Colorful Girls

Family Photos

I woke up one morning this fall and thought: "Sam is a senior. Sam will be living somewhere else next year (we hope). I have no recent photos of Sam. I have no recent photos of our family. In fact, I have no photos at all of our family since we adopted Gemma. Sam needs a senior portrait. I need a family photo!" With Sam's approval, willing and cheerful approval I might add, the wheels were set in motion for a family photo session in November. It went even better than I could have expected. I had just recovered from pneumonia, but managed to feel energetic, the kids were all happy and smiling, and it was just wonderful. We all went out to dinner after the photo session, and while it might sound corny, I will always remember that night.

Some of my favorite photos were included on our holiday card, but here is the entire group of my favorites.

Happy Halloween!

As most of you know, I have been sick for two weeks with pneumonia, including a brief hospitalization on my birthday. I wasn't involved in any Halloween preparations, trick or treating, or anything remotely festive this year. Okay, enough of the self-pity! Fortunately, a lot of wonderful friends have been taking care of our girls and got them involved in some Halloween fun. I just love these photos of Gemma - a big thank you to my friends, Jen and Krista, who were watching Gemma this particular afternoon.



I was particularly disappointed to miss out on trick or treating this year since my intrepid husband decided to dress up as Tinky Winky. Chris loves this particular Teletubby because Jerry Falwell denounced Tinky Winky years ago (remember this?) as a gay role model for children, as if toddlers could interpret any symbolism that may or may not have existed. Chris proudly carried his pink purse for trick or treating, and our children's moral character seems to be intact. Phew. I hope to get some more trick or treating photos to post, but here is a quick pre-Halloween photo. Chris has no fear of embarrassing himself, none....

It's definitely autumn... already...

I still haven't updated the blog with the dozens of photos I have stored, but here are some photos Chris took with his phone (hence the less than optimal photo quality) over the past week. It's a cool and overcast morning today, and Chris just took the girls for breakfast at a local diner. The first photo is from the diner and the next two are from the local Harvest Fair last weekend. Everyone here is well, just too busy!!

Why I Love Art

When I left my full-time job to be at home with the girls and Sam, I had many bouts of dismay and panic. I had been used to working at a demanding job that occupied a lot of my time and that gave structure to my days and weeks. Without that job I was adrift. I was going to continue that sentence "adrift in a sea of possibilities" but realized that isn't quite true since initially I didn't see any possibilities for my life outside of my profession. (I think I was mildly depressed!)

Well, life has certainly changed over the past six years. I now have many more friends and am a better friend, I volunteer a lot in the schools, I have learned to cook and make our home more comfortable, I read more, walk more and feel better about my life than I ever have in the past. But in terms of looking into the future, the thing that has made me most excited is art. A few years ago, I started up my pottery classes again after a long hiatus. I found a great studio and class nearby at the New Art Center, which is a true treasure for the city of Newton. At the New Art Center, children and adults of all ages and abilities take art classes of all kinds. While I only have time for pottery now, I can hardly wait to try other classes once the girls are both in elementary school. The possibilities in art seem endless....



As I got closer to the New Art Center and its director, I also volunteered to head up a committee to launch a new series of evening events that combine a simple art workshop with food, wine and socializing. We held three of these events in our inaugural year, and just held the first of five events for the 2010-2011 season. It makes me profoundly happy to be in a room of people who are creating things together. So many of us think we aren't "artistic" or "creative" and shy away from artistic endeavors. But I believe that all of us can be creative in the right setting and with the right encouragement. The creative process is energizing and joyful, and I am extremely fortunate to have the time to be part of the New Art Center.

Another stunning photo

Paul's photographs are breathtaking....

Again, our Cotuit neighbor captures a magnificent sky

I have been incredibly remiss in keeping the blog updated. I have many photos to share, going way back into the summer, but have been caught in the insanity of back-to-school meetings, nights out, volunteer responsibilities, etc. for three children in three different schools.

However, as luck would have it, Chris just forwarded me another stunning photo of the sky over Cotuit Bay, taken by our talented neighbor, Paul Rifkin. I couldn't resist posting this to the blog immediately, and hopefully more catch-up posts will soon follow!

Watch Out Preschool - Gemma is on the Premises!

Can it be? Gemma is starting preschool. She is attending the same amazing cooperative nursery school that Edie attended. We love the school and made wonderful friends with other families when Edie was at the school. Many of those families have younger children at the school - in the 4-year-old class - so our challenge with Gemma will be to help her see that she is 3 years old, not 4 years old, not 5, 6, or 7 years old... She certainly is ready to be in preschool!

Edie is in 2nd grade!

Edie started school today in second grade. She was happy to learn that she was assigned to the teacher she had hoped for (Mr. Lacatell). Remember when Edie was terrified to have a male teacher or instructor? Well, that has certainly changed! Initially, Edie was somewhat devastated to learn that none of her close friends (Chloe, Katherine, or Amelia) were in her class. In fact, she barely knows any of the girls in her class. I sat down with her and told her that I know she will make new friends easily, and that her old friends aren't going anywhere! I also told her that I think she is a survivor - that in her short life she has had to make some unbelievably difficult transitions, and that she has come through these strong and happy. I think that meant a lot to her. Edie has a tendency to avoid taking risks and to underestimate her abilities. I think most people who meet Edie know that she is a very capable little girl, and I am trying to help her have confidence in herself. As a side note, when her dear friend Chloe called a week ago in absolute tears over the class assignment list, Edie was able to comfort her - using much of the same language I had used with her the day before. Ah... the social life of a second grader is a force to be reckoned with!

I swimming, I swimming!!

Gemma loves the beach and loves the water! Her enthusiasm is infectious....

And Three More Cousins Make Six...

As I already posted, my girls and I were truly blessed to have my niece, Jordan, stay with us for two weeks in July. With Jordan around, all of our household activities seemed easy - she was such a big help to me! We enjoyed days of relative calm ("relative" because any time spent with Gemma has to be described in "relative" terms) and happily pursued activities that girls enjoy - playing with dolls and dress up, dancing to great music, shopping, eating ice cream (yes, Jordan, I actually typed that!) and watching HGTV. Female bliss.


And then, the three boy cousins came... Sam, Scott and Liam.... And suddenly our days of calm became a thing of the past! Liam is just the cutest boy ever - I look at these photos and I see mischief in his eyes!




And Scott... let's just say when Chris was around, Scott was in his version of heaven. He fished, shellfished and piloted the boat. Take a look at Captain Scott at the helm!


And here Scott displays some of the shellfish he caught for dinner.


And Sam, what can I say about Sam? He did venture out of the house but his primary role in Cotuit is Keeper of the Computer.


They are such a nice-looking bunch - all six of them!

The Best Business Idea Ever....

Imagine this.... you are enjoying a wonderful afternoon with family and friends on a very hot, sunny day. You have thoughtfully packed beverages and food for the day. You are on a gorgeous beach; in fact, it's a beach on an island that is only accessible by boat. So, the sun is beating down and while the cold beer for adults and juice for the kids are nice, there is just one thing that could make the afternoon even more perfect. And then, like out of a dream, a little boat makes its way along the shoreline, tinkling its delightful little bell, and offering up the most delectable frozen treats.... Yes, folks, it's an ice cream boat that makes its way along the island we visit on those hot summer days. You cannot imagine the excitement among kids AND adults when that boat appears around the bend. There is nothing better...

Cooling Off in Southold

In late July, we took a weekend trip from Cotuit to Southold to visit Aunt Kathy, who has had a rough summer with chemo treatments. We were so glad we got to see her. Cousin Jordan came with us, and was wonderful with all of the kids. Aunt Kathleen's pool is such a fun place to hang out on a steamy hot day - and believe me, July was full of steamy hot days this year. A pool has never felt better. Edie and Gemma had a great time - especially Gemma! Just look at that face!



Here is Gemma having a float with Aunt Kathleen:



Edie looks reflective.



This picture cracks me up:



And here she is in the full body pose:

Cousin Jordan

My niece, Jordan, is visiting us for a few weeks on the Cape. Jordan is very special to me. She was the first of the now large group of nieces and nephews I am lucky enough to have in my life, and she was the flower girl at our wedding. I have always loved spending time with Jordan, and this visit is no exception. In fact, it is even better than past visits because Jordan is now a teenager and a lovely young person with interesting perspectives on life, an avid reader, someone who loves the TV series, Weeds, as much as I do, and a fantastic mother's helper. Edie and Gemma adore Jordan, and I do mean ADORE. My girls can be a bit tough on newcomers - they have been known to cling to me like monkeys - but Jordan is different. Not only is she a natural with children, having had tons of experience with her own younger brothers, but I think the girls can also sense just how much I love her!