Fashion Show, Book Review and a Bump

 

Hannah loves a good fashion show. I love it when each piece is under $10. I also love it when we agree on what she wants.

So...I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. Everyone that read it told me I'd be running to the bookstore to buy the next one. I'm not. Yes...it was a page turner.. but only because I wanted to find out "who did it". I found it really disturbing. While reading it I found myself saying...this is the kind of crap that gives psychos ideas. I just don't get why people have to write about violence. Why do I need those images in my head? I don't...so therefore I'm done reading him.

Not a great picture ...but Griffy had his first real fall. He learned how to crawl UP the step...just not down. And of course during the SPLIT second I took my eye off of him...he fell down the one step onto his poor little noggin. I hate that this is the beginning of many more of these little bumps now that he's all over the place. Time to baby-proof the house.

Some things I love about Summer

My beach chair.
Not knowing what day of the week it is ...or the date.
Outdoor showers.
Sleeping in.

Freckles.

How relaxed we all are...sure, get on top of the car Will...why not.

I hope you all don't know what day of the week it is either.

Do You Ever...

Balance the moon on your head? We've been doing these photos for a few years..I love them. We had dinner and s'mores on the beach last night. Dusk is the best time to take pictures on the beach...or real early in the morning....but, we are NOT early morning people here. Loving sleeping in...loving our nights on the beach...loving summer.

Do You Have...

..... a good picture of yourself...all by yourself? I don't mean a halfway decent one...I mean a picture that you really like of yourself.   A picture that you're not saying..."uugh, my hair needs to be done"..or.."I look so fat in that one"...or.."look at my wrinkles!" I had to go back to 2005 to find this one.  I think we all need a good picture of ourselves. Maybe so we can look back and say..."See...the kids didn't wear me out completely...I still looked pretty good!"

I love our family photos...and pictures of me with the kids. But, when I look at a picture of just me..I think about just me for a minute. Not me as a mom..or me as a wife, friend, sister or daughter. Don't get me wrong...I love being all of those things...and being all of those things make me who I am...right now.  But if a stranger looked at this picture they'd see a woman in her 30's at the beach. That's it. No kids, no husband...just her. 

Every woman should have a picture of herself...alone..looking good.

* You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen. But if you are beautiful at sixty, it will be your own souls doing. ~ Marie Stopes

Summer is Wicked Awesome

We finished our Summer List and crossed one thing off already! Griffy sat OUTSIDE of his baby pool while the kids did Splatter Paint. They had a lot of fun with it...and Griffin even let us paint his foot! I think we're off to a great start.

This first week off I'm letting my kids sleep in...watch tv...play video games...heck, I might even buy some junk cereal. My neighbor Kate, who always has great advice for me..with 3 terrific teenagers of her own...told me she was going to do this with her kids. You've got this week to do what you want and not have your mom nagging you to get up, shut the tv off and go to bed.  This week. Next week will be a different story. Nothing crazy...a healthy sleep schedule...chores...and no tv/computer during the daylight hours. We will still have loads of fun but there has to be some order here or I'll lose it. And that ain't pretty.

Our Summer has begun!

It's been quite a week. A week that I wasn't expecting. I went to the Vineyard last week to help my mom who was in and out of the hospital. She's doing much better. Steve was able to work from home and be here for the 3 older kids. I'm so thankful for that. Anyway...here I am...down to my last couple of hours..literally...before school is out. I have mixed feelings about the summer. Looking forward to the beach and down time with the kids...but hope I'm able to keep the peace and stay on top of stuff while they're all home.

So..instead of writing...I'm posting my week in pictures...because I have SO much to do these last few hours of quiet time!!!

Visiting day at Will's school last week...

Headed to the Vineyard...

Spent a bit of time at my favorite farm...

Home in time for Griffy's 1st birthday.

First bite of cake.

We had a great Fathers' day too. Our weekend ended with a trip to the beach last night.

I'm off for my walk with the baby...and then they'll be home for the summer!

Griffin goes to Middle School

I got to go into Hannah's class today for a literary event. The kids have been working all year long on their writing and they each picked a piece out of their scrapbooks to read to the parents. I just wish Steve had been there. Hannah dedicated her piece to her Dad. Of course there were tears! She did such a great job...she talked about her life and how many times we've moved and how much her family means to her. Way to go Hannah! I could not have been more proud!

Griffin tagged along with me and was a trooper. His prize at the end was all of Hannah's friends ooohing and aaahing over her baby brother. He ate it all up let me tell you.

I even got to meet a reader of my blog! Thanks Moira for introducing yourself! I'm flattered that you read me!! It was so nice to meet you!

 Ok, so can someone tell me when we started graduating kids from...preschool...kindergarten..middle school? Remember back in the day when you graduated from high school and college? Just sayin.

Missing my Baby

No more infant. No more baby. Although, of course he's still my baby. They're all my babies. But now the baby wants to move. He's barely one and he is already breaking away from me. Wanting to get down and crawl around and be with the other kids. Man I'm sad. What is so great about the stupid popcorn machine anyway? Just let me swaddle you please?? How funny would he look swaddled?

This is my last week of just Griffy and I. The kids will be home next week for summer. What should I do this week? Get ready for them all? Take naps? Go to the beach? Read my book...The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo...are you reading it? It's good.  I'm already wanting to get the next one. I never read the Twilight series...so I couldn't take part in all of that hype. I am loving this book though. Someone asked me in a comment when I have time to read. I read a lot. I don't really watch tv...I read during the day while nursing the baby to sleep...I read in the car if that's where he's napping (I park myself at the beach)...and I read at night. I can never find my cellphone or my keys but my book is attached to my hip.

Done.

I'm done.
Done packing lunches.
Done doing homework.
Done DRIVING.
Done getting up early.

I'm sure in a month...hopefully longer...there will be this same post saying..I'm ready for buses...activities..routine...quiet time.

But right now...
I'm done.

You know what Will asked me tonight while tucking him in? If we could homeschool over the summer.

Ummm.....NO.

Ok..fine. I sound like a horrible mom saying that don't I?

I'm just done. I want to go to the beach and sleep in and not do homework. I know..I sound like a teenager.

Books and Bowls

I am completely obsessed with Anthropologie. I walk into that store and I've died and gone to heaven. My mom had her second surgery yesterday...so my sister and her 2  year old Annie met Griffy and I there while we waited for my mom. Annie calls Griffin...Gricken. It's the cutest thing. Anyway, back to Anthropologie. If you ever need to buy a gift for someone..or for me..Anthropologie rocks. Everytime I go, I buy 2 new bowls. Aren't these fabulous? If you have to do dishes...and we all pretty much do...wouldn't your sink look so pretty filled with these? I'm telling you...this is why I want to rip the doors off my kitchen cabinets...these should not be hidden.

Have you read The Four Agreements? If not..you should. I think it should be required reading for every human being. We'd all be better for it. It's a quick read and one you'll want to pass on..or keep on your bedside table to remind you to 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don't take anything personally. 3. Don't  make assumptions and 4. Always do your best.  Easy enough right?

My Thoughts on Motherhood

It's been almost an entire year since this photo was taken. A year that has changed my life. Changed me. I told myself a year ago that I would savor every bit of this tiny baby...and I have. I look back at this picture and think how I'd love to do it all over. Oh to have a newborn again. 

On my walk today I was thinking about new mom's. New, young moms...and what I would tell them about motherhood. Sure..I'd have a few books and now-a-days..even blogs to share with them. I may even share my own experiences. But I think every mom needs to find their own way in Motherhood. To learn to trust their own instincts. I believe there is no right  way...we all Mother differently..and that's ok.

A few weeks ago while waiting for my own Mother to come out of surgery...I ended up in a discussion in the hospital waiting area with a complete stranger. Our conversation began innocently enough with talk about babies..(of course Griffy was on my lap). The topic somehow turned to working mothers vs. stay at home moms. There I was...standing my ground...saying that all mothers should stay at home with their babies. (I do still believe that). Anyway...we parted ways and my drive home that evening was filled with thoughts of our conversation.

Since then I've been haunted by this talk I had with this stranger. I've thought to myself...would the world be a better place if every mother stayed home with their babies? Would all the babies out there be healthier if they were all breastfed? Would all babies feel more attached to their parents if they slept in the same bed with them? These are my beliefs, but they may not be yours.

I think if a new mom asked me for advice I'd tell her to do what comes natural.  Do what feels right to you. And don't worry about what other people think.

*Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~ Pearl S. Buck

Week-ending

Farmers Markets..

Family birthday parties with all the cousins...

painting pottery.

Another fun busy weekend...10 days left of school.

Coffee Talk

So today I just feel like chatting. You know...nothing important or serious... just silly girl talk. I miss my girls up North. I talked with one of them yesterday...Erin. We used to call her the mayor. Or I used to rather. I'm the one that moved. Not them. Anyway, she knows everyone in town.  She's the one that introduced me to everyone when I moved there. She's everyones best girlfriend. You'd love her.

Lately I've been obsessed with this website. I want everything. She and her husband are THE cutest couple. My blogger friend Virginia bought one of her poppy pins and she looks smashing in it!

My kids still have a couple of weeks left of school. I'm going to get myself super organized before they're home all day. A few things we've been working on...Our own...Summer List inspired by Meg. I'll share ours soon.  The kids have had so much fun doing this...I wish I started this years ago!

I started my own summer list too...I'll get back to you around Labor Day to see how the weaning went.

I changed my mantel...again. Although, I'm still looking for just the right piece to put up there permanantly.  I would LOVE to have summer slipcovers...white linen or cotton slipcovers to throw over EVERYTHING in my house in the summer. I decorate with a lot of neutral colors...dark neutral colors. Browns, reds, greens....but in the summer I get rid of much of what I can and just go white. I'm thinking of even rolling up my heavy dark oriental rug and going sea grass. What do you think?

If you're looking for some summer reads...here are a few. I think I've mentioned Little Bee before. You won't be able to put it down. I'll send it to you if you want to borrow it.  Jhumpa Lahiri is one of my favorite authors..I've read 3 of  her books. The Namesake...Interpreter of the Maladies..and this one..Unaccustomed Earth. She is a fabulous writer...my friend Karin from up North reads  her too.

I'm not real big into fluffin up my blog. I do enough of that in my home. I don't do music and lots of buttons. But, do you see that button over there? The Power of Moms ? I love their message. It's positive..encouraging...and all about helping me be a better mom. I'm all for that. I am honored to have been asked to be a part of their blog list!

Ok lastly...my new favorite tv show. You know I don't watch a lot of tv right? Well..Steve and I have been huge Office fans for years. We still are but Modern Family is right up there. Do you watch it? Phil is hysterical.

Life Lessons

I am all about sports and music lessons that my kids will hopefully enjoy throughout their life. Do I think Hannah will dance for the Boston Ballet....most likely not. Will Stephen play major league baseball...doubtful. It's not that I'm not supportive..I am. Believe me...I spend my days driving kids to and from activities. I just want my kids to be able to hit a golf ball, a tennis ball, play the piano...ski down a mountain and sail a boat. All things they can enjoy 'til they're 80. I'm happy that Hannah is still dancing and that Stephen loves to play and is pretty darn good at baseball...but I think they'll thank me someday for pushing the other stuff.

I'm grateful that my parents thought it important also. I have fond memories of sailing lessons as a kid. My love of tennis started early in life. Both Steve and I have many family ski trip memories also. I want the same for my kids.

How Do You Know....

When you're done having babies? When you run out of bedrooms? Out of money? When your spouse says no more? When you think you're too old? Or you're too tired? Or just ready for something else in life...career...travel.  When you can hold an infant and hand him back to his mother with out your heart turning to mush?

Some women just know. I'm not one of them. Although for a few years there  I thought I was done. My 3rd child was starting preschool...I had an active social life...Steve and I were traveling. I had a taste of the other side of Motherhood. I won't lie to you...it was fun. Exciting to be able to hop on a plane for a long weekend in the sun. Grocery shopping by myself. Lunch with the girls.

I'm thankful I had that time. Not because it was fun and easy....because I am savoring every minute of this baby now. I know that time will come again in my life. Traveling...lunches...shopping. I don't know if I'll ever have a baby to hold again. Who turns my heart to mush.

Happy Family

We've had such a busy, fun weekend. Ballet and violin recitals...baseball and more baseball...parades...yard work..neighborhood parties...dinners on the beach... I'm ready for summer! School doesn't get out here for a few more weeks...enough time for me to get myself organized and ready for 4 kids to be home ALL day. I didn't over schedule the kids this summer at all. I'm tired of driving. Stephen is playing baseball for half of the summer...the other half...well, we're looking for a J.O.B. That spells....JOB. We'll see how that works out. Hannah is playing tennis, sailing and taking golf lessons. Oh to be an almost 12 year old girl! I'm sure she'll be a HUGE help to me with the baby this summer too. Will is taking golf lessons also...and is thinking hard about playing football. I'm not pushing that one. And Griffy...well, he's still getting used to the beach. That's his only  job this summer. And maybe to sleep through the night. Just once. Please.

Hannah's end of the year ballet recital.

Fun in the backyard

Dinner on the beach

Will marching in the Memorial Day parade with his baseball team. He was so proud!

Another great weekend. Happy Family. Hope yours was happy too!