Signs Of Love Are Everywhere!

 You just have to know where to look!

I'm not sure what this plant is but every single leaf that poked out through the leaf cover was heart shaped.

The hearts below were made by us, of course, but they're for Kay!  Thanks for the inspiration, Kay!

S.O.S.

Our girls have been overtaken by the Norovirus.  Ugh, the blasted Norovirus. The house is on lockdown.  I haven't slept and I've done about 120 loads of laundry in the last 24 hours.  120?  Well, yes, at least that's how it seems!  The weather outside is rainy, grey, gloomy.....the perfect time to be sick and closed up inside.  

While we're all recovering, I wanted to share some photos of our two monkeys during last week's snowstorm!

Hopefully we'll be back in action soon!

Hope everyone else is having a lovely (and HEALTHY!) week!

XOXO

Reading, Watching, Listening

READING

So I just finished reading this....

.....and I was quite touched by this beautiful love letter that Calvin wrote to his late wife, Alice.  

Now I'm reading....

....and, I'm telling you, this book is fascinating.  I've read a lot of books on sleep. After Sophie was born, I struggled with sleep issues for YEARS.  Oh, it was so horrible.  Thank goodness I'm sleeping like a baby now but I'm still intrigued by what happens once we close our eyes at night.  It's always been an interest of mine, even before I had my own sleep issues. I'm about halfway through this book and I may write more about it once I'm done.  Seriously, I've learned so many cool things!!!  Alain and I have had some interesting conversations about our sleep....

WATCHING

Alain and I just watched....

.....and, I have to say, I didn't expect to be so roped in by this documentary.  I guess I didn't know a lot about Bob Marley even though I would consider myself a fan.  Watching this led to many a Google search on the Dreadlock Rasta.  So, as you might have guessed (it's so predictable!).....

LISTENING

I've been listening to....

This is one of the 10 CD's I'd want with me if I were deserted on an island.  It would actually make it into my Top 5.  Do you guys ever play that game?  Alain and I often have this discussion.  Maybe I'll do a post one day on my 10 'deserted island CD's'.  (Am I dating myself saying CD's?  Times, they are a changin'!!!)

So, tell me, what have you been reading, watching, listening to????

Snow, Snow, Glorious Snow!

I can't tell you how unusual this is for Charlotte.

I can tell you that I am LOVING every moment of it.

I LOVE SNOW!!!!

What Does Your Matchbox Car Collection Say About You?

If you're Sophie, it might say this.....

Your Mom has a 'thing' for Volkswagens.....

Your favorite type of car is a convertible....

  

Your grandparents are big Nascar/racing fans!

One of your most favorite foods is burritos.....

 Your favorite city is New York City....

  

Your Dad used to drive an Alfa Romeo....

Your Mom adores hippy style, surfing Beetles.....

You have a respect for those that risk their lives to protect yours.....

Your entire family thinks that CARS is quite possibly the best children's movie ever (it's a neck and neck competition with Monsters, Inc!).....

Each of your family members has their own car picked out of the collection.  When your Mom's Range Rover (aka Safari Car) broke down to the point of no return.....

....she bought a new one!

Your Dad grew up in Europe so there are a few Euro cars in the mix....

Your uncle is a Master Scuba diver.....so, of course, there has to be a Scuba Rescue car!

Your Mom has a tendency to buy open-topped Bronco type cars.....

.....especially when they have polar bears on the side!

This could have gone on all day!  But there are children and animals to care for and feed. And a house that needs care.  So....

It's your turn.....what might your Matchbox Car collection say about you????

A Rock of Love!

In our house, we've been BIG FANS of Linda Kranz's books for years now.  When Sophie was about three, we started reading "Only One You".  

I immediately fell in love with Linda's colorful painted rocks!!!  I think we all did. 

I was out shopping a few weeks ago when I saw Linda's most recent release....."Love You When".  

Perfect timing for Valentine's Day!!!  I knew Sophie would love it.  As I flipped through the pages, I was amazed at the creativity and inspired to make a sweet little rock of my own.....to give to Sophie for Valentine's Day.  It was so much fun painting it and I think she loved it as much as I'd hoped she would!

I also went out and bought a paint pen with which to write a little message to my sweet girl on the bottom of the rock.  This was truly one of my favorite presents ever!

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day!!!

Treehugger News

Sometimes I see ideas/design that are too good NOT to share.  Hope to find these and share them more often.  They give me hope and make me happy! 

(image via Aaron Mickelson}

This week's share is about disappearing packaging.  Oh, how I would LOVE to not have to throw away packaging.  I'd buy these products.  Wouldn't you?  

I read this article and felt truly inspired.  Some people are so brilliant! Makes me want to come up with some of my own ideas!!!

PS ~ While we're speaking loosely about trash, Alain and I watched the documentary Waste Land last night.  Has anyone seen it?  It was SO AMAZING!  The link here has a short video about the movie.  Check it out!  Vik Muniz is truly an inspiration!

"Welcome To My PlayTime"

This evening Sophie went to play outside and we suddenly noticed that she was dragging things out into the yard.  A chaise, a picnic blanket, her umbrella, the play mats, some toys.  I had to be sneaky and take some shots.

Then she took my little party sign, grabbed some chalk and wrote the below....

It didn't take long for Clara to join in on the fun!

But I was really surprised when I looked up and saw that Sophie had brought out some decorations for one of our small seedlings.

Here's a closeup.  Just in time for Valentine's Day!

"Welcome to My PlayTime".  I adore kids and their play.

But here comes the best part....  Sophie was barefoot outside even though it was quite chilly.  Rather than go inside and put on socks and shoes (as I'd suggested more than once!), she collected a bucket, had her Dad fill it with warm water.....then dipped her feet in and relaxed.  I really cracked up when I noticed she'd picked up one of my magazines and was reading through it.  It was like spa time out in the yard!!!

These kids sure do know how to have a good time!

Daffodils

Earlier tonight the fading sun was streaming in our kitchen window. It was so beautiful. My daffodils just happened to be sitting there so I RAN to get my camera.  So glad I did.  This picture just slays me.  I really, really love it.  Daffodils are truly one of life's simple pleasures! 

What Does A Hero Look Like?

Well, today, in our little corner of the world, a hero looked just like this....

The weather was beautiful today so we decided to visit the park.  Alain was near the lake with Clara....allowing her to venture around a little.  Sophie and I went to the restroom.  As we returned and approached Alain & Clara, we noticed a little boy standing next to them and he was DRENCHED.  I knew immediately what had happened.  It's a fear I've often had.  The little boy had been riding his bike down the sidewalk which leads (downhill) to the lake.  Instead of turning with the sidewalk, his bike hit the small little rock "wall" (it rises maybe two inches above the sidewalk) and he'd flipped right over the handlebars and into the lake.  I'm not sure how he did it but Alain, with Clara in his arm, reached down, grabbed the boy's arm and lifted him out of the lake to safety.  

By the time we reached them, a small crowd had started to form.  None of those people were the boy's parents.  Luckily, a young woman noticed that Eddie (as we learned was his name) was wearing hearing aids and she immediately removed them to avoid any further water damage.  We tried speaking to him to find out if he knew his parents' phone numbers but I think he was in shock. He just kept repeating that he'd fallen into the lake.  Since the weather had just reached around 50 degrees, Eddie was REALLY cold.  The young woman and I helped him remove his jacket and shirt. Alain removed his own long-sleeved shirt and we put it on Eddie.  I also wrapped my scarf around his neck.  

Alain and the young woman, along with Sophie and another friend, walked Eddie around the lake to look for his parents.  It took over half an hour.  As it turns out, Eddie was seven years old, he couldn't swim and he also didn't know his parents' phone numbers.  I think we were all relieved and happy once he was reunited with his own family.  

As the day wore on, I kept thinking back to the famous quote by Mr. Rogers (the one that recently resurfaced during the Newtown tragedy and has become famous all over again!)....

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world.” — Mister Rogers

Alain was that helper today.

So were all the other people who gathered around to see how they could help and who attempted to comfort Eddie.  

I'm glad our daughters got to see a side of their Dad that they didn't know before.  Alain has always been our hero but, today, I'm glad he was Eddie's hero as well.  Alain says "hero" is exaggerating  but I don't think so.  As Eddie panicked and floundered around in the water, knowing that he couldn't swim, I'm sure a nice, strong arm from out of nowhere reaching in to lift him to safety must have felt like a lifesaver!  

We love you, Alain.  Even if we are exaggerating, you're still our hero! 

Snapshots from a Friday

This morning I decided it'd be kind of fun to document my day as much as possible by taking pictures throughout the day.  I didn't get to take as many as I wanted but here's a peek....

You'd think I'd never done this parenting thing before.  Clara LOVES washing her hands.  Today, I pulled a chair up to the sink, grabbed a few toys and let her have at it.  She played there, totally entranced, for 45 minutes.  FORTY-FIVE MINUTES!  It's the first thing that's ever held her attention for more than a few minutes.  Seriously.  How come it took 18 months for me to figure that out???

THIS was my big purchase at the antique store!!!  A small little pitcher in my favorite color. As soon as I saw it, I knew I'd buy it and I knew I'd use it as a vase.  Clara & I made a run to Trader Joe's this morning and I bought one of their $3.99 bouquets.  I smile every single time I see it on my kitchen counter!  Awesome purchase!

At Trader Joe's, I also picked up some items for a gift for my sweet aunt who hasn't been feeling well.

While Clara was napping, I took Hubbs out for a walk.  He LIVES for these breaks from wearing his cone. And I'm really enjoying walking him several times each day!

When I made Sophie's bed, I remembered how much I love her room.  When I decorated her nursery, I often said, "this is my favorite room in the house".  It probably still is.  Clara's nursery would be a tough competitor.....if I ever finished it!!!

When I make Soph's bed, Clara relishes the opportunity to play in Big Sissy's dollhouse. Today I wound up Sophie's jewelry box and Clara fell in love with the spinning ballerina.

When I straightened Clara's room, I wanted to take a picture of some of her books on her nightstand.  She is NUTS about her books and we read almost all of them within the course of a day!

Clara "helps" me with the laundry.

While we run some errands, Clara serenades me from the backseat.

 

For Clara and I, the highlight of our day is picking Sophie up from school.

Sophie shows off her school folder which reflects the highest mark on the behavior chart.  It was Community Helper Week at school and today she and her classmates had to dress like a community helper of their choosing.  Soph chose to be a veterinarian, a choice that I know was inspired by Hubbell's surgery this week.  To play along, Alain and I addressed her as "Doctor" for the entire day.

Chopping potatoes for dinner.  Ever since I learned that non-organic potato farmers don't eat their own potatoes, I've only bought organic ones.  To me, it's worth the higher cost.

So, that's it.  These photos are only a smidgen of our day and doesn't include our family walk, a lovely Shabbat dinner, a visit to a few stores, and all of the other moments.  Still, it was kind of fun having the camera at my fingertips and remembering to use it every once in a while!

Hope you all have a lovely, lovely, lovely weekend!