365 gratitude project: Days 120 and 121

Day 120 (Saturday, April 28):

on saturday mornings, p plays in a soccer league.

she has so much fun playing with the boys (she is the only girl in the coed league),

and her coach is just about the best coach ever.

this saturday it was a little chilly, 

but l kept herself warm by happily running around by herself.

so grateful for the fun we all had, despite the cool weather and cloudy sky.

Day 121 (Sunday, April 29):

so grateful for a fun little discovery we made.

we went to the virginia museum of fine arts, 

intending to go inside and see art (which we did eventually),

but the best part was watching the girls have fun.

there is a big deck alongside a beautiful fountain, 

and the girls had a blast while we enjoyed the sun.

also, so happy to finally have a photograph of p!

even if she is walking away from the camera.

365 gratitude project: Days 118 and 119

Day 118 (Friday, April 27):

*I had two things that I am very grateful for today, so I decided to include them both.  Why not, right?

so grateful for this sweet little girl, her sweet big brothers, and her sweet parents.

b had to work late, so they had the girls and me over for dinner,

and it was so much fun.

see the kids playing in the background? they had an epic soccer match as the sun went down.

great night.

our beautiful roses!  

i am grateful that these pretty flowers greet me every time i return home, 

as they are right at the top of our driveway.

and get this: i planted them myself!  

seriously, i have no green thumb at all, so i am quite proud of these little beauties.

 Day 119 (Saturday, April 28):

so happy that there is some homemade art back up on our walls!

when we were showing our house, we had to take our art wall down

(it was a rotating gallery of the girls' art),

and when i saw this masterpiece that p created with stickers and a pen,

well, i just knew it had to go up.

Photos: Before and After (Lightroom)

I have to stop being lazy and stop resisting photo editing!  I love the results when I do spend a few minutes tweaking a photo in Lightroom.  Look at the subtle differences below:

before lightroom:

after lightroom:

 before lightroom:

 after lightroom:

 before lightroom:

 after lightroom:

 before lightroom:

 after lightroom:

What do you think? Pretty cool, right?

A New Twist

Look at what I found:

It is called  the 365 grateful project, and it sounds like just what the doctor ordered for me.  Watch the video - it is quite sweet and simple.  I'm already taking a photo a day (or many, most days), so now I just need to reflect on these moments and truly appreciate the little things.  Sounds like a way to get me out of my funk. (Have I mentioned that I've been in a funk?  Yes, I have.  A big one.)

Let me know if you decide to give it a go, too.

365 Project: Days 107 - 117

Day 107 (Monday, April 16):

we came home from school.

p and i were in the kitchen having a snack.

but where was l?

in her room, "reading" a book to her friends whom she had tucked in bed.

Day 108 (Tuesday, April 17):

my view from the sofa.

where i often nap in the afternoons.

lucky me.

Day 109 (Wednesday, April 18):

we went outside to blow bubbles.

l wanted to bring this silicone placemat to draw.

Day 110 (Thursday, April 19):

l's first face, drawn in chalk in our driveway.

i wish i had a photo of p's first face.

i bet i have her actual first drawn face somewhere...

Day 111 (Friday, April 20):

bathtime at our house.

p in the tub, playing, happily.

l hiding under her towel to get warm.

my feet, and me, surveying the scene.

Day 112 (Saturday, April 21):

liked the shadows by our calendar.

nice moment.

Day 113 (Sunday, April 22):

sweet cuddles on a sunday morning.

p was still sleeping, snug as a bug, tucked in her bed.

Day 114 (Monday, April 23):

l often goes off on her own to play, happy as a clam.

here she is with lucy the dog and ella.

Day 115 (Tuesday, April 24):

roses from our front yard!

i planted these with my own hands,

and they are doing so well.

proud moment for me.

(need to edit this photo to make it less peachy)

Day 116 (Wednesday, April 25):

at the doctor for l's 3 year checkup.

small bench and cute sparkly tom's.

Day 117 (Thursday, April 26):

it was pouring so l and i went to target after dropping p at school.

l loves books, and she found a big section of princess books.

she was happy and could have stayed for an hour.

*So many photos of l!  Where is P?  I'm going to have to get her in some photos without a scowl on her face...I'm feeling guilty.

Yes! Photography inspiration...

I found this here, and I wanted to post it for myself.

Kitchen Inspiration

Would you just look at this:

I first saw this on Simply Grove (or was it Sacramento Street?), and I am completely smitten!  I love the modern and sleek cabinets, countertop, and oven topped off with one level of open shelving that appears to go on forever.  And then the juxtaposition of the worn wooden table and dark chairs - love it!

This is a case for me to only purchase white dishes from now on.  But where's the fun in that...

What I'm Reading: The Blessing of a Skinned Knee

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel has been on my "To Read" list since I had P over 5 years ago.  I have learned so much from it already, and I'm only halfway through.

I finally decided to read it because a friend mentioned she was in the middle of it and that it was giving her some practical ways to make life with a toddler less stressful.  I have been struggling with stress and parenting recently, mostly with P, my 5 year old.  Don't get me wrong, L, my 3 year old, certainly gives me a run for my money on a daily basis, but her tantrums and battles are expected.  P is incredibly sensitive, but she has also been giving me serious attitude, which is new within the last few months.  So I was looking for help because clearly, something wasn't working.

Mogel takes her approach to parenting from historic Jewish teachings, and while not a religious person, these teachings make complete sense to me.  No, I do not have to make sure my children like me at all times.  I would rather make them good people who have to learn to deal with disappointment and learn to respect and treat others the way they want to be respected and treated.  They are wonderful girls whom I absolutely adore, but it's okay if they are not the perfect children who excel at everything. They are unique individuals who may never be the best in school or the best at sports, and that's just fine.  (As long as they're pretty.  Just kidding! I couldn't resist throwing in a little joke during this seriousness.)

I want P and L to be happy more than anything else, but I also want them to be good people.  I want them to know the difference between 'want' and 'need,' and to contribute to our life as a family.  I never had to do chores (I know that's crazy), but seeing as there is always so much to be done at home, a little lesson in working together, hard work, and contributing to the greater good would really be beneficial to everyone.

We have started with two small rules: 1) no interrupting when others are speaking, and 2) sitting at the table for meals until you've been excused.  It's amazing how often while I am in the middle of a conversation with one child, the other one comes up, seemingly unaware that someone else is already speaking and that they have to wait.  And I don't know why they both want to eat standing up or bouncing around, but it drives me crazy.  Perhaps setting a new tone for our family will allow me to enjoy the moments more often.

I guess that's where this all comes from - I wasn't enjoying enough of this whole stay-at-home motherhood thing.  I know, that sounds awful and let me tell you, it feels really awful.  The girls are growing so fast (P has two adult teeth coming in and is slowly but surely learning to read, and L can now go to the bathroom - number 1 at least, let's not get ahead of ourselves - by herself), but I've been feeling so frazzled and spread so thin.  And I only have two kids!  I want to enjoy as much as possible and to laugh and play with them while they still want to hang with their momma.

So, I will keep on reading and I will continue to implement new expectations or routines or rules in as gentle a way as possible, and hopefully there will be more smiling and genuine happiness all around.

Forks Over Knives

On Friday night, B and I watched a movie that a friend recommended, and let's just say that it was pretty compelling.  I highly recommend it, unless you think worrying about what you're eating and how it plays a role in your health is a bunch of hogwash.  For us it was eye-opening, for sure.

Forks Over Knives is a film that examines why Americans are so sick, despite all of the advances in science and medicine.  Doctors, scientists, and researchers are interviewed, studies are discussed and explained, and not to give it away, but we have been eating differently since we saw it.

If you do watch it, let me know what you think.

365 Project: Days 96 - 106

Day 96 (Thursday, April 5):

l doesn't have school on tuesdays and thursdays,

and i desperately needed a shower.

so i set her up on our bed with a stack of library books,

and she was as happy as could be.

Day 97 (Friday, April 6):

on the drive up to nyc for a quick weekend visit.

i think this little bridge is somewhere in maryland,

and it was just a beautiful scene with the sun and the water.

Day 98 (Saturday, April 7):

looking up at the ceiling in my childhood bedroom at my parents' apartment.

i was lying in bed, staring at the pretty chandelier and the cool shadows.

the camera+ app made it even cooler.

Day 99 (Sunday, April 8):

walking home from a friend's house.

i asked the girls to stand in front of these beautiful bushes.

l did this without missing a beat.  p wasn't in the mood to be photographed!

Day 100 (Monday, April 9):

i take so many photos of little baby h and she's not even mine.  

(you can imagine how many photos i have of my babies...)

both p and l love this little girl (and her whole family)

and they always want to hold her.  

Day 101 (Tuesday, April 10):

look what we discovered in the hanging geranium outside our front door!

the next day there were 5 eggs.

we keep checking (but not touching, don't worry!) every day, 

but none have hatched yet.

i will keep you posted.

Day 102 (Wednesday, April 11):

our sunroom, flooded with light,

while l plays school or library or something else

that grownups are not allowed to participate in.

Day 103 (Thursday, April 12):

p at the top of the pole she climbed up.

it took all of her strength and she had to fight her way up,

but she did it and was very proud.

Day 104 (Friday, April 13):

the louis vuitton store at an outdoor mall near us 

always has great displays.

i love this display of colored arrows,

 and the reflection of my gals makes it even better.

(p.s. now the girls know exactly what an arrow looks like.)

Day 105 (Saturday, April 14):

i took only one photo this entire day.

baby h being held by b.

sweet.

Day 106 (Sunday, April 15):

we went downtown to a family day at an outdoor art project.

the gals were feeling quite fancy and feisty,

and i asked them to smile because i loved the grittiness of the surroundings.

they make me laugh.

A Secret

Hi friends.

Can you believe I have caught up with my 365 Project?  I'm sure I will fall behind again, but it feels good for the moment.

I have a secret to share with you today.  I discovered these a week or two ago, and I'm really sort of amazed at how incredible they are.  Curious?  Well, let me introduce you to...

Dorot!

I found these awesome little treasures in the freezer at Trader Joe's, and they make me so happy.  Now, I am no chef, but using these makes cooking easier by eliminating the need to chop sticky garlic or delicate cilantro when I have hungry girls waiting for dinner.

The little cubes slide out easily (no need to defrost), and within moments, you have your crushed garlic or cilantro all set and ready to go.

Last night I made some delicious black beans which I begin with sautéed garlic and onions.  No more chopping garlic for me, thank you very much!  I added two cubes and the onion and was done.  In case you're wondering, I then added two cans of black beans, some cumin, a dash of cinnamon which is totally optional and depends on your taste, and then let the beans simmer with some veggie stock for an hour and a half, adding more stock when needed.  They were delicious.

Oh, and if you have some beautiful Alexis Bittar bracelets, I highly recommend wearing them while you cook because you'll have just a little extra spring in your step.  (Have I mentioned that I adore his jewelry?)

The Dorot cilantro went into the guacamole, and because my girls sometimes eat guacamole, I cut a cube in half so the cilantro flavor wasn't too strong for them.  It's so much easier than chopping!  I love these little cubes, and the clever and fun packaging makes it even more enjoyable.  Wow, I sound way too enthusiastic about these...

p.s. Like my pottery bowls?  Yup,  made them!

365 Project: Days 91 - 95

Day 91 (Saturday, March 31):

we were all hanging out in the sunroom on this rainy day.

b and i were reading and the girls were playing.

i had fun experimenting with instagram.

 Day 92 (Sunday, April 1):

i took some much needed time away from everyone

and headed to barnes and noble where i completely enjoyed

flipping through magazines and not speaking to anyone.  ahhhh.

Day 93 (Monday, April 2):

the girls needed new shoes and i told them about toms.

p spotted these sparkly gold ones as soon as we walked in.

l took a few minutes to chose between blue sparkly and red sparkly.

these little shoes make us all so happy.  funny how some sparkles can do that, huh?

Day 94 (Tuesday, April 3):

we spent the afternoon drawing and baking.

these kisses were very tempting to us all.

and yes, i think l did touch all of them!

Day 95 (Wednesday, April 4):

at sweet frog...again.

i had to make a new rule that we can only go once a week.

it never gets old.