“My siblings are my best friends.” – America Ferrera
On a Walk + Tips for Mitigating Risk
“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” — Anne Frank
Happy Weekend! We’ve had a chance to get outdoors (yesterday) and even do a bit of gardening (bean bushes). Like last year, I went way overboard on the greens. I have enough kale to open up my own farm stand at this point. I still want to plant squash, zucchinis, cucumbers, garlic and corn later in the year.
Happy Girls
“Happy girls are the prettiest.” — Audrey Hepburn
Ah, isn’t that the truth? I recently was reminded that beauty fades but smart is forever. I’m hoping that happiness is forever too! I just started reading a new book about parenting, “All Joy and No Fun.” I tried to convince my book club to read it but they’re all about fiction right now (we just finished Eleanor & Park; highly recommend). So, I’m reading the book on my own and marveling at how universal the struggle of parenthood is.
It’s no secret that moving from one child to two children is like moving from one to a herd, a passel, a gaggle and a mutiny. There is so so little sleep, so little productive work around the house (I’m pretty sure my car has a kiwi that molded under the front seat 2 months ago that I haven’t had the time to go find), and no time to sit and marvel at the miracle your toddlers are because you’re too busy chasing after them.
And then, something like this happens and it gives me just the slightest lift; enough to grin and bear it for one more day:
And yes, that is a screenshot from my Instagram account. Because we all know, if it didn’t make social media, it didn’t happen.
Three cheers for the weekend; maybe this will be the weekend I actually find that molded kiwi in the car. (pause) Meh, who am I kidding? This is the weekend that I will be a train conductor, engage in crawling races, build forts from pillows and use the vacuum 1466 times to clean up after “Look who just learned to eat solids” Lily. Here’s to a weekend full of joy …
Sun, Surf, Sand and Babies
“Laughter is an instant vacation.” – Milton Berle
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We recently took a family trip to Hawaii with Grandma and Grandpa Faiola. My Dad had a medical conference and invited us to tag along so I cashed in all of our air miles and we took off an adventure.It was our first time traveling with the kids so we were both a little nervous. The flights were just as bad as we expected (worse, actually) but once we got to Hawaii, memories of the bad flight quickly faded. It was Jamisen and Lily’s first time experiencing sand and they loved it! We had a good time exploring the waves, making sand castles, eating yummy food at the restaurants and laughing. Click to read more. [Read more…]
Cupid’s Arrow
I couldn’t resist dressing up Lily as a mini cupid for Valentine’s Day. This little girl has a straight shot into my heart, and thank you for being in ours this Valentine’s Day. We are grateful to have such an amazing community of soapers to talk soap, life and business with.
Happy 2014
Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014!
“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” ―Brad Paisley
Bundle Up
“While I relish our warm months, winter forms our character and brings out our best.” – Tom Allen
Keep Calm and Try On
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin
Photo explanation: Jamisen is trying to learn Tic Tac Toe. We are focusing on the power of hard work and perseverance as personal traits on the way to success. Right now, he just looks confused =)
Life’s a Beach
Backyard Bike Ride
“I don’t think that there are any limits to how excellent we could make life seem.”
― Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything is Illuminated