My Buddy and Me

It's a rare day when I get to spend any time alone with Jaxson.  I was looking back at my blog post over the years as I continue to make hard copies of them, and now books for the boys this Christmas, shhh, don't tell them, what I discovered and should have known, was that there is defiantly a second child syndrome. It doesn't happen because you love one more than the other because it would be impossible for me to love Jaxson anymore than I do, it happens because of circumstances.  The time and space now needs to be shared with two and the second child simple doesn't get as much personal attention or alone time with family members. It's just the way life is.

After seeing that reflected in my blog post, going forward, I will be much more aware of time spent with Jaxson but also, with time posted in the blog space.  There have been times when we have shared precious time together and because I let life get in the way, I failed to post as often.  Jaxson has made his way over on my Facebook page...he has a huge following there.  As a matter of fact, I get more likes and comment when a story about Jaxson goes up than I do about any of my other posts.  He deserves equal space here also.  He is so smart and entertaining.  He is happy and makes those of us around him happy to. He's growing fast now...and he's just learned how to whistle so I see the big boy trying to emerge as me and his Mom try to keep him small.  He is not going to let that happen.  One on one with him though offers such great moments, memories and oh my gosh, he is so loving with his kisses and hugs..So keeping with those thoughts in mind...you hopefully, will be seeing a lot more of Jaxson over here on the blog.  We have a lot of catching up to do before he moves on in a year or two.  I don't want the boys to have lopsided books.

Having said that, a few weeks ago, I picked Jaxson up at school and we had a few hours before getting Liam. Instead of going home I took him to a place both him and Liam love.  The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. We go there often when the weather is not nice enough to be outside.  A few weeks before our visit, they had just opened up the new Moon room.  Jaxson loved listening to a video of how the moon works with the planets and stars and he was fascinated by it..and of course the head phones were a really big deal.  Why do kids love wearing head phones so much. Also in this room you could touch the moon at another display.  Can you imagine... you just close your eyes, which we did, and we touched the moon.  It really did feel just like Swiss cheese...and then he was off. He never walks, he tells me it's the fast sneakers.

Don't even ask me.  I have no idea what this thing is or does...well, I know when you plug it in just right, it lights up. So let's just say, while he was busy with this project, I just stepped back, took a photo of what it was and hopefully Santa will bring it for Christmas.

We didn't have a lot of time but Jaxson told me right when we got to the Museum that we had to save time for the gift shop.  A fabulous place for little ones to shop on their own.  So after a giant cookie and a juice box we headed to the shop.  He got a Moon puzzle for Liam and a Moon for himself.  Then it was time to leave and go pick up Liam at school.

It was a lovely few hours with Jaxson.  I hope he understands how much it meant to me to be just with him. In those moments, as he played and skipped and felt the connection to the museum and to just us, I hope he also had fun being just with me. The museum was lovely and fun but honestly, the best part, the part that I hope sticks with him later, was really the conversation in the car, coming and going.  Holding hands and skipping as we walked through the plaza to get to the museum...and more conversation about how much I loved that we got to spend this time together...to let him know that he is not number two or second child but that he is always and will forever be, my best Buddy...my number one Buddy...and time-spent with him is like finding a shiny penny on the ground and knowing that its's a good luck day. The hugs I got as I lifted him out of the car when we got home, were the perfect ending to time spent with Jaxson...love you Buddy.  

So going forward we made a pack to go out by ourselves some days...and of course I have that same pack with Liam now...I'm soaking it up for as long as it last. 

Life is about adventures and time-spent with those you love...don't let it slip by while your waiting for something better to come along...because soon that window will be gone.

To The Moon and Back

If you were to ask Liam what that expression means he would tell you that that is how much my Nana loves me...and he would be right..I have been telling him this each time I see him, for five years now..I am having a hard time wrapping myself around the fact that he is turning five..I remember, like it was yesterday, the first time I held him, in a hospital room, thirty minutes after he was born. From that very first moment, he stole my heart and has never let go..In this last five years he has grown into a lovely little boy...full of life, laughter and love.  He has given us so much joy and happiness.  

Both Papa and I have so many wonderful shared  moments with him to smile about..we cherish each visit with him and have been so privileged to have had him each week in our care.  Next year he will be in kindergarten all day, making friends and beginning his "big boy" adventures...and although we will continue to be important to him...he will grow into his own little person...so for the rest of this year, I will hold him close, enjoy the bond that we have formed and wait and watch to see how he  expands his horizon. 

I know you have seen so many photo's of him over the years...but I just couldn't let this day go by without a few of my favorites as he's grown.  Time spent..that's the gift we have cherished the most  with him...and now Jaxson. I always wanted to be a Grandmother but honestly, I never knew it was going to be this special...it takes some of the sting out of "maturing..

How quickly the years have flown by, like a lazy Sunday afternoon...I look at him now and know that he moves on in confidence and a sense of his own self...so as he rides off, leaving his toddler hood behind, Papa and I will always be on the sidelines, watching and loving him..Ah these kids, what a great ride they both have given us...I think we'll sign up for another year of learning and laughing with them.

Happy Birthday Lil Man....

"It's the little moments, that make life big"..Kobi Yamada

"If you want to keep your memories, first you have to live them." Bob Dylan

LIL MAN'S BUSY DAY

Recalibrating

"We live in a state of constant change .  Whether or not we're paying attention, the process is always happening.  Life is about recalibrating. About continually asking yourself: what do I have to do to get where I want to be? How do I create the life I want."  Although those words were written by Oprah Winfrey, the say exactly what I've been thinking for a few months now...

I find myself in a constant rat race...trying to get all the lessons, writing, blogging, researching done..I also love knitting reading and my boys...but I find that even though I'm retired I don't have enough hours for everything I want to do.  Then just when I think I have it all figured out, bingo...lights out..I'm off track again...and I'm feeling unsatisfied...all of this and to say nothing of friends and shopping (for shoes of course) I have begun to feel frustrated and unrewarded.   So what I end up doing is checking in...on Facebook, Mail, Instagram and running around the house like I have a need to be busy..

So how to get organized and prioritized...the first thing that popped into my head was something that a special photographer friend told me a short time ago..she decided to get serious about her photography and she has noticed it has made a difference...that thought has been running through my head a lot lately...but where to start...then I read in a post of Kim's...when people asked her how  she accomplish all she does...and her answer, " I wake up in the morning and I just start.  So my friends, that's what I did this week...I just started..

First, I stopped notifications from Facebook to my mail...can't believe how clean my mail is now and no going back and worth...second I did something that I have been wanting to do for very long time...I hired a photographer to do a portrait of me for my blog page...my blog needs a tiny bit of work...so now that I have my photo's I'm going to work on it...I'm looking for a writing workshop in my area...a place that I can go to and be part of a group..I love writing and I love blogging but I want to do it right...I've signed up for lessons on my camera...I'm not a book learner but I am a "you show me how" girl..so excited for this piece.  Most importantly I'll get this LR business because I'm going to keep at it...one lesson at a time.

To be able to add the new postions in, I'll have to let go of some of the other things I love, like knitting.  I won't completely give it up but I won't go to classes every week..I don't need them...it was more social than anything although I love the feel of the wood and wool moving through my hands.  I still make things but not under pressure....and reading, I'm going to do more of that also...it fills my soul...and of course, I'm keeping my boys..for as long as I can...another thing that I'll be slowing down on is Facebook...I'm addicted and I need to be more aware of my time...I'll still show up because I love my peeps...maybe just not 20 times a day. I'm also going to be moving my post to my Facebook Photography page so I can take myself more seriously..so if you don't see me as much, don't worry...I'm right here in my office, at my desk...looking at your work..I hope I can stay true to my word...for myself. 

As I move forward and embrace the change, I'll be on a more stable path to peace of mind and well being...and I'll take myself more seriously..

I had a lovely week...with lots of Autumn finds and a few funny moments...I won't be giving up my Fridays with you that's for sure...well, unless I'm off wandering the world...which I hope to continue..may you all find it in your heart to recalibrate whenever you need to...Here's to loving what we do.....

We took the boys to Pumpkin Land..and they had so much fun...have to share a few...

Liam flying....

Jaxson taking Mommy for a ride around the race track..Seriously, whose having more fun here. 

Watch out Jaxson...Liam is coming up the rear...punch it Martha....

After leaving Pumpkin Land, I went for a drive, BY MYSELF, on the backroads of Maine...and this is what I found.

I love this property not to far down the road from me in Maine...You'd swear you were in Kentucky. I visit it most times when I'm in town...love the white fence, the horses, the laundry on the line...I've posted many photo's from here...most of all the love the woman who owns it....a lovely senior who inspires me with her energy, work ethic and neatness...and she loves to chat over the fence..my kind of girl

I wish you all a lovley, color filled weekend...thanks for stopping by...and helping me to finally get it out in the open...you can think it but once you write it on paper and share it...I feel you become more serious in your efforts...Happy Autumn.

“When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ~Viktor Frankl

“Happiness is not a goal. It’s a by-product of a life well lived.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt 

Photo credit for my portrait...(gosh I hate getting my photo done) goes to Lisa Pelonzi.. Please check her out. She does the most amazing work...and she's a beautiful person...from one photographer to another...thank you Lisa...xoxo

Summer Memories

 

Summer, come and gone like the warm wind blowing across the beach.  I have barely had time to edited my summer photo's...so Friday's are my big days for editing and posting "events...it just happened that way...but it works for me...so before I emerged fully into fall shooting and sharing...I just want to give you one more glimpse at the best summer yet...perfect weather, lake house, beach house, great food and my wonderful family...time spent and time remembered...I hope your summer was a memory keeper also..

Sunrise over Gooserocks Beach..Kennebunkport Maine...

Sandpiper...hoping for a good breakfast.

Jaxson was my early morning buddy... He goes along on his own...doing his own dance..

The house is still quiet but slowly the smell of coffee, dogs paws, along with toes toes, join us in the sand.

Rope...you never know when you'll need it...just part of the ocean view.

No schedule, no rules, just the beach and thoughts of sand castles..breakfast...maybe later.

Family, the entire family. We all share a love of the ocean and all that the ocean means...it is not often that we get to play together as a family, relax and just enjoy the finest moments of summer...My Son Chris...

The perfect summer entertainment...enjoyed with a slice of sky and sea and wee voices...

 

 I could listen to him giggle all day...kids belong at the beach..it gives them such freedom to be themselves and to create, imagine and rest...also to investigate and run with the tide.

So as this  summer comes to an end...I take time to get quiet, by myself and reflect on the many gifts of this family vacation and the sea...I see Jaxson here and I think about him looking out to the horizon and hoping these moments in the Summer Wind will stir memories for him and Liam in future years. From a simple grain of sand, to a soft gentle breeze or perhaps the smell of salt from the rolling sea.  Add in  early morning walks, gathering shells and resting in the sun, bike rides and conversation of great importance (to little boys), I hope they will remember and grow to  love the good times we enjoyed...as a Family by the Sea. 

"Summer Wind"

The summer wind, came blowin' in from across the sea
It lingered there to touch your hair and walk with me
All summer long we sang a song and then we strolled that golden sand
Two sweethearts and the summer wind

Like painted kites, those days and nights, they went flyin' by
The world was new beneath a blue umbrella sky
Then softer than a piper man one day it called to you

I lost you, I lost you to the summer wind.

Linking up to Friday Finds at Kim Klassen's Cafe..

Cookies and Milk

Blog post, photographs, lessons and assignments...sometimes such a dilemma as to what to post...other times, I hear the prompt and right away I know what the subject and photo's should look like...then it's just a matter of pulling it all together...Be Still...Lesson 16, was like that for me...Cookies and Milk.  Right up my alley since I have two little boys that love not only cookies and milk, but they love baking in my kitchen. Liam is somewhat of a pro now...but Jaxson, well, he's not one for being patient and still  for very long...but for cookies and milk, he was a willing partner.  So today, when he came over, he had his first cookie baking lesson and he passed with flying colors..I guess you just need to pick the right subject to hold their interest...below are the fruits of his labor and also his reward...I loved this lesson. Not only for the content but also because the boys are my life right now...fleetingly.  I know that more now than ever before...Liam is now in preschool 4 days a week until 1p.m...so we no longer have him for the full day...I do get to see him often, but not in the same way...and as Liam moves forward...we now have alone time with Jaxson for the first time...he's a trip for sure...so with only a few years left before they are both in school full time..they are my photo "props" and I'm o.k with that...so come along with Jaxson and enjoy some cookies and milk...

So with Jaxson it is not a lesson in flour and milk and mixing..it is strictly pull apart and drop on tray..what I love most about this photo is his intensity in getting the cookies apart...I can tell how hard he's working because, like all of us here, hard work means tongue out...like the tongue is helping to get the job done..

Helping Papa get the oven door open...then he steps back so Papa can put the tray in for baking.

 Jaxson is having a hard time waiting for the cookies to be done...so he has taken it upon himself to keep a good watch on what is happening in the dark hole where his cookie dough went...

He finally got tired of watching his cookie "grow" and came out on the porch to have a drink of his milk...that kept him still for about a minute...

 

Cookies are finally done..but now Jaxson has another problem..they are to hot to eat...oh my, more waiting time..

Well he's nothing if he's not a smarty...he takes matters into his own hands..enough with being patient, he stands up on his chair and gives those cookies several good blows and that seems to do the trick for him...problem solved...

Finally, after being very persistent and patient he sits down and really enjoys his cookies and milk as only a 2 year old can...ah, if only we could keep the balance as adults...enjoy the moment, have one cookie and a bit of milk...Life is Good...just ask Jaxson..as he enjoys the fruits of his labor..and for those who haven't noticed, the tablecloth is no long on the table...that is a chocolate, chocolate chip cookie.  Trader Joe's...it got high marks from both of the boys...

So proud of him at the end, when he had his fill, he shared his broken crumbs with Papa...and Papa also declared them, just perfect...

Milk and Cookies was one of the best lessons that I have done with Kim Klassen at the helm of Be Still and so much more. If your ever looking for a "prop" to help out with baking, life lessons or just an abundance of cuteness, go borrow a two year old...it will make any lesson in life much more fun...and actually chase your problems away...Great Job today Jaxson...here's to Milk and Cookies and love....

"Little boy, you remind me how so much depends on days of now." Alison McGhee

I love his smile, I adore his spunk, I melt into his squeezes and I'm so happy he's my Grandson.

"Little Boys are just Superhero's in disquise"