My New Calling

Frosting cupcakes.

So, I think I need to start a either a travelling kids cupcake party business,
or else just open up a nursery school / drama camp / art school.

I've been lucky to have this crowd of kids hanging out with me over the past two days,
and as much as their moms think I'm out of my ever lovin' mind
appreciate it, I wish that I could have these little ones over every day for a few hours.

SERIOUSLY. I mean where else can I bundle all of the fun things
that I enjoy doing into one period of time? Like,
Art
Storytelling
Baking
Drama
Singing
Jewelry Making
Laughing
Dancing
Cooking

Where else can I have an adoring crush of fans loving me as I pass out
Popsicles
Brownies
Cheese-sticks
Cookies
Cupcakes
Capri-Suns,

And at what other point can I read stories to my heart's content,
and then be begged for
another,
and another,
and another?

Did I mention that my Mom ran a daycare?
Did I mention that I have a theatre degree?
Did I mention that I LOVE kids???

Hmmm . . .

maybe I'll call it
Pollyanna's Pre-School!!!!

Summer Fun (with Photoshop Actions)

I've been having a ton of fun with my camera (thanks Dad!) and have been trying to learn a new Photoshop trick or two every few days. Here are a few of my new favorite actions that I have been using (click on the image to enlarge it):

RAW Definition

(Ahem, I don't come up with the names) Bitchin' Black & White

Sun Kissed

Polaroid Type 600

Okay, it was 102.9 here in Longmeadow, MA today!!! I am not sure that the heat translates in these photos, but who cares about the heat when you are surrounded by such cutie patootie kids!!

It's Carnival Season Again!

(Click the collage to enlarge.)

We went to our first carnival of the summer season last night. It was a little local affair held by a Catholic School, very similar to the little carnival that I went to as a kid. A few rides, the necessary cotton candy, fried dough and fresh cut fry vendors, great music and affordable ride tickets make it a neighborhood crowd pleaser.

Ella is just small enough that she couldn't ride anything (boo!) so I spent $7 on a pretty pink dolphin ballon that she likes. I know--$7!! But--so worth it to hear her say "BalOOOOOOn!!!" over and over!

The best thing I did was spend $20 on an unlimited rides bracelet for James. Can I tell you that kid went thru the fun house, on the tea cups (which he calls the Bowls of Soup ride), the train and a few others a hundred times! In short--this little trip (without his Dad as Chris was in San Diego for work) was all about my little man.

I love a good carnival. We had so much fun! I have already bookmarked a list of local festivals, carnivals and fairs that will be going on throughout the summer. Remember this post? Yeah. You know what I mean--the noise, the smells, the excitement, the looks on my little ones faces? You could say that these little events are about the highlight of my summer.

Now stop reading my blog, and go get yourself a ticket to ride in a bowl of soup!!!

For the Love of Fridays

This is what we wait all week for:

For Daddy to come home, so the laughing can begin!

Entertain and Delight!

We had the opportunity to take the kids and some of their cousins to the new Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford. I have been wanting to go for a while, and with five children ranging in age from 16 months to 12, I thought a visit to the Center would be a perfect outing!

I remember Larry Reed, my History of Theatre professor telling us " . . .as Aristotle says, 'to entertain and delight, to instruct and to move'." That saying has always resonated with me, and I think the Center pretty much fits the bill.


With 150 exhibits, a Kidspace area designed specifically for kids ages 3-6 and lots of opportunities for hands-on learning, the kids had a great time.





According to their website, "The Hartford skyline has been redefined with the distinctive Connecticut Science Center building, designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli." I love the floating cantilever of the roof, the walls of glass, and the sheer openness of the building. On the 6th floor there is a an opportunity to walk out on an enclosed platform from which you can see a wonderful view of the Connecticut River.



Truly a remarkable day, filled with learning, laughter and love. We purchased an annual membership for our family, which will both give us an opportunity to enjoy the Center repeatedly, and will support a non-profit learning organization at the same time. We highly recommend a visit!

Stumbled Upon a a Little Photoshop Fun

I've been working hard with my new gig consulting for Pioneer Network. I have enjoyed really digging in deep and getting my head wrapped around a project--the planning, the brainstorming, the fervent writing and designing. Mostly I enjoy the interaction with talented people all over the country who are so committed to advocating for a sea change in the way we view and care for elders.

This past week I was puzzled with how to transform a photo I was working with, and decided to import it into Photoshop to get the result I was looking for. All I was doing was setting a margin and adding a caption--but then I started to play.


And now I'm hooked. My sister-in-law has been exploring this part of Photoshop for a while, and I can see why she is enjoying it so much!

Uh-oh, JUST what I needed. Another amazingly fun and interesting thing to add to my list of amazingly fun and interesting things that I want to do.

1. Make Giada's Cornmeal and Rosemary Cake with Balsamic Drizzle.

2. Finish reading The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold.

3. Run around town in my new boots.

4. Make this busy book for James.

5. Sew this ribbon blankie for Ella.

6. Whip up a batch of these 7 Layer Bars.

Hmmm . . . I need more hours in my day!!