Waiting for the rain....

They are true California boys. The forecast calls for rain and they are
waiting for the storm to arrive. Boots and all.
PS I promised a pic of the big one by himself...and the last pic is just that.

Happy New Year!

So long 2011....Hope everyone had a lovely celebration!

It's Monday....what do I see?

Soccer season is upon us!
I love it.
Big J is liking it.
Little L is loving it.
Henry is loving it.

Hip hip hooray.

**Side note. I promise to get pics of Big J next post. It will have to be sneaky. On the sly.

I heartfaces: let them be little

Yes, it's Monday and I'm doing a repeat picture. But, the theme this week for iheartfaces.com is let them be little. And isn't that what Little L is doing here?
I seriously look at this shot and laugh out loud.
Every. Single. Time.
So hopefully you don't mind looking at it again with me!

It's Monday....what do I see?

The art of making brownies.
At one point when the brownie mix was in his hair
and on his feet
I thought I should stop him. It's a mess.
But, then I thought, how could I take the joy away?
So I let him keep on with his creation of brownies.



Tasting. Is it just right?



More tasting. It's needs a little something...





This big guy joined in the fun in a more conservative way and then sat at the table and traveled to a time period where dinosaurs roam the Earth. He did partake in eating of the brownies when they were done.



Pure happiness on a Sunday morning.

It's Monday....what do I see?

As promised, here I am on Monday night! It feels good.
School has started and I feel like I am at the start line of a long, long
race.
The early hours.
The lunch making.
The homework (for kindergarten!)
The NUMEROUS announcements from both schools.
Trying to keep ahead of everybody by two steps.
In the meantime I'm trying to squeeze out summer for as long as I can.
So off to the beach we go. And Little L was determined to to build something.
His motivation was inspiring.
His drive was inspiring.
And he did it all without a cup of coffee! (I am up to 2 cups now with the early morning wake up call)
Happy Monday to all!

Where have you been?

Where have I been?
I have been hiding.
I was very faithful to my blog for 2 years.
And then this summer I needed a break. Not sure why. I have a few reasons
that I could probably say. But, I won't.
All I knew is I had a few people ask...and suddenly I was itching to get back.
I was motivated.
Back to Mondays again. Starting next week.

iheartfaces: let's hear it for the boys

Another two for one.
It's iheartfaces Monday and it's Monday.
The theme this week is let's hear it for the boys.
Seriously.
I love my boys. Passionately. All three of them.
And when I need a break from stinky feet and wrestling matches....I head off
to meet some girls for girls supper club.

I took this pic the same day as below. It was a photo session for my own husband in disguise. I made a photo book for Father's day for him. Plus a sleep in. Plus breakfast in bed. Plus a massage and a movie night out for him. It was a perfect Father's Day for a well deserved Father.

Check out the other submissions at:

iheartfaces: from a distance

It's Monday. It's iheartfaces.com. I'm combining things today. It's a two for one.
The theme is from a distance. I didn't even know that was the theme until today yet oddly enough that was what I was working on this weekend with my pictures. I love up close...and I do that all day, every day. But, I forced myself to take a step back this weekend. And try to see what I see from a far. It was actually really fun.

And then a blimp flew right by us on this overcast day....and my boys were ecstatic.

Enjoy and check out the other iheartfaces entries here:

It's Monday....what do I see?

Pancakes for breakfast!







I promise the nukie will be gone before the end of summer.

iheartfaces: motherhood

It's Monday--so post day, but I am also combining it with the submission for iheartfaces.
This week's theme is motherhood--a day I celebrate for myself. (A massage and movie all.by.myself.) But, more importantly I celebrate who brought me to where I am at now. My mother. My mom. My mommy. Everyday I try to measure up to what my mom did for me and everyday I think....damn it. How did she do it!?
She's a gardener, a reader, a golfer and a crossword puzzle lover. A listener, a talker, a wine and cheese cracker snacker. A loud laughter, solitaire player, a night owl and a worrier. She is soft and hard and opinionated and kind.
And she made me.



Pretty cool to have her hang with my youngest one here.

ps. check out the other entries for motherhood at

It's Monday....what do I see?

I tried taking L's nukie away from him.
This was his reaction.
Sigh.
He is quite opinionated, isn't he?
After our summer trip, there will a be an intervention.
Cold turkey.
Ciao nukie.
I just wanted to see what I was in for.

It's Monday....what do I see?

One day late with no end in sight.
So...it's "Let's look in the past Tuesday"
Which really means I haven't had time to shoot/download/organize
any of my new photos.

So back in the past we go....
The Cuban part of him is so apparent here!

It's Monday....what do I see?

So J has never really ridden his bicycle. He has not ridden his bicycle with training wheels because he refused to wear his helmet. I explained to him he can not ride his bike without his helmet. So he chose not to ride the bike.
This has been going on for at least a year.
This weekend he walked into the living room with helmet in hand and said he was ready.
I almost fell off the couch and dropped L.
I said to him, "Great, let's go." Grabbed Henry and L's tricycle and we went on a very long walk/bike ride/run.
On our way back J said that when he turns 5 (which is in two weeks) he would like to take the training wheels off his bike.

It's Monday....what do I see?

A lazy day.
The unloading of the dishwasher was about the biggest accomplishment that
I can claim today.
Then we went on an early evening walk.
And yes, I may have felt lazy...but looking at these pics I know I have accomplished something pretty great--my kids! :)







I just know L did something he wasn't supposed to right before I clicked the camera. I don't know what it was...but I know that look. And that look is up to NO good.

It's Monday....what do I see?

L's first haircut!! Oh my goodness. J's first haircut, and many thereafter, were traumatizing. For both of us. So, I entered the hair salon with tissues in hand and speed dial to my therapist. It was that bad.
So what a relief it was when L smiled and looked at me like he had done this a million times.
It even went well with J.
Three cheers for small victories.

Oh snap. I just realized I should say something about Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day! My sweet husband and I went out for lunch and he brought me an orchid. I am grinning ear to ear.


Before....


Before....


After...


First time...trains help.


He's a pro....


After!



GOING BACK IN TIME....J's first haircut!

It's Monday....what do I see?

Winter in California means 85 degrees in the late afternoon. It is odd--since all July I waited for the sun to come out.
In the meantime I'll enjoy this weather hiking with the boys.

It's Monday....what do I see?

And now it's Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday and then it's Thursday.
They are all blending together.
Hope everyone had a lovely holiday! There was a little bit of sickness, a little bit of allergies and still lots of smiles on our end.
Here is what makes me happy no matter what. My boys.

It's Monday....what do I see?

So, there is no snow. And it's 85 degrees outside. But, we still got fall leaves!
So outside we play.
And here is one of those "oops" bad parenting moments. I wanted to go outside and got the boys dressed. "J" was complaining he was tired. I told him he had been inside all day and it was time for him to get some fresh air. He whined and complained and said he wanted to lay in bed with Daddy. (Daddy was under the weather and taking it easy). So I say fine. (My ego bruised that he wanted Daddy) I take "L" on an awesome walk and after an hour come back inside the house with leaves in hand to talk about our adventure.
Henry looks at me and says, "I think "J" is sick."
I walk over to him and feel his head.
102 fever.
Bad mommy moment.
I give him a hug. I run around for juice, water, his blankie, a pillow and pop in a DVD for him to watch. His favorite DVD. I rub his hair and hope that he doesn't remember that I made him feel guilty about not "feeling the fresh air".
Sometimes I need to slow down and look at what is in front of me.
In the meantime...enjoy these pics.