Birthday Trifecta.

What changes a year can bring.

Last year we had a sweet homemade birthday for Mister Witt in a little loft in a still very new Village life. This year my darling husband spent his birthday in his very own Village home, that he bought for us... and well, it is nothing short of wonderful.

The birthday trifecta was this:

Easter Sunday Birthday:             righteous day
Turning Thirty-three:                  righteous number
Taking place in year 2012:         righteous year

I secretly thought that maybe space aliens would come for a visit and tell us the secrets of the world.  What else would one need to expect something other worldly to happen??  Sadly, our rooftop landing station remained vacant and we had to bide our time doing more earthly things.  This turned out okay too though...

A gift (or two):

A walk:

and two hipster children to adore...

They dress themselves now you know.  And I must admit, relinquishing control on dressing them like dolls was nothing short of excruciating.  

Once, there was a fire near our Arizona home.  It was getting quite serious and I was home alone waiting for an evacuation.  So I gathered all of Gabrielle's clothes and put them in my car, just in case. she was three. true story. 

My memories of their baby/toddlerhood, if you will, often greatly relates to an outfit they wore.  So when i say it was hard to give up, I mean it was hard to give up!   But the joy of seeing their outfits revealed each morning now far surpasses the joy I took in laying out their clothes in what now seems a life time ago...

Oh jeez... were we talking about a birthday?

Well it was lovely!  A day of being at home, together, turning the best.age.yet.

You have a whole year of 33 darling, make it a good one ;-)


xx

0 + one....

My god do I love me a baby.

You know how mothers all have different ages that they are particuliarly good at or just fond of?

When I was preggo with Gabrielle a close friend was also having a little girl.  We had babies a week apart.  I used to laugh because she was alomst totally bored with a new born, hoping that it would get bigger quick and do something already.

Not me though.

I loved it and wanted it to last forever.

But now I have big kids.  The ones I cursed at the play ground for running past my sweet toddler and being TO CRAZY.  These play grounds aren't for you, don't you have school or something?  

And now I laugh at those ridiculous mothers who think their toddler owns the play ground... sheesh!  

And now I  love having big kids.  But they got big too fast and I wish I could have two more little ones, for old times sake.  But that isn't going to happen... 

So I feel so very privledged when I am invited to hang out with smaller ones!  And last night a certain smaller friend turned one.  We celebrated with the perfect taco (not soggy at all), amazing guacamole (mine of course), and song plus cake too...

Sweet older brother kept his eye on the cake the entire evening.  I am sure he was making sure it was safe and sound for dear Samantha.

and he did a great job!

and Samantha took her very fist bite of cake.  handmade by brother of course.

and Henry approved of the outcome...

and we let Mister Witt have some too!

Happy birthday small friend, can't wait to watch you grow!

Happy Birthday Arizona...

This is slightly belated, I know.  The rude month of February is currently ruining my life with its oscillating temps and snowless(ness)... But I have decided not to let this Birthday pass without candles and cake... for turning 100 is kind of a big deal!

Arizona and I have had a love hate relationship for as long as I can remember...

The blinding sun piercing my eyeballs every.single.day.  

The awful burns from the scorching seat belt buckles ruining all car rides.

The chemical burn up my nose upon each accidental inhale of chlorinated water.

Third degree sunburns and greenish blond hair.

Heat stroke.

Snakes, scorpions, and killer bees.

But even with all of this I cannot deny the place it has in my life.  I was born there, I got married there,  I had two children there, and I feel it just might be my destiny to die there... but that is yet to be determined.  I have learned to love it for all that it is and all that it is not.

Sometimes a little Vitamin D feels good on the brain.

I have tons of wonderful childhood memories there.  Most of them include the pool.

Living next to California has its advantages.

The sunsets are to die for.

The food is seriously fantastic, something I didn't realize until I left.

Most of my very favorite people have lived there or live their currently.

They have  luxury gyms that served as a sanctuary for me every.single.day.

So happy 100th birthday you crazy state you.  Try and stop making the national news with all your controversial laws and crazy sheriff... k?

Double Digits

Dear Noah,

Yesterday you turned ten years old.  Double digits.  A big deal.  We had a great day!

What stood out to me the most on your big day was the simple fact that not once, all day long, did you show one sign for anticipation of a gift.  This is not the first year this has happened and I assume not the last... each year it is a truly genuine display of your altruistic nature.  And then, way into the evening, when we did present you with a gift, you were uninterested due to the distraction of your father's toast to you...

Your tears of love and joy were in fact, a gift to us.

Now... you are not always selfless dear child.  Many days you can show a relentlessness like I have never seen.  Once you know of something you desire your intent to pursue it is exhausting.  Making me drive back into town because a fellow peer has acquired a quarter slot gem from the local supermarket fuels an annoyance in me that is so grand fire erupts...  HOWEVER, when truly put to the test you tend to come out on top.  You genuinely know what is right.  What is good.  What is important.  And that is not an easy thing to know OR to teach.  I am happy that you posses this inner compass.  I am proud of you in that.

Things I love about you at 10:

You have a great sense of humor kido.  I am not saying that I always get your humor or in the mood for it, but I am delighted that you have one.

Your studious nature.  You are always on top of your schoolwork, you always have interesting questions, your mind is alive and bright.

Your handsomeness.  I know you will roll your eyes at this one but it must be stated.

Your non competitive nature.  I LOVE this about you.

Your independence.  It is something to admire.  You are not aloof or untrustworthy.  I know you can walk your sister home from school and keep her safe at all costs.  When engaged in activity that isn't appropriate or safe you are able to walk away.  You are a silent leader.  This is a special attribute Noah, one that will allow you an amazing life...

Your heart.  Because it is honest.  Because you feel so deeply with it.

You are my first born, my only son, my biggest challenge, and the one who saved me.  You bring out the worst in me and inspire me to be better.  You teach me.  You know me.  You are everything and I love you unconditionally.

Happy Birthday Kido. 

Blog?

What blog?
Apparently I give up all things normal when embarking on a whirlwind-four day-free for all-Christmas vaca.
because there is all this going on...

and this is just the tip of the iceberg!  Favorite part?  Quite possibly the food.  Scottsdale has some delicious dining.  And even tastier citrus... but we will leave that for tomorrow.  I am off to slumber off the red eye, the laundry, the co op, the costco trip, the cooking, and the return cleaning.
Yup. Going to bed at 8:15.
Night.

Happy Birthday Legion.

You are a true friend in every sense of the word.  I remember when I used to carry you to bed and you would sleep on my pillow cuddled up to my face.  I love that you still wait until I am ready to sleep to nestle into your bed that is now at my feet. You are an old man now.  Distinguished and wise.  I care for you deeply and could not imagine these last 13 years without you.  Happy birthday dear friend.  Looking forward to our hike tomorrow...

Fall Foliage...

Look at this perfectly lovely building I pass everyday on my way into work.  I have watched it turn from meadow green to this vibrant red.  You cannot tell in the photo but when the wind blows the leaves on the vines dance on the wall so perfectly.  It is delightful.  It is enough to fill one with joy for an entire day.  Thank you sweet wall, for being there...

Someone turns two...

 Weekends with the Witt family are nothing short of busy crazy, crazy busy...definitely crazy and always busy.

I will spare you the details of 

the cleaning

the cooking

the laundry

the soccer games in the rain

the cooking

the shopping

the cleaning

the sewing

the winter wardrobe building

the using my Arizona debit card at costco with the account that has no money in it and the only reason I still have it open is because I like the card with the cactus and the sunset on it and now I have to ask Mr. Witt Sr. go and deposit some scrilla in their as to avoid any insane charges...

and yes I realize I repeated quite a few things on that list and that is simply because those jobs are endless and all consuming.  and yes, it is totally awesome.

Fortunately for us, on Sunday, at 3 o'clock, we were invited to a tiny celebration for our much smaller  friend. This cutie turned two...

This was a particuliarly nice event due to the lovely weather, kind kind folks, and FOOD.  Not only did I not have to prepare it but it was brought to us by the very best place to eat in Shelburne, Cucina Antica.

 

Wood fired...

 and delicious

We also got  meet this darling and fifteen of his/her friends...

and I could not resist this little one who when sitting down to her cuisine I could not tell if real or a porcelain doll... Phoebe, you are too sweet!

 This is Bea reading the birthday card she received from Noah, I think she liked it. 

And I believe this here is a testament to the deserts....

 So, I am feeling kind of bad for this here entry.  Poor hostess of this fine shin dig awaits my pictures of the party to arrive in her inbox so she can write about her own dear one's birthday party.  But I am left with no choice today.  I either post these adorable pics of the cutest tots in town or I showcase the five tons of laundry that I did, chonies and all. 

My birthday surprise...

I am seldom surprised.

Mostly because I am a control freak.

I am unable to relax and let someone else (my Mr.) plan anything for me without being impossible. 

It is an illness really.

But he managed to totally surprise me.  it was great.

He handmade candle holders for my birthday candles out of egg cartons, which i LOVED.

and they lit up the whole room...

 and when we blew out the lights...

it was a full out Spongebob Squarepants Birthday Party.... 

Need I say more?

and the most lovely gift...

Life is... well, it is wonderful.

September 6

Today is my birthday and I am grateful for oh so many things...

I will gather all the exciting events that revolve around the celebration of my very own life and thoroughly enjoy writing about it very soon.

But we celebrated another life this weekend, one that ended and moved on to other non worldly places.

We spent the weekend at my grandmother's and helped her grieve the loss of her very best friend.  He was a dedicated and cherished companion who will be fiercely missed.  He was a patriotic ex-marine who traveled the world in honor of his country.  I thought this Flag we saw on the way home was just a perfect remembrance of Mr. Michael Tomsky...

Grandma Ruth's was typical and it looked like this...

Meet Larry.  He lives with us now.

A Birthday....

I will begin by saying that I am not a very patriotic person. (sorry mom).  I detest politics, question authority, and often feel uninspired by the lack of change that is often promised in this country....

This leaves me feeling a bit conflicted when celebrating the nations birthday on the 4th of July.

What to do...

practice gratitude...

This life just keeps giving and I could count its blessings for days... but these are the few things that gave me a smile over this holiday weekend.

I am grateful for the freedom to move about and explore this country; to discover all of its hidden beauties, especially the one called Vermont.

I am so blessed to have this man to share my life with...

like seriously blessed.  I love you darling. 

...and to have these little chickens call me mom.  They have been on their very best behavior these days and I am enjoying their company oh so much!

    

I was also super stoked for the welcomed visit of two very special guests.  We had a great time with Kylee and Kris, thanks for making the trip to our village!  


More on our Shelburne Farm adventures to come...









Moving to Vermont, in part, was about simplifying life.  Getting back to basics.  Searching for the roots of the American people.  So these handmade dresses were a perfect fit when celebrating the birth of a nation, one that stood for starting over and hand making a new life.  Terrific job Bri... 
Love this!

So aside from however I feel about this country its choices, it definitely serves as the most beautiful backdrop for a pretty fantastic life.  I am truly grateful for that!

It also has a funny obsession with pyrotechnics.... and I can appreciate that too!  

~ Happy Birthday America ~