Two Kids And A Camera

Let the lessons begin

2012-01-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

With the anticipation of an ice skating birthday party and seeing snow for the first time, we started ice skating lessons this weekend. Nothing gets a seven year old more motivated to learn how to ice skate than throwing a birthday party at an ice arena and getting her very own skates!

His motivation? Add hockey player to football quarterback and basketball player on the list of what he is going to be when he grows up!!

Happy Two Thousand Twelve

2012-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-18T17:29:00.000-08:00

......today was our traditional Christmas the weekend before Christmas with my husband's family. There's Express Christmas.....and then there's Christmas the weekend before Christmas (as in Thanksgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving which my in-laws began over 10 years ago.

And on the First Thanksgiving.......

2011-11-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

we celebrated at their cousins house last week. It is our tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving the weekend before with my husband's family, then with my family on the official day. I especially enjoyed this day the most from all the other holidays, watching them play for hours. The imagination and creativity in children. The on going laughter and excitement in their faces over the simplest things in life.

"Today you are you, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is youer than you."

"Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!"

"The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Dr. Suess

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T13:39:00.001-08:00

My Super Heroes

2011-11-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

Looking for the perfect pumpkins

2011-10-24T05:24:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to be the 1st grade photogrpaher at school. My first event is the harvest festival on the 31st. We took a drive thru our neighborhood yesterday to see which streets had the most homes decked out in halloween decor and planned our route for next week's trick or treating.

After school activities, homework, volunteering in the classroom and in art for both is keeping everyone very busy as we head into the busiest time of the year.

I will be hostess on Thanksgiving day and hostess to two family Christmas events in the same week. New holiday decorations are in order inside as well as outdoors. I am looking forward to all the planning and decorating.

Lauderdale by the Sea

2011-08-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Since discovering Lauderdale by the Sea, we have been going back every summer just before the kids go back to school. My husband and I both grew up in Miami Beach, blocks from the ocean, and now we live close to an hour's drive from the local beaches.

There is a routine: get there early and score a parking spot at a meter. However, this time we circled the two blocks of meters over and over and someone kept beating us to the meter so we paid $10 and parked at the lot right next to the sand. This was a good move since now we didn't have to worry about going back to put more money in the meter every 2 hours.

After a few hours on the sand and in the ocean, we go for lunch. We tried a new restaurant, the Aruba Beach Cafe, instead of our regular 101 Ocean. It's right on the sand and always packed. It was not our favorite, we wouldn't go back, but at least we can say we tried it and now we've eaten at 3 of the 4 local restaurants. There are absolutely no modifications with their menu. They don't have cheese pizzas, which was my son's order. Only pepperoni and they are already on there. We asked for the seafood stir fry without any rice. Can't be done. The rice is already in there. It was clear that if you wanted the cheeseburger without the cheese, it couldn't be done. We had Mahi Mahi grilled sandwiches which were fair at best.

We learned that our son is really not into steel drums and Caribbean music. "Why do they keep playing the same sound over and over again, Mom"?

After lunch we walk over to Kilwin's for some of their homemade ice cream and/or other confections. Then we sit on the wooden benches just outside and enjoy our desserts before heading back home.

Brothers and Sisters

2011-08-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

It's been fun having the kids home for the summer. They are good companions and little helpers. I've been getting girlfriend time, and the kids are hanging out with their friends.

Best Friends

2011-07-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

Since my son started walking at 15 months, and to this day, everyone asks "are they twins"? When someone meets the other sibbling, they always comment on how much they look alike. They are brother and sister without a doubt. Her eyes look dark in this photo, but they have the same eye color. His eyes are bigger and standout a little more. She is just a half inch taller. When they were 2 and 3 years old, I could not tell their voices apart. If one asked for something and my back was to them, I had to ask "who said that"?

She is very girly, he's all boy. They are best friends and we always say how lucky they are to have each other. He had just turned 3 when he started in preschool. He was feeling a little sad one day during his first week of school and asked his teacher if he could see his sister. They brought her to his classroom and she sat down next to him and began to draw. I think from that moment on, he felt a sense of comfort just knowing that she was close by. That summer, after school was over, they went to summer camp at another school close to home. The first day of camp, I dropped them off and they were greeted by a camp counselor. He took one look at his sister and extended his hand out to her. I watched as they walked away hand in hand in front of the counselor. They walked in together, holding hands, everyday for the next six weeks.

I see a sibling bond that is special to brothers and sisters. They fight at times, but the acts of kindness far outweighs the power struggles.

I

A Cultural Experience

2011-07-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

My sister lives in Miami. The drive to her house is an experience in itself. I take 4 different highways to get here. I am so grateful for the express toll lanes on I95. Some of the surrounding neighborhoods are Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Brickell, Little Havana.

On this day, we went to the movies to see The Zookeeper. Followed by lunch at my daughter and my sister's favorite restaurant, Versailles. {Note: my kids do not speak spanish, no one at Versailles speaks english}.

The favorite dish, Lechon Asado con Moros y Platanos Maduros.

Tres Leche {top} and Flan.

The pictures are not very good because they were taken with my Iphone. I didn't think to use Instagram. That would have made for much better photos.

Color Me Mine

2011-07-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

On this day, we headed out to the mall for lunch and an afternoon of arts and crafts.

He made this cup for me. It reads " I LOVE MOM" on the front, but I don't know if you will be able to see the words with the graphic pattern.

And On the Second Day

2011-07-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

{Day 2} Our friends came over. The kids played all afternoon and I got to spend time with my girlfriends.

The Tennis Lesson

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

We are now 5 weeks into the summer break and the kids are officially home for the rest of the summer. This is the first year they won't be going to camp, and I have to say, it's going quite well. We are enjoying our time together and the freedom to do things at our own pace. I wrote several weeks ago about my decision to not make them go to summer camp this year because they really did not want to go back. I mentioned that most moms look at me like I'm crazy to have them home all summer. On the last day of their summer scholars program {the first 4 weeks, 3 hours a day} they asked if they could go to the 'pet store' just to look at the animals. It was a funny thing to do, and they had so much fun. My kids remind me that the most simple things in life can put a smile on our face!!

{Day 1} The first tennis lesson.

From the Weekend

2011-07-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

We kicked off the long weekend with a family night at the movie theatre {Cars 2} and dinner. We spent Sunday at Markham Park were we played soccer and kadima and flew our kites. We took a bike ride to watch the planes at the radio controlled airplane field. And what's a 4th of July weekend without a bbq or two!

The Party Diaries

2011-06-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

In the beginning, there were birthday parties for the kids in our backyard. I started planning 3 months in advance. I designed the birthday cakes and the message printed inside the custom invitations. I'm embarrased but will admit to having postage stamps made with my daughter's picture. Thought also went into the thank you notes, the gift bags, and the food.

There were bubbles when my daughter {sitting next to grandma} turned 3.

A face painter, a bounce house.

And the cake! She loved fairies and princesses so I asked if Tinkerbell could be sitting on a flower petal. The butterflies, dragonflies, catepillars and colors for the table, plates, napkins and the cake itself, came from a favorite counting book "Beetle Bug's Party ".

Six weeks later, I made a waterpark in the backyard for my son's "2nd" birthday. I never really liked waterparks and avoided going to birthday parties given at waterparks when they were really young, so I thought I could bring the waterpark to my backyard.

There was the slip and slide.

The alligator slide.

The whale pool.

The car wash.

The pool with the basketball hoop and one with a palm tree.

The sandbox.

My kids watched this "Cars" movie everyday after watching it for the first time. So for his cake, I thought of having Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater driving through the desert.

Then came the pony rides, petting zoo, and bounce houses. The guest list grew when they started in school. These were the years when you would invite their entire class.

For his 3rd birthday {and last party}, we had a carnival beach party with hot dogs, cotton candy and snow cones.

Then there were more pony rides and more kids so the petting zoo got bigger.

The llama and the goat ate through our hedge.

This year, we added a tent with tables and chairs to accomodate the growing number of quests and keep everyone outside. But when it began to rain before the pizza arrived, we moved the tables inside. The kids had a blast running throughout the house while the dads played pool. The moms seemed so nervous and were taken by how calm I remained while the kids were taking out all the toys in their rooms and running through the house. What could I do? My husband thought I was great host, others {my sister} thought it was crazy.

The last party, my first evite. Hello Kitty cake by Publix {florida grocery store}.

By her 6th birthday, I was partied out, but she wanted a party. I sent an evite like the rest of the parents. By this stage, custom party invitations are out and rarely seen. Publix birthday cakes are great. Boys have boys only parties, the girls do the same inviting only their closest friends. Destination parties rock for now!

However, I have to say that I see a band in my future, in my backyard. And a big screen. With a video of photos I selected. And tables, and couches, white linens. Maybe a white party, maybe a black and white party. "Sweet 16"..........I'll be ready when you get here!

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Dad
Happy fathers Day. I (heart) u
for ol u do lik u get me toys and
u let me Have is Krem frum Spunj bob

Love Ben

My Dad Is Special Because......
he gives me lots of toys. Dad is strong and he helps me
with my home work. He lets me fly my helicopter in the house.
He gives me lots of ice cream. We play basketball in the backyard
and it is fun. You are the Best dad in the whol world.

Love Ava

Six

2011-06-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my 6 year old!

{Destination} Naples, Fl

{Cake by Mom & Dad}

The best birthday parties were the ones in the early years. The guests were our close friends, whom we happen to all have had kids at the same time, and family. I miss the "mommy playdates" where the moms got to hang out while the kids played together at the museum, or the playdate house. My friend floridagirlinsydney had by far, the best playdate crib! My favorite party was my son's 2nd. Since his is a summer birthday {in hot and humid Florida}, and I was never fond of the water parks, I made a water park in our backyard. I'm going to take you back soon to the time of custom cakes and invitations.

This Past Weekend

2011-06-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

This is it....tomorrow is the last day of school, but we won't be there. We said our goodbyes today, to our teachers and friends. Tomorrow morning, we will be on our way to Naples, fl.

The Cupcake Fairytale

2011-06-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

This year in 1st grade, the kids wrote and illustrated their own fairy tales, short stories and poems. They made their own PowerPoint presentations of their fairy tales in computer lab, while I still struggle with photo shop and have no idea what PowerPoint is. Yesterday morning, we went to our 7 year old's class for the fairytale PowerPoint presentation. We sat in the classroom with all the other parents and watched each child eagerly take their turn {with microphone in hand} and read their stories aloud to all of us. They all did an amazing job! The kids were so professional and you could see the hard work they all put into this project.

Her teacher sent the PowerPoint presentation home, but of course, I can't figure out how to post it here, so......this is the original written tale.

Summer Birthdays

2011-06-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

The birthday boys, all turning 7, except for my 6 year old.

Then it was the girl's turn, three of them turning 6 over the summer.

......... and the sibblings get to come.

After 6 years of birthday celebrations at school on the day of, or close to it, even when they got a party at home, this is it. The classroom birthday parties come to an end in kindergarten. My son was one of 9 celebrating their summer birthday together in their classroom. His age drew attention to moms who held their kids back in pre-k so that they would be the oldest in the grade and not the youngest like mine. There is so much pressure in school today where a kindergartner, 5 or 6 years old, is suppose to be reading and writing on their own. The calendar year used to be the guideline so I was 5 1/2 years old when I began first grade. I made it, so will he!!

Bar B Ranch

2011-06-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

This was one of the funnest birthday parties I've been to. At first, I was hesitant about letting my 7 year old go off horseback riding on her own. And this being her first time. This was not like the petting zoo/pony ride parties we've been to and thrown in our backyard. This was not like the horses on other ranches or at summer camp where each horse is accompanied by an experienced person.

You see, I didn't pay much attention to the evite until I was getting ready to leave for the party. When I was looking for the address, the first thing that caught my attention was "horseback riding and cake". I went on their website and I called them directly. I was told they would not have someone walk their horses, however, there would be two guides riding with them.

The birthday girl's mom rode with the group and the riders 6 and under where accompanied on their ponies by her father and other young guides. I just couldn't let her go like that so I went along. I was amazed how well all the girls were riding horseback, including my own. It turned out to be a great time for me walking behind the group in the distance through the trail and taking photos. I felt comfortable enough after the first half hour, so I went back to the stables and watched them from there. My husband, the cool one, was shocked when he saw how big the horses they were riding. We are going back over the summer to the bar b ranch as a family. Most likely, I'll be walking the trail.

Afternoon of Art

2011-05-31T08:32:00.000-07:00

The annual Afternoon of Art showcases one piece of art, representing each student Pre-k through 5th grade in the lower school. The art teachers make the selection from the work the children have done in class during the school year.

My little artist and her owl.

My son's collage, top row, right.

The gallery in the gymnasium.

With just two weeks of school left, 7 1/2 school days to be exact, I have my own "Oprah" count down going on. This will be the first summer that the kids will be staying home. No summer camp! They really don't want to go and I do understand. So, this year I decided that I would not make them do something that they really didn't want to do. Most of the moms look at me like I'm crazy for not sending them to camp. One teacher said to me "enjoy them while you can". We'll see how this all rides out.

This Past Weekend

2011-05-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

{mother's day}

I spent the day at my mother-in-law's house drinking mimosas poolside under the shade, reading and enjoying what I like doing best, pointing and clicking. My camera is an extension of myself. I like nothing more than capturing moments in time.

My favorite shots are the ones that are spontaneous and natural, not posed for.

The First Egg Hunt

2011-04-23T14:02:00.001-07:00

The year was 2007, she had just turned 3 and he was a few weeks shy of his 2nd birthday. They still believe and they will be hunting for Easter eggs tomorrow. Tomorrow will most likely be the last time, maybe not the last egg hunt, but the last time they believe the easter bunny comes at night and hides the eggs.

Happy Easter!!

Carl's Barber Shop

2011-04-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

Walking into Carl's barber shop is like walking into an episode of Happy Days. Looking at this picture you would never guess that this little boy cried {screamed and tried to climb out of the seat} each and every time we went for a haircut. It started with his very first haircut when he was 1, and continued on for the next 3 years to follow. For 3 years we drove 45 minutes to a kid's shop in Aventura. We had found the only girl {we were on our 3rd shop, 3 different cities} who could cut his hair during 45 minutes of screaming and throwing his arms up in the air. During the rainy summer season, we once left the shop to find ourselves walking in water up to our ankles to get to our car while carrying the kids. We had to climb in through the trunk of the car to get inside. Aventura is notorious for flooding during heavy rain and very tight parking spaces {Loehmann's Plaza}. The other cars came and squeezed in while we were inside. The person driving the car on my passenger side must have exited through his passenger side or trunk as well since there were 2 inches of clearance between our doors. If you're trying to picture this, we were also carrying very large umbrellas and shopping bags.

Just a walk down memory lane!

White Swan

2011-04-21T07:30:00.001-07:00

We are surrounded by nature living on the edge of the Florida Everglades. We have beautiful ducks and exotic birds living in our backyards and lakes. The occassional alligator that comes back to visit his old homestead. For this reason, our backyard is fully gated. We do have a trapper come out and capture the reported gator and relocate him.

Then a few weeks ago, a white swan appeared and everyone including us, has been taken by this beautiful bird. The little boy across the lake sits at the waters edge admiring and talking to the swan. When spotted, neighbors come running out of their houses with their kids to watch the swan swimming in the lake. I have read that swans live on just 5 continents and prefer mild or cool climates none of which apply to South Florida weather.

I wonder what kitty is thinking.

Irina {above} and Natalia {below}.

This Is How We Roll

2011-04-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

Spring break is here!!

Vintage Snapshots

2011-04-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

{the inspiration: bayfront park, downtown miami 1960's} {miami beach 1960's}

{this weekend}

My Little Artist

2011-04-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

Patterns Weaving

Watercolors

The cat is my favorite. There is so much detail in the design and what about those color combinations. I think it's pretty awesome!!

Seven

2011-03-28T07:58:00.001-07:00

Seven years ago, the sweetest little girl came into my life.

This picture is from a series of photographs I took just before her first Christmas. I took the photos with the intention of using them for her grandparents holiday gifts. Five of the photos were turned into a collage which became my first ever holiday card. These were the photographs and this was the moment that inspired me and my love for photography. I went out and bought a new camera and upgraded them time and again over the next few years.

On her birthdate, her cousins came over for dinner.

After years of ordering custom cakes, I found out that you could buy fondant while shopping for a school project at Michael's. My husband and I took on the challenge and after watching a few fondant decorating videos on youtube, we made her birthday cake. Not bad for two who knew nothing about or had ever made a fondant cake!

She had her choice, a party, or a long weekend at the destination of her choice. Here we are at the Loews Royal Pacific at Universal Studios.

When we arrived back home, we were greeted by a white swan in our backyard. We went out by the pool to admire the swan as he was swimming away. When he saw me and my daughter standing by the water, he turned around and swam to us.

In this picture, my son is 6 months away from joining our family!!

Happy Birthday,

Mommy

Cheeca Lodge

2011-02-27T15:26:00.001-08:00

{the lagoon}

{the fishing pier}

{pool deck in the background} you don't get to be in too many photos when you're the camera behind the two kids

{the beach for kayaking and taking out a catamaran}

the best time!!

Islamorada

2011-02-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

We went to the Keys last week over winter break. We spent many weekends in Islamorada and Key West before kids and now it had been 10 years since we had been there. This was their first time in the Florida Keys and fishing on a flatsboat.

Universal Weekend Pt ll

2011-01-19T12:57:00.001-08:00

{universal city walk}

{the end}

Universal Weekend Pt l

2011-01-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

{the view from our hotel window} the incredible hulk and doctor doom's fearfall, the world of Harry Potter in the background

{the hulk and rock-it}

{in the courtyard of the royal pacific resort}

{the lego store in downtown disney's market place, fulton's crab house, my new favorite restaurant in downtown disney in the background}

{in hogsmeade village}

{choosing the magic wands; harry potter's and hermione's}

Live the Life of Your Dreams

2011-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life your dreams"-Oprah

I came across this entry on the LinkWithin of one of my daily reads, Plush Palate. I found it very inspiring as we enter a new year and wanted to share it with you.

Enjoy!

ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five.........

2011-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

four, three, two, one........................."Happy New Year" !!

There is a means to an end in this new year. Each day will have special meaning as I count down the next 365 days to New Years Eve. 2011 will take us in a new direction, we will enter 2nd grade, my youngest will follow into 1st grade, and a milestone will be reached at the end of it all. The journey will come with surprises, inspirations, challenges, accomplishments, and new doors that will open in the months to come.

Best wishes to everyone in 2011 for a new year full of light, inspiration and happiness.

The Holidays Part II

2010-12-27T05:14:00.000-08:00

{Christmas Eve}

{birthday girl (dec 26th) center}

{from left: brother-in-law's son, hubby, yours truly, sister, brother-in-law behind, 1st niece, husband, younger niece, her daughter and the two kids}

{sister's winter themed gifts}

{the end}

The Holidays Part I

2010-12-27T04:14:00.000-08:00

{the marshmallow shooter}

{standing: the sister-in-law, brother-in-law, the hubby, sister-in-law's mom, uncle j}

{sitting: yours truly, the two kids, mother-in-law a.k.a. grandma, the cousins}

{the look of defeat}

{the test drive}

{the start of the holiday season}

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-24T05:08:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to the new beginnings that a new year brings. See you in '2011'.

Kid's Art

2010-12-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

{Kindergarten collage}

{First grade Tempera painting} *

Cold in Florida

2010-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

It's been cold these past few days. After a warmer weekend, the temperature is going to drop back down to 34 degrees with a wind chill between 20-25 degrees . Here we are with our homemade fire pit roasting marshmellows.

Thanksgiving photo diary II

2010-11-29T09:58:00.001-08:00

Their 10 year old cousin taking off on the zip line. We watched while we had breakfast at the Windjammer Cafe.

Thanksgiving photo diary I

2010-11-27T05:05:00.000-08:00

We sailed on the Allure of the Seas with our families over Thanksgiving this week.

The view from our balcony as we watched the Noordam sail away from the pier.

Crystal dresses hanging from the top of the passenger decks down to the atrium.

The merry-go-round on the Boardwalk.

One of the rock climbing walls on the Boardwalk.

One of the restaurants in Central Park. We dined across the way at 150 Central Park on the first night. It was amazing!

The gym.

The entrance to the spa.

Overlooking the Promenade deck and Starbucks.

More pictures to follow.

Miami Beach

2010-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

Driving over the causeway with views of Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami, Palm & Hibiscus Island. We discovered our new favourite restaurant on Lincoln Road, Nexxt Cafe.

Getting Ready

2010-11-15T05:50:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year when we plant impatiens in our flower beds and begin planning for the holidays.

It's hard to believe that in two weeks we will be looking for the perfect christmas trees and bringing down all the holiday decorations from the attic.

Take One

2010-11-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

New lens, new location, new smiles and expressions on my kids' faces.

Today was our first photo shoot for this years holiday card. See more pictures here.

Jesse and Star Trooper Captain Rex

2010-10-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

2010-10-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

We had some great ideas for this years pumpkins, then my 6 year old wanted a "traditional" face for hers. Have a fun and safe one!

My Little Budding Artist

2010-10-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

Here is my 6 year old with her brother and her cousin on orientation day at school.

She has been drawing in our kitchen notepads forever. Of course, I've saved many of those pages. She also likes to draw in my notepad in the car. She is taking a beginners art class after school with her art teachers while her brother is in basketball.

{self portrait}

{wild thing} hanging on the wall outside the art room.

I wish we had done a playroom instead of a guest bedroom {I wanted the playroom} when we bought this house. At the time we were about to be parents for the first time, by the time we moved, there were two and there went the playroom. It would be full of their artwork and photographs.

My Little One

2010-10-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

And I don't want to leave my little one out. He was 4 when he made this {watercolor/crayon resist} in school. The art teachers are amazing. At the end of the year they host "Art in the Afternoon" where they display 700 pieces of art, one for each child from Prek-5th grade. Everyone is amazed by all the work they are seeing as they walk around the room.

Mad Men

2010-10-25T06:02:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday marked the season 4 finale of Mad Men. I came across Mad Men-The Illustrated World here and this is my Mad Men Yourself me. You can make your own version here. If you read my blog you know my love for everything mid century modern and know we hang out by the pool every weekend. I love the shows characters, fashion, set designs and story line. I'll be at the bookstore this week!

Pumpkin Carving Ideas

2010-10-19T06:24:00.000-07:00

This one is my favorite. It would make a great entrance into your house for a party or for a gathering in the backyard.

Martha Stewart's carving ideas and instructions can be found here.

Coral Gables Afternoon

2010-10-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

The city of Coral Gables is home to the University of Miami. The city's architecture is almost entirely Mediterranean Revival. The Coral Gables Woman's Club was established in 1923 and today it is used for weddings, parties and meetings.

We spend the day in Miami with my sister whenever we have a holiday from school. There are so many fabulous photo opportunities in this city. The last time we were together we drove by this building and decided we would make a stop on our next visit.

The Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

We made our annual visit to the pumpkin patch this morning. We bought one big round pumpkin and one tall skinny pumpkin. We have a lot of ideas and have something different in mind this year for their faces. I also bought mini pumpkins for my son's kindergarten class. I will be taking pictures in class while they decorate their mini pumpkins on "career day". Instead of a halloween costume, the kids will go dressed to school as "what they want to be when they grow up".

more photos....

Fall into Florida

2010-10-16T17:24:00.000-07:00

South Florida that is....It's mid October and we're still swimming.

We did have an unusually cold winter this past year which went on for several weeks. Everyone is already taking about it and hoping for a more cold weather this year.

Sixties Pop Culture

2010-09-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

In 1998, my husband's parents sold the family's home in which he grew up in. It had been a few years since my husband and his brother had moved out and the house was too much now for just the two of them. I was gifted a two volume catalog of Picasso's 347 series in it's traycase and this framed piece of art. They had been left behind by the original owner of the house when they bought it some 35 years ago. The image is printed on a sheet, signed on the bottom left corner, and numbered 37/99 on the right corner.

Being a pop art enthusiast and loving all things mid century modern, it has been hanging on my walls ever since. I kept it in it's original silver frame. For years I have wondered if the owner had bought it or maybe he was an artist himself? Why did he leave it behind? But most of all, who is the artist? I can't make out the signature. I tell my husband it could be one of those finds in the attic you hear about people finding that were left behind and are worth $$$$$. He prefers to think, yeah, right!

Falling for Fall

2010-09-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

It's been breezy around here since the weekend. You can feel a change in the air, it's not as hot as usual, it's actually quite comfortable outdoors.

The first day of fall has finally arrived. With it comes the start of a new football season {huge first home game for us Sunday night}, the search for halloween costumes, a trip to the pumpkin patch, an anniversary, a birthday, a vacation or two, the holiday card photo shoot, and much more.

Have a great one!

Night Time Photos

2010-09-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't used my 55-200mm since I upgraded to the Nikon D90. I've been lazy about carrying any extra equipment and changing out the lenses so I have been using my 18-105mm lens for several months. I soon realized the difference there is between 105-200mm and I'm thinking about upgrading to the Nikkor 18-200mm lens.

I also played around with the landscape and night portrait settings.

Fall Is Here

2010-09-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is enjoying this Labor Day weekend!

A House in Bali

2010-09-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

"Living a life most of us experience only on vacation, in a home of open-air rooms and play spaces among the trees". {Paradise Found-Cookie Magazine Jan08}

John Hardy is my favorite jewelery designer. These are some pieces from his new collection.

I came across this article in Cookie magazine which featured John Hardy's home in Bali. He and his wife arrived in Bali some 30 years ago (separately) and never left. He learned his craft from the local artisans and launched his own business. This is their home where they are raising their family.

After reading their story, I thought about what amazingly interesting lives some people lead. People who have made choices to live their lives beyond what is usual or conventional.

The Lazy Days of Summer

2010-09-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

It has been raining alot lately, more than it did all summer. It's hot and muggy and we have about 2 more months to go before the weather begins to cool down. Saturday, we took my car to the car wash on our way out to lunch. Halfway to the restaurant we could see a storm in the distance. Yes, my car was just washed and we are driving straight into a storm. The kind of storm that requires getting dropped off on the curb with your largest umbrella. You must have an umbrella, I have 3, in the car at all times especially during the summer in Florida.

The rain stopped but it was a gloomy day. We went fishing in the backyard. My daughter holds the record for the smallest {tiny baby fish} caught in the lake, and my son holds the record for the largest fish ever caught.

They made rain.

Then we made water balloons.

In the end, we jumped into the pool with our clothes on and went swimming!

Fall Colors

2010-08-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

I just bought Chanel's Paradoxal for the Fall. I'll be adding it to my holiday collection {Black Satin and Blue Satin}. I don't get weekly manicures except for in the Fall. I think it's because I like these colors so much that I treat myself to mani's during this time of the year. Paradoxal is a blend of purple and gray, and it reflects a shiny violet outdoors in the sunlight.

For a great and less expensive option, try Essie's Merino Cool. I've used Essie for my french pedicures {this I never go without, every 2-3 weeks} for years. I'm also liking Chanel's Khaki Vert and Essie's Sew Phyched.

It's That Time

2010-08-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year when kids are going back to school, for some it will be their very first time. I remember the first day when my daughter started preschool. She was 3 years old and it was the first time I had ever left her anywhere, the first time I didn't have her around me. You experience all your firsts with the older child. Being so close in age, one year apart, we have reached a time when we do get to experience many firsts together. My 5 year old is now in Kindergarten and my 6 year old begins 1st grade. This picture was taken the year she started preschool.

This is for all you moms out there, Whenever I need a reminder.....I read this.

Have a great weekend......enjoy this time.

Modern Love

2010-08-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my favorite amazing modern homes. Each home has features that give you an incredible sense of tranquility from the glass walls that bring the outdoors inside to the natural stones and water features.

{photos courtesy of Architectural Digest magazine}

Groovin' On a Sunday Afternoon

2010-08-16T06:20:00.000-07:00

You know it's time to go back to school when they stop listening to you...........draining the pool is the hightlight of the weekend.............they flood the backyard and jump up and down in the mud and you don't care!

And the Tooth Fairy made her first visit!

Go Dolphins!

2010-08-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend kicks off the beginning of the football season with Saturday night's pre-season game. We went with our friends to the Miami Dolphins training camp for family day last weekend.

To say my husband is a big football fan is putting it mildly. My favorite part of the game is the tailgate. It takes him hours of serious grocery shopping, food prepping, and packing the tents, tables, bbq and coolers into the back of his truck. We arrive and start setting up 3 hours before the start of the game and we are not alone. On the menu for Saturday's game: Chicken Wings, Hamburger and Chicken Wraps with your choice of condiments {chopped onions, tomatoes, pickles, cheese, mayo, lettuce, hot sauce}. Our friends surprise us with the appetizers.

Capturing the Moment

2010-08-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

{The pictures speak for themselves}

When they began to walk, it was point and shoot. Take whatever you can. If you take four hundred pictures, you're destined to get that one special picture for the Holiday card. At any give time, a moment presents itself and I capture that moment in time, laughter, a genuine smile.

The Simple Things in Life

2010-08-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

The first day of school is just two weeks away. My 5 and 6 year old are out from summer camp and enjoying just being kids at home. We've been to the movies, watched movies in bed, baked cupcakes, had friends over the house, and painted ceramics at Color Me Mine.

At the end of last year, I bought them these floats when they went on sale along with some other cool lounges, tubes and water guns. When the weather was warm enough to go swimming, {in Florida this means February}, I couldn't wait to fill the pool with all the new floats and pool toys I had bought. It was exciting and fun for while, but sometimes the things you have around the house bring more fun and laughter to the imagination such as putting the pool lounge chair in the pool or jumping from Dad's work bench.

By the way, the fruit slice islands have been deflated and are back in the garage.

My Favorite T

2010-08-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my son came home from camp with a note reading {Tomorrow is Super Hero day....wear your favorite super hero shirt, mask, cape or costume}. Luckily, he had a t-shirt with four Marvel super heroes on it and it still fit. Now try telling a 5 year old that he is going to be too hot and uncomfortable at summer camp in his Transformer costume.

Last week they dressed up as pirates for the day. At first I thought I would be able to use something from his halloween costume, but when I looked at this picture I realized he was just about 2 1/2 years old when he dressed up as a pirate and the outfit would be too small.

The following year, I bought him a Pirates of the Caribbean costume and at the last minute he didn't want to wear it so he wore the same pirate costume from the previous year.

Over the weekend, I had bought t-shirt iron on paper for this project. Having left the pirate dress up day for the last minute, I downloaded this image and printed it on the iron on paper and borrowed the scarf from the pirates of the caribbean costume.

Everything in 3D

2010-08-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

I love going to the movies and I 've been going by myself for years while my husband was at work, he's a Netflix kind of guy, and later when the kids started school. Last summer I started taking the kids to the movies and I'm finding that I enjoy their movies just as much. We see everything in 3D.

While at the craft store this weekend, we came across Crayola 3D sidewalk chalk. It's actually been around for two years and I can't imagine how I missed it with the weekly trips to ToysRus and Target. You can't see it in the pictures, but it's really cool when you look at your sidewalk and the images are floating above the surface.

I'm really curious ............am I the only one that didn't know about 3D chalk?

Kid's Room Update

2010-07-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

He really likes his room. Next, planets and spaceships suspended from the ceiling!

Mrs. Rosalie

2010-07-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

Four weeks ago, my husband noticed a baby kitten lying underneath his car in the driveway. We called the gate right away and asked if anyone had reported a missing cat in the neighborhood. No one was looking for a missing cat so we gave the cat tuna and water and the kids named him/her (we still don't know) Mrs. Rosalie.

She was in our driveway the following morning and then she was gone that evening. We thought she had moved on or someone else picked her up and took her home. But then she came back the next day and has been living on our terrace and in our front yard ever since.

Although we were feeding her everyday, she was scared of us and would run away every time we went outside. One day I had my daughter go outside by herself and sit completely still with the food close to her. It took about 10 minutes for Mrs. Rosalie to feel comfortable and walk up to the food.

She has found shelter from some major rain and windy thunderstorms on our front terrace. I took a picture from my den of Mrs. Rosalie in the corner with the heavy rain in the background and emailed it to my husband. The next day, he made her an "outdoor cat house". We have two dogs so we can't have her inside the house. They are just getting used to seeing her face on the other side of the glass door.

A Little Summertime Fun

2010-07-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

These are some of the times we are enjoying with our kids. When they were much younger, they played in the frontyard every night before bedtime. That's now a thing of the past. Next week is their last week of summer camp then they will be home for 3 weeks before school starts. I'm definitely not looking forward to "homework". It starts this year in 1st grade! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Time for a Change

2010-07-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

For my son's 5th birtday, we gave his room a complete makeover. He told us he wanted everything Star Wars and he picked out the paint color, bedding, and posters himself. He also asked that we make a galaxy with planets and spaceships hanging from the ceiling. He was completely involved making his room his own.

They share a bathroom which I originally painted yellow. I wanted a neutral color on the walls and I framed several pieces of their own artwork which I hung on the walls in the vanity and shower area.

This was his Thomas the Train table. My husband spray painted the front drawer in a shiny royal blue. He used shiny black spray paint for the table itself and gave the activity mat a coat of the paint we used on the bedroom walls. Legos are the big deal now.

Originally, I had each wall painted in a different color, baby blue, yellow, green, and orange when I made his nursery. The color on the walls; Sherwin Williams Sporty Ble (SW 6522). We used Behr paint with the primer in it since we were painting over color. My only mark in the room is two pieces of artwork he did in Art this school year which I had made into a canvas at artsonia.com.

The bathroom is not the easiest to do since it's shared by a boy and a girl. I like framing their artwork and displaying them around their rooms. I've saved all their work and drawings since they were 2 years old at school, camp, and even the mommy and me classes.

There are two really cool posters we purchased on ebay on their way and wall shelves to display his collection of Star Wars and Harry Potter (this is new) legos. Once we finish with the basics of the room, we'll start working on the galaxy!

Living with Art

2010-07-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

I love all things mid century modern and minimalist. I've had to compromise to meet my family's comfort needs and find the middle between minimalist modern and contemporay comfortable. I once found a mid century sofa daybed on ebay and won the auction. We lived on the West Coast of Florida at the time, so we drove to St. Petersburg to pick it up. When we arrived back home, my husband sat down and one of the bentwood back supports snapped off. After giving it much thought, I realized that this was not going to work out in the living room of our new house with my husband, and two children under the age of 2 so we listed it back on ebay.

When my daughter was 6 months old, I had a photo I took of her made into a four panel pop art

canvas here. I was inspired by the pop art in the family room which I had started collecting before we had children.

This the original photo of my son age 6 months.

His photo was made into a one panel pop canvas.

This was the photo for our Christmas card the following year which I had done in a vintage hand tint. The photo was taken by my sister-in-laws friend.

I also had the photo I took for our 2008 Christmas card made into a vintage hand tint canvas for our bedroom.

This was my gift to my daughter for her birthday this year. I had taken pictures of her in the backyard just before her 6th birthday.

My son's room is getting a makeover for his 5th birthday. The walls in his nursery were each painted in a different color, baby blue, yellow, green and orange. He wanted his room to be all things Star Wars. It's now the Lego room because he wants to add Harry Potter and Indiana Jones to his lego collection. I've found new websites with fresh new ideas for inspiration such as this one. I will be posting pictures of the room next week.

It Rained All Weekend

2010-07-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

And with that said, here are a few pictures from the 4th of July weekend.