Bright Beltane Blessings

Beltane post from 2015, HERE

Once again our family celebrated with dinner outside, dancing the Maypole, and making May Day baskets (cups decorated with stickers and filled with popcorn and candies).  The kids love the excuse to ding, dong, ditch and leave little treats for the neighbors and the neighbor kids love getting in on the activities.  It is always fun to entertain our neighbors who love to watch the kids from their back deck and munch on the goodies.  We were not able to do a fire this year as it was a school night and the festivities ran late.  Blessings to you all!

Easter 2017

Easter 2016

Joyous May Day 2015

The winter was long and hard and we are limping to the finish line of this school year. 

For thousands of years when Spring was in full bloom the people would pause to celebrate the coming of the warm time and changing of the seasons.  May Day or Beltane as it is also known begins at sunset and continues through the next day.  This is a celebration of fertility and life.  It is a holiday of hope, beauty, and new beginnings. 

As a child in the USA I have memories of making May Day baskets filled with treats.  We would deliver them to neighbors by ringing their doorbell and then running away so that they would not know who left the goodies.  I have thought of this every May 1st since becoming a mother and decided this year I would introduce my children to this tradition.

The screech of the school bus’ brakes preceded little girl giggles that filled the air like music.  We celebrated the return of dirty bare feet on soft green grass.  White paper cups, a roll of twine, a hole puncher, crayons, and stickers would be used to create our May Day baskets.  M&Ms, Sweet Tarts, Life Saver gummies, and popcorn were the filling.  Alexander popped in for a moment or two for treats before going off to do his own thing. 

Traditionally the people would dance around a pole with ribbons woven in merriment signifying fertility.  Flowers, incense, feasting, and bonfires marked their celebration and ours.  Inspired from a scene in Alice in Wonderland, our Mad Hatter hat topped the pole which we secured in our umbrella stand wrapped in red, scrap fabric.  It turned out beautifully.

Neighbors shared long forgotten stories of their childhood May Day celebrations and I was dubbed the May Queen of Garrett Hill, which I quite like.  Our dinner was grilled and we feasted outdoors by candle light.  The last hours of the day were spent mesmerized by the dancing flame of our back yard mini bonfire and the sweet smell of vanilla incense smoldering on the log.  The girls fell asleep in the night air.  Only when the last of the embers had died out did their daddy carry them one by one to their beds, perhaps dreaming of magic and fairies.

A larger version of the video can be found HERE.

Independence Day

We decided to take this year off from hosting our annual Garrett Hill parade watching party.  We just weren’t up to the work involved in party prep.  Rolling out of bed late, I grabbed a quick shower and had my coffee on the front porch just as the parade began.  Some friends joined us and we filled the neighborhood with bubbles from our Gazillion bubbles Hurricane machine (Sophie approved).  Gazillion bubbles are truly the best, hands down.

Our neighborhood celebrated our 65th annual 4th of July parade and festivities.  We have an honest to goodness parade that happens to pass directly in front of our house.  Afterwards, the neighborhood park is abuzz with face painting, a dunk tank, a live show (magic in years past, a master juggler this year), bounce houses, a mini-train, spin art, hot dogs, pretzels, and drinks – all FREE!

I scooted Alexander over to our friend’s house as they were having their annual party that we are never able to attend due to hosting our own.  Their back yard bumps up against the park and gives them front row access (or back row as it were) to the live show.  Helena went off to the park with other neighborhood friends.  Mark and I strolled down with Soph at our leisure.

Typically we still have guests at this time and miss out on the activities in the park.  Typically it’s heat stroke hot, but due to some gentle rain before and after the parade and Hurricane Arthur it was perfect.  We were able to hang out with friends at their party and help ourselves to their food, which was a fantastic treat!  Although we missed our usual guests, this was great.

At most houses in our neighborhood, the sounds of parties and smell of BBQs filled the air.  After a lazy afternoon sipping wine, napping, and watching the Walking Dead marathon, we headed out for our township’s fireworks.  Again, we haven’t caught them in our 4 years of living here as we are all typically worn out by the party and heat and head to bed early.  It’s only a 10 minute drive, the entry fee goes towards our high school scholarship fund, and we met up with our friends who had terrific seats on the soccer field.  Grand!

None of the kids got scared and traffic home was a breeze.  I love this community.  This is home.  I’d like to thank our military for continuing to protect our freedom which allows us to celebrate in this way.  It is in their honor that I created this slideshow which I think captures a nice slice of what they work to protect.  Happy Independence Day!

Watch larger: 4th of July 2014

2nd Annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Party

In case you hadn’t noticed, I love a good party.  Especially a party with a theme.  Sure, it’s a pain to prepare, but being with fabulous people having a great time is well worth the work.

No matter how many people attend our parties, we always end up congregating in the kitchen. We hosted our 2nd annual ugly sweater party and this year and added the option of ugly hats.  We take this VERY seriously.  Many think it’s easy to find a tacky sweater but believe you me, it is always a hunt.  I found mine this year at Blain’s Farm and Fleet in Iowa.  We ordered Mark’s wool Cosby Sweater from an Etsy shop (warning, strong language in link, click HERE).  The tag says it was made in Yugoslavia for goodness sake. 

When I say we take it seriously, I mean seriously.  For the second year in a row we ordered a trophy for the winner.  Mrs. Mara Sears was the 2011 winner.  I am thinking of getting a plaque that records the names of winners from year to year.

Last year we had the party at our house complete with everyone’s kiddos.  This year we started at our house with just adults for a couple of drinks and hors d’ oeuvres and after a while we moved on to an Irish pub near by.  Our guests would have been happy to stay at the house but this mama wanted a night out and it gave the other parents a good reason to get a sitter and let loose a little.  Before we could leave, the ballots had to be cast.

Then off we went.  Without kids.  Just adults.  Having adult conversations.

More friends joined us at the pub and we took control of the jukebox.  When I actually take a moment to sit back and let it in, the blessings we have received in our new city and the connections we have made, it is overwhelming.  It was a top night.

p.s. Mark had an excuse to wear the Bowler hat he bought in New Orleans, which made him very happy.

Happy Halloween

The day after Superstorm Sandy, the Kerstings who did not lose power, had us over for dinner, hot showers, recharging computers and baking cupcakes for Sophie’s school Halloween party.

By candle light at home we decorated the cupcakes and watched Charlie Brown movies on the laptop.

Superstorm Sandy tried but was unable to take our Halloween from us. Our power came back on at 5:46am, 32 hours after we lost it. I know because the cable box made a clicking sound and I woke up immediately.  With it came heat, tv, internet, school, and a happy family.

My little wolf

Kitty cat in her award winning costume with her friends 

Alexander as Herobrine from Minecraft 

Helena headed to preschool in costume and the kids got on the bus.  As Sophie goes to am kindergarten and repeats class by attending pm kindergarten, she had two Halloween parties.  In the afternoon, Helena and I headed back to school for the Halloween parade which was held indoors followed by parties in the classrooms.

embedded video below.  If you can’t see it, click HERE

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We were so excited to have the Kerstings join us for trick or treating.  As Ras is from Germany, Samuel is 2, and Klara is 1, this was their first year for trick or treating.  That was a lot of fun to witness. Sophie’s hip started bothering her, so we carried her between houses but had her walk to the doors.  The kids made quite the haul. Getting out of the house and socializing with the neighbors was just what we needed.

Thank goodness our generator arrived on Friday. We will be glad to have it during the next power outage. It’s powerful enough to run the fridge, furnace, and a few other items, which is all we really need.  Here’s hoping that won’t be for a long time.  Happy Halloween!

Frankenparty

By no stretch of the imagination am I making light of Hurricane Sandy, but I am going to make the absolute best of a bad situation.  Due to the hybrid nature of the storm baring down on us, this monstrous vortex has been nicknamed Frankenstorm.  As such, dealing with it the best way we know how is our #Frankenparty.
I first learned of the coming storm while holding Sophie’s hand in the ER on Thursday night.  We were sent home after her IV of fluids did the trick but I woke up at 4am, unable to sleep.  I decided to get the hurricane preparation shopping out of the way.  At 4:30am I drove to the all night store in record time as I hit every green light.  The shelves were freshly stocked, there were plenty of staff, and no other customers.  Unlike my shopping experience with Hurricane Irene, I had no trouble stocking up on D batteries, bottled water, bread, and milk.  The added bonus of not having kids in tow made this a breeze of a trip.  At lunch the next day, Sophie surprised me by eating mac-n-cheese, which she hasn’t eaten for a few years and is a huge deal.  Afterwards, we had a living room dance party, cuz this is how we do it.


On Saturday, we had a babysitter so Mark and I could walk up to the Villanova Homecoming football game.  Rather than go out to dinner as planned, after the game we came home to continue prepping the house.  My nerves were on edge which meant that I focused this energy on cleaning until 1am.  I didn’t sleep long and was back up early to keep cleaning.  Don’t judge.  It’s how I deal with stress and frankly, the house looks great.
Sunday was a wonderful day.  Our dear friends the Kersting family came over and we had hot apple cider, baked pumpkin bread, did crafts, the kids painted little pumpkins and the adults carved the big ones (Obama’s logo, a Creeper from Minecraft, & Pato from Pocoyo).  We watched the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and the adults enjoyed seasonal beer.  When it was time to eat, we ordered in.  When it was time to nap, the kids actually napped (holy cow)!  Mark and Ras battened down the hatches by covering the scooter, grill, garbage and recycling cans with a nailed/staked down tarp (pray it holds).
After our friends left, Mark prepped our unfinished basement, which we only use as storage.  We expect flooding, unfortunately, but as of 8pm Monday night, we are still dry (knock on wood).  Our house is made of brick and is nearly a hundred years old.  She is a solid fortress and we feel very safe here.
Mark and the girls crashed but Alexander and I couldn’t sleep so at midnight, we baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  He measured, I mixed, we laughed and licked the beaters.  We talked and had the best time.  You really can’t beat warm cookies and milk with your child at 1 am.  As I tucked him into bed he gave me the sweetest smile and hug and said he would never forget this.
The entire region has shut down today and Tuesday, including Mark’s work, the public schools, mass transit, roads, bridges etc.  So, we slept in, stayed in our jammies, and I sipped hot coffee today until noon.  I worked from home, Mark graded mid-term papers, and the kids played.  There were bubble baths and naps in the afternoon while the roast, carrots, onions, and garlic potatoes slowly cooked in the oven, smelling like Heaven.  The power has flickered a few times but hasn’t gone completely out for more than a few minutes.
I ventured out in the afternoon for bags of ice for the coolers, just in case.  The closest place just happened to be a beer store, (ahem).  It wasn’t bad out, just wet and windy.  The emergency weather solar/USB/hand crank powered radio/flashlight/cell phone charger that I ordered was delivered and works great but the generator I bought hasn’t made it yet.  It will be wonderful if we are able to keep the power through Sandy, but knowing that we will have a generator for future storms was well worth it. 
Halloween is Wednesday and it’s too soon to tell if there will be school (or the Halloween parade & class parties) or trick or treating.  Worst case scenario, the kids can trick or treat from room to room at home.  We are prepared for the worst and hoping for the best.  The eye of the storm is over us right now and all is calm, except for Helena, who refuses to wear pants and is demanding to wear her bicycle helmet.

The Great Pumpkin

To get us excited for our visit to the pumpkin patch, we watched the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown for the first time this year and in the morning we met our friends to drink in autumn’s splendor. 

The family farm is a lovely place complete with a hay bale maze, corn maze, pumpkin patch, and tractor pulled hayride.

While we were there Sophie found some of her friends from kindergarten and the 1st grade and they ran off through the maze laughing and chasing each other.  One of the moms stopped to introduce herself and her family.  She had heard about the letter we sent home on the first day of school as her daughter is in a different kindergarten class.  This was the letter that introduced Sophie to her peers and to talk about Down syndrome (click HERE for the letter).  She shared that the parents have all been talking about the letter and love it.  She had gotten a copy because she wanted to show it to her own mother.  It meant so much to them because she has a brother with Down syndrome.  I hope I never get used to these wonderful surprises and little threads that link us all together.

Helena may be the size of a 5 year old, but she really is 3.  She kept getting stuck in this dead end of the maze and would get so mad.  It was hard not to chuckle.

As an aside, would you look at the bone structure on this gorgeous girl? We are in big trouble when she gets older. We could not have asked for a more picturesque day.

Sharing the fun with the K family made it all the more special.  Plus, thanks to Klara who snuggled me up, I got my baby fix, which will hold me for a while.

Sophie’s shirt says, Don’t Mess With Perfection.  Don’t you agree?

We finished the day with naps, a little football and my favorite tv show The Walking Dead (after the kids went to bed of course).  So much of our lives are hectic and stressful.  Days like this fill us up.