the last few months

This guy turned one and had no interest in his cupcake. He did however happily sample all of the gift wrap.  Oh Baby Grey.

I spent time with the always amazing Renee, gingerbread extraordinaire.  She's a genius, that carved her own templates for the brownstone details.

There was also Charlotte's 4th birthday (in October!).

And a photoshoot with Lucia and her iPad loving baby sister Senia.

Sewing has been happening too.  After the matching Christmas pajamas and Amelia's outfits, I did a 180 and made myself a shirt (Tova number 4,736).  I used Nani Iro double gauze Melody Sketch in Faded Navy and I love it so, so much.  Almost to much because now I want to buy a whole lot more.  I have more projects planned for myself and a few ideas for Amelia's May birthday.

And things that didn't make it to instagram but have been sitting on my phone....

An after Thanksgiving visit from my parents.  We arrived at the Brooklyn Flea early and were sent away.  So a quick detour to show them Barclays. (However Amy and Jamie are the only ones to have yet gone inside.  They spent a whirlwind 24 hours with us.  And the Nets.)

Followed by this amazing show at the Brooklyn Museum.

Our stocky tree, which I loved dearly.

And some Christmas morning madness with Rire and scrub clad Amelia.

Last but not least, the winter wonderland that is my parents driveway.  

2012

I made them matching pajamas. Luckily, they humor me. If I had more time I would have made some for everyone. But time, as they say, was not on my side.

Amelia, when not covering her brand new guitar with stickers, insisted on taking some Christmas morning photos. She has an eye no?

I made her scrubs, among other things which I never managed to photograph. It was a whirlwind holiday, not many photos taken. But there was tons of family, lots of food and snow. Also early bed times and sleeping late. Oh vacation...

And Vlad. Waiting, watching.  Barking. He means well.

I told her to freeze and she threw her arms up like a criminal.

Happy New Year!

up hill in the snow, both ways

Without shoes.

In my day we had to wait for a classmate's Chuckie Cheese birthday party to have this much fun.  Now you can set everything up in your own backyard!  Kids these days don't know how good they have it.

(Had this been just a bit bigger I totally would have shooed the kids out and had a turn myself!)

 

 

labor day weekend - sunday

Again with the pajamas and coffee outside.  And basketball.

(Rocketship pajamas purchased ages ago, they finally fit her!)

Carrot cake muffins, they're absolutely a breakfast food.

The middle of the day involved a 4 mile run (my first in a month, ouch) and a 4 mile bike ride.  There are no pictures.  So let's just skip ahead to dinner.  And the delicious rose.

Post nap fog.

And the Boilermaker, it's tradition.

labor day weekend - saturday

We both had Friday off, which made for one of the best drives we've had in ages.  We stopped in New Hartford so I could spend to my hearts desire at Joann Fabrics and he could shop for a new bike at Schuss and Dick Sonnes.  I scored at Joann's.  It takes time to paw through the bolts and bolts (and bolts...) of themed fabric, but patience pays off.  Decent stuff for $3/yard.  Now I must sew.

Saturday morning.  Coffee in pajamas, outside.  Because we can.

These two need to slow it down.  The growing up is out of hand.

He's as sweet and polite as can be.  She is fond of the word NO and her "brudder".

And then there was fishing.

Once properly caffeinated, we set off for Mt. Hope Reservoir.  This kid is mad about fishing and has no shortage of people to take him, but it was high time his aunt and uncle stepped up.  Eli even taught us a thing or two, showing R how to cast.

It's really quite pretty.

Saturday night (after R bought his bike and we killed some time at the never ever changing Sangertown Mall) we headed to my parents.  Where I channeled my inner Katniss and perfected my archery skills.  I'm not half bad, if only my parents had forced me to practice as a child...  I could have been an Olympian!

On the way back to Amy's we stopped at Walmart to sell small bits of our souls to the devil in exchange for things like deodorant and laundry soap at prices that do not make us weep.  I always feel guilty shopping there, but is Duane Reade really any better?

metal work with my dad

Thinking about home...

cocktail hour

Feeding her limes for the entertainment value.

That never gets old.  Mojitos for the rest of us.

boilermaker recap

Apparently they've been color coordinating their outfits for the Expo from the get go.  Who knew?

2009 and 2012

In 2008 I was home visiting family and mentioned to my uncle I had started running again.  He suggested running the Boilermaker 15K in July.  And so I did.  I smiled the whole damn time too.  It's a race I've always known of but never, ever, thought I would run.  A year later Amy and Rire joined me (and I had started my qualifying runs for the 2010 NYC Marathon).  And now, Eli has two Boilermaker 5Ks under his belt and the 15K on the horizon. 

Rire and I dropped down to the 5K this year (injuries, life - so many excuses!), but we were able to run with two of our favorite people and it's become the best family tradition.  How often do you at 35, still have your parents watching, cheering and making you handmade signs?

the weekend

I thought I would zip through the photos from our weekend in CNY.  But someone, I'm not naming names, may have pushed a button or two on my camera. Which reset the white balance to "awful" and will require a bit more time in post than I had originally planned. Lesson learned, don't trust a two year old with a tiger.  Even if you think you're being extra cautious by turning your camera off and watching her like a hawk.  Without fail, she'll use her charms to distract you.

paper and crayons

This age, just shy of 2 years old, could not be more fun.  The endless talking and enthusiasm for everything under the sun.  A balloon!  Mango!  Coloring!  Book!  Nemo!  She's smart, funny, adorable and stubborn.  In other words, perfect.