The Modern Family Aesthetic

Meeting the neighbors

We did it! On a few occasions while in the backyard playing the kids have engaged in brief conversation with neighbor kid across the greenbelt and caddy corner to our house. They can't see each other because of the large growth of bushes and trees but they can hear and so begins the conversations, "Hey you over there," and then moves on to the oh so sweet heart warming, "will you be my friend?" Ah youth such a reminder of how easy it can all be. Months later ;-) that same sweet kid voices hears my kids voices and says, "Hey I'm playing on my trampoline too."
Today we decided to stop playing and head to the street adjacent to our house and say hello. It shouldn't be too hard to find. I am proud of my children's excitement and enthusiasm. My ds writes a sweet note with his special rainbow colored pencil, signs his and his sister's name, rolls into a scroll and ties it up with a ribbon. We head over on scooter, bike and foot. They meet, it was good and sweet and satisfying. I could tell ds was shy but happy to make a new friend. We made an open invitation to come over and play. I really hope it happens even if just a meetup at the neighborhood park.
The brief visit seemed to filled each of them with a sense of connection to where they lived. Walking home that mentioned all the 'friends' they've met since moving and I'm happy for them and more determined than ever to nurture and support developing a sense of community right here in our neighborhood. Today felt really good.

Little house in the suburbs

That's the title I wanted to give my latest blog endeavor and then I came across this old friend and thought. It's time to resurrect this dear old blog. Technically it's seven years old and I thing that's really cool and special and once upon a time it drew people because of it's Montessori leanings and my husband's great wit. Then it morphed into being more specifically for family members to keep up with the going ons, ins and outs of family life. Where did I hope to go by starting a new blog? I think I want a place where I focus on how WE keep things going, the aesthetic, the dynamic the rhythms of our family life. As busy as we are and as much as I crave a slower family life I am proud of how we have managed to stay connected and face battles and challenges with sense of determination, respect and LOVE. I think at the end of the day I want a place to celebrate our family style.

An Epiphany Kind of Weekend

We celebrated 3 Kings, my father's 74th birthday and AK's baptism anniversary this past Saturday and of course I didn't get any decent pictures (I am really hoping to work on that). It was a full day which can often create challenges for our young ones but the day went really well. It was so nice to be a way from home in surroundings that still felt familiar and as comfortable as home to the children. They also had no problem making themselves at home by bring backpacks filled with their current favorite toys and of course their was birthday cake to be head so this definitely eases them into any occasion. "Cake" always makes it a party. The children were also particularly excited about the gifts they received.

I was kind of sad to say goodbye to the Christmas season. We had such a great time in the process of getting ready through our daily practice of lighting the advent candle and then steadily creating a festive Christmas environment as the day grew near. Post Christmas Day AK truly took on the journey of the Three Wisemen by moving them closer and closer to their destination bit by bit. On January 6, it was excited to tell the story and let AK act it out with our figurines as MAK watched. "They made it!"

On Sunday, the final pieces of our Christmas 2011 were packed up in a box and stored away in the attic. Our daily rituals that truly facilitated a special kind of family time and conversation ended. I haven't quite figured it out or discussed with my precious Bobo but I want to build upon what we began as we daily expressed our gratitudes before the light of the flame was extinguished. I know it may sound cheesy but it is my aim not to see the flame of Christmas extinguished in hearts as we move forth through where ever this year may take us.

Happy New Year

It's been awhile but the intention will be to write more, to share more, to celebrate more of this amazing family journey.

Life is good!

Epic beadhead!

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This time I caught Mak upon wakeup instead of at the yogurt table. Beadhead gold!

I am ironman

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p78.mov (18423 KB)

He's been at this ever since thanksgiving where GIna and Kevin got him the talking ironman missle shooter thingamajig for early Xmas. Notice his superhero shirt. Not seen are the superhero underwear.