SKATER BOY

 Finn asked his dad, "Is Mommy always going to cry when I go skate boarding?" 

Yes, I can't help it!  

Let me give you a little history.  I am the daughter of Cherryl, who never let her son have a skateboard, not because she was mean.........she was terrified of her child getting hurt.  I've turned into my mother, I am scared.  He is only four years old and already heading off to the local Skate Park with his Dad. 

Did he really just turn 4?

Safety First

Knee Pads, Elbow Pads, Wrist Pads and Helmet

This is a City Skate Park which means every hour a police officer will stop by to make sure Safety Rules are not being violated.  You cannot skate without a helmet!   

Is that really Finn?

How does he know how to do this?

This photo makes me want to cry again.....

Will it be a 180, 360 or an Ollie....

One, Two, Three ---- GO!

 This last photo is for Finn....he came home excited about the entire experience but was thrilled to meet a Skater Girl.  She even gave him skate boarding tips!  Finn was crushing hard, so in the words of Avril Lavigne...............

He was a skater boy, she said see ya later boy

he wasn't good enough for her

now he's a super star

slamin' on his guitar

does your pretty face see what' he's worth?

He was a skater boy!

P.S. Finn comes to this naturally, his Uncle Erik, Cousin Max and Daddy can thrash it with the best of them.  

Weddings by Sweet Violets

  

 MeadowLark Community Church

12:00pm  

 Flowers on pews

 

Altar Girls

Vi - Kirra - Chris

I pronounce you...

Sister & Sister Forever!!

Candlelabra's & Floral Arrangements 

by Violet

Setting the Bridal Carpet

Off to Decorate the Reception

Ocean House

2:00pm

Setting the Tables

Centerpieces by Violet

 Violet even swagged the walls

(see background walls)

The Wedding Coordinator for Ocean House said she had never seen the room look so beautiful.

Cake by VG' Bakery 

Cake Topper by Violet

Almost Ready

Waiting for Chair Covers

Candy Bar

 Light the Candles,

Dim the lights,  poor the champagne.......

bring in the Bride and Groom

Wedding Designer with Family and Crew

Finn looks like he is ready to give away a rose,

stay back NBC Bachelor, he is way too young!

Violet did an amazing job, from the Bridal Suite at Four Seasons to the Ocean House.....truly beautiful.  I am so proud of her and the magic she creates.

At this time I must mention dear Chris,  she is Violet's closest friend and works with her on many of her decorating/wedding jobs.  She is missing from the last photos, halfway through decorating the reception  she received horrible news regarding the death of her brother (why you see Todd and Finn towards the end).  My love and prayers go out to the Lucio family during this difficult time.   

OUT WITH THE OLD...IN WITH THE NEW

After 20 years on State Street, my father's Architectural Firm moved to the other side of I-5 to a more modern, pleasing office building.......much more conducive to modern architectural endeavors. 

                        

Last weekend, my father invited us to a painting party at the old office, at first I was a little skeptical of how much work we could complete with Finn, Chloe and Tiago as part of the crew.....I was pleasantly surprised and ended up enjoying myself working together again as a family!! 

As president of Karnak, Mr. Richardson (AKA: GrandpaRobert) is not against using child labor. His crew consisted of (1) One Year Old, (1) 3 Year Old and (1) 4 Year Old. He did give them a break with snack provided: Veggie Sticks and Gushers.

Superintendent Todd made sure the child laborers had the correct tools & instructions to get this job completed efficiently and correctly.

Chloe had a height disadvantage

which Grandma Cher helped remedy. 

A Job Well Done Boys

( I love Tiago's salute)

Happy Birthday Mr. Todd

Time to bring out the balloons and streamers, I have a birthday boy in the house!  I keep trying to get Todd excited about his birthday but so far have only succeeded with Finn and myself. 

Below are some photo's of Todd doing his favorite things........

 Relaxing at the Oceanside Harbor

 Anything involving water!

  

 Hanging out with his nieces

Playing Catch

 

Visiting the San Diego Zoo

Walking the Dog

and of course...last but not least,

loving me!

Happy Birthday Todd

Mother's Day Tea with Finn

Finn's preschool held a Mother's Day Tea this morning from 7am to 9am.  Upon arrival I was presented with a single red rose and a homemade gift from Finn.  I was starting to feel like a princess and loving it!

This is the second one I have attended and made sure to schedule it into my day, it is a good way for me to meet the other mothers.  We are usually in such a hurry during morning drop off that we don't have the opportunity to get to know each other better.  Most of us are working mothers who glady sat around sipping tea and chatting while our children ran wild on the playground. 

My Homemade Gift from Finn

(already in place at my office)

I will be in Finn's debt forever.....

he is the reason I am a MOTHER!

I must also thank the teachers and director at Finn's school, they did a lovely job with the presentation of food, tea and edibles.  They also kept the overly excited children occupied while the mothers caught up with one another.   A truly lovely way to start the day!

JEAN ALISON GREGORY BROWNSBERGER

1931-2010

Mama, Mama Jean, Jeannie, Nani, Grandma Jean

(Will's hand with Grandma Jean)

Good-by to the life I used to live,

And the world I used to know;

And kiss the hills for me, just once;

Now I am ready to go!

(last stanza of Farewell)

by Emily Dickinson

My heart goes out to my dearest friend Mary and her family over the loss of their mother yesterday.  Her mother was an amazing woman, nurse, mother and grandmother who managed to maintain her humor and love of life after a stroke which left her unable to live unassisted 18 years ago. She leaves behind the most incredible six children, her greatest legacy! 

Au revoir Jean...
until we meet again!

SPLINTER

How can something as small as a splinter turn my world upside down.  Finn came home from school on Thursday with a splinter embedded under the skin below his pinky finger.    I knew it was going to be a fight to get it out....DARN SPLINTER! 

Finn didn't want us anywhere near his hand....he kept saying "No, No, No....let's wait for Papa".  He was doing his very best to delay the inevitable.  It had to come out, we couldn't wait any longer....the skin around the splinter was already turning pink.

There is nothing worse than seeing your little on in discomfort.

Using rubbing alcohol and the flame from the kitchen burner, Todd and I sterilized the needle & tweezers.  Crocodile tears started running down Finn's cheek as I broke the surface of the skin.  When he started to scream and lose control, I knew we had to distract him, he was more terrified of the needle than from actual pain.

Every so often I am struck with brilliance, I gave Finn a job....he was to hold the flashlight with his good hand toward the splinter so his daddy could see it better!!!  Brilliant I say, worked like a charm...tears and screaming ceased immediately.    Todd was able to catch hold of the tip of the splinter and out it came!  Hoorah!

The Splinter,

I'm sure this won't be the last one, sigh...