#FBF: The Girls First Tutus

Eleven years ago. Little did we know back then that there would be many, many, many more tutus in their future! xo

Wordless Wednesday::At The Barre

Physics: Waldorf Style

Since Emma finished up her physics block today I wanted to shares a few pictures from her main lesson book. These were all completed last week as she explored the physics of color and light. Other topics covered during her physics block were: the physics of sound and the physics of heat. xo

A Sneak Peek

A little sneak peek of the photo shoot I did with the uber talented Angelica Vlahos a week after my show this past November! I am so incredibly glad I did a shoot with her, and I cannot wait to see how the rest of the pictures came out! xo

Baby's First Interview

Today was Grace's Junior Intern interview at Old Sturbridge Village. We arrived about fifteen minutes early and made our way to where the interview was to take place (stopping first so I could take a quick picture of her near the "Junior Intern interview" sign). We were warmly welcomed by Kim Adams, director of the Junior Intern program. She invited Grace into her office and invited Emma and I to wait just outside of it while she and Grace chatted. It was really neat to listen as they talked and Grace did a wonderful job answering all her questions. She had brought along examples of various handwork projects she had completed to show Ms. Adams and I heard Kim exclaim that she did wonderful work!

Shortly after that Emma and I were invited to join in the fun! We sat and listened to Kim tell Grace all about the program. When she got to the part about the training weekend in May Grace and I locked eyes, our hearts sinking as we heard the words "the first wekeend in May." Dang it, I was so sure I heard it was the middle of May! Ms. Adams talked a bit more and then asked if we had any questions. It was then that I asked about the training dates and she explained that "yes, it's usually mid-May but we have a graduation that weekend so it had to be moved." I told her then that sadly Grace has her final dance competition of the season that weekend and wouldn't be able to attend. All our hearts were sad but then Ms. Adams smiled and said: "I will keep your application on file and since we have already interviewed we won't need to do that again". She then turns to me and says "send me an email next fall and we'll put her name back in." We thanked her for a lovely start to our weekend and went on our way. All three of us were disappointed that it didn't work out for this year but are grateful she'll have the opportunity in 2021! xo 

{This Moment} Taco Tuesday

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Wishing you a lovely weekend full of sweet moments! xo

Today

When it's one of your besties twelfth birthdays your bring her twelve balloons! xo

Snow And Rose

I have been meaning to share these pictures and my thoughts on this gorgeous book for awhile now. And since I have not taken many pictures lately of what we have been up to I figured I might as well catch up on a few neglected "topics"! 

Snow & Rose was gifted to us two years ago by my dear friend Patricia and from the first page it was an instant favorite. The girls and I read it together and Grace loved it so much that she's re-reading it now. The story resonated so deeply with us. I often felt as if Emily Winfield Martin knew Grace and Emma. Especially, when we came upon something like this: 

And the illustrations are as gorgeous as the writing!

 This picture is SO Grace and Emma. 

Such a truly beautiful version of the classic tale and one that we could get lost in again and again. If you are looking for a good book this one comes highly recommended from the three of us! xo

Little Women

Yesterday we finally saw the new version of Little Women. Some of you may remember that spent a cold, rainy October day in 2018 as an extra (and no, sadly, there wasn't even a glimpse of me). While the girls and I liked this version very much  (it was gorgeously shot and acted and costumed) we did find it too time-jumpy for us. No matter the version (the 1994 one being our most fave) Little Women will always hold a very special place in our hearts (as it always has). And while I have always felt drawn to both Marmee and Beth, I found that in the newest version I connected much more deeply with Beth. Perhaps it was that Emma Watson was the one portraying her. Or perhaps it was because Beth and John Brooke remind me SO very much of Dave and I. No matter what it was, Emma Watson absolutely did that character justice (as did Saoirse Ronan in her portrayal of Jo). Susan Sorandan's Marmee will always be the Marmee I connect most deeply with, especially the scene where she writes the letter pulling Amy out of school. From the minute I became a mama that character took on new meaning for me and I have felt a very deep and definite connection with her, as if we are kindred spirits! If you are a Little Women fan we definitely encourage you to see this beautiful new version from Greta Gerwig. It is absolutely worth two hours and fifteen minutes of your day! 

Eleven Years Ago...

Please time, can you slow down just a little bit?! It's all going by way too fast....xo

Catching Up

Gracious! I have been such a blog slacker this year! I have been meaning to "catch up" for days now and somehow it hasn't happend. Today, though, I made it one of my goals to do so before a new week began and I got even more behind.

Mostly life has been just keeping us far too busy. The girls are doing well with their lessons, I am still getting to the gym (almost daily) and the new semester started at Northeastern so Dr. Tscherne is back in action over there.

When I went to look through the pictures on my phone to see what I hadn't shared yet, I realized that mostly it was memes and inspirational quotes that were in my photos section. Below are the few pictures I have taken recently. The fist three are from the holiday show (a week ago) and the one where the girls are curling their hair is from a few days after that. 

And then of course, there was this random picture of Gretchen sitting on the hot water bottle taken by one of the girls on my phone: 

Such a funny kitty!

So, that's about it from here! Have a wonderful rest of the long weekend! xo

They've Arrived!

When the carols have been stilled,When the star topped tree is taken down,When family and friends have gone home,When we are back to our schedules,The work of Christmas begins!

To welcome to refugee,
To heal a broken planet,
To feed the hungry,
To build bridges of trust,
Not walls of fear.
To share our gifts,
To seek justice and peace for all people,
To bring Christ's light to the world.

-Michael Dougherty

Happy Twelfth Night!

Almost there! xo 

{This Moment} At The Barre

{This Moment} A weekend ritual. A single photo (or two) -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Wishing you all a blessed and magical 2020! xo 

A Magical Start To 2020

A few months ago, Grace came downstairs to show me something that she had drawn. As soon she left I took a picture and texted my mom. "Do you think Daddy could make this for Grace for Christmas?" She quickly replied back: "We're on it."  

Yesterday my parents and brother came up to join us for New Year's dinner. Since we hadn't seen each other on Christmas Day it also served as our family Christmas too. My mom handed each girl a long wrapped tube. We had Grace go first. 

Her reaction was absolute perfection: 

 "Oh! It's my wand!" 

 Not wanting Emma to be wand-less one was made for her as well. Since she hadn't designed one a very special one was selected for her. 

 "It's Hermoine's wand!" 

Grandpa Gene and his girls. 

Is there nothing this man can't create ?! 

Such a perfectly magical way to start 2020! xo 

Happy 2020!