A Favorite Picture

Dave and I stumbled across this picture taken last winter/very early spring. I love it for so many reasons, but one of my favorite things is that Ellie is holding her trusted and faithful companion Baby Bear. He's been a member of our family for six years now. I don't think I have ever loved another teddy bear more.

Happy Thanksgiving

If you're like me, you'll start with the Thanksgiving parade, move on to a feast with the inlaws, have dessert with your side of the family and then finish with a nice glass of bubbly in celebration of making it through a whirlwind of a day.

Best wishes from our family to yours. Happy Thanksgiving!

From Moms With Love

I wanted to share this group of designers (who also happen to be moms) with you. They are an amazingly talented bunch of ladies, many of whom I am lucky enough to call friends.

During these economically challenging times it's important to buy for quality and not quantity. Not only are you getting a better product (that's made with love by people who are truly inspired by motherhood and children) that will last for years to come, you're supporting our national economy. So without further prelude I give you some of the best places to shop this holiday season. Enjoy!

Happy Turkey Day

Today is Ellie's last day of school before the holiday break. Since I caved and let her actually BUY a school lunch yesterday (which consisted of a pretzel, apple juice, chocolate milk and a cupcake someone brought in for a birthday) I felt compelled to compete. So I made her this turkey sunflower seed butter and jelly sandwich (Ellie embellished it with the blueberry flower). She was rather excited when she saw it.


**A special thank you to Vegan Lunchbox for the inspiration for countless lunchboxes across the world (not just ours)!**

Note: while we're not vegan or even vegetarian I am inspired by the fantastic creativity on Jennifer McCann's site and I am sure you will be as well!

American Education Week

This week parents all across the nation are being invited into their children's classrooms to see what their kids do when they're at school.

Unfortunately for us, both kids' open houses were held on the exact same day at the exact same time. Since I volunteer in Ellie's class every Wednesday, I thought it would be a good idea to see Jonah in action.

One of the parents was kind enough to bring along their camera and snapped pictures for everyone (wasn't that sweet?!).

Here is a picture of what Jonah does the majority of the time he's at school:


Painting:


And here is a shot of Dave and me. Not sure what we're discussing but I do notice now after looking at it that we were color coordinated that day. That was not intentional.

Cue Single Tear

Oh my little blog. My sweet, sweet little blog. I've never know much what to do with you. Often you serve as a corkboard where I hang pictures for our family and friends of the kids. Sometimes I try to use you as a platform to discuss our businesses. And I've even been known to use you to illustrate exactly what it is like to be married to Dave.

I fear you have become a hodgepodge of things. Not clearly defined and infrequently updated. If you were real, I'd bring you some flowers to make up for my neglect.

But remember, even though I may pal around with Facebook, I'll always come back home. Well for now anyway. I'm pretty fickle.

As American as....

Free Starbucks: Starbucks locations nation-wide will be giving out free cups of regular coffee when you flash your I Voted sticker.

Free Donuts: Krispy Kreme made star-shaped Election Day donuts for each customer sporting an I Voted sticker.

Free Ice Cream: Free scoop of Ben & Jerry's ice cream between 5 and 8 tonight. What says democracy better than a free scoop of Cherry Garcia?

So get out there and get your Vote on!

Costumes

This year we celebrated Halloween by hosting a little pre-trick-or-treating party. You can't trick-or-treat on an empty stomach now can you? After our meal the kids all congregated to the porch for some costume watching and pictures. And now I give you....

Dinoco Blue Lightning McQueen

Our version of Silvermist (an asymmetrical off the shoulder dress just wasn't practical for a chilly Halloween night)

The trick-or-treat crew