Texture Humming

Luke's humming is the alarm clock in our house.
But it isn't very alarming really.
It's kind of sweet.
In fact, I can't think of a much sweeter sound to wake to.
Each day it is a different tune.
Today it was kind of an ambiguous one.

Where did August go?
But I love me some September.

And some texture.
Clare's retreat, revised.


I've been craving some creative photo opportunities.
The passion is starting to bubble
and brew
and burst.
Inspired.

I'm itching to photo.
People mainly. Kids, families, individuals.
Other than my own lovelies who well,
are photographed enough can we say.

Any willing guinea pigs?
(Intended in the most PC of ways.)

Happy Labor Not Day.
xo

The Healing Balm of Nature and a Friend

I met Clare when we both lived in Long Beach and when both of our firstborns were still wet behind the ears. The "holy cripes we're moms now" bond was sealed and we have been friends fast ever since. As the years passed she and her precious family moved north and we moved a little further south but a two-hour drive on the 101 and we can be in the sweetest mountain retreat and in the company of priceless friends.

This is where we were this week.
Thank you, Clare for a dreamy mini vacay and the late night chats and chocolate.


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Good Morning!

In our house this morning at 5 am.

It looks like Liam is awake...


Is he awake, Mom?

Can I hold him?

"Hi little buddy."

And here I was feeling a little vintagy.

Here Liam is learning about the importance of accessorizing.
He's going to love me for this one day.


And then Luke models the Bed Head look

He's good that way.


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

This Day, I

• brought a bright yellow bathmat to add a little zestiness.
• learned how to use Google Reader and gave up Bloglines forever amen.
• discovered a most scrumptious looking apple dumpling recipe I'm going to have to try on Rob because apple pie is his most-favorite of all time but look at that amazing crust on this apple treat, it has to a bazillion times better. (Click on pic for recipe if you dare).

• looked into the details of taking Liam and Leila to South Carolina for a fall family reunion. (Yeah that I am finally taking the plunge but boo that Luke and Rob won't be able to go. Luke and plane rides won't quite be a jolly combo for a little while yet.)
• picked up, scrubbed, washed, bathed, changed, fed, cooked, tickled and read to.
  
• went to the gym for a first real workout since Liam joined us (after kiddie bedtime). Whoo doggies -- why oh why must we have mirrors on every wall? Okay, never mind the apple dumplings with -- count em-- two sticks of butter *sigh*.

As promised, the finished hat in both grumpy and non-grumpy versions:


Good night.

I Think, Therefore...

We spent a delightful morning in the park with friends Donna, Tabi and Sophie. What a breath of fresh air. I was having too much fun to even grab my camera. And I wasn't the one escorting the girls on their potty treks. (Thanks, Donna!)

One of tonight's story time highlights, The Little Engine That Could:
Me: Leila, when you think you can't do something, you could just say, "I think I can, I think I can", just like the little engine in the story.
Leila: Or I could just say, "I think I cannot, I think I cannot."

True enough.

And here's what little man looked like today as his hair is starting to come in. My first brown-haired baby.

Toodle, toot.
xo

The Longsuffering Giraffe

This little fella has hung from the baby play mat through all three babies. Something in his eyes tonight seemed to say, Don't I deserve a little recognition after all these years of being kicked and grabbed and drooled on? So here he is.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Single Moms, You're Amazing

Hats off to single moms everywhere. It's impossible to convey appropriately the exhaustion that comes with being the only parent in the house for days. I cannot fathom what it would be like on any kind of permanent or semi-permanent basis. You are the lone story-reader, bath-giver, up-at-six-for-the-buser, diaper-changer, tea-maker, spill-swiffer, question-answerer, ad infinitum. But the closeness I've experienced with all three children during my faux single momness has been immeasurably sweet. Luke clings to me. Leila pats my cheek and hugs my neck constantly. I wouldn't trade this nearly showerless adventure for any other. Still, I'll be happy to see a certain London flight and specifically, the Bobcat.

Meanwhile...
Elmer's. One funny little word. Hours of entertainment.

For the craft de jour (medieval princess hat) we used colored paper with small holes punched along two sides. Foam flowers and jewels were used to decorate. Rick-rack ran along the bottom and we glued ribbons on the inside to poke out the top.

Technical advisory committee chairperson:

I forgot to get a picture of the finished project but , since I'm sure you're gripping the edge of your computer seats, I'll include one tomorrow.

Kids swimsuits are around $7 right now at Target. This one doubles as a summer top:


Soaking in the last morsels of summertime sweetness.
Goodnight, lovelies.
xo
g

When It's Okay to be the Fresh and Easy Girl

Liam and I ventured into Fresh and Easy to use this week's coupon stash. Owned by the English Tesco (but their biscuits are rubbish, go figure), they cater to those with a busy lifestyle (hence, the easy). The fun part is that they give out these $5 off every $20 coupons every time you walk in the door. They are usually dated for the next week but you can save up and literally use one for each $20 you spend. So if there is to be a FRUGAL CHIC trophy recipient, I boldly nominate self. (Not exactly the most glamorous of trophies, but hey, when is the last time I got a trophy? I think it was the 6th grade. Fifty yard dash.)
$105.23 worth of groceries for $80.23.

Other moments of the day included: letting Luke be himself (boy: noise covered in mud).
And then watching him plop.

Leila rockin' out in a why-is-her-hair-so-funky-but-
who-cares-look-how-much-fun-she's-having moment

and other general happiness.

I highly encourage the reading of this post.

Nighty night.
xo
g

Dinner Bordom Buster!

I made a muffin tin meal and
it was a little bit of a challenge to find something
for all 12 of the spots.
I think the idea is to use smaller ones.
But I thought we'd start with a bang.
And i've got to find excuses for utilizing recent party splurges.
(Tiara, cake pan anyone?)

Here's the flickr (yes, there is a flickr group of course) link.
Thanks, Felecia!
(pecans, yogurt with cinnamon, ground beef, cookies, cheese, applesauce, berries, rice, apples, cottage cheese, peas, chicken)

Rob, Just to Prove The Kids are Still Alive...

Most of the morning Luke was in school of course. He's been crying when he has to start therapy recently. It's an avoidance tactic and actually we're glad because it exhibits a higher level of thinking.

Leila is learning about making the right kinds of choices (for example, any and all that acknowledge MAMA as the "one to whom we listen" -- when daddy's out of the country and that would be now.)

And Liam is getting his two bottom teeth.
They miss you and okay, so do I (but only a little bit).
xo

Goodbye, Bet.

We love you so much.
xoxo

Off Course

Back to basics.
I've found some friends who are good for me.
Sermon this weekend --
There is a small little village in Nirobi --the three year vision of the village?
Every person in the village will have two shirts.
Two.
Can my vision be that I only have two?
Why do I feel the need to have?
To have the latest?
Computer. Fashion. iPhone. Stuff for my kids.
How much do I need?
We can only eat on one plate at a time.
There are babies who have nothing.
They used to seem so far away to me.
But they are precious living babies.
Like mine.
How much do I need and why can't I sacrifice my ridiculous need for the latest so these babies can have a meal.
I've blown it recently.
I want to get back to what matters.
Our lives are only a vapor.
What we do in that wisp of a life counts for eternity.
Am I making a difference?
Am I laying up treasures where it matters?
Am I investing in the forever?

Matthew 6
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."