Carefree

I cut Max's hair. He has refused this all summer, and his hair has been getting long, with adorable wheat colored curls. Lately, he has been tilting his head up to see past the hair in his eyes, so a trim seemed in order. Friday night, when he was trying to not have his hair brushed, I said "Max let's cut your hair" assuming he would as usual say "no thank you". But he agreed, and climbed up on the sink like he remembered the last time we did this -months ago. I cut an inch or two of his lovely locks off. Amira applauded his hair cut, and he was proud to show her, bending all the way over so she could get a good look at the top of his head. However, I am having a bit of trouble getting used to the new do. Maybe Max is just a long hair kind of guy. Maybe I shouldn't have intervened and cropped his carefree style. That said, I can see his eyes much clearer now, and he is just adorable.

Hiatus

I've been away from this blog for a while again... 

And in that time my little girl and boy have grown!

 Smiling while doing naughty things (like eating crayons!-yes I caught you!)

We experienced lots of snow-and a few holidays:

Easter 

Valentines Day 

And Christmas

Played in more snow

Took walks before the snow came

Big girls walking

And baby cuddled up

 

With extended family

Painting inside

More walks in the snow

Even for forlorn little girls

Puzzles 

Laughing

 And lots of snack time. 

The days don't differ much, but time keeps passing. It is incredible to see time measured in the faces of our children. This winter felt long and hard, and we all look forward to a summer by the beach. But I am reminded of my Grandmother's warning, not to wish my life away looking too far forward. How much life happened this winter was worth more than each short cold day-and regardless of obstacles, I resolve to see the value and joy in each day lived.

Autumn 2012

It's been a while since I made a post, which is too bad, because I love looking back at these-especially when I am getting tired at work. Lately I have been busy at work, and always busy at home, and sometimes I just let time get the best of me. Now it is time to take control again! Especially as the cooler weather will inevitably give us more down time-or at least home time.

We tried to negotiate with Amira over her costume this year, as evidenced by the pictures above, Amira is a good negotiator. First she wanted to repeat last years batman costume. We said-be something new. She wanted to be Captain America-we being traditionalists wanted something scary. Amira settled on witch. I made about half of the planned costume. We wore it to the area pumpkin float. She loved it, and then was DONE with it. "Mommy, I want to be a monster." "You already have a witch costume." "Mommy, I don't want to be a witch." When I finally agreed to edit the witch to a monster: "Mommy, I want to be Snow White." "What happened to monster-or witch?" "Mommy I don't want to be a witch anymore, I want to be Snow White." Mom and Dad cringe at a princess for Halloween. Now Adrian wanted Max to be Frankenstein, and I was figuring that look out-and then Bride of Frankenstein dawned on us. Amira loved it: "Frankenstein wife." She has been talking lately about marrying James at school, so I think she was drawn to the bride idea, not really knowing what it is-or who Bride of Frankenstein is. But at the end of the day she loved it! Thankfully. Pretty simple with crochet hat for hair, and a left over muslin dress from a previous failed project-and she had the look!

As most New Englanders (& New Yorkers) will attest, this is the best season. The colors of fall make the bitter winter worth it. This year, the leaves turned all at once it seemed last week-and then Sandy ripped them off the trees this week. We were lucky here to just have a day at home, but I am thinking of the many who are still dealing with the aftermath.

Where Have I Been?

I have been a little absent from this blog lately, but not for lack of things to document.

I finished this blanket for a friend who just had her first baby...

And that is not the only new baby around!

Little Max joined our family at the end of February.

Though, as far as babies go, he is not that little.

And our little girl is keeping us busy as usual.

Though she hardly seems small anymore!
I have had a number of wonderful distractions, and what could be better than that? As we settle into new routines, I hope to get back to some old habits. But soon it will be summer, and I will have even more to distract me!

Belated Xmas Post

This weekend we took down our tree, our cards, our lights, and I finally downloaded our photos. We didn't take too many, I think we were having too much fun since this is the first time Amira has really understood "presents"-Santa, and has had the ability to open gifts herself.

And now we start 2012, looking back on my 2011 goals, I had some successes. I fell down with making more foods from scratch, and never made any humus. But I did see my friends with more frequency then in the past. Amira is using the potty to some extent, but I think "school" can take more credit with that then me and daddy. I went further with my "crafting", but made fewer entries in this blog. Amira talks to us all the time-the strides she has made are unbelievable. 2012 is gearing up to be a year of big changes for our family-can't wait to tackle them all-I don't feel the need to add any more goals to my plate right now:)

Morning at the Pops!

For the second year in a row, we went to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Pops! This year we had breakfast first, and Amira had her picture taken with Santa (and Daddy-who she is calling Papa occasionally suddenly?) She also got to meet Minnie and Micky Mouse, who she LOVED! She was obsessed with Minnie, and kept going back to her for hugs. I don't think she had ever even seen Micky and Minnie before. So all in all, lots of fun. Amira clapped after every song, and colored with the girl at our table. She liked seeing the pictures with the music, and loved the ceiling. Looks like we are starting a tradition!

Decorating for Xmas

This has been a busy weekend.

And I still wish we could have fit more in.

But we did get to do a lot of our decorating.

Glittering and painting pine cones we found in the park last weekend.

We picked up the tree and two wreaths.

Put the ornaments on the tree.

And lights up in the house.

We still have the exterior decorating to do. And our pine cone project is left half done and not cleaned up on the table as I write this. Yesterday we spent the day at the RISD holiday sale, selling hats and making friends. We have made significant progress organizing Amira's room and our Studio. Our house feels cozy and warm with Xmas lights and being relatively picked up this Sunday night.