Holiday Cards

I don't know if I've ever written about my love for holiday cards.  But it is one of my favorite holiday traditions.  I think my card love began when I was about 15 years old, a young babysitter, and about 25 years away from having kids of my own.  One of the families I sat for always did a creative photograph of their son for the holiday.  The dad was a photographer and they would stage a photo and make it into a card for their friends and family.  I remember one year it was a photo of their son when he was about 3 years old all dressed in winter snow gear putting a card addressed to Santa into their mailbox.  It must have been a snowy season when they shot it because the landscape was snow covered and the snow was deep at the mailbox.   It was a black and white photo and it I was struck by the idea.  I loved the contrast between their very personal holiday photo card and everyone else's boxed cards from Hallmark.  I don't think there were many personalized photo cards in the 70's. 

Personally, I love having a history of holiday cards as a visual record of the boys growth (and maybe even my own card design evolution).  I enjoy looking at our past cards each year when I take them out again - I love all of the memories attached to them - just seeing Anders and Kuba's beautiful faces when they were younger makes me happy.  I have a few friends that are equally jazzed about holiday cards, which makes it even better  in a way.  Who knew there were any other card loving doting mothers besides me?  It's just a cool tradition.    Happy holiday card season, and let the cards roll in!!

Thanksgiving

I have two kinds of gratitude - Anders and Kuba

We had a lovely holiday again this year, at one of my favorite homes in the world.  Fran and Dierdre's home is simply so beautiful that eating cheerios there would be special.  The boys played with their cousins, ran up and down three flights of a beautiful staircase playing fetch with Bella, held the corn snake, watched Fran's trains, and had a yummy, delicious dinner.   Kuba especially liked the chocolate turkey that was at his place setting.  The boys also hiked with Mor Mor and their Aunt Kersten from Sweden, and went to the train show at the Botanical Gardens. It was a great holiday and I feel deeply grateful for all that we have.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Now the 45th President of the United States!

Happy Day today! 

Barack Obama won a second term and life is good.  I sent Anders to school today in this Barack Obama t-shirt that I had squirreled away for him in his box of things to save.  I bought it a few years ago when I was in Washington. I went out to the barn looking for it early this morning, pulled it out and put him on him to celebrate! I am so happy for my boys that this is their president.

Number 5

Kuba
1,2,3,4,5!

My little guy is now five- which isn't so little anymore.  He is an amazing little boy and I simply ADORE him.  He's quite a character- passionate, smart, funny, "in-charge" and a real lover.   He thrives on connection and in relationship.  He prefers to spend one-on-one time with people.  He's zesty, spicy, sensitive, volatile and I think he's going to keep me entertained for a long long long time.  He's stated multiple times this year that he is the "ruler" of this family.  This give you a snapshot into how he would prefer things to be.  He loves books and is already reading.  He loves active play.  He loves his brother Anders so much and spends a lot of time playing with him.  He loves his friends at pre-school and talks about them all the time. He loves to cook, to bake, is a great drawer, story teller, and has a wicked imagination.  He still has his imaginary friends around, Bingo, Eli, Eggy, and their family of friends.  He has a sharp intellect and grasps things fully and quickly.  He needs to be doing.  He loves grocery shopping and helping with anything he can.  He gets angry quickly if he gets frustrated- which is a real treat to parent.  He responds very well to connection and presence.  He wants you to be here NOW,  like a little Buddhist teacher.   I know he's going to keep me stretching and reaching and growing as his mom.  I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like him and I feel so very grateful that he is my son.   How did I get so lucky?!!  Kuba, it is my hope for you that this year is full of abundant joyful experiences, lots of learning, and has multiple avenues for the development of your many, many gifts.  And in the words of Kuba - "I love you so much, I love you so much, like a monkey loves bananas!"  (But I love you even more than that!)

Happy Birthday KUBA!!   

Stuffed Animal Party

Kuba had a birthday party yesterday with all of his little friends and it was a very fun party indeed.

Here they are all posing with their best stuffed animal.

Kuba Turns Five!

Kuba turned 5 today! 

It was a wonderful day, full of fun and good things- especially his new chef's uniform;  

a self-proclaimed favorite gift, among all his other "favorite gifts."  

He's excited to serve his hot dog quiche in his chef attire.