Memorial Day Thanks

Summer!

Well, not quite yet as we still have three

weeks of school left, but the pool is OPEN!

Super Cool Bicycle Kick

From a local 13 year old...wild, just wild.

Bailey's 5th Grade Chorus singing the National Anthem!

I LUV Martha Graham

When I was little my mom would take me to shows - musicals, dance, orchestras, you name it. But after one or two exposures it was all begging on my part. "Please can we go see ____??? PLEEEEAAASE?" An actual conversation in my house growing up. And she obliged me. I saw a few shows on and off of Broadway in NYC (having local to NY grandparents helped that), but mostly I saw shows in San Antonio - all kinds of shows. I remember the first time I saw Martha Graham's dance troupe - I was mesmerized. It was one of those performances that has you on the edge of your seat - not because of any suspense but because you feel the need to pop up and move. I am positive that I danced my way out that day. I saw Martha Graham's troupe one more time before she passed away, and still to this day I have memories of those performances. I can't tell you what they danced, but I can tell you how I felt. I was inspired, happy, moved to, well, move. I popped in and out of dance over the years - just enough to NOT look like a fool when I'm out and about, but never got very far. But I do remember those performances. They were powerful, serene, outrageous, clever, and they inspired me to dance. To this day Appalachian Spring remains one of my favorites.

Today Google recognizes Martha Graham with a Google Doodle. The static image is above, but the graphic in motion actually evokes some of the same feelings that I had when I was little.

So thanks Google, for once again making me smile. And Miss Martha - Happy Birthday!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I went searching for a pictures of myself with my mom and it took me a TON of time to find one. Seems we only took about five over the years (out of the 30,000 or so that I have digitally). But then I realized that the pictures that I really wanted to share were all the ones with mom and the kids. And those, well those I have a ton. Some of my favorites I've shared, but this one really expresses the joy that the boys brought my mom:

Sam, Mimi, & Ian, December 2004

So, to all of my mom friends out there and those that may not be moms but are celebrating as well, Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Momma's Day, Mommas (and Dads too)!

If Mothers Day has crept up on you, here are a few last minute, really cute ideas that you can either zip off via e-mail or print and hand deliver. Some are cute crafty things, and some are printables. My momma-in-law has some momma love on the way to her, but how about you?

Amy of A Proffittable Life designed these really cool printables that come in FOUR colors (red, teal, orange, and pink).

Laura over at Come Together Kids shared these delightful fingerprint candles. Grab your kids and a few candles and let them create!

And one more with a very cool twist. This is a printable that really crosses over - speaks to more than the Mom in me:

And is come in SPANISH!!! Thanks Lara for realizing that Spanish speakers love your creations too!

A big thanks to Lara over at less cake (more frosting) for this one!

Be sure to visit all three of these blogs to grab the full sized versions and directions. and most of all, be sure to celebrate the joy that is Mother's Day with your favorite Mom, Dad, Granny, Grandpa, kiddo - you get the drift!