Baby picasso

I have had this canvas laying around my house for about a year. I've been meaning to do something with it, anything really. But I just never had time or an idea of what to put on it. So Sunday while my hubbs was sleeping, Noah and I set up shop in the backyard and got all sorts of messy. It was probably a really bad idea on my part but, hey. We ended up with paint all over the patio table and chairs, on our hands and in our hair. What a rookie mom I am in that I left him fully clothed, duh. Eh, nothing that won't wash off.

I'm not sure what I expected but I think I just assumed he would take the brush and stroke some genius onto the canvas. Which he did, however, when he climbed up on the table and kneeled on the painting It threw me off guard. But I think that gave this masterpiece it flare. I started with the big red streak in the middle and that littleman posing next to his work up there did the rest.

I truely do love it. Like, I LOVE it. He was so excited when we hung it up even though you can't tell in this past-my-bedtime photo above. Alll night as I was cleaning up and getting lunches made I would walk past this gift from my littleman and a smile would peel up my face and I couldn't even help it. Because as sad as this is, and strange for an art and photo lover such as myself, this is the first piece that we have ever hung up in our house. Can you believe that? We have lived here for four years! Four.

This small single painting has already brought so much to our little house. And so many smiles. I need to remind myslef to thank that littleman of mine. 

Life lately...

Life....lately its been all about being outside, amazing summery salads, and firetrucks.

1) My dad's surgery went very well. It was a long day for him and my family as well, but God was with us the entire time, putting a calm in the air. The Dr. Is certain that he was able to remove all the cancer and at this point it has not spread! Praise God. He is still off of work and slowly recovering. We are all just completely grateful.

2) Noah and I got to watch daddy drive the fire engine for the memorial day parade we had in town. And he could have played in their new engine all day. He had too much fun. That little boy absolutly loves fire trucks. And I cant imagine the joy Brandon feels when he sees him get so excited about his own passion. Nothing like it. I feel a second generation coming on :)

3) Our days consist of this....gardening, baseball, basketball, baby pool, sprinklers, cars, books, trucks, baking, matching games, counting to 3, and too many more little boy activities. We love it.

4) Our totally awesome babysitter and family has moved away :(  I had been dreading this for the past few months and it finally had to come. I am incredibly thankful for the time we had with them and for the first real friendship that Noah made with their sweet little girl. The hardest thing is that they don't really understand they will not be together anymore and it breaks my heart. But like I said, I am thankful for all the many months that I did not have to worry for a second that my baby was taken care of. That right there is a beautiful gift to a mother. We are in transition mode right now (day 2) and the mornings so far have been rough. I had to peel his hands off me today so that I could leave. But not 5 minutes later my sitter reassured me that he was fine. And I know everything will be ok.

Those times that make your heart melt

Yesterday was a good day. It started off on the wrong foot as I had to call off of work, but after the initial call-in I felt good and free.

My husband is a huge soccer fan. He would rather watch the Chicago Fire than the Bears....... I know, I don't get it either. Back in the day we used to get season tickets, sit in section 8 (where the crazy awesome instrunmental singing, standing only, did I say crazy? fans sit.) It was fun. My husband loved it. Life now a days doesn't always allow for that but he gets to sneak away to a game every so often.

Well wednesday we had a crazy storm over here so they rescheduled the game for Thursday and knocked the price down to Free. We Caruso's like Free. I told B to go ahead and just take Noah. I didn't really feel like being at a game and thought it would be cute for the two of them to go.

When I talked to my husband after the game he was so happy. Just happy. He said that when everyone would cheer, Noah would look up at him to see what daddy did and would then follow along and cheer. He said that his excitement was unreal and that they just had the best time.

When they got home B told me that he got teary eye'd during the game just watching his little boy. He said that it was one of the greatest days of his life.

Part of me wished that I had been there to see it all. To see both of my boys in such excitement and awe. But then I think again and I am so glad they can have those moments to themselves as father and son. I know that Noah won't remember much, but Brandon will. And that is special. Here's to many more games together!

Little Red School House

When I think about the Little Red School house, all I remember is a tiny bright red house that sat on the corner of a slightly busy road. We had gone there as children and the place has since moved and magnified a bit. We visited the new schoolhouse a few weeks ago and although it looks nothing like that cute little red house it is still pretty great.

Of course we collected every rock in the world

Noah loves everything about being outside so anwhere he can run around and be happy is a good place to us.

In the city......

Last weekend was spent in the city with my brother and his fiance. Rachael's sister lives in the West Loop and their little family goes out of town fairly often so we were able to stay at their place. We went down early saturday morning and hit up the Randolph Street Market. The place was awesome. A vintage dreamboat, if you will. The prices were laughable though. Since vintage became something trendy, the prices became something ridiculous. I know some antiques are worth a lot, but my husband said it welll, that they take advantage of these people. Selling items they paid almost nothing for at a huge price increase. I guess thats just how it goes though. It was fun to browse and dream aside from that. Later on B and the little man went down for a nap so my brother, Rach and I went to this rebuild store where they sell old wood, doors, and amazingly beatup and battered but beautiful old stuff from houses. Glorious. I dreamed up an amazing kitchen table that my brother is going to make for me from this old plank wood. Saving up for that! Not that I have a million and one other unfinished projects in my house, whats one more. :) We had a nice grilled corn with mashed taters and broccoli kind of dinner. Topped off with a margarita and it was devine. The next day was spent showing the little man the big city. We took him to the bean of course and walked the city up and down. He was in heaven with all of the buses, trucks and cars he saw. Pretty awesome weekend. Love that family of mine. :)