TEA Time

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Its been almost a year since Kyle completed this water color I started with the kids. He added the apples I think to represent the fall coming upon us during the move in September 2011. I save this painting as a master piece most highly treasured because it is a time stamp of our family's experience. I remember the kids and I gathered around a tiny dinning room table in the hotel suite painting away on a stormy day. We cover our orginal art over the framed pictures in the suite. The first priority in every move is to create a sense of home. All other tasks fall second. 60 days at the Holiday Inn, how did I ever survive?

It was the move from Connecticut to Pennsylvania, three hours apart to be exact. Miles and miles from the life we built in Trumbull. I miss it there in our unassuming ranch home with the circle driveway, grand fire places and the gardens we built. Our neighbors are some of the most kind people. Almost daily, Aidan and Ethan would run across the street to pet Shea and Maggie. After Kyle diligently cleared the brush that separated us from the Verbitsky's we built a 'friendship' path as a shorter and safer way for the kids to run freely between priorties all four seasons. It was story book perfect for our budding family.

I act like stone during a move. All jazzed up for the change ahead and certain the greater friendships we already established will only get stronger with the test of distance. As Aidan is growing up and has experienced a few big relocation processes himself to memory, I see myself in him. Like stone as the transition unfolds and yet the frustration comes later as we reorient our footings in the new location.

Looking back, there are never regrets but gratitude for our experiences and our love for the land and people at each destination. Penn Field Beach in the summers and Jones Farm in the fall. The laughter and joy we share with our friends echo in our hearts. We miss you Trumbull. Its taken a year for me to make sense of the past twelve months as our greater friendships have sufficed the distance. Penn Field Beach and Jones Farm become apart of our visits to Trumbull.

Today we are settled and looking forward to starting a new school year in Warrington. I've spent a year hosting fewer play dates and making sure the kids are a tight knit trio. We've spent half the summer traveling both local and coastal. Most important, the move from Connecticut to Pennsylvania has taught me that feeling 'settled' is not where you are physically but how you feel in your heart.

water color heart by Ethan

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Greenberg's spring vacation

Jack, Aidan, Elise, Ali, Austin, Ethan

We are honored that the Greenbergs came to spend part of their spring break with our family.

Once when we were all going to the pool, the attendant thought all these children were mine:)

Kat went to the car to grab her drivers license. Ali Pushed the stroller through the check in point while the boys followed. I was digging in the diaper bag for sometime and looked up to find the kids on the other side of the fence. The attendant said, "Miss., ALL (pronouncing every letter) your children are over there" with his right arm extended towards the pool.

Why we love the Greenbergs:

Everyone plays nice

Austin helps me clean the floors every time after snack

Just look at those faces.... angels I tell yah!

Friday, April 27, 2012

These are a few of my favorite memories our time shared

with friends in the little township of

Trumbull, CT.

A house full of happy,

easy spirited children is the life for me.

These three dumplings belong to some awesome folks we know.

On this specific afternoon, the kids made something out of a bunch of nothings.

Good ideas spread like wildflowers.

Grace is quite the artist.

I would love to spend an afternoon with her and a blank canvas.

The idea started with Tess.

Tess took a pass on playing with toys and asked to

make something from a snack cup.

What is a day in the life of Tommy without something Super Hero inspired?

A belt from giant lined hand writing practice strips of construction paper turned over.

Love it!

We've had these materials in the house for a few weeks. Ethan need the spark of interest from the fun rallies from a groups of friends to inspire his creativity. I totally get it Ethan. I get my inspiration from other mommies always. ( Thanks Michelle)

Aidan the last to be convinced that

the play date is really a craft date.

He jumped right in with a sleeve full of giggles.

And giggles as we all know is the most contagious sound of all. thunderous giggles roared through the halls walls and in every room Michelle and I dropped to our knees to pick up the craft scraps. We do what mommies do best, try to keep order. And our children were were being children at their best.