Photoshoot Gone Bad!

Last week we went to the mall to take Christmas photos. I was hoping to re-create the aesthetic of my childhood Christmas photos...cheerful Christmas setting...happy smiling child. I spent time and money styling two separate "looks",  got the kids ready, made it to the mall on time, and low and behold Stella decided to have a classic meltdown right there in the photo studio. I was crushed! The perfect Christmas photo I had idealized were not to be realized. Isabel was upset because she wanted to have her photo taken. I couldn't exactly have taken her picture only...hmmm...photoshop Stella in?

My photo when I was young.

I decided to look at the bright side...kids got to play at the mall.

...and eat McDonald's pancakes (don't judge)!

oh...and Isabel got these Sketchers sneakers!

Our New Home!

What a weekend! We woke up in Brooklyn and instantly wished we were back in our new house! The weekend was so crazy and full of excitement! House closing, house exploring ( is this really our house)?, raking leaves, shopping, exploring the town, meeting with friends (who also have a home in Woodstock), meeting with caretaker, neighbors, landscaper, I could go on and on. There are so many things I want to tell you but I am not sure I could even explain the feeling that this house has already provided me. 

One thing I will share, that I found most interesting, is the difference in attitude the people in Woodstock (and upstate for that matter) have from those in NYC. Woodstock folk are much more sensitive and we quickly realized we will need to tread lightly. First example...there is not much tolerance for small children fussing in restaurants (even for two minutes)...second example don't call people more than once to get things done...they will call you back when they are good and ready! 

Overall the most important lesson I learned is that a house is only as good as the family inside! Without the kids and Valentino the house has no heart and soul...you can buy a sofa, table, bed, etc...but friends and family are the foundation of a home! 

I was so busy all weekend taking it all in that I didn't take many photos...here are the ones I did take...I will take more for sure in the coming weeks.

This is the living room...one of the only things the previous owners left were these shelves. 

First night we lit a fire and slept on the mattress in the living room...my idea of course!

Living room with a few toys strewn across the room...

They also left this kitchen table (thankfully)... coffee and Sunday Times made for a relaxing Sunday morning.

Kitchen view...I tried to include the skylight but this photo doesn't do it justice.

Adventuring...Let the New Chapter Begin!

Hello! Wow! Tonight out new home adventure begins! We will drive 2.5hrs upstate, stay with our friends in New Paltz, and by 2pm tomorrow have the keys to our house in Woodstock! How cool is that! I am sure we will feel a combination of emotions...excitement (looking forward to making memories), anxiety (what have we just done)???, relief (finally...the waiting game is over) and so on...but for now I am going to follow the advice below!

I am signing off for the rest of the week today,  as I will not have internet service for the remainder of the weekend! Have a good one!

All photos taken from Pinterest.

Welcome to the World Andrew Mark!

Isabel and Jack...January 2013.

Kelly...1981. I think Jack looks alot like her...but he is a good combination of both of them!

Today my favorite sister Kelly is having a baby! This will be her second boy! Jack was born in April of 2012 and Andrew will be born today. If all goes according to plan he should arrive around 8am! Congratulations Kelly! You and Chris make cute kids! Can't wait to meet baby Andrew!

Dinner Date With an Artist.

I particualry liked the utters and smile on the side of the face.

Last night Valentino and I took Isabel on an impromptu 'date.' Whenever I am getting ready to go out at night, Isabel is always asking why she can't come along to the 'party' so last night we decided to show her what adult dinners are all about. It worked out perfectly really. Stella was home with a babysitter and after ballet I met Valentino at his work...did a little shopping... and then we all went for dinner. When the waiter came around Isabel asked if they had any paper and crayons...we all had a little chuckle (this wasn't exactly The Crackle Barrel)... she settled for a receipt and pen. This morning Valentino was rifling through his pocket and found the drawing that she had done. I was "utterly" (hehe)  impressed with the accuracy of the cow she drew. Check it out! I couldn't have drawn a better cow (really I couldn't have)!

...more of her artwork below if you'd like to see...

Here is the art wall we have created in our kitchen...

....in the hallway...

...and in her bedroom.

Be Grateful!

'Many Thanks' card from Greenwich Letterpress

With Thanksgiving soon approaching let's discuss well... giving thanks.  Did you know that it is scientifically proven that one of the greatest contributing factors to our overall happiness lies in being grateful! Yep...not money, success, or fame...but gratitude!

 So without further ado...Here's what I am thankful for today!

-Chance to enjoy an unseasonably warm spring-like day yesterday (it was in the mid-60's)!

-My new babysitter who is almost always available at last minute's notice

-The color red...I must be in the holiday spirit already because I have been purchasing everything in red 

-The free turkey we received for purchasing $150 of groceries! 

and finally...

-Patience... to know that good things will come to those who wait (this one is hard for me)!

And it goes without saying...but these two too!

Boxcycles

How cool are these bikes? One of the moms at ballet uses one to shuffle her twins around. I see it parked outside of ballet each week recently asked her about it. She said she uses it rain or shine (and snow) brave woman! I was surprised to hear that she parks it outside her apartment with a super- mega heavy- duty lock! After I saw the super- mega heavy- duty price tag (read $2800) I thought that was even braver than using the bike!

Santa if your reading...I've been a really good girl this year!

Have a Great Weekend!

"Enjoy the Ride," a motivational print from Kate Moore Creative. ($20, see also: website)

The hard drive crashed on my 27" IMac on Tuesday and I have been having a hard time getting reacquainted with my 13" laptop. It's funny how quickly we become acclimated to newer, bigger, and faster...I remember after Isabel was born Valentino surprised me with an Apple Iphone (an upgrade from my then flip top Razor...I still get nostalgic for this song). I remember telling him that I didn't need a smartphone and that I was perfectly happy with the flip phone. Well soon after I was singing the praises of a touch screen and didn't look back. Same story with the computers. One day he came home with the 27" computer that was no longer being used at his office and I protested...'What an eye sore', 'Where are we going to put that thing?' No sooner than he set it up...I was cursing the days of staring at my stamp sized laptop. So today at 10am I will wheel my stroller over to Mikey's Hookup (these guys are the best)  and get my baby...new hard drive and all. 

Hope you have a great weekend. Valentino is working on a big project for Tuesday and will not be home all weekend. I have a babysitter tomorrow all day (uh...awesome) so I can run errands in the city! We will have the keys to our house next Friday and I am going to go shopping for bedding. We purchased the beds last weekend (taking two children to the mattress store proved interesting to say the least) so we at least have a place to sleep. Some towels, a few dishes, and we are good to go. Let the fun begin! 

'I Forgot My Phone'

While I want to believe everyone but me is guilty of this behavior I shamefully cannot say this is the case. I cringed when watching this and especially disliked the part where the child was on a cellphone  and where cellphones were in used in bed (so guilty of that)! What can I do but be more mindful of my cellphone use and make a pact with myself to take it down a notch. How about you? Are you guilty of cellphone abuse? I can't help but believe our social landscape is changing much as past generations social interactions changed when the telephone, car, and television became mainstream? No?

Jane's Carousel

This past Sunday we celebrated Tala's 5th birthday at Jane's Carousel in Dumbo, Brooklyn. Never ones to skimp on the details, Stephanie and Nisian have raised the bar in throwing childrens birthday parties! Take a look and see what I mean...

On our way to Jane's Carousel... I love how the vintage Carousel is enclosed in a modern glass cube. In the summer the doors completely open to the outdoors. Take a look at this crazy picture of the Carousel after Superstorm Sandy here. 

The Carousel wasn't closed to the public for the party, but we had a quaint corner in the back designated to the party and guests. 

Colorful ribbons decorate the party favors.

Fun party hats...Stephanie joked that as a Photo Editor she always visualizes things as if she were working on a photoshoot (even in her daily life)!

Cotton Candy Station...for kids..and adults too!

Cupcakes from  Georgetown Cupcake. Honestly,  the best frosting I've ever tasted... not too sweet but just sweet enough. 

They were so good they deserve two photos.

Best thing about the birthday party? Unlimited carousel rides! Say what?

Both of my girls in one shot. Stella's favorite thing to drag around lately...her toothbrush. 

View from inside the Carousel...oh...just the Brooklyn Bridge and Freedom Tower. 

Tala blowing out the candles...with a little help from some friends.

Thumbs up to a fantastic party!

Happy Veteran's Day to My Dad the Vietnam Vet!

My dad is the badass in the back far right. 

How cool is this! Yesterday my Dad sent me a photo he recently found of himself and his 'company' while stationed in Vietnam. Yes, that's right Vietnam!!! My Dad the Vietnam Veteran! He writes about the photo below:

'I was surfing the internet this morning looking up military stuff and decided to look up Firebases in Vietnam.  Firebase (LZ) Russell was one of the firebases we were on.   Each company would only spend a couple of weeks or so on a firebase running daily patrols out into the jungle.   Then they'd chopper the company (or walk) to some other desitination in the middle of the jungle to patrol.  Being on a firebase was considered 'good' duty.  The choppers could resupply the hill at will and they were relatively well protected because of the battery of 105's on the other firebases supporting you.  Out in the middle of the jungle, not so nice and much more dangerous.   Guys are smiling in most of these pictures just because they are on a firebase.

However Firebases Russell and Neville were both overrun on February 25, 1969.  (I arrived and joined the company mid April 1969)  I found a LZ Russell Assocation and it told the story of the battle plus it has dozens and dozens of pictures.   I started looking through all the pictures that were listed and found our two corpsman and others I knew.  Then, would you believe it, I found a picture that I was in.    How cool is that!

So if you go to     www.lzrussell.org/pictures     click on lz russell and it will show the pictures.   My picture is in the right hand column, 15 pictues down is my squad.  Charley Squad, 2nd plt, golf  2/4.   I'm at the right rear identified as unknown.   This was probably taken in April of 1969.   At first I didn't recognize myself.   But then I looked closer and you can see my   USMC tattoo  on my right arm.   If you go three pictures down (18) and one row to the left, you'll see our two platoon corpsman.  Know as 'goose' and 'weasel'.   The guy who took the group picture I'm in is 'goose', ie, Roger Hedges.'

So there you go! Happy Veteran's Day Dad! You were and always will remain a Hero in my eyes! 

I love you,

Jenny

It's Closing Time!

Buying a house has been a true test of my patience. For the most part I have left myself out of all of the tedious details...paperwork, tax documents, bank statements, blood samples...and then more paperwork. I have been asking the important questions like when will be get the keys? We are so close to the finish line now and a closing date is imminent. I can't wait! I even think we will be able to celebrate Thanksgiving there! Until then we will have to enjoy another weekend here in Brooklyn. I don't mind though...did I mention I love NYC? I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record with all of my NYC idolizing. This weekend we will lay low...Sunday we have a birthday party to go to...and maybe I will see this movie. Have a great weekend!

The dramatic entrance to our future home... (one of my favorite things about the house is the entrance).

The living room where we will soon light a fire... The house has so many skylights too (another of my favorite features)!

A Day in the Life...

Did you ever hear the story about a Mom who goes on strike from doing the housework? While often times I fantasize about such a protest... I am realistic enough to know that my children are too young to understand what that would mean and the repercussions would just inundate me with even more work to make up. Being a stay-at-home mom and staying on top of the workload is a constant job...I am a cog in the wheel...of a machine that never stops! Maybe I have too high of expectations of myself? I have always been a very tidy person (when I was a kid I would vacuum my room daily to see the lines in the carpet)...while I am not that extreme now (and don't have carpet) the best way I can handle the monotony is with a little comic relief. This is pretty much how each day goes in our household...and I assume most households with children under age 4 18!

6 am wakeup call to this girl! Can you say bedhead!

Move to the kitchen for coffee (first things first), breakfast, lunch made for school. After school drop-off I come back home and deal with the aftermath.

My desk after a 4 year old decorates her princess tiara. 

Beds to be made...Isabel came home once and upon seeing her bed unmade said "Mom, you didn't make the bed." What you don't do always gets noticed...

A never ending pile of laundry...really how can we make so much laundry? 

Courage

Dear Mom,

everything will be ok...Promise.

Love,
Jenny



(Image from Bread and Butter Shop on Etsy)

VOTE!

Today is Election Day! NYC picks a new mayor and because of this street side cleaning has been suspended! Hurray! I don't have to move the car! Enough said!

Marriage Isn't For Me.

Summer of 2006...a wedding in Rome...about as close as we've come to marriage.

First weeks of dating...he always had his arm around me.

I started this blog two months ago today. I have talked about my children many times but have yet to touch on my marriage. Why? Because Valentino and I were never married. We met and began dating 8 years ago, fell in love,  had two great kids, but as for a walk down the aisle...never happened! I can't give you a solid reason for why we never married except that when I think about spending forever with someone I become paralyzed with fear! How could I be happy with someone for a lifetime...furthermore how could they be happy with me for a lifetime? I have been trying to reconcile this feeling for awhile and this article Marriage Isn't For Me has really helped! If I ever do decide to marry Valentino (or anyone else for that matter) I need to resign to the fact that I am not marrying to make myself happy but to offer myself and my love (for a lifetime...gulp) to the other person...with the sole intention of making them happy! I have to say putting a different perspective on it has eased my fears...at least for today:)

It's NYC Marathon Weekend!

It's Friday! I am so excited to watch the NYC Marathon on Sunday. The Marathon runs down Bedford Avenue  (two blocks from home) so we will not need to go far.  I remember two years ago going to watch the race early...the first people to make their way through were those requiring special equipment to run (...special needs runners) it was so inspirational and moving to see these strong and powerful runners; I had tears in my eyes at times! This year the Marathon will garner extra security since it is the first marathon since Superstorm Sandy and the Boston Marathon Bombing.
On a more personal note...I thought I might be interested in training for the NYC Marathon one day. I enjoy running and have been all about personal challenge lately. I have been running off and on for years. So the other day I used this tool to mark how long I was running on average...I was so bummed to learn that what I thought was around 9 miles (and felt like much more) was only 5 miles! Sooo...I am not sure how I would be able to manage 26.2miles!! Yikes...that can't be good for your body...Right?

Have a great weekend! Don't forget to change your clock Saturday night as Sunday we turn the clocks back! More time to sleep!

Aerial View NYC Marathon start line. (Courtesy of Dailynews)