The Gymnast

Finally got around to uploading photos of Buby's graduation at The Little Gym last week. What a sport!




The beam, the bars, and chasing the ladies. Rough life!

Grand-O-Grams

A few months back, these super sweet postcards started showing up in our mailbox. Maybe one a week. They were from Graga to Buby with messages like "Loved my gift... I can't wait to see you," etc. I was intrigued. What a cute idea. Called Grand-Oh-Grams, the postcards are designed by fellow mom Marianne Richmond to provide a snazzy way for grandparents to keep in touch with their faraway grandchildren. For $9.95 you get a box of 22 different tear-out cards. My brother Billy bought a set for my mom, and I'm so happy she uses them. We save every one. Marianne sells More Grand-Oh-Grams as well, which includes reply cards for the kiddos to write back. Here are two samples I scanned in. She also sells books, journals and other homemade goodies, so check her out.

Speaking of...

... artist and mom Marianne Richmond, she has a blog link on her site. Bien sure, I checked it out and just had to share this posting with you. I LOVE the "say what you mean and mean what you say" rule. This simple suggestion from M.R. mixes it up. Keeps it fresh. I'd like to think more... respond better. And pass that onto Buby. My new responses to "How are ya?"......

"Oh so GROOVY, how about you?"

"LOVELY, and yourself?"

"FANTASTICAL"

"LUCKY IN LIFE"

"Brilliant, absolutely BRILLIANT!"

6 Going on 16

Grace is the fabulous niece, and she turns 6 today! Grace is an adventurer. She can do anything her big brother can do. Grace is wild and funny, clever and smart. She is lovely and darling and a girly girl at once. Grace is into sweets and shoes and knows her way around a computer. Uncle T. and I are so sad that we can't be there for her party. We wish we lived closer. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY, GRACE!

{Scooter Girl birthday card from Inspire Company.}

Love You, Bubs!

I just wanted to tell you again, in case you didn't hear me the first 50,000 times. Daddy & I love you every minute of every day, every where, and in every way.

Illustrations We Love

Dog


Moocow


Goldfish


Bluebird

Sweet illustrations of nature, $150, by NYC artist Jonty Bloom. All signed, numbered, 11x14 unframed, and available exclusively through Modern Tots. I find this children's artwork simple, graphic, totally inspiring. They make me want to paint again.

1 Day

And counting! Buby's grandma will be here in 1 short day. Thursday mornings Buby and I shop for the week. Today we will pick up an extra something for Graga. She loves these Popsicle brand Firecrackers. The red cherry, white lemon, and blue raspberry flavors are unlike anything else in the frozen treats aisle. I remember as a little girl and eating them in the summertime with my mom and brothers. Our 21st century Chilly Willy {Buby Land's annoying--err, I mean beloved--ice cream truck guy} sells them for I'm sure 4xs the amount we paid back then. Our tongues turned the brighest red and then the coolest blue.

Blush Strokes

Original pink painting on paper by Buby. Dated: 6.19.07. Origination:

Lillian's house. Special Thanks: Erika. Value: Priceless

2 Days

And counting! Buby's grandma will be here in 2 short days. And if she loves us at all, she'll make us a pie next week. She still uses Buby's great grandmother's crust recipe, which is insanely delicious! It's the only crust I'll eat. Everyone in our family devours my mom's homemade pies, except for Buby. But we'll stop at our local farmer's market this week, pick up some fresh peaches, and see what we can do about that! Here's a list of my mom's most requested pies.

1. Raspberry-Apple Crumb
2. Cherry
3. Apple Lattice
4. Peach
5. Banana Cream
6. Lemon Cream
7. Chocolate Cream

image: google

The Best Book

We showed this book once before... it made it into Buby's hospital bag.
It's STILL his go-to book! A major marvel in Buby Land where toddler tires of everything at lightening speed. It's the perfect size for him to tote all around the house. We read it together before bed last night and again early this morning. As I say the body parts, Buby points to them on both of us with a big proud grin. "God Bless Me" by Helen Haidle {with illustrations by Susan
Banta} is such a sweet book geared to the 4 and under set. Given it's longevity
in Buby Land, it's definitely worth an excerpt. Even without the wonderful illustrations, it makes for a fun and easy-to-memorize bedtime prayer.

God bless my eyes. They help me see. I like to watch the bumblebees.
God bless my ears. I love to hear. The trumpets blowing loud and clear.
God bless my lips. God bless my nose. I kiss my mommy and smell the rose.
God bless my mouth. It opens wide so lots of berries fit inside.
God bless my teeth. God bless my tongue. I chew my tasty food--it's fun!
God bless my hands that clap, clap, clap. And bless the toes I tap, tap, tap!
God bless the fingers on each hand. I'll build a castle in the sand.
God bless my arms. I reach up high. I'll hug you tight and wave good-bye.
God bless my feet. They help me run. I hop and skip out in the sun.
God bless my voice--I sing and pray, and thank my God for each new day.

Mommy & Me Music

Begins today. Will let you know how our first class goes.

Not-So-Mellow Yellow

Original marker on paper by Buby. Dated: 6.26.07. Origination: Lillian's house. Special Thanks: Erika. Value: Priceless

3 Days

And counting. Buby's grandma will be here in 3 short days! She only visits Buby Land a couple of times a year... usually only once by herself, and that trip is a week. During this time, she makes me laugh when I least expect it. She makes Buby giggle and grin incessantly. She makes my husband the best comfort foods. So we all get a little spoiled by her presence.

My mom and I are such opposites on so many levels, and exactly the same person on so many others. Having her here is not like having a house guest. It's like having a play date slumber party. She knows how to tell a real good story {no matter the subject}, so I ask her to repeat some of my favorite stories again and again... because I like how she tells them.

She warned me today that she packed early... but certainly not lightly. Already I've heard she has a box of shoes {I told her flip-flips and sneaks is all she'll need}, a box of old photo albums {per my request}, a box of cooking supplies {my rolling pin just doesn't cut it} all ready to go. Oh boy! We talk everyday. I don't know how to edit my conversations with her. And she occasionally jokes, "Oh, now we won't have anything good to talk about when I visit." No worries, Mom, I doubt we'll ever run out of good things to talk about.

image: flickr

Elegant Scribble

Original crayon abstract by Buby. Dated: 6.25.07. Origination: Buby Land. Special Thanks: Mama. Value: Priceless

To-Do: Buy This Paper

In my infinite search for all things amazing and organizational, I stumbled upon these simple, chic, ingenious notepads for type-A list makers like myself. I am an organized person deep down inside {former office space aside--I can just hear my friends chuckling}. For as long as I can remember I have kept separate lists for all areas of my life. These days, working from home, I find myself simplifying. I narrow it all down to two broad categories: "Work" and "Home." The Balance Sheet, $9, from Pokka Dots will let me prioritize my daily or weekly to-dos in both areas, in plain view. LOVE IT! {Not sure yet how many pieces you get for $9... I'm checking on that.}

Globotote: Check It Out!

Friends of ours just launched the Globotote, and I know this latest "green" venture of theirs will see HUGE successes. Check out their site HERE and get on board with these uber chic and smartly designed 100% recycled polypropylene shopping bags. Be in support of all things earthy, charitable and multipurpose! I plan to buy and give as gifts. You can grab a multipack in four colors (sea, sun, leaf, earth) for only $10.99 at Globotote.com.

River Dance

Nothing makes me happier than catching my boys in an especially happy moment. Meaning my husband and my almost-two-year-old Buby. They have many things in common. A love of fishing is one of them.

Pre Buby, I went river fishing with Tom quite a bit and liked it quite a bit. The whole process intrigues me. Going off in search of the perfect stoop of shore on which to cast and reel in the empty line again and again. The monotony of it is calming. The sport doesn't require chit-chat nor does it prohibit it. Sometimes we fished side-by-side and other times we split up and could barely hear each other calling in the distant woods. {That would be me calling for help to get my line out of a tree or off a branch floating downstream}. Now that Buby is starting to take interest in these weekend fishing expeditions, I prefer to step back and snap photos, collect rocks, or just watch in amazement as one adoring little fella gets quality time with his hero. Someone he simply calls "DADDY."



All shots taken by moi, 6.24.07

The Secret Garden

We're almost to July. Our three shades of pink roses are going strong, despite the heat and our lackadaisical deadheading habits. Thousands of {what I think are called} trumpet vines have blossomed in the last week, adding vibrant orange color to our stone walkway. And yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting our very first hydrangea of the season. Our hydrangeas are blue and gorgeous in full bloom, so their arrival is something to celebrate.

As for the rest, I'm ashamed to say I cannot name any of them. Ashamed because my father was a professional landscaper when I was younger, I planted flowers for him, my brother studied horticulture, and my first publishing job out of college was with a national gardening magazine. I was the fact checker {my mom still laughs at this title}--the person who knew all the plant names (Latin and common). I was there for over three years. So yes, I am ashamed that roses and hydrangeas join a very elite group of plants in our yard that I am able to identify. To make matters worse, we bought a house with a beautiful landscape that was obviously painstakingly maintained from year to year. By someone who knew what they were doing, albeit she planted things a little close together if you ask me. I appreciate these exquisite symbols of nature's bounty, maybe more than anyone, but I haven't a clue what to call them. To Buby I say "Look, yellow flower. Pretty purple flower! Mmmm, smell."

I do have some old gardening references in the attic from that first job out of college... I suppose I could go dust them off. Or... you could just write in and tell me what's what when I post flower shots. THANK YOU! All of these photos were taken by moi on Sunday afternoon while on break from staining the new picket fence Daddy built {what did I get myself into??} and while the boys washed the motorcycle in the driveway. Translation: Daddy hosed down and Buby did what he does best: Splash in puddles. Of mud. So muddles.

Birds & Blueberries

This wall art by Gale Kaseguma from Craftsbury Kids is called "Birds & Blueberries." How appropriate for a weekend in Buby Land. We watch birds and eat lots of blueberries. Have a good one!

Duck Duck Goose

Buby's favorite new game is Duck Duck Goose with Mama. (Well, that and pretending to be a mermaid on dry land.) I sit on the floor and he slowly circles me. Pats me on the head. "GUCK... GUCK... GUCK... GOO!!" The mischievous grin on his face turns to an excited scream when he hits "GOO!!" He laughs. Then his turn to sit and I walk in a circle. He tries to anticipate when the "GOO!" is near and jumps up to beat me to the punch. Buby thinks he's sooo smart. I love our games.

image: google

Cardinal Rules

There is an exquisite cardinal who has found a home here in Buby Land. Cardinal lives with his family in our biggest tree, which isn't very big at all. We're happy to catch any glimpse of him. He flies from the tree to our fence post and back to the tree again. Like he's head of security on lookout. Cardinal has little ones. Sadly, on Wednesday a baby chick fell from the tree and didn't make it. I'm relieved Buby wasn't watching then, but his daddy was and had the unpleasant task of moving the chick. It's heartbreaking and hopefully won't happen again. The last two years our patio tree was home to another kind of bird. Who made the best little chirpy sounds in the morning but left the entire patio covered in bird doo doo by the afternoon. Since the cardinal took over residence this year, no doo doo. He really is a beautiful creature.

image: google

CHECK It Out

I love these monogrammed retro oilcloth lunch bags, $18 each, from Warm Biscuit. They are shaped just like little brown paper bags but can be reused, washed and strutted by all your friends in the lunch room again and again.



Same goes for this monogrammed kids suitcase, $66, from Warm Biscuit. Buby & Co. is wild about the red-and-blue gingham check pattern. And it's just the right size for an overnight bag. I had a "Going to Grandma's" suitcase I felt very strongly about as a little girl. It was a hard red case with a metal latch. I packed my Strawberry Shortcake doll collection in it most of the time but daydreamed nonetheless about all the trips I would take with the red suitcase.

Cool Diaper Caddy

This Toolbox Diaper Caddy, $38, from Modern Tots is a cool addition to contemporary digs. And chic alternative to the wicker baskets or canvas boxes. A cinch to clean, the 14.5 inch high organizer holds 12 diapers plus ointments, creams, cotton swabs, and wipes. The side pockets are removable.

Fishermen's Photo Gallery

Buby's first fly fishing trip was last weekend. It wasn't far from the Strawberry Pancake Breakfast--someone planned well! Buby & Co. travelled to a different spot on the same river in '06, but Buby and I nature hiked there instead, lunched on a blanket, and collected rocks while Daddy stood waste-deep in the cold rapids. This year Buby stood knee-high in the water, Crocs on of course. He held Mama's hand as we practiced walking on the rocky, slippery terrain. There were about a billion tadpoles swimming around our feet. I've never seen so many. The smell: fresh air. The sound: running water. The feeling: leisure. Buby tried out the groovy Shakespeare rod Daddy bought him, but it just didn't cut it. One glance at the old man casting and that was it. He wanted the BEEG rod to catch the BEEG fish. Okay, Buby. So the boys worked on technique for a while before Daddy suggested ice cream. Ice cream? Did someone say ice cream? It was hot, and I never ran to the car so fast! The three of us split a homemade strawberry banana sundae, the perfect end to a sweet Sunday.