Big Boy, Big Day

Our Kindergarten Cutie...

Pillow Talk

Last night when I tucked Sebastian into his bed, I took the opportunity to lie beside him. You see, last night when I put my son to bed, he was a little boy on the brink of a new adventure in his life... School was starting the following day and soon, he would be a Kindergartner... I laid with him and rubbed his back, reminding him of all of the other firsts that he had experienced in his life. From the first time that he walked, to the first time that he spoke, all the way up until the first time that he met Brooklyn and spent his first day as someones brother. Different rights of passage, different times of his life, some new, some old, all treasured, all memories. He fell asleep there with us pressed up against each other and I could feel the length of his body next to mine. I listened closely to the rise and fall of his breath and the strong and steady beat of his heart. I inhaled his sweet scent and while remaining as quiet as I could, I cried. These were not tears of sorrow, Oh no... These were the tears of a mother who knew that she had given every ounce of herself to her child in preparation for that following day... These were the tears of a mother whose pride and confidence in her child are unparallelled and without means of being measured... These were the tears of a mother who often wonders where the years have gone and how her darling baby boy become such a handsome young man. While lying there beside him,I allowed myself to question the decisions that I had made throughout the last five years; and to consider whether or not there was anything that I should have done differently. Was there anything I knew for sure? I found great solice and comfort in determining that I wouldn't have done anything differently... Here is the conclusion that I came to. Sebastian is who he is today because of a daily commitment to love him and to support him. To lift him up and praise him, to nurture him and encourage him to be the most honest and pure person that he can be. This I know for sure...He is a good friend, he is a loving and supportive brother, he is kind and gracious... He is gentle and considerate and he loves openly and freely without constraints or limitations to his emotions. He is the keeper of an incredibly generous heart and sees the world in rose colored shades, for all of its beauty and wonder. Here is what else I know... Sebastian will gain momentum moving forward. He will be a dynamic student, a force to be reckoned with. Both unstoppable and unwilling to compromise for anything less than excellence... I will continue to watch him grow and stretch his physical and intellectual abilities. I will continue to encourage him, and to love and support him in everything that he does. I will also continue to spend these nights curled up next to him, relishing his presence and feeling my heart swell when I stand to leave and he whispers, "I love you Momma..." I will continue to remember that moment by his bedside as well as the moment that followed. I leaned down close to his head and whispered into his ear, "I love you too buddy, and am more proud of you than you might ever know..." That I know for sure.

Here 's to a year of new experiences and new beginnings... Here's to Kindergarten.

Joy

Sunday Night Sundaes

We made ice cream sundaes this evening in honor of Sebastian's first day of Kindergarten tomorrow, and our last Sunday night this summer. There was a plenitude of toppings to choose from, enough sugar for weeks... I made these yummy morels and tucked them into each bowl, Mmmm.... Sweet, delicious, fun.

Pencil Toppers

I was awake into the wee hours of the morning making these pencil toppers for Sebastian to take along with him to Kindergarten... Are they not the sweetest thing? I followed this tutorial and although they were shown to be sewn on a machine, I decided to hand stitch them and am really glad that I did. Sebastian tried them all out this morning and decided that the pencil attached to the little red car writes the best, go figure. Another little way for Momma to be with her boy when he is away...

Blushing

Thank you, thank you, goodness me, thank you...

Personal Space

I added a few new additions to the inspiration boards in Sebastian and Brooklyn's playroom... I have been looking high and low for cute push pins and not being able to find what I had in mind gave me the opportunity to make a few of my own. These were so, so easy and quick. I think that they are very sweet, and they seem to have temporarily satisfied my endless button craving! I also pinned up the pom-pom insects that Sebastian and I put together last week and lastly I hung Sebastian's little red boots that he wore throughout his first year of life. Those tiny boots are proudly displayed for all to see and to remind my big boy of how very far he has come...

Inspirational Interview - Layla Palmer

I came across The Lettered Cottage in a roundabout sort of way... I think this is the way that I have found the majority of my most favorite blogs... I instantly loved the format and the design of the site... I also loved that there was an online store and a design business linked to this blog, all running smoothly and seamlessly as one. Throughout the past months, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and reading my way through the cottage's renovation and transformation... Oh my is it beautiful. When I decided to interview women who have inspired me, I hoped that Layla would be one of them. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the creator and owner of The Lettered Cottage... Layla Palmer. This is what she looks like now... And this is what she looked like as a child... How darling is she?

1. How did you choose the name of your business and or blog?

Kevin and I are both creative writers. Me with my blog and books, and him with his lyrics and songs. We also love typography and have our favorite quotes, words, letters and numbers scattered all throughout the house. The Lettered Cottage seemed like the perfect fit, especially since the first letters of each word are T-L-C. This place needs a lot of that!

2. What inspires you?

Colors, textures, shapes and life.

3. Favorite day of the week/why?

Monday!

Because now that I work for myself, I experience a whole different set of emotions when waking up on what once was a very dreaded day.

4. Greatest influence?

All the creative women in the world who have taken that first daring step towards following their heart and owning their own businesses. I love to hear their stories. They keep me motivated day in and day out.

5. Earliest childhood memory?

I think I was three years old. I vaguely remember playing with a toy shopping cart in the front yard outside my house in Minnesota. I looked just like Cindy Brady. Curly pig tails, 70's style clothing, the whole bit.

6. When did you know that you were ready to embark on creating your own business?

When my gynocologist told me it was imperative that I quit my day job. He said the stress I was battling because of it had my hormones all out of whack, which was causing me to have panic attacks. He is a very smart man. I haven't had a panic attack since I started working for myself and my hormones seem to be back in order too! :-)

7. When was the last time that you laughed until your belly hurt?

Unfortunately, it was at church. Kevin and I both heard a funny noise at the same time (I think someone was blowing their nose) and we got a BAD case of the giggles. I almost had to get up and leave. If we looked at each other it made it so much worse. Tears were streaming down our cheeks as we each sat there, uncontrollably shaking with silent laughter. It was terrible at the time, but it is kind of funny now looking back. :-)

8. When was the last time that you cried?

Yesterday. As a matter of fact, I cry very easily. Some days they're tears of joy, and other days they just coming flowing out because I'm so ridiculously emotional. I seem to feel everything so much more intensely than most people I know. My Mom says I get it honest, from my Dad.

9. How old were you when you gave birth to your first child? (If applicable)

No children yet. I would like to adopt one day though.

10. Everyday must have?

Country Time Lemonade

11. Most treasured item?

My Grandma Evelyn's wedding ring. She passed away in 1999, on Valentines Day, and I still think about her almost every single day.

12. Hopes for your future in both business and your personal life?

I hope to inspire people searching for inspiration, and to motivate those seeking motivation. I hope to have a book published at some point, and to one day live in a very, very old cottage that looks out onto water.

13. Advise for others who might be contemplating following their dreams?

Go for it 100%. Not 98%, not even 99%. You have to believe in yourself with every ounce of your being, and you have to go for it 100%. And just when the going gets really tough, because it will, and it feels like there's no hope- give 110%. That's when the real magic happens! That extra effort, and the reward you receive from it, will make all the difference in the world.

14. Chocolate... Dark, Light or white?

Ooh...that's a tough one. I guess if I had to pick one I'd choose white......oh great, now my mouth is watering. :-)

15. Middle name?

Dawn. My Mom thought it was the prettiest time of the day.

Third Draft

My children are phenomenal,God bless them for exactly who they are. I, like many other mother's swear my boy's are special;unique,in a way that only we, with our hearts swollen can detect... I would like to thank both of my babies for allowing me the opportunity to flex my core being and mother them, day in and day out. We share each morning and each night,kisses and hugs a plenty. I thank them both, for without them, I would not have been allowed admittance into a club of phenomenal women, a sisterhood if you will , that is sometimes silent, but always strong... Women fueled by love in it's most pure form, gut wrenching, pain staking, love; for your children. Love for who they are now, and for who they will become...

For You...

Day Dream

I am thrilled to share with you the culmination of many a day and nights dream... At the dawn of this past New Year I resolved to apply more time and energy to writing and developing Life With Little Ones... An idea that had crossed my mind was to highlight and feature one woman per month who provides me with a daily serving of joy and inspiration... The bogs that I follow are filled with passion, motivation, and creativity above all... The women that I have selected to take part in this project are amazing and I know you will enjoy reading their interviews nearly as much as I will enjoy conducting them. What a treat to be able to work along side these amazing women, to learn from them and continue to pass along the beauty of their work... Please check back in the near future for the first of twelve interviews. I hope that you will read them and then read them again... I hope that you will find your own inspiration and awaken a part of your own being... I am thrilled... Enjoy,and thank you.

The Small Stuff

Yipee!

First Annual...

Our family was honored to be the recipients of an invitation to the first annual Molnar Family Camp-Out this last weekend! You see, I have this incredibly creative and inspiring friend Lisa, who has the most wonderful ideas to enrich and fulfill the lives of her family and the families that are lucky enough to know her. She came up with the idea to invite friends and their families to spend an enchanted evening in her backyard, as if we were camping! We are talking about a fabulous barbecue, a pie eating contest, a flashlight led bug hunt, gunny sack races, bon fires, smores and more! We played, we ate, we drank and we shared a great time with our boys and the many others that were there... Although we didn't pitch a tent and spend the night; as many other families did, this was a wonderful event to help us wrap up our summer... Thank you Molnar family, you are one of a kind...

Waiting Game

Tick, tock goes the clock... The summer in quickly coming to an end and it's final days are upon us... We are trying to fill each and every moment with family, friends and sunshine... Sebastian is headed to Kindergarten one week from today...YIKES! Stay tuned for a plethora of pictures recapping the count down to reality and some back to school festivities!

Second Draft...

Here I sit, alone with my thoughts, full well knowing that I should be sound asleep... Anticipating my six a.m. wake up call of "Ma" ringing though the halls... But no, here I am, basking in the glow of the computers screen, clicking and clacking, thinking and wishing, writing and erasing.... Pondering the deep as well as the shallow... Contemplating the meaning of life and then moments later testing my personal preference of pattern vs. solid... I think I have crossed over to pattern???

Around twenty minutes ago I began humming the melody of "Feelin' The Same Way"set to the swish and swash of the dishwasher hard at work in the kitchen... Sounds good. I have checked on my sleeping babies three times. First for a temperature check, the air conditioner can be a bit brisk at night. The second time for a lighting adjustment, I turn on the nightlight around 10:00 pm... And the third time to marvel at my best work, my most beautiful of creations, sleeping beauties, my little boys. Brooklyn and his babies, Sebastian and his snuggle guys, Momma takes a deep breath in and then lets it out... Another day, alive, abundant... And then back downstairs... Fill and set the timer for the coffee machine, can't forget to do that... Top off Bella's water bowl and feed Cutie. Moments ago I contemplated vacuuming out the back seat of my car but then realized that the noise of the shop vac might be disruptive to not only my own family, but tho the family's that reside around ours... Bad idea, the entire bag of spilled popcorn will just have to wait until the morning for removal. I wish Anthony had not been so darn tired and would not have made his trek to la la land so early this evening. I understand his sleepiness and tonight, I wish it were contagious. I did record Project Runway and I could watch it, but I won't. I could check my FaceBook but I refuse to as I checked it earlier in the day and am limiting my time on that time stealer of a website...

In Awe

Have you read this, or seen this? Do you want to cry when you hear this, or look at this? Has it really been a year since this?Amazing, awe inspiring... I started reading her blog about one week prior to her airplane crash... I had the unique opportunity to know of her both before and after the accident. If my opinion counts, I like her better now... Thanks Nie, for reminding my of the silver lining and the sky's limitless boudries... If you don't already; please read her words, follow her recovery, support her and love her from afar...

First Draft

I am lucky to have this little lady in my life that has been treating us periodically to an unpublished draft on her blog... I love this idea of the un-posted post making its way to center screen, even as an unfinished thought... Here is my first draft, ready for your insight and depiction... I began writing this on Memorial Day of this year, although, I got lost in where I was headed with the post and once I started thinking about my grandmother, I didn't much feel like writing anymore, more like allowing myself a nice, long cry... Either way, here it is in it's unfinished, raw state... Enjoy.

Memories... Haunting and distant... Clear and precise... Vivid, textural and sensational... Sorrowful and regretful... Joyous and remarkable... Memories run the gamut, they transcend space and time... Memories are a tunnel to the past, a direct connection to ones earlier days... A life past, a life lived... Memories are etched so deeply within our minds and our bodies, unmistakable,untouched by our progress... Never changed, altered, retouched. Permanent.

Grace, beauty, poise, generosity, love abundant... Calista Ann Walker; Nana. I remember the last time that I saw my Nana alive... We were at my mothers home and as she walked down the hallway to leave, I remember watching her go.... Granted, I didn't know that day that this was the last time that she would kiss my cheek and whisper of her love for me... Although, that is the last memory of her that I have... My favorite memory of my Nana, well that is hard to decipher... The majority of my most highly regarded childhood memories are within close proximity to her arms embrace... I remember each and every one of the grandiose holidays and vacations that she spoiled us with... The dresses each Christmas;the lace and the tulle... In stark contrast, I remember the much simpler days spent in her home and scouring her neighborhood with my sister to make floral arrangements to gift her with... The little moments ring loudest in my memory. I remember the scent of her perfume... The softness of her skin... I remember falling asleep in her bed at night and her holding my hands... I remember the blue of her eyes and the rose of her cheeks... I remember her calling me her favorite number six grandchild, and I remember knowing undeniably that she meant it. If I allow myself, I can travel though these memories to a day we had spent together. I can almost feel my surrounding, a chance to relive my past... But I miss her so much, and my heart aches when I speak her name, so I don't allow myself the opportunity and I leave my memory of her alone. Frozen in time... Nana; as she was that day. And I; the girl I was then...Forever seventeen.

A plethora of memories crowd my mind, swell and fill my chest... The most treasured and renowned; first loves, first babies... And then there are others...

My aunt Kathy is some what of a mystery to me... My fathers only sister, half a sister at that... She came and she went. She was an artist, a free spirit, a lover of nature and all of its fruits... Kathy was a smoker, that I can't easily forget... Her breath was as thick as smoke and her skin was wrinkled... She loved me. I remember that. When she was around, my father was happy, I remember that too. Kathy was a photographer, and with her 35 milometer camera in hand is how I most vividly remember her. Her eye to the the lense; reading light, capturing spirits... I remember her laugh, her smile, her zest for life... I also remember the day that I attended her wake with my father and watched his heart break when they placed the urn holding his sisters body into the mausoleum...

Favor

Might I ask a favor of you? If you are reading this right now, might you add yourself to that little list of followers on the right hand side of the screen... Do you see it? Oh... There it is... Little pictures are optional, but your name would be wonderful... Thank you for your support.

Night Light

My incredibly lovely and endlessly generous friend Lyn surprised me with a little something a few weeks back... A beautiful ring that she picked out for me to wear upon my hands, how very very sweet! I especially love that the ring was made with the very best of intentions and is sold with proceeds donated to this amazing charity... Please take a peek... Thank you, and thank you Lyn, again and again and again.

Wonderful Weekend