I Love Kids

They make me happy.
How could they not?
Isn't this the cutest Pinata line you've ever seen?

Party for our friend Mary Larkin, far right.
Photo by her Mom, Flannery.
James is in the blue t-shirt with the ginormous smile.
Yes, that is Chris and I in the back. Can you tell I'm all partied out?

Scenes from James' 4th Birthday Party

I think I am still in shock that my son is now 4.
His party was this past Saturday and his actual birthday is today.
WOW.
His party was a total blast, which is what I was going for,
as the kid is so interested in space right now.
Check out that cake. FANTASTIC. Gotta love the rocket.
My husband's cousin's daughter made it.
Emily--you are brilliant.
Oh yeah--and that bouncy house?
That HUGE bouncy house?
Best.idea.ever.
While the kids (and adults) bounced,
I got to enjoy the party guests and have a beer or two,
but most importantly I didn't miss
a single smile that spread across James' face
ALL DAY LONG.
So really, that bouncy house was a gift for ME.
I'm not quite ready to do my typical, look back through the years
post about my boy, you know--the one where I weep
in writing about how he's not a snugly little baby anymore.
But maybe that's because I am really enjoying him at this age.
Independent but still a Mama's boy;
inquisitive about the world around him but still cuddles his favorite
stuffed animal at night;
loves all of his new friends but is still happiest
around his cousins;
happy to receive all of the latest gadgets as gifts,
but it was the collection of arrowheads, fossils and rocks from his Grandpa
that he arranged on his bedside table tonight when he went to bed.
I love that boy.

Happy 4th Birthday, James.

XOXO

Our Little Curly Top

The dress Ella is wearing was a gift from my mother--a little retro seersucker dress that I really love. Yellow was my Mom's favorite color--and I wish she could see her running around the yard, cute as a button and reminiscent of Shirley Temple. But I guess she probably can.

It has been more than a year since I lost my Mom, and though her absence is still painful, that pain is a little less sharp, and more often than not I am smiling when I am remembering her instead of feeling sad.

I think that the quality of the sunshine is really special in these photos--I am getting better at capturing the light.

Big day for us tomorrow--James is having his fourth birthday party! We are expecting about a dozen kids and 30 adults so it will be a fun day for sure. We even rented a huge bouncy house for him (seems to be the birthday party trend on our street these days!) It is actually due to arrive tonight--so no doubt we will be bouncing into the night and he will be exhausted before the big day even arrives!

Happy weekend to you!

Hello Summer!

We're awfully excited about summer over here under the shady tree.
How about you?

Handmade Vintage Freshness Can Be Found at Three Sisterz

Introducing Three Sisterz!


I know I have mentioned my friend Flannery about a million times on this blog, but I have been meaning to introduce the recent work that she and I and her sister Courtenay have recently finished, branding their business, Three Sisterz.


Flan came over a month or so ago and I walked her through some marketing ideas to help get Three Sisterz off the ground. They had a blog, but they needed to find a way to update it, get more exposure, and move to the next level. They were interested in how online marketing could help them, and seeing as how I make my living in marketing, communications and social media design, I was excited to assist them. I do really enjoy helping strong, creative women in their pursuing their dreams.

She and her sisters sew charming, one-of-a-kind pillowcase dresses using the most beautiful, whimsical fabric you can imagine. I think their sensibility is a fresh take on vintage and I adore it. They also make appliqued onesies, precious little skirts and a number of other custom-made items. Here's a few items from their recent work:

We talked about the look and feel that they wanted, played around with some images and came up with a new banner and design for the blog. Here is the banner, but you have to go and visit to get a real feel for the changes that we made.

Next we parlayed the new look for the brand into a Facebook badge and graphics for their Etsy store. A few days later I took some photos for them (this one is my fave!) of Flannery's middle daughter, Mary Larkin in one of their signature dresses. (Okay, you can't see much of the dress in this shot, I know . . . bad marketer, BAD!)


You can find their Facbook page here:

And you can take a look at their Etsy page here:

So please, before you run into a big box store for a summer dress that every little girl on the block is going to be wearing, think twice and buy something custom-made and AFFORDABLE and unique. Plus, doesn't it feel great to support another woman, another mother, in their efforts?

Remember this shot of my little Ella in her Three Sisterz pillowcase dress? (Just look at that little bow mouth!!!) Do you need any more convincing than this?


There's just something about these stunning handmade creations that these women are making, that make little girls' cheeks that much more PINCHABLE and SMOOCHABLE!

Now, go and "like" their Facebook page, and then go browse their blog and their Etsy store!

And be sure to spread the word and tell your friends, too.

An Oreo Cookie Eating Tutorial by Ella

I came around the corner into the kitchen the other day and saw this:


And so I quickly ran and got my camera and started shooting. Wow--she's really loving this vanilla Oreo!! (Just like her Mom, while James prefers traditional Oreos, like his Dad).



Oops!! She sees me!


Caught cha!!!


So then I asked her what she was doing and she proceeded to show me! Reach into the bag of Oreos (conveniently they are at her perfect height in the pantry cabinet).



Get one and T-W-I-S-T.


See Mom? This is the good stuff!!


Mmmm . . . just look at all that sugary goodness!


Lick!!!


Yay!! Yummy!!


(Sigh) she's getting so big!! (Now I gotta run and move those cookies up a shelf or two!!)

Discovering Space with Sidewalk Chalk

Take a boy that is obsessed with space, add some sidewalk chalk and a sunny day and 3-2-1 LIFT OFF!!! Here is one of the rockets he drew this week. (Ahem--I am not sure which way is up, so use your imagination.)


Here is another:


Here is one of mine that James added more flames to (in blue):


And an alien spaceship that he added pink flames to:

After more rockets and aliens were drawn, we started a super-sized word find thingy. He has been enjoying word finds, so I started by asking him to give me a space word, then another, and we linked them all together.

Make no mistake--this kid is reading these words, no problem! (Nice, but does he listen? No. Is he nice to his sister? No. Does he pick up his dirty clothes? No. But one step at a time, right?) Here is a big view of the whole shebang:


(Yes, here is Ella dashing thru, about to run and draw on the house, the garage, the swingset and the Adirondack chairs with chalk. SO CUTE!!!!)


I asked him what his favorite space word was on the word search and he ROLLED HIS EYES and said "C'mon Mom!!! Pluto, OF COURSE!!!")


Does it get any better than this? My heart will simply BURST if it does.