Giving Thanks

November 4th...Today I'm thankful for:

1. A neighbor who brought in our garbage can from the end of the driveway. I didn't see her to thank her, but I know she wanted to save me a trip.
2. Being Pizza Mom at the preschool. Even though it throws off my whole day's schedule, I'm so very grateful that I'm able to be there, at her school, slinging pizza onto paper plates. I love the look on her face when she sees me there.
3. Looking forward to a lunch date with my sister-in-law. It's not for two weeks, but we made real plans for it today.
4. Finalizing our Thanksgiving Day plans. We've opted for a quiet holiday this year.
5. Ironing 17 outfits for Jono. That's enough to get him through December 2nd.

calendar here

40 Year Anniversary

Happy 40 years, Sesame Street. I was a huge fan growing up and now I share you with my daughter. Looking forward to the new season starting next week!

Christmas Outfit 2009

I know it's a little early to be thinking Christmas, but I honestly can't help myself. I'm delighted to report my daughter's Christmas outfit is all complete! A cropped ivory faux fur jacket from Gymboree. Ivory velvet hair pretties from Gymboree (not pictured). A red pleated velveteen dress from Gymboree. Black Primigi Mary Janes courtesy of Omi. A red velveteen mini purse from Gymboree (not pictured).
Her winter calendar already has some bookings...a day in Manhattan to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, an evening at The Nutcracker ballet, and Christmas Eve Mass. I'm quite positive she'll have one or two more invitations...my little social butterfly.

Giving Thanks

November 3rd...I'm thankful for:

1. Cell phones with cameras. Jono sent me this photo when he arrived at the dock around 6:00 am. (Blackfishing, City Island).
2. Not having to drive anywhere today. Me and G spent the whole day at home.
3. Being caught up with laundry.

Giving Thanks

I had a journal a few years back which I called my Thankful Journal. Each day, I listed three things for which I was thankful. I kept up with it for several months, but lost the good habit of writing each night. It's tucked away in this house somewhere, and each time I discover it, I find myself transported right back in time. It makes me long to keep a journal again.

I read about project::thankful and now I'm inspired to recreate my Thankful Journal. At least for the next month.

November 1st...I'm thankful for:

1. An extra hour in the day (Daylight Savings).
2. Homemade baked ziti with sweet Italian sausage.
3. Listening to my husband's voice as he reads a bedtime storybook to our peanut pie.

November 2nd...I'm thankful for:

1. Jon changed the batteries in all of the smoke detectors. It's his way of keeping us safe.
2. A most incredible full moon lighting up the night sky.
3. A view of the mountain ridge every time I drive to/from preschool. I don't take it for granted.

Jack O'Lantern 2009

What: a halloween tradition
When: october 28, 2009
Carved By: her daddy
Special Requests: eyebrows + a big happy smile

Remember Jack O'Lantern 2008?

In Jon's Head

Besides blackfishing, the only thing on my husband's mind right now is the Yankees. Tonight is the start of the World Series. Go team. He'll be riveted to the television all night. Right after he carves a jack o'lantern with his little girl.

Halloween Treats

• orange scalloped edge circles
• black + white checkered ribbon
• orange skinny ribbon
• spooky haunted houses (stamped by my best girl)
• hand-drawn hearts (drawn by my best girl)
• name stamps (done by me)
• fifteen mini-loaves of pumpkin-chocolate chip bread
• fancy cellophane jack o'lantern baggies
  

where is it all going? to preschool, of course! for her fellow starfish (classmates), one special bunny (gavin), her teachers (cathy + lydia), + safety patrol (linda). let the halloween festivities begin!

My Kind Of Day

Yesterday was Tuesday. And absolutely nothing was scheduled on the calendar. It was exactly my kind of day. Here's what went down at the Blue House on a Hill:

01. i woke up to the sound of my little one singing in my ear: "mama, mama, time to wake up"
02. we made it downstairs just in time to kiss daddy goodbye
03. it rained all day long
04. my girl + i baked 15 loaves of pumpkin-chocolate chip bread for her school chums
05. my dad stopped over for an impromtu visit...and he brought giant red raspberries, pineapple spears, red globe grapes, tomato bisque soup, + a flank steak (for my husband)
06. my mom stopped over for an impromtu visit, too
07. i started + nearly completed organizing the coat closet + craft supplies
08. i washed, dried, folded, + put away 3 loads of laundry
09. ate tomato bisque soup (see #5) + grilled cheese for dinner
10. spent the night snuggled inside our cozy home

calendar from m. writes

Hello

Well, I'm long overdue for a blog update. It's been nearly two months. A lot going on around here. I figure I'll just jump right in and write about the here and now. But I'll also do some back-posting for September and October. I have a million photos and things to write down...I really want to keep it all in chronological order. So, if you have Google Reader, I think my new posts will show up automatically. (Is that correct, Jenny?) But if you don't have Google Reader...and you're interested in our happenings...then you might want to keep checking back in the archives for September and October.

Here's just a sampling of what's to come. Well, technically, it's what's already happened. Check the archives.

...my best girl turned 4
...my best guy turned 41
...two trips to cape cod
...first day of preschool
...applepicking 2009
...central park photo session
...my days as a pizza volunteer
...baby shush's bermuda adventure
...an update on my 37 things
...a big announcement

photo: sunday, october 25, pin oak in my front yard

Anniversary Collage

My in-laws celebrated fifty years of marriage this past Saturday. The Bermuda Cruise was the big celebration, but their actual anniversary was celebrated with a family dinner at a restaurant. For the gift, we decided to make rather than purchase. My photo is a bit blurry, but you can click to enlarge. I give all credit to my husband for this...he's my creative genius. The thirty-three tiny faces on the cruiseship is my favorite part...thirty-two family members plus Baby Shush!

Happy Anniversary to Pau + Goong.

Irish Step Dancing

• 3:30 pm today.
• her first irish step dancing class.
• i wonder if she'll like it.
• we're committed to once a week for the next two months.

61 Crayons

She discovered my box of 64 crayons. My special box of 64 that's *For Smelling Only*. It took her about a half hour to unpack the box and line up 61 crayons. The black, gray, and silver were clearly NOT part of her vision.

First Day Of School

Her first day of school ever. She chose the entire outfit, right down to the argyle socks and mary janes. Our little peanut is growing up.

Rainbow Party: The Cake

Like everything else about this party, the birthday girl had specific plans for her cake. She requested a rainbow cake with clouds. And I delivered. As a novice cake-baker, this was my greatest triumph. She "wowed" when she saw it and gave me kisses of approval.



The kids all took turns decorating their cake slices with rainbow M + Ms.

Rainbow Party: Music

Here's what we played on the iPod:

1. Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland
2. Rainbow Connection by The Muppets
3. Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
4. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
5. The Galway Girl by Steve Earle
6. Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight
7. Amazing Grace by Randy Travis
8. Nearly Missed by Sesame Street
9. Rainbow Connection by Kenny Loggins
10. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police
11. Grace by U2
12. You Are My Sunshine by Elizabeth Mitchell
13. Sugar Sugar by The Archies
14. Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Dan Zanes

Rainbow Party: Decorations

Our little birthday girl had some definite ideas about the party decorations. She requested rainbow balloons. Her Daddy went out and bought thirty-six balloons on party day. Six in each color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.



The birthday girl decorated her swingset with crepe paper while her Daddy secured balloons to the ends.



I hung rainbow silk scarves from the clothesline. They looked great when the wind blew.



Another one of her special requests...pink flowers. Courtesy of her Daddy, of course.



We used two madras shower curtains as tablecloths. And an assortment of rainbow colored plastic cutlery and paper goods.



Even my cherry red Adirondack chairs added to the atmosphere!

Rainbow Party: Favors

Each guest left with a bag of their own rainbow cubes. One week later (due to a much-delayed shipment order), we handed out mini bags of rainbow crayons.

Rainbow Party: Food

I bought this giant industrial muffin tin last September. It was perfect for holding rainbow-colored finger food (for the little ones, of course).

The Menu:

• Broccoli Salad
• Fresh Corn + Avocado Salsa with Tortilla Chips
• Potato Bundles
• Baked Beans
• Grilled Zucchini + Summer Squash
• Macaroni + Cheese
• Baby Back Ribs