Repeat

Yesterday was so much fun...he decided he wanted to do the exact same thing again today.  No arguments here :)  Love you Duncan ~ Mom

Special Day with Mom

Today was Cooper's first day at his new school and since Duncan doesn't start until next week, that meant special time for Dunc to hang with Mom.  He got to choose what he wanted to do (my only stipulation was that it had to be something outdoors since it was such a beautiful day).  He chose going downtown, stopping at my office, going to the bookstore and then the Brickyard for lunch...

We both love wandering around our local bookstore.  And I LOVE when I turn a corner and find this...

Duncan: book on Minecraft

Mom: Williams-Sonoma cookbook

    Wonderful afternoon.

   Next we learned what the line is like at pick up time.
   Make note: must arrive 15 minutes early.

Perfectly Lovely

My it's been awhile hasn't it?  I see the blog needs some work.  Things are a bit different here at blogger.com.  I've taken the weekend to reacquaint myself.  I need to fix the header, I need to fix spacing, I need to update the links and information on the side.  I'll get to all that.  Maybe.  But for now I need to say hello.  I'm still here - WE are still here.  Growing up, learning, experiencing, laughing, crying, playing and living.

So much going on, so much has happened and so much to come. Cooper starts 5th grade today. PUBLIC school for the first time.  25 kids in his class vs. in the entire school (slight exaggeration but not by much). Duncan starts 4th grade but not until after Labor Day.  We head to Pittsburgh this weekend for our annual trip and Pirates game.

My plan is to get to know my blog again.  If for no one else but my boys.  This was the place that I documented their lives.  Our lives.  I want them to know (through my words and my photographs) how we lived.  They will have their own memories, but I want them to also have mine.  I want them to know what we ate for dinner, what we talked about, what we struggled with and what made us laugh so hard we fell off our chairs.

So that is my goal.  My goal for tomorrow and next week.  Maybe even my goal for later today.

My goal right this very second is to go snuggle Duncan (who just got dropped off) and kiss him way too many times.  That, I believe is a perfectly lovely way to start a day...

iWorld

iPhone

iPad

 

Playing each other via wifi.

  Remember when atari was cool?

Who's fault?

After my last post I tried repeatedly to post again.  And again.  I swear.  However it would not upload my pictures.  ...yes, IT would not upload my pictures.  I don't know who.  Blogger?  My computer?  Me? (always a possibility). 

I took a chance again tonight and whalaa!  "It" seems to be working again.  When I logged in to the Blogger site there where banners galore saying it was "new and improved".  So for the record, I'm thinking "it" was totally Blogger and certainly not ME! 

PS.  I didn't think they could get cuter than they were at ages 3 and 4.  But 7 and 8 are actually pretty darn cute too!

Today

How do I start again?  What do I say?  What's my excuse? How can I possibly catch up?  

These are just a few of the many questions that run through my head when I contemplate a post.  I know the answers.  I'm okay with the answers.  Or so I tell myself. 

How do I start again?  Just do it.

What do I say?  What ever I want.

What's my excuse?  I don't need one.

How can I possibly catch up?  Who says I have to?

Just start.  Just write.  Just add a photograph.  Talk about today.  Or talk about 3 months ago.  Just do it.  Let go of should, could, would. 

So I start again.  With no promise of tomorrow or next week.  But a need for today. 

Cooper:

Has a face so beautiful it makes me melt

Came up behind me last week when I was washing dishes and randomly hugged me

Sent me a text and told me he loved me

Has consistently been getting 100's on his spelling tests

Has started baseball practice and STILL loves the game after all these years

Is listening better than he used to

Loves his iPod, the iPad and my iPhone

Has started spiking his own hair

Loves everything Under Armor

Still likes to sit on my lap, sit near me, sleep next to me, snuggle and know that I'm close by

Has almost no separation anxiety anymore

Has matured and become so grown up in the last year

Likes a tubby better than a shower

Is a morning person like me. Wakes up happy and never cranky

Is helpful

Loves tomato and fresh mozzarella salad

Is an absolute joy to have as a son

 

Duncan

Has a precious toothless smile at the moment

Slurs his speech a little because of his new expander

Balances on the edge of counters, chairs, stools, the tub and tables instead of sitting in chairs

Loves Top 40 music

Loves acting and performing

Is doing much better with his reading

Sleeps sideways, upside down, on top of me and on top of his brother

Has been know to fall out of bed

Is not a morning kid

Is the first to fall asleep (with me following close behind)

Loves all things creative

Loves art, crafts and decorating for the holidays

Loves legos, erector sets and anything he can build

Loves playing alone

Loves yogurt parfaits

Still wants me to carry him

Makes me cards, bookmarks, books, games and pictures

Is an absolute joy to have as a son

Today

I am pretty darn happy

I'm thrilled Spring is here

I'm looking forward to exciting new growth and ideas at work

I am totally loving my new tea pot

I'm really enjoying the story of HeLa cells

It makes me want to read The Warmth of Other Suns

But this and this look so good too...

I'm awaiting the arrival of my juicer in the mail so I can start my week long juice fast

I'm looking forward to taking the boys camping in a yurt with some friends in a couple weeks

I'm looking forward to a trip to Orlando and a trip to Dallas in April

I'm looking forward to picking the boys up tomorrow and kissing their sweet faces

I'm glad my mom and dad are home from the islands

My house is clean, my bed is made but I have a suitcase that still sits unpacked

DKL

1.) Wore his shirt backwards this day because he wanted the print on the back to be on the front.
2.) Is totally digging sunglasses this summer...he just bought his third pair.
3.) Can entertain himself for hours and hours and doesn't need toys to do it.
4.) Is extremely creative.
5.) Always writes an apology when he gets in trouble.
6.) Would rather be outside than in (even in winter).
7.) Loves to snuggle, be held, be carried, suck his thumb and play with my hair.
8.) Falls asleep pretty much anywhere...in the car, on a chair, on the floor...when he gets tired he just puts his head down and he's fast asleep:) (sound familiar?)
9.) Doesn't like cheese.  But loves asparagus, mangos, Ezekiel muffins and bacon.
10.) Loves green, blue and silver.
11.) Prefers sleeping with me over his own bed.
12.) Loves to sing and dance and act.
13.) Has a momma who is breathtakingly in love with him.  She loves his face, his smell, his touch, his thoughts, his moves, his life.

Favorite time

At times I am asked (usually on a "personality test" or random question email) "what is your favorite time of day"? I have to admit I struggle with this...it's hard for me to choose a favorite. I'm definitely a morning girl (much to the irritation of some of my friends and family). I love the crack of dawn, hot tea and the hustle and bustle of a day starting. But gosh, who doesn't love happy hour? I love that time of putting work to rest and saying "ahh". Hanging with the boys. Hanging with friends and family. Even hanging alone... For that short while, forgetting what "has" to be done and just relaxing. But. Then there is bedtime. I myself have always loved bedtime. In fact, my parents always said "sleep" was my drug of choice. And as much as I love bedtime for myself...I might love it even more for my boys. Being six and seven and male means from the time you wake in the morning until maybe 30 minutes before you crash and burn at night you live at warp speed. You play and fight and battle and run and hike and explore and entertain and laugh and cry and jump and hide and trick and wrestle and tumble and it goes on and on until it suddenly stops... And it gets quiet. This is the time of day that just might be my favorite. This is when I find them on the chair in my room...reading Shel Silverstein or stringing me a necklace. This is when they smell like babies again. This is when they are soft. This is when it's okay to snuggle with mommy. This is when they slow down to a speed that I can comprehend. This is when Duncan still sucks his thumb. This is when Cooper loves to play Uno and read to me and tell me stories. This is the time that is so good for me...it grounds me and reminds me of what is truly special and important in my life. Yes...this is my favorite...

My current love affair...

Valentines from my children: Cooper: I love you because you bought me a Nintendo DSi. Duncan: I love you because you take care of me.

Keeping in mind...

After winter comes the summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies.

~Samuel Rutherford

Sunday afternoon

I'm not even sure what to say. I just love the photograph. My sister in law and I dream of creating a coffee table book...and we have lots and lots of ideas about what exactly would be in the book (every book is full of photographs)...but one idea is a book of body parts. This photo would definitely make the book.

This is Duncan on a Sunday afternoon playing at the kitchen counter. It just looks so "Sunday afternoon" to me.

I am blessed

because I have a niece who not only loves the camera as much as I do...but she takes beautiful photographs in the process. I finally got around to downloading my photos from the holidays and was overwhelmed when I came across these lovely pictures. She was at my house watching the boys a few days before Christmas - I love that she just picks up my camera and snaps away.

Love love love this one of the stockings and the tree. Awesome Kate.

But this one is particularly special. And this is the other reason I love my niece's photographs. She takes pictures of life happening. Of moments. She captures a feeling.

This is a photo of Duncan creating a book for me. On this particular day, Duncan got a little sad and missed me...so he called me and we talked for a bit and I suggested that maybe a nice way for him to express his feelings would be to make me a book. (1. I know he loves anything having to do with art/creating and 2. I figured it would be a nice way for him to convert a little sadness into happiness). My niece told me he got off the phone, went up to his room and came down with his arsenal of tools needed to create his book. Katie told me of how he diligently worked and colored on his masterpiece...he even made his own wrapping paper, wrapped the book and it was waiting under the tree for me when I got home.

Needless to say...the book was...well...perfect. Duncan's Luv Book. And not only did it help to make Duncan's day a lot brighter, but can you even imagine how it made me feel? I'll admit it...I cried (don't EVEN say you wouldn't have too).

Here is the page that Duncan was creating in the photo above...

The book itself is obviously a keepsake...but having the photograph of him creating the book and the story that goes along with it is an overwhelming added treasure. I love that someday I will be able to pull out this book and share it's story with Duncan. It's a simple story of a couple hours that took place on December 23rd, 2010. But it's also a huge story of an amazing event that occurred on December 23rd, 2010. Simple and amazing. Life.

*Thank you Baby Kate for the lovely gifts that I so often find on my camera. Thank you for your vision. Thank you for documenting. I love you to pieces sweetie.

A Kiss

As I am tucking Duncan in and kissing him goodnight...

"Mom, a kiss can have amazing possibilities."

Oh my dear sweet Duncan...yes, I believe you are correct.

Smile

Get away.

Put your feet in the water.

Slow down.

Take a deep breath.

Focus on what is good.

Keep calm.

Carry on.

Sunny

It seems only fitting to now blog about my other boy... This boy who looks so grown up and serious. So handsome. So amazing. This child who is in that wonderfully beautiful stage between little boy and little big boy... This child who gives his love so abundantly.

Let me share.

This is Duncan with blue blankey. These pictures are taken within weeks of each other. This is how Duncan holds blue blankey...with the embroidered rocking horse between his fingers and his thumb in his mouth. This is the ONLY time you will every see Duncan suck his thumb.

The top photo is the little big boy...the bottom photo is little boy...

Tonight I was holding Duncan who was holding blue blankey and as most of you know I call him Sunshine or "Sunny" for short...

Me: Oh Sunny, I love you sooo much.

Duncan: Oh Mommy, I love you too.

Me: Will you always be my Sunny?

Duncan: Mommy, I promise I will always bring light into your life...

Do you have any idea how drop dead incredible it was to hear that?

Dreams

"We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true." ~ Woodrow Wilson

One day in his life

Who is this sly smooth cowboy you ask?

Why it's Duncan who is so TOTALLY proud of himself for graduating from Preschool! Of course I said the same thing last year when Cooper graduated, but, "wow! that went quick". Unlike his brother, Duncan never had a moment of fear or anxiety the first day I dropped him off at preschool. He simply walked in, gave me a hug and said "bye mom". So here we are 2 years later and on our way to kindergarten. I am just so totally proud of him. Proud of how smart he is, how friendly he is, how kind he is. And I am head over heals that I get to spend these "little days in his life" with him.

Focus

Sometimes when the world around me is nutty and crazy, I find it helps to focus on the good, simple, light things... *remembering how much I love taking (and looking at) photos of my boys *the smell of lavender soap in my bathroom *open windows, breeze *hummus with extra virgin olive oil *teaching Cooper ebay *sleeping with little boys that wear no shirts (they are soooo soft next to me) *sounds of nature on my iPod (totally dorky but very relaxing) *the smile that I know is on a friends face when we talk on the phone *wearing skirts and flip flops *giving Duncan a haircut...his face is way too cute to have hair all over it *clean sheets *reading Star Wars EVERY night to my boys

Things I Love

1.) The Weather Channel 2.) Pillow spray 3.) Pictures of Duncan in the homemade tree swing 4.) Carmel popcorn - PoppyCock with Cashews is killer 5.) A man who can dance - my dad is a perfect example 6.) Sleeping on hot nights with NO AIR CONDITIONING - just the fan 7.) Lip gloss (it had to be said) 8.) The space between Cooper's front teeth 9.) Croissants 10.) Flying - I really should have been a pilot (or a weathergirl)

Hello

At first there was fun teasing, then irritated annoyance, followed up by "I loved the mean bad butterflies 6 WEEKS AGO" and now threats to delete the blog's bookmark. I get it; I do. And I wish that I had some glorious explanation for my absence. But alas...I have none. I think most of all I lacked inspiration. Sometimes I had the thoughts in my head but I was lackluster when it came to photography, or I would take a lovely picture and for the life of me could not conjure up anything remotely interesting to say about it. And then, well, there is my ongoing complicated relationship with March... I've been walking around with writers/photographers block. I needed inspiration...I needed aaahhhh with a smile. I just had to wait for it to come, I had to be patient and trust that it would return. And last night I think it did... I was busy fixing dinner, probably had a gazillion things running through my head, when out of the corner of my eye I see this out my pantry door... I knew what they were doing. I knew it was for me. Aaaaahhhh. Aaaahhhh with a smile.

It's that simple act. That act which one can not tell who derives more pleasure from, the giver or the receiver.

I see you my sweet. I see you making your momma smile. I see.

I get it; I do.