TWTW....

So many people come up with great ideas for the start of a new year. Some take photos every day for the year. They put spins on this such as self portraits or sharing the process with best friends that have multiple oceans between them. Others start an exercise regimen and I suppose I felt like I needed a "something" to latch onto for the year. I haven't totally abandoned the exercise regimen but for now this is in the forefront.

I've given up my commitment to some of my other blogs and decided to focus on mine for the year. I love this creative process so much and didn't feel good about spreading myself out all over the place without ever really being anywhere. So, my "THING" this year will be, TWTW a.k.a The Week That Was. Don't get me wrong. I'm not one for living in the past. As my father says, "Don't look in your rear view mirror". I love photographing my family, friends and I'm usually the one drawn to archiving a moment in one way or another. So, I thought, since I have yet to finish my younger (he's 2) sons baby book, that this would be a document to cherish in the future and one I can thoroughly enjoy creating in the present. So, on Sundays(ish), because I'm just being realistic and kind to myself, I'll post an update accompanied, hopefully, by a picture or two about TWTW. I plan on posting a time or two throughout the week but I thought that I'd create a plan for at least getting one up/week. I hope you'll enjoy the first issue. To be out this Sunday(ish)...I know I'll enjoy the pleasure of putting it together. I'm already looking forward to the pretty leather bound version of the first volume - 2008, The Week(s) that Were.. Ooooh, I'm really getting into this. See you Sunday(ish) if not before.

I've experienced another full circle moment... Close to four decades ago, my parents had the forethought to purchase a wonderful, family friendly, house in the mountains of a tiny ski community. We've been sheltered by that house for every school vacation I had as a student. We often traveled here with lots of cousins and friends. Many of my fond memories of childhood and family are en grained in this building.

Things change and stay the same. How that happens at the same time I will never know....but this is one of those times. I can clearly remember learning to ski here at the age of three. Terrified for my parents to leave me at ski school, terrified of going too fast, etc. I suppose I should confess that I was usually terrified of everything. Fast forward 34 years, in 2005, my son took his inaugural ski lesson at the age of 3. As an aside, I think it's important to know that, at least in this ski town, when you learn to ski, especially a child, you don't use the chairlift, instead, a moving "magic" carpet. Fast forward a few more years and now my oldest is 5 years old. Yesterday was a pivotal day in his existence. It might not seem like a big deal for you, perhaps, it doesn't even seem like a bid deal to my son, but yesterday he went on the chairlift. All the way to the top of the mountain. He became part of that cute troop of little shushers in a row all skiing down in a snowplow behind their teacher. It seemed so matter of fact to him. He was so brave and his instructor said he was so "good at getting on and off the lift as well as making his piece of pie to stop" I don't know why this felt like such a big deal to me. Maybe because it proves that I'm no longer the child but the cheerleader parent. I'm so happy that this is not a struggle that my child had to endeur. I'm so glad he loves the sport and hope that I get to shuss down the hill next to him today.... I hope I can keep up.

Do You Believe in Magic?

C'mon, I know you are singing along and just can't remember the next line. It's okay though...I can't either. The Chicago public library (CPL) has a lot going for it. Of course it has some downsides too...what organization doesn't. However, every once in a while they hit the jackpot. For example, CPL offers free passes to over a dozen of the most popular, and some you may have not heard of, museums in Chicago. That means you don't have to shell out some insane amount for parking in addition to an entrance fee. Even better is ...

The rest of this post can be found HERE and click here for more info on this magician.

Shabbat Shalom

This is so fun. You can't help but smile when you hear or watch it.
Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!

Memories (Picture This)

First of all, you should know that this is Me. As in, the one swadled quite cozily in the blanket. As memories go, this was perhaps my first. After having my own kids...I think this strikes up a whole batch of new memories. I really love this pic and something about the fact that my Dad is holding me seems extra special, especially in the 60's. Don't feel bad Mom, I know you took the pic and in the way of Baby books, I didn't pull the long straw so thank you for snapping this shot.

Check out other Thursday Themes at Picture This

Well Done RH Girl

I know we are several holiday past Rosh Hashana. However, this was so well done, with exception to the end, that I had to share. Enjoy - and thanks to ImaBima


Click here for Lyrics.

AbraCadabra....Woof!

Halloween is a fun holiday, but not one I've always loved...even my kids just "sort of" like it. Don't get me wrong...they love candy but my oldest didn't even want to wear his costume. He eventually saw his friends having fun and then put his on and also joined in the action, I just don't know what it is about this crazy holiday. However, the sense of brotherhood between my guys was just what I've always hoped for. My oldest even loved putting the makeup freckles on my youngest...It was pretty great to witness. Perhaps the moon of Halloween is what we needed.

This was my youngest first trick or treating experience and I think this picture captures his awe of the whole experience. Plus, you should know, everytime someone handed him a piece of candy...he handed them one. What a sweety. He also thought the bag was filling up by some magic...perhaps that of his brother who also helped to get the candy in his little bro's bag.

the Mommy Ballet

I'm not going to even list an excuse as to why I haven't posted in so long. I'm just going to go with the fact that I post when I can and when time and creativity align. I'm not sure if it's PMS or the parenting world of guilt that are attacking me all at once. I'm sure it's all of the above. I feel like I'm disconnected. From myself, my social life and most of all...my sweet boys. How is it possible that I can work and be a good ENOUGH mother, wife, self? It's an internal battle I have constantly. I feel like their childhood is slipping away. How do I hang on to more of their sweet innocent yumminess? How do I make sure I'm preparing them for adulthood, self assuredness and the big world? How does anyone do it?

Last night I was concentrating on focusing only on them. It felt so good. We had a great evening of playdough and made our own animal train with the noises. At bedtime, they both got into their PJs and washed up and then I created the Mommy Ballet. I picked them each up independently and danced with them the way one dances when noone is looking and sang and spun and got on my tipitoes as well as a few dips and kisses. It sure made up for a crappy day and I think we all slept with smiles. My oldest felt the need to conduct a marriage ceremony for my husband and me. It was very cute and then he wanted us to do the "married dance". How precious. I have to remember this feeling so that I can remind myself that I'm not the worst mother.

Happy 2 Year Old Boy

I can't believe my youngest is two. It sounds so cliche' but I really don't know where 2 years have gone. Little one, you are my giggle guy, my easy sleeper. You have few words but communicate so easily. You LOVE to say my name and your hugs and kisses are hypnotically sweet. You have an uncanny way to brighten any sour mood and I relish coming home to hear you run to me, from anywhere in the house, while singing my name. You are patient with your brother, who isn't always the same with you. You are fiercely independent and think that anything your big, 5 year old brother can do, you can too. You make total strangers smile as you emphatically wave and say "Bye" to anyone you see. You easily make a game out of any small task and you adore washing your hands and wiping the table. It's hard for me to believe that just 9 months ago you were learning to walk. Now, I can't get you to stand still. 9 months before that you were just learning to crawl. Who knows where you will be 9 months from now. You never cease to amaze me. Your disposition is beautiful and I hope you continue to infect everyone with your gorgeous smile and your outrageously sweet laugh! I feel so lucky to have you in my life. I can only hope I steer you towards all the skills you need to stay so happy and peaceful.
I love you my sweet...Mom.

*I've also used this for a BSM...check out others HERE

BSM - FUN

This was just a whim...reminds me of a superman movie when they are locked in those plates of glass in the beginning. There is a great background story here...more to come.

Check out other Best Shot Mondays Here.