she's older. She did after all, get giddy herself about having her very own place setting at the table and even managed to drink out of a small wine glass (filled with Cranberry juice) without a single spill or breaking it. Those practical life skills we work on are coming in handy!

Our (everything homemade) Menu consisted of:

Appetizers~ Baked Black Cherry Brie with Toast Points (Eric)
Main Dinner~Honey-baked Ham, Deep-fried Turkey (David), Rice Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Green Chili Macaroni and Cheese (Eric), Shallot Whipped Mashed Potatoes (Eric), Sweet Potatoes (Holly), Fresh Cranberry Sauce, and Dinner Rolls and Cornbread.
Dessert~Bread Pudding (Eric) and Pecan Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Pralines.









Adding this photo to balance some of the refinement with evidence of a good ol' cajun deep-fried turkey.



Hope you all had a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

Surviving Camping

Last weekend, we packed up and went camping for our final trip of the year. And, boy, was it COLD! With everything going on, I was not prepared for our trip, so planning and packing was done at the last minute (and most of the camping duties were left to Mike). I managed to get our clothes, toiletries, and first aid stuff packed up, in addition to cleaning the house before we left (one pet peeve of mine is to leave the house dirty when we go on a trip...there is nothing worse than coming home after travel to a dirty, messy house!)

So, we get there WAY after our "planned" arrival time. Let's just say the sun was setting as I was checking us in (which took 20 friggin minutes because of a mixup with my BIL cancelling at the last minute). Needless to say, we were setting up camp in the DARK.

In the COLD WINDY DARKNESS.

Luckily, Mike's boy, Dallas was already there and they had their camp set up, so the guys took care of setting up our tent, while Natalie and I watched over the kids and kept warm by the fire. Oh, and did I mention that Mike forgot to pack the sleeping bags? Yeppers, we camped close to primitive style the first night! I was pretty much, pissed (mostly at myself for not having checked). Luckily, he remembered the blankets, but it was a damn cold (30 degree) night. The following night was MUCH better. Wind was gone, so it was nice. The days were gorgeous. Cool and sunny.

I'm still looking forward to our spring camping trips, and now, have learned my lesson to not procrastinate. And we're also not doing 2 day camping trip any longer. It's just not worth it for 2 nights after all that planning, shopping, packing, setting up, and then undoing all that the next day. 3 days will be our new minimum.

Who's ready to join us in the spring? Hehe...

My Flare

A quick snippet from our camping trip this weekend.


Looking at this, I am reminded
Life is beautiful
And fragile

May all of those who need love and light, receive it.

Football Firsts for the Tots

Coming up to take a breath after a busy, busy couple weeks, but wanted to quickly post these pics from Domi's high school's last [well, it was supposed to be the last] game, but the football team made playoffs, so marching band season is still not over!

Our friends, Andrea, Daniel, and Colton, and Anja and her Anika joined us to watch the band march their last performance (or so I thought it would be) of their award winning 'On Edge' Show. Well, I must have missed the memo because they didn't perform their show (this is why I need a personal assistant). Instead it was an end of season combined show with the other high school band. I was pretty disappointed, especially since our friends came out to see the band's show (and it takes a LOT of effort to find parking, get through the mobs of people, and find somewhere to sit, with toddlers mind you, in chilly weather!)

But I have to say, the tots enjoyed taking in what we all know as Friday Night Lights in Texas.

What Feels Good

For Halloween, during the day, I did something a bit different this year. Sophia, Lulu and I, joined Lori and Meredith and their children for a visit to a nursing home. The children passed out treats to the seniors. Several of the seniors were incredibly thrilled to see the children, especially with them donning adorable costumes. And, many of the Seniors were wearing costumes themselves! They received sugar free candies, homemade cards and notes.

I was very proud of the girls. They did very well with their manners and with passing out the treats.
I left there with a great feeling and lots of warm fuzzies. It felt good to do a little something extra, rather than simply putting Sophia in a costume.











And here's my Best Shot below. The lovely lady couldn't get enough of Sophia. And it melted my heart.



For more Halloweeny images, visit Mother May I.

My Peacock

I know I'm her momma, but isn't she so stinkin' cute?
And who said female peacocks aren't as beautiful as the males? =)



This was Sophia's first year to Trick or Treat. Her Mema was in town, which was a nice treat for the both of them. We got a late start, so I don't have any good pics with the dusk lighting. Her cousins, Alana, Serena and baby Don joined us, and after a few doors, Sophia was right up there with them holding out her peacock basket. And, she even kept her costume on the entire time.

Pumpkin Harvest Festival

I'm running way behind on posts. Intended to post this over the weekend, but it's been busy, busy.

On Saturday, we left suburbia and headed to the Southside for Greenwood's Annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival. After we attended the Fairie festival last spring and fell in love with Greenwood, I knew we couldn't miss out on the Fall fest. There was a Harvest Table filled with delicious potluck items that were consistent with the harvest season, entertainers, stories read aloud, and even a drum circle which ended the afternoon, and much more. I love this place with all its whimsy.

I regret not having Sophia wear her costume, but I was afraid to push my luck because so far, she has yet to want to wear her costume. *sigh*


Hopefully, by Halloween, she will appease her mama.