I love fall and the crisp air and watching the leaves change colors. I love the natural light in the morning and watching the sunset.
This is a rose that is blooming in my garden this morning and caught my eye.
I love beautiful and simple things.
Do you have fall traditions? I love making soups and stews and love being at home.
Good night, BeLoveRs!!
Today was a beautiful day. We woke up to a surprise snow fall overnight.
This was our view as we were getting into our van to go to school. I was so thankful that we have a vehicle and don’t have to ride our bikes, like the locals.
After drop off, I was busy getting ready for Amy’s baby shower. In America, we celebrate the upcoming birth of a child by gathering women friends and bringing gifts for the new mom and baby. Food and drinks are served and everyone tends to dress up. Sometimes games are played. The mother-to-be opens her gifts in front of her guests. We had such a great time celebrating her new baby girl who should be joining us very soon. I love celebrating together with women and sharing stories.
We also included some Dutch traditions such as Beschuit and Muesjes that are seved after the baby is born, and Dutch congratulatory banners.
Here are more pictures of our hostess flowers.
After the girl time, it was time to pick up the kids and the weather had changed again! What a gorgeous day.
Hope you have a great afternoon too!
“One of these days my luck is bound to change but for now I’ll savor the moment and the chocolate gelato.” – Emily Dodson, FB status 7/3/12
This is how I feel lately – just incredibly lucky and I know it won’t last forever, but for now the ride is so good, I want to savor every moment and don’t want to stop!
My doctor said I need to exercise at least 15 minutes a day to help with stress and to stay healthy. So I listened today and played volleyball with my friends for two hours. Does that mean I’m done for the week? J.k. I don’t know what I loved the most, being outside in the sunshine and not packing or cleaning, actually playing grass volleyball while watching my kids run around the park, or just hanging out with my girlfriends? I guess it was just an awesome triple play of goodness!!
Don’t you love Fridays? It’s one of my favorite days of the week. Everyone is happy from finishing up the week and excited, anticipating the weekend.
Today I enjoyed C’s field trip to the Magic Garden. We walked and took the City Bus with 29 kids and several chaperones and his teacher. The kids had a great time touching and tasting and feeling and smelling all the wonders that surrounded them, including worms, nests, chickens, snails, nasturtiums, and fruiting mulberry bushes to name a few.
Looking up at the underbelly of the shade tree – so pretty!
Have you ever seen an Almond Tree?
These roses were beautiful climbing roses, but without much scent. The kids enjoyed walking through the gateway and into the magical garden. I liked it too.
Look… April and I actually got to hang out today! Thank goodness for field trips!! 🙂
From the city bus stop with the second graders, I walked half way back to school and then left the kids with the other chaperones so that I could run ahead to meet the school bus that was bringing J home from Science Camp. I was so excited to see her and have her back in my nest. I’m not ready to let her go, even though I know she’s growing up and I have to let out the leash a little more and more. It felt really good to reel her back in, close to me. We all missed her and our family dynamic was just not the same without her. Now we just have to wait for Jeff to get back from London to have us all back together. I’m happy for him though, that he gets to spend time with his brother before heading home again.
And to finish off the day, we had a quick visit and dinner with Michele and the kids. We were all so tired that we made it an early night. She had this great little gadget on her counter that made us laugh and smile and maybe you will too. In case you ever wonder, here’s a little Emergency Affirmation you can give yourself – when you press the smiley face, it plays a drum roll and tells you that you are amazing! Something everyone should hear at least once a day!! Go ahead, press it! You are Amazing!! xo
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
That’s my motto. I am living this life to the fullest and going full speed. The only way I’m stopping is if I get sick or run into a wall (inside joke). I am savoring spending time with friends, even more so than before and now I’m the busiest I’ve ever been and I’m suddenly not busy, if that makes any sense. Yesterday I met a college friend for coffee and we walked to Starbucks, smelling the roses along the way. Last night, after the junior high open house, I met friends for margaritas and a late dinner. Typically I would never schedule so many events in one day, but now I’m suddenly not tired or “busy.” Today I met friends for coffee, lunch, after school play date, and after dinner drinks. Smelling the roses along the way and even bringing some home today! Thanks, M. Life is good. xo
Los Altos flowers
