I know,I know...

I know that I have fallen behind in my postings; although we are living amidst the last days of summer... and we are making a big push towards the end... 

I love you and I thank you for wanting more...

I have been both in and out of town, up the coast and back again... hugging and kissing my boys all the way home and back into their snug little beds tonight!

Please hang in there, 

just one more day...

Happy labor day 

to you and yours...

Farmers Market

I am so glad that I took my camera with me to the farmers market yesterday, this is something that I have been meaning to do for so long...really a long, long time!  I have been a frequent customer at our local farmers' market for longer than I can remember now... Each Saturday morning, I find my way back to the fresh produce and lovely flowers that are grown locally;picked each week by the same sweet faces that have been selling their goods to our family for years...

I have a favorite vendor, I won't name names, but I met her when Sebastian was in infant; and throughout years of Saturday mornings, she has had the unique opportunity to watch him grow, and grow... She also saw me weekly throughout me pregnancy with Brooklyn, and of cource has the pleasure of knowing him now!  She welcomes us each week with a big hello, and always has a little something put aside for my boys... A few grapes, a slice of watermelon... whatever it be, they are glad recipients, and she is a wonderful part of our Saturday mornings each and every week!  I love strolling around the farmers market seeing old familiar faces and each week, new faces as well... I love being able to support the local growers and also love knowing that the fruits and vegetables that we purchase there are pesticide free and hand harvested... There s a heavenly coffee cart at the market as well, serving up the hottest, freshest organic coffee around! A touch of steamed soy... pure bliss!  Another weekly must have item is the one and only squash blossom quesadilla... These are so good, the line is usually quite long, although the smell of the fresh tortillas warming of the grill is just too delicious to resist!  Very yummy and well worth the wait! ( See that picture below... I had already eaten half of my quesadilla before I remembered to photograph it! Oops..sorry!)  The beautiful flowers are so hard to choose from... which should I bring into our home this week? No matter what the season, there is always something beautiful to decorate your home with... I love bringing the flowers home and preparing them in vases throughout the house... the colors and aroma make me so happy throughout the week and keep me looking forward to returning the the farmers market the following Saturday...

Good Things Come In Small Packages...

When living in a world of most things small... small boys, small shoes and socks, small clothes etc... Why not enjoy an equally small, on-line magazine?  This is a cute on-line publication that is released quarterly... I was notified by email that the autumn issue had been released... Here it is!  Fun to look thorough and usually some good articles to read as well! Have Fun!

Shoe Box Love

Here is a little diddy I made for Sebastian Tuesday night... I know, I know, this is what I do when I have the night to myself??? Papa was away overnight working, Sebastian spent the night at Nana's house and Brooklyn was sound asleep by 6:00pm... This made for a long night... So after watching every episode of Home Sweet Hollywood and eating an entire pint of ice cream, I decided to do something a little more productive!  Here is what I ended up doing... While looking through the current Land Of Nod catalog, I was inspired to cut it into little pieces and build a back to school themed-shoe box diorama, to surprise Sebastian with! I don't think that you can really appreciate it in all of it's 3-D glory from the picture I snapped of it yesterday;but let me tell you... with the help of my hot glue gun and some tooth picks, it makes quite the effect!  I really enjoyed doing this, especially adding the little embellishments; such as the pennant flags, the paper chain and the little pieces of yarn that I used as scarves, for Mr. Duck and Mr. Pig to wear throughout the new school year!  He loved his surprise, I actually surprised myself with this one too! Also snapped yesterday, a bonus for you...  a picture of the devine, Miss. Bella Blue!

Peek-A-Baby

I just had to share these pictures I took of Brooklyn yesterday... Sweet Baby Boy...

Happy Friday!

Deceptively Delicious...

Look at the cook book my Momma presented me with, just because she loves me so!  This is a cook book created by Jessica Seinfeld, which focuses on nutritious food for children!  The recipes look wonderful, and each are laced with some sort of veggie or unexpected goodness!  I love this concept, and the book itself is a joy!  I spent the evening reading through it's pages and marking the recipes that I will shop for tomorrow!  I can't wait to get in the kitchen and get started!  Here are a few pages that first caught my eye... not hard to do with such beautiful and lucid photography! Food tasting and review to follow! Yum...

Awe Yeah...

Well this years Olympic games have been as awe inspiring to our household, as they have been to the rest of our country!  Here is a wonderful visual map displaying both this years medal winnings, as well as each Olympic games past... Really cool...Check it out!

Perfect Balance

While flipping through the pages of my Cookie Magazine a few months back, I couldn't help but be taken by the picture of a very cute sneaker... I, who have always been a fan of the New Balance brand was surprised, yet happy to see that their company had joined forces with Sesame Street, to create this darling line of children's shoes!  I waited patiently until the day that the shoes were released into stores here in the US, and snatched up a pair for my shoe loving four year old!  He went with me to pick the pair that he wanted... Each pair cute in their own regard... Elmo, Cookie Monster or Oscar The Grouch... He chose Oscar the Grouch and I couldn't have been more pleased with his selection! A few of my favorite details of the sneaker are as follows... I love the furry lining on the tongue of the shoe, probably close to the actual texture of Oscar's fur coat!  I love the colors of the shoe, and the icons placed about the shoe in such a way that they don't scream "character shoe!" Lastly, and most importantly, I love that these are well made, supportive shoes that Sebastian is likely to wear throughout the school year.  A percentage of the cost of the shoe is donated to Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street and so much more!  We are more than happy to contribute!  These shoes are a perfect balance between form, function and fun!

Kiwi Slurpee

After countless afternoon runs to 7-11 for Slurpee's, and the introduction of Kiwi to our household this summer, I figured, why not combine the two for an amazingly refreshing treat!

The recipe is as follows!

2 kiwis. peeled

Juice of 1/2 a lime

8-10 ice cubes(depending of the consistency you desire)

1 tablespoon sugar(More if it is too tart for you!)

1/2 cup water

Blend on high for a minute or so, serve and enjoy!

Every Day Mother

Mother's Day has both come and gone this year, and I have been thinking  for months now about what it is that I wanted to post in mention of this great holiday... I think I'm ready now, so here it goes...

My children are phenomenal,God bless them for exactly who they are.  I, like many other mothers swear that my children are special;unique, in a way that only we, with our hearts swollen can detect...

 I look at each of my sons and try to imagine the life that they have before them.... The years of school; years full of experiences that will help shape them into the men they will one day become... The friendships that will hopefully serve them throughout their lives and guide them on their paths, far, far into their adulthood... Each, receiving their first taste of love, and the sour bitterness of first heartbreak... Their personal triumphs and victories, as well as the acceptance of disappointment throughout...  

What will matter then... When my babies are grown, off on their own in the world?  Will they look back longingly and remember how their Momma loved them so? Will they have it etched deeply in their memory that I would do anything to insure their happiness, their success?Anything, to try to relay the feelings of love that consume me on a daily basis... Will they tell their own babies each night that they are immensely loved? I would like to think so...  I don't expect that Sebastian will remember me slipping handwritten notes into this lunch bag each day, or that Brooklyn will be able to recall me kissing the bottoms of his feet each night after his bath... But I do hope that my darling boys will remember this...

A mother could not love anyone more than I love the both of you... You have solidified my place in this world, my destiny, my journey... Thank you  both  for allowing me the opportunity to flex my core being and to mother you, day in and day out.  Thank you  for the chance to share each morning and each night with you, kisses and hugs a plenty.   Thank you for proving to me that I can persevere through the worst pain I have ever felt, both physical and emotional, and be stronger and more grateful because of it...  Thank you for teaching me to be present in the smallest of moments that we share ... To listen even when you are speaking in a whisper, to hold you in my arms, every chance that I get.  Thank you for forcing my mind into a realm of possibility otherwise untapped and for opening my eyes to life in all of its beautiful glory...  Thank you for loving me for exactly who I am, for accepting all parts of me and glorifying the most inconspicuous of beauties...  Thank you for proving to me that I can in fact survive with my heart living outside of my chest and for reminding me that today and every day, is my day to be be with you; my mothers day... I love you a ridiculous amount, and I'll be with you both,each and every day of your lives... 

Summer Lovin

I had to share these wonderful images that my sister captured while vacationing in upstate New York... I love the simple elegance and beauty of 

summertime nature... The plump berries, the crisp greenery,the pause in the full day of a mystical cicada and lastly, my beautiful sister, Kelly...A feast for the eyes, and a moment of escape...

Better For You, Better For Me...

Three fabulous new finds in my quest of all things green...

1. Snack Sacks

These delightful cloth bags are handmade by an  entrepreneurial momma right here in San Diego... The concept of ditching plastic snack bags for these darling sacks is well anticipated in our home!  I love the draw string and the hook attachment... also the stainless steal bowl insert is ingenious!  A Eco-conscious friend and fellow momma turned me on to these and am I ever glad that she did! (Thanks Jennifer!) One for each of my little snackers, these can't be delivered soon enough! 

2. Happy Sacks

After committing to serve snacks on the go from cloth bags, I figured why not look for a natural choice to house Sebastian's sandwiches... Happy sacks have a sandwich bag just perfect for this job!  Adorable fabric choices made this an easy choice!  We'll take two please!  Just in time for back to school peanut butter sammies!

3. Sigg Water Bottles

Beautifully crafted aluminum water bottles conger up questions as to why you drank from plastic for so long... Have you heard the statistics on plastic water bottle waste in the United States alone?  It is staggering...(40 million plastic bottles a day go into the trash or become litter...)  Nothing I want to further contribute to... Count our household in... no more plastic bottles for this family!  Out with the old and terrible, in with the new and wonderful!

The Fruits Of His Labor...

As I was delivering a mid day snack to the garden this afternoon, I happened to glance around the corner to where Sebastian and I had lovingly planted a variety of wonderful organic produce months ago... Remind you, these were seedlings, bought by my mom and planted one by one in hopes of one day harvesting  and eating the produce!  Early on the tomato plant proved to be quite happy in it's surroundings... It took off like a shot, grew almost as tall as I stand and then broke, due to the weight of the budding fruit... We cut it back and have been waiting for the tomatoes to re-emerge!  Maybe a week ago now we saw eight to ten small sized, green tomatoes on the vine!  Today red!  Glorious, beautiful red!  I went and got Sebastian to see what had transformed, literally overnight... He was so proud, his tomatoes were healthy and ready to be picked!  How exciting!  Four tomatoes, perfect for my four year old boy... Many a morning, Sebastian tends to his garden, looking for progress and examining the details of what he sees... We will cook with these tonight, and then my son will truly taste, full circle, the fruits of his labor.

Little Things

This is a post that I have meant to enter for months now... A little tid bit on information that may make your life just that much sweeter... In our home, the momentum leading up to a meal can sometimes be stifling... So in a moment of intellectual bliss, I came up with this... A chair pocket... Hung from the back of both Sebastian and Brooklyn's dining room chairs are small felt pockets that are filled with various items... I purchased a set of four pockets from Pottery Barn Kids during a clearance a few years ago, although this is something that could easily be made...Brooklyn's chair pocket thus far has been stuffed with a packet of sensitive skin baby wipes for easy and painless messy meal cleanups!  Sebastian's on the other hand is filled and refilled every few weeks with items that will keep him busy, as he keeps me company while I cook... This week he has a ColorWonder packet of paper and magic pen, a little coloring book called Appetite for the Alphabet;which is so cute, and a cloth bag full of crayons... I allow him to access the contents of this pocket only during the time leading up to a meal, either breakfast, lunch or dinner.  This allows me the time that I need to prepare the meal, and I get to enjoy to company of my son within a close proximity to the kitchen.  I love this time with Sebastian as it is a necessary break in both of our days... He has a quiet moment to himself while he smells the food that will soon fill his belly and I have the opportunity to watch my boy create and explore within the confines of his pocket!  

Children's Publications

As I'm sure that you are aware, there are a number of fantastic children's publications out there just waiting to be delivered to your little ones on a monthly basis... Here are a few that we look forward to each and every month!  

The first of three that we currently receive is called, Ladybug;the magazine for young children.  I ordered this 

subscription for Sebastian around this time last year and we  have thoroughly enjoyed having it in our home!  I love the day that it shows up in the mail box because I know that there is a flurry of wonderment inside it's roughly thirty pages... Most of the magazine is filled with short stories and beautiful illustrations... There is usually at least one sort of game, either a connect the dot, a word puzzle, or something of this sort.  There is always a song to be be learned and sung, and always included, a small craft idea located on the last pages...  We love Ladybug and will continue to have it in our home for years to come!    

   The second subscription that we receive 

is National Geographic Little Kids.  I think this magazine is wonderful for multiple reasons... Here are a few!  The magazine itself is very small in size, just perfect for the little hands that are going to be thumbing through it's pages... Each months magazine starts and ends the same way... There are a few challenges to solve within the first few pages, such as, match the momma animal to her cub or which one is different, deciding which animal is a different species than the others.  The main portion

 consists of a story pertaining to one specific animal per month.  There are collectors cards in each issue that can be removed on a perforated 

line that feature actual photography of wildlife.  The end of the issue is dedicated to a recipe or craft for your child to get excited about trying!  

The third publication that we receive is called Babybug, little brother to Ladybug... This is the sweetest thing ever!  I know it seems silly to subscribe to a magazine for infants, but trust me, the first time that you flip through these pages, your heart will be won.  The pages of this little magazine are filled with very simple, yet beautiful pictures for baby to

 stare longingly at... There are some words throughout it's pages, small rhymes or songs that you can recite to your little one... Here is an expert from this months issue... 

It is titled...Night Sounds

Listen to the owl, 

"Hoot,hoot,hoot"

Listen to the night train,

"Toot,toot,toot"

Listen to the night door,

"Creak,creak,creak"

Listen to the night mouse,

"Squeak,squeak,squeak!"

Very sweet, and made well of a thick paper that stands up to the tiniest of hands, and mouths!

I would highly recommend all three of these lovely children publications for your own children, I am sure that they would enjoy them just as much as mine do!

Villicana Wine...

Yes you read the heading correctly,Villicana Winery, an actual vineyard right here is California!  Paso Robles to be exact, just up the coast from us a few hours sits a family owned(not ours unfortunately) and operated vineyard that produces a limited amount of fine wines each year!  We received this bottle as a gift, and have waited for just the right time to pop the cork and toast to our wonderful life!  That night ended up being last Thursday, no particular reason, just because we felt like it.... Sitting there sipping this great bottle of wine with my husband made me think... I can apply this form of waiting for the right time to life on a day to day basis...  We as humans wait, we hold out for the day when things are special, or better than they are now; for the right day, the right time; instead of realizing that every day alive is that day... Each day with our loved ones, happy and healthy, is that day... Things might not be perfect but they are never going to be... Pop the cork, drink the wine now... nothing is promised... We should have had this night in December when the bottle was given to us... Thank you friend for the great bottle of wine and the reminder of the actual gift... my life. Cheers!

One, Two, Three Teeth For Me!

Do you see my front tooth?

It is no longer being aloof!

My Momma loves my toothy grin,

and the drool running down my chin!

This was tooth number three, before you know it, a mouthful for me!  

Crawling...

It seems so strange that Brooklyn is crawling around our house now; quickly and happily... I compare his crawl to a skip, light and free...  I can tell by the look in his eye that he is glad to be mobile, working his way in and out of rooms, around corners and directly for a wanted object...  Here Brooklyn sits many a morning, at the top of the staircase, with a clear view of the living room area and a clear view of both his room as well as his brothers... It is evident that he loves the freedom of navigating his way,but finds comfort in having the reassurance of a close and familiar face, even if it's Bella's... Can it be that within the next few months this crawl will turn into a walk and then a run?  My sweet angel is growing up so quickly, where did these ten months go?  Pure joy, happiness,light... and now swift,free movement... Go honey, explore and live your life to the fullest, Momma is right here to watch you every step, or every crawl of the way!