Taylor Made designs

Davis's Piano Recitals

 
On Sunday Davis had her 2nd piano recital at the conservatory, and my baby girl rocked it. I know there will be many things that will make Neal and I proud of our kids, but the sense of pride that surges through my body when she plays is just, well, touching to me.

To be honest, the most painful part of preparing for her performance is doing her hair :) Good god, the knots in her hair. Seriously. 

Like all performers, she gets nervous but the promise of dinner at her choice of restaurant and a cupcake afterwards at the reception seems to quell those nerves a bit. I wish it were that easy for me and her dad.  

{I am trying to upload a video of her performance, but I'm having trouble...damn technology.
I should just get my 9 year old son to do it! Hopefully I got it to work!}  

Missing: Front tooth

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood and before I head out of my studio for the day I felt the need to check in and say hi. {for any of you who are still visiting, HI, and thank you.}

So much has happened in the last eight months and I regret not documenting them. I have made a promise to myself to get back here and start up again. Beginning with my little one, who reminds me, she is not so little anymore, losing her first front tooth. This was her second tooth lost. Yup. Only second one. She's a late bloomer in the teeth department. But that's ok. She's growing up way too fast for me.

Naturally, the tooth fairy forgot to visit last night {she is getting old and tired} ... or so we thought. A little looking around and Davis found a nice five dollar bill tucked nicely under her Sour Ice Breakers container. As Davis said, "she's a tricky little thing mum."

William had the MCAs today. Tomorrow is the second part.The stress of this test had my son, who is smarter than me ask, "mum, what are the signs of anxiety?" Seriously. Why do they start so young?

Spring is here on the East Coast and I could not be happier :)

Davis's 1st Concert | Taylor Swift @ Gillette Stadium

 

Saturday night I took Davis to her first concert. I know, I know. She's only six. {I was 17 for my first concert.} But it's not like we were rocking out to Kesha or Rhianna. Who by the way, require me to switch the station when they are on because the lyrics make me blush. No. We are talking sweet Taylor Swift here. Great performer. Great concert. Great tickets. Great time. 

There were 9 mums and 11 kids who went. We traveled in style in a party bus/limo. It was so much fun, absolutely no stress having to deal with traffic + parking.

The concert was suppose to start at 6:00, but was pushed to 7:00. So we were able to catch a bite to eat at one of the fabulous restaurants at Patriot's Place. {which by the way, have you been there? fabulous!}

Yes, she did not perform till 9:00pm, yes, it rained, yes we got totally soaked, yes it took us 2 hours to get home. But it was Taylor Swift, and it was Davis's first concert. And as we walked back to the bus @11:00pm, her little hand in mind, I looked down at her wet, happy little face she smiled and told me, "this was so much fun, you are the best mum ever." And just for a minute, I forgot all about the rain. 

A Day at the Museum of Fine Arts

 
What kind of parent would I be if I didn't expose my kids to a little "cultcha" :) So, during vacation last week I took the kids to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We had such a good time.

As an artist myself, it pleased me to no end that both my kids loved the museum. We spent over three hours visiting all the different exhibitions. Naturally, William loved the Egyptian and Greek art. All reminisant of what Indian Jones might have found during one of his digs. Poor Davis was freaked out by all the talk of mummies. She asked if she could call me "kristen" instead of mummy... that's how freaked out she was! We could not get out of there fast enough for her. Poor thing.

Since we are reading all about the presidents, they were overjoyed at identifying Washington and John Quincy Adams in the Art of the Americas. They can name almost all the presidents. I'm lucky I know who the last five were! (and some of them I want to forget! ha!) We also managed to visit my favorite wing, the contemporary/modern art section. 

Now, I'm not a fan of self-serve, fast-food, so we ended our visit at one of their new bistros. I thought I could order the kids a nice plate of cheese + fruit like the good old days. But boy has it changed. Now it's fancy and expensive. Most entrees were @ $16 which for kids is a bit pricey, no? Davis will try and eat anything so I never worry about her. But William is a nightmare to feed. And, seeing that I was much like him growing up, I have a bit of soft spot for him and try not to give him a hard time about it. Anyway, our waiter could barely speak english - and I can barely speak spanish... so there was a lot of miscommunication. And not in a funny "sitcom" way :) The kids were hungry, but would not eat the food because, "it's not what we asked for mum! Tell him to do it right." It was so frustrating trying to explain to the waiter that there was suppose to be no red sauce on my son's pizza etc.  We ended leaving, hungry, tired, and well a bit pissy.

Not wanting this to dampen the kids experience, I found a Dunkin Donuts and bought them a donut + me a large coffee. Yup, a bit of Boston cultcha :)

Books + Bookplates

Aren't these a great idea? I just designed these bookplates for a school fundraiser.

Maybe it's all this snow and people are inside reading more, but I have never been so busy designing bookplates as I have this past January/February. How long this trend will continue is unknown seeing we are heading more and more towards digital media. No need for bookplates then :(

Myself, I've been doing my fair share of reading too. {just don't ask me if my books have bookplates in them.} Much like the cobbler's kids, my books are naked too. Someday I'll actually get around to placing bookplates inside them. Although lately the books I have been buying + reading have been on my iPad. A trend I have been slow to adapt. But adapting I am.

I have to admit, it's quite nice to open my iPad and read anywhere: the pool during swim lessons, the doctor's office, the hair salon.  The problem... I like paper. Ok, understatement. I love paper. I like the smell of books. I like the feel of paper and turning the pages of a book. Swishing my finger to turn the page doesn't have the same appeal for me.

I downloaded Treasure Island to read to the kids and it's just not the same as reading a hardcovered book. It's just not the same experience. I'd hate for them not to have a beautiful library full of books. So I continue to buy them books and yes, their books, unlike their mum's, have bookplates in them :)

My latest reads: Cutting for Stone, The Slap,  Peace Like A River, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet to name a few. All really great books.

So, what are you reading? Are you reading a hardcover or have you gone digital?  I want to know :)

Winter in New England

I am tempted to say, sucks. But I'm not :)

Despite the neverending snow storms, tree branches down, and day after day school cancellations, I have to admit...it's awfully pretty outside. Plus, I get to wear my new Northface boots. Which are also pretty and are very warm. They have been perfect for my daily walks with the dogs.

We have been watching my sister Renée's pug, Gracie, for the last week while she has an event down in Miami. {tough life huh?} She's one cute dog!

Go Pats!

We had to celebrate Neal's birthday early today... since the only thing he wanted was to be able to watch the Pat's game on TV :) We take our sports seriously here in New England...when we left Burton's @ 5:00 there was hardly anyone left in the restaurant.

We headed to The Derby Shoppes to buy The Penguin Home Soda Maker at Williams Sonoma for his birthday and then to have dinner at Burton's. Have you heard of "The Penguin"?  It's a godsend for our family since we drink Poland Springs Sparkling Water by the case. You basically eliminate the lugging, storage and disposal associated with store-bought soda and sparkling water. Terrific for the environment. Anyway, after they {the good folks at Williams Sonoma} did a demonstration, and got my kids all hyped up for it, they realized they did not have any left in the store :( Total buzzkill. They have one down in Mashpee, but I'm not too keen on having to drive 45 minutes there and 45 minutes back just to get this thing. Kinda goes against the whole "reducing your carbon footprint" concept of the product, huh?

So, I'm trying to see if anyone else carries this product locally. Companies can't ship it because of the bottled CO2. Once I get my hands on it, I'll give it a review :) Happy Sunday. Happy Birthday to my husband, and Go Pats!

1.11.11

Is it just me that gets excited about dates like this? The date occured to me on my morning walk with Montana. (in the freezing 24 degree weather) He wasn't all that impressed. Regardless, I told him to make a wish. He just sped up. Me?  I'm making wishes left and right...hoping one of them will come true :)

It's been awhile since I've been in this space. One of my 2011 "things to do" is keep my blog up to date. Keeping a blog is a good memory keeper and I'm disapointed that I let 2010 pass by without a lot of entries. 2010 was a good year! I want to remember so many things. Unfortunatly, most of my memories are tucked into my little brain... and let me tell you, that is not the most secure place for them :)

I am determined to take more photos + write more entries so I'll remember things better. I want to create some new artwork, maybe take an art class or two. I want to repaint the interior of our house. Take down some walls, pull up the floor in the kitchen. Seriously. I have big plans for 2011... but for some reason, all I want to do today is go buy dog bones and treats for Montana :)

 

Buy a Goodbyn Lunchbox and Save the World!

 

Ok, maybe not the world...but you'll save @ $190 in a year by not buying plastic baggies + juice boxes.  How's that?

Myself, I hate the concept of plastic baggies and packaging in general. Just today I was in Trader Joe's and they had these delicious peaches and I wanted to buy them, but the packaging was unbelievable. There was a wooden box, a plastic lid, a plastic shelve to hold the peaches and then tissue. I just couldn't bring myself to purchase them. If I wasn't in a hurry, I would have asked if I could buy the peaches but leave the packaging behind. Anyway, this summer  I was determined to figure out what I could do to eliminate waste. Cause you know, all these little gestures do add up!

So, I hit the internet in search of an alternative lunchbox for the kids. I am not sure how I found them, but I stumbled across Goodbyn. I loved the clean design of the site, and fell in love, {as much as one can} with the lunchbox and their overall philosophy. You can read about it here... it will warm your heart to know they are made right here in the good old USA by good + caring people :)

The lunchboxes come in a variety of fantastic colours, with and without ears {to aid in opening and closing} and most importantly, they come with a bunch of dishwasher safe stickers for the kids to decorate their boxes with. They had so much fun adding the stickers to their boxes. Just a creative exercise in general for them. Davis placed stickers on every surface, while William, my minimalist, applied them only to the cover and his drink bottle.

We've been using the Goodbyn for almost three weeks now + we have had no problems. No complaints. The kids love them. I feel great about not using plastic baggies. The kids have truly embraced the concept of being "green" :)

The customer service at Goodbyn is awesome. Overall, it's a company I would totally encourage others to support. Seriously, it will make you feel good to buy from these folks. Those of you local, The Toy Box in Hanover carries them. Goodbyn has a Facebook page and of course, there is their wonderful website.

Oh, no one asked me to write about this product... it's just when I come across a product as good as this, I believe in sharing :)

1st Day of School

Was a few weeks ago!

I wish I was as clever as Jenn over at Our Daily Big Top... the way she documents the first day of school for her kids. I might just make signs for the 3rd week of school - you know,  just to be in with the cool kids :)

We had such a terrific summer. I was sad to see it end and have school start. It's amazing how we are already into a new routine + I am loving it. I feel organized once again :) The kids have started at a new school. This is the first time they are taking the bus. I have gained over two hours of my day not sitting in a drop off/pick up line. Can you say, yipee? 

I do miss spending time with the kids. They are growing up so fast. Remember when Davis was just two? William was four? Whoever said, "The days are long, but the years fly by." totally had it right. 

Fearful of being compared to the boy that cried wolf, I am reticent to say I'm going to be back in this space more often, but I am going to try. Honest. When I look back at this blog, I am reminded of so many memories. It's  really a wonderful way to remember and capture the everday moments. 

Clair Hair

Not sure if it was the sand, the wind, or the coconut suntan lotion, but here is Davis, in her full, "clair hair" glory. For those of you LOST impaired, the "clair hair" reference is to a character on the TV show, who went insane on the island. Clair's hair represented her lunacy + it became her signature :) It's quickly becoming Davis's too :)

Whenever we get back from the beach/pool or any activity, Davis refuses to let me comb her hair, hence she ends up with major "clair hair". She looks nutso. But an adorable nutso :)

I really love the upper righthand photo of her... so I cropped it.
Love the energy + her expression. Priceless.

Teacher's End of the Year Gifts

Being the "pod" parent for Davis's class I was in charge of the end of the year teacher's gift. {fun!} Seeing that we all loved, loved, loved Kassandra + Judy { their teacher + her assistant} I had no problem collecting monies for a nice gift. I thought of a charm bracelet – thinking each year their classroom could give them a charm, and at the end of their teaching career they would have this beautiful memento of their school days. Way better than a, "world's best teacher" mug, right?

Off to the jewelry store I went, where I decided on Pandora Bracelets. I was able to get them a bracelet and three charms. Davis wanted to give them a charm just from our family, so she picked out a ladybug charm.

My favorite part of gift giving? Wrapping. I made origami boxes from wrapping paper, had Davis draw me a flower + a ladybug and I made special cards for them. Pretty ribbon + some sand dollars topped them off. They came out lovely. Both Kassandra + Judy loved the bracelets almost as much as they love our kids :)

Summertime

Ice coffees, days at the beach, dinner at the beach, pool parties, sand, staying up late, sleeping late, sand, margaritas, mike's kick ass lemonade, late nights laughing, no routine, catching up with friends, chips + salsa for dinner, soft serve ice cream, sand, baseball games, lobster, shrimp, sailing, wine, blueberry picking, movies, library days, farmers markets, sand, day trips, road trips, Maine, sun, swimming lessons, sunscreen, singing, and oh yea, sand :)

We're three weeks into Summer vacation...how did that happen?

I'm going to do my best to get back to this space on a regular basis. I have miss you all! Hope you are enjoying all that summertime brings :)

Big Apple Circus

When we were visiting Faneuil Hall a few weeks ago, we saw that the Big Apple Circus was in town. We decided to take the kids later that week. I am so glad we did. What a great show. We had a blast. Our seats were front and center. We were so entertained. Surprisingly, both Davis and I were loving Bello the clown. I guess he's not your typical, creepy, freaky clown. Boy, is that guy is talented. If you get the chance, GO. The big tent is here, in Boston, till May 16th.