My girl has gone full-California by joining a volleyball team! Next week she'll begin readying herself for the season with practices, drills, and arm conditioning. Eldest is very excited about this sporty new venture, and her Daddy & I could not be happier for her!
But before the season can begin, parents must attend a mandatory meeting. As our daughters are friends and teammates, I'm with one of my neighbors, and we've already figured out what the gist of this morning's meeting is about.
They're trying to recruit extra coaches, and while I have a little experience on the court, I'm much more comfortable spiking a cocktail than a volleyball. Trust me when I say my involvement is best served on the side-lines as Eldest's loudest cheerleader (and end of season party thrower!)
With spring in swing, I know my children aren't the only ones participating in an outdoor sport. What will you and your children be doing these next few weekends? I'd love to hear all about it.
Happy Saturday, all!
On April 12th, a wonderful young lady will celebrate a very special birthday.
via
Eldest is going to be 12! Not only is it amazing that next year she'll be a teenager, but this year April 12th is extra special. It's her golden birthday. We've begun planning for the party~even though Eldest still doesn't know what she wants to do. But what she does know is that she wants lots of gold everywhere. It is her golden birthday, so who am I to deny that one birthday wish?
Look for some touches of gold over the next few weeks as Eldest's birthday approaches! It'll be a blinging grand time.
To every Ole Miss fan, there's only one Grove: a tree-dappled landscape in the middle of the University campus. It's a thing of true beauty, and a location made famous because of it. It's where we tailgate in high-style and watch our Rebels march proudly through the Walk of Champions every Fall.
Imagine our surprise~as well as delight~upon our arrival in L.A. to learn of another Grove. This one, however, was known for the beauty of its shops, food-stalls, farmers market, and of course, celebrity sightings. Come with me to West Hollywood for a taste of what makes L.A. so very fabulous!
Whenever we head to The Grove, we head to the Farmers Market & food stalls first. We arrive with big appetites, ready to dive into the various cuisines offered. Our favorites happen to be Greek, Spanish, and Creole, and over various "rounds" of food, we indulge and share with one another.
It's our experience that the earlier in the day you go, the better. The crowds are smaller, seats more widely available, and though they get your food to you quickly no matter what, you'll get your meals even faster!
This weekend we dined on some of our favorites. From huevos rancheros & lamb gyros to jambalaya, lemon tartes, & Bob's famous donut's, we delighted in every morsel atop our plates.
That's part of the beauty of food stalls. It's a great chance to taste authentic cuisine from various countries and learn what suits your tastes (and what doesn't). Our children even have a great time branching out and trying something new.
When all is said and done, Eldest and I typically grab an ice cream from Bennett's, then donuts for the next morning's breakfast.
After all, if you're within arm's reach of L.A.'s best donut shop, you'll be remiss if you don't bring some home. Trust me. You'll hear all about it from both children and grown-ups. Just get the donuts~you'll thank me later.
Once you're finished tasting your way through the various food stalls, take the leisurely stroll we often do. Walk from one end of the shopping area of The Grove and back. They have all of the stores you love: Anthropologie, Janie & Jack, J. Crew, Apple, Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble's, American Girl, Zara...in other words: many a good shop!
And if shopping isn't in the cards for you, the walk itself is a real treat.
The streets are completely closed off to traffic, sidewalks are lined with trees, and the facades of the stores are charming to behold. It makes for a great stroll~or trolley ride if you're so inclined!
There is always something happening in The Grove as well. If you're a parent, this is a wonderful thing. Most activities center around children, and as it is Hollywood, they tend to go all out. Take this past weekend for example. The new Snow White film, "Mirror, Mirror", had a large promotional princess party. There were characters in elaborate costumes, crown making stations, indulging in a little Wicked Queen mirror-gazing, and dancing to music.
Our little boy was worn out by the time we reached this area, though, so we decided to call it a day. It had been a marvelous time with our family, and as always, left us looking forward to our next visit.
You never know what you'll eat, what activities you'll be able to enjoy, and what celebrities you just may spy on your way around!
Such as the statuesque Heidi Klum.
Yes, friends, because I know you want to ask, Heidi was just as beautiful in person as she is in the magazines~not to mention extraordinarily gracious.
Thanks for taking this little trip with us into L.A.! I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. I'll see you next week with another "Meet Me Monday" treat.
A lovely week to you all!
It evokes memories of a sunset at Le Mont Saint-Michel for my mother.
Eldest and her evolution into a jewelry maven say the pops of gold are her favorite part.
Husband still isn't sure what to think.
But I love my birthday gift to myself.
Abstract art isn't for everyone, and we certainly don't like it all. In fact some of our favorites happen to be pin and inks & landscapes. But the moment I saw this linear piece with its unexpected strokes of bright pink, celadon, and lavender I was sold.
One of the problems I've had in our main living area has been the complete lack of color. There are shades of blue and green within, but for the most part our room has been a vacuum for neutrals. This feminine painting added some well-needed color into our living room area~not to mention unexpected conversation.
Since it was placed in a prominent spot in our dining area it's pretty visible, and everyone has had different opinions and reactions to it. This has been a surprising treat. I don't think anything else we own has ever caused people to stop and remark upon it. And maybe I'm a goof for thinking so, but this is so cool. Art should pull people in, spark a thought~perhaps even conversation. At least that's how I feel. Am I alone in this school of thought? I tend to think that if you want to hang something on your wall, it should mean something to you, and if it gets tongues wagging, all the better.
And on that note, a lovely weekend to you all! Husband is back in town, and we (plus Eldest) are exhausted from last night's midnight premier of The Hunger Games. It was great, but the lack of sleep...not so much.
Thank goodness for bright and pretty things! Toodles all!
Every morning should begin with a rich, decadent bowl of hot chocolate.
Thanks to the suggestion of Eldest, ours did and we've been in a cocoa haze ever since. Thank you dear girl! Goodness knows we're both going to need the caffiene to keep us up for the midnight premiere of "The Hunger Games"!
Friends, if I've seemed absent recently, it's because I have been. My parents are in town and we've been having the best time. Our days leave us with only enough energy to play a rousing game of dominos in the evening. And even then things get pretty spirited.
Much as I enjoy blogging, with my family is where I'll always choose to be. So while things have been quiet around here, I can assure you it has all been in the name of fun,
fun,
fun,
fun,
fun.
Today we are up earlier than usual for an extra day of excitement. As an early 12th birthday gift to Eldest, my parents are taking us to Universal Studios for the entire day. The children can hardly stand it, and though we're not quite awake, we are all ready to go!
Have a lovely Wednesday everyone~I'll be back soon with a few fun & very pretty posts.
Eldest is a great little mathematician (and overall student), loves and participates in sports, and has had fantastic life experiences I never imagined for her. This makes me happy to say that she's surpassed me in several regards.
As of yesterday there was almost one more to add to the list.
Now that we're pretty much the same height, it won't be long until I'm looking up at her!
Nothing makes a mother happier than seeing their child grow healthily and happily. The area doesn't really matter, just that their child is flourishing is what counts.
Why don't we spend today celebrating all things blossoming then? Flowers, relationships, careers, families, children~celebrate & enjoy! This Monday is for you.
Next Monday, however, will be a long-awaited return to "Meet Me Monday". I'll see you then!
Friends, I am beyond excited. I'm about to settle into my car with the scallywag and head out to pick up my Mother! You know her better as this fabulous lady.
Just say a little prayer for us, would you? LAX isn't at all convenient to our home. It's going to be a horrendous drive into L.A.. From what I understand, early morning rush hour traffic is a monster. Taking into consideration how much time we may be in the car, I have no idea how my little boy is going to do. Thank goodness for his iPad, trains, and bagels slathered with cream cheese. But what's really keeping our spirits up is seeing my amazing Mother and getting to spend the next two weeks with she and my Daddy.
And people say Monday's are such a bear! As of today I think they're actually kind of lovely.
Happy Monday to you all! I hope y'all find something worth celebrating.
One year ago today, while living in Tokyo, Japan, my family experienced the 9.0 earthquake that shifted the Earth on its axis. While we were certainly firghtened by what had transpired, it was nothing compared to the fear, devastation, and loss experienced by those in the Miyagi prefecture. It was with amazement that we watched the country pull itself together with dignity and care. The people helped one another, shouldered one another's burdens, & were each other's strength in the darkest of hours. And we felt priveledged to see such awesome displays of human dignity and compassion.
We left pieces of our hearts in Japan, and spend today remembering March 11, 2011, carrying forever the memories of that time, and praying for a nation that is continuing to rebuild.
We were thrilled when we learned our little scallywag was chosen as "Star of the Week" at school. He certainly does shine brightly and light up our lives!
Congratulations to our sweet boy for all of his progress this year! We're forver thankful for the laughter he brings, the joy he fills our hearts with, and the love we carry for him each and every day. We even love his sleep rumpled, grouchy self.
Well done, little one. We are very proud of you!
(I would also like to add a special congratulations to Eldest on bringing home straight A's for the second trimester! You are such a wonderfully bright and beautiful girl.)
How can you go through childhood without reading a Dr. Seuss book? You can't. They're whimsical, catchy, colorful, and ripe with what stirs the imagination. I happen to love the positive messages some of his books hold as well. It's been a treasure to share his books with my children, and today we shared in the joy he's brought to our lives with a very special breakfast.
Green eggs & ham!
It happens to be the scallywag's favorite book at the moment, as well as his chosen story for Pre-School story time. What better way to celebrate a great author than with this delightfully green meal?
Happy birthday Dr. Seuss, and thank you for all the places we've gone!
