Art Date

These days Brian and I enjoy planning impromptu "dates" while the baby sleeps. Although we'd probably still be spending time together during Levi's little naps, calling it a "date" makes it seem much more important and precious. (And you can't do laundry or the dishes on a date, now can you?!)

The other day we had an art-date inspired by a little trinket we saw at a flea market on Sunday. It was a rock, about the size of a fist and it had a little wooden lighthouse stuck to it. It was very simple, but this little "rock island" was so charming that Brian and I decided that we MUST make our own. 

We started out by picking out some nicely shaped rocks on the coast of Marblehead during our family outing on Labor Day.

On the way home, we stopped at the craft story for some moss, twine and small wooden sticks for building. At home, we already had a glue gun and other little beads, wire, fabric and sculpey.

As soon as the little one was a-snoozing, we went to work; we used the moss for foliage, the wooden sticks for structures and twine and beads for other tiny details. Sculpey is a great material to use, since you can build almost anything out of it and all you have to do it stick it in the oven for a few minutes to harden. I used it to make little houses for my island and then I painted them with some acrylic paint. Everything was attached with a glue gun. 

And viola!

 

my island was somewhat inspired by Monhegan Island, 

which is one of my very favorite places to enjoy the beauty of New England

Brian's is still a work in progress, but I'm loving his landscape, so far. And his moss so very finely manicured. :) 

Our 2 hour nap-time-date was a huge success 

and we didn't mind a bit when our date had to end.

Because it just so happened to end with 

this cute little sleepy face of love. 

Mid-September Thanks

Giving thanks, for - 
- Levi laughing in his sleep

- getting through the first week of my various part jobs, almost unscathed. :)
- visiting Parker Middle School, lunch with Brian and meeting his co-workers
- Wailin Jennys Pandora station (thank you kindly, Lili)
- weekends
- being able to let go of a clean and tidy house

- very real smiles!
- a chilly autumn walk and these beautiful steely eyes looking up at me...

This Moment - warm nap

{this moment} - A Friday ritual

Joining with SouleMama

The Protector

"There were no baby-sitters then and Bumby would stay happy in his tall cage bed with his big, wonderful cat named F. Puss. There were people who said it was dangerous to leave a cat with a baby... F. Puss lay beside Bumby in the tall cage bed and watched the door with his big yellow eyes, and would let no one come near him when we were out... There was no need for baby-sitters. F. Puss was the baby-sitter."

-Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

[Disclaimer: No, I don't use my cat as a babysitter and I wouldn't recommend it. Unless of course you have a cat like F. Puss. :) ]

Summer's End at The Rock

Speaking of the happy couple, we spent the weekend at Matt's family's house up on Lake Winnipesaukee for what felt like a wonderful last hurrah of summertime. "The Rock" is a house on its very own island and a most perfect getaway retreat. Our family enjoyed a relaxing mini-vacation; boating, kayaking, grilling, gaming, sun-bathing, baby-cuddling, fire-pitting...ahhh. 

Approaching "The Rock"

Levi and Grammy

Uncle Jonathan loves his Levi time...

gorgeous full moon over Winnipesaukee

nap time with Auntie Kate (not sure why she's pouting!)

Mommy trying to be all "Anne Geddes" on Levi

Our sweet little "turtle boy"

(actually I think it's a Snapper shell...oops)

on the boat home...

'till next time!

We went home happy!

The (soon-to-be) Antonell's Engagement Shoot

My sweet sister seems to have found herself a very sweet guy to match.  Katie and Matt are planning a late-May wedding and I, for one, am looking forward to the upcoming months of preparation and planning!  To start, we went to the park where they got engaged to do a little engagement photo shoot.  Really now, how cute are they?! I know they'll make Levi some way-cute cousins... (oops, did I just say that out loud?)

his faithfulness continues

 ...give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

- the excitement of a new school year

- wonderful first days of classes

- getting though those few hours without my little babe

- iced chais from Bagel World

- art and craft time with Brian and our awesome "rock islands"
- having a husband who will have, enjoys art and craft time!
- teaching little ones again (those 1st graders, oh my)
- a weekend at "The Rock"

- Levi's bath time coos
- His first "real" smile!

- one wonderful and full month with our boy

Thank you, Lord, 

for this small, small list

 of the blessings you gave this week.

*photos courtesy of Katie McKenna-almost-Antonell