#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Letter to My Son – Happy 11th Birthday!

August 2, 2013 · Narrative

Untitled

These sneakers.

They represent so much.

Nick decided a few weeks ago that one of the birthday presents he wanted was a pair of basketball sneakers.

They are huge.

But not really.

He’s just getting bigger.

No, really, I think they’re a little huge.

He spent a Saturday morning online and on the phone (sometimes working two phones at the same time), to research where we could buy the exact pair he wanted.

The color he wanted.

Who had his size available and in stock.

He could not have researched the decision any more than he did.

And with that, he is growing up.

A pre-teen. With shoes that are bigger than mine. And a maturity that is, lately, growing by leaps and bounds.

I am so not ready.

Dear Nick,

Wow, what a year it has been for you. I blink and all the sudden, you’re not a little kid anymore. You’re growing up way too fast for my liking. You are all at once mature, keenly responsible, and acting more like a grown-up than a kid every day.

And while it’s equal parts awesome and no! no! not yet!, it’s also a little bit … heck, where did my baby go?

I give you one more summer and you will surely be taller than me. By Christmas, your feet will be bigger than mine (and my feet are pretty big to begin with!).

You are so thoughtful and compassionate. And so level-headed and easygoing. Traits that I really admire in the young man you’re becoming. You have showed fierce determination when you fixate on a goal (raising grades, raising money for animals, or anything in between), and can do anything you set your mind to.

But this past year? This past year, I rub my eyes and see a completely different kid. Someone who is fearless, who now gravitates towards bigger, faster, higher. Someone who has really grown into his own.

And I couldn’t be more proud.

You help around the house without being asked, are a wonderful big brother to your sister, and are truly a pleasure to be around.

This year, you have discovered a love for acting and running track, and you’re going off in so many new and exciting directions, I can see more and more the type of young man that you are becoming.

And I’m so glad I get a front row seat to all of it.

I love you.

Mom

LIKES: soccer, art, Instagram, track, acting, Science, swimming, swimming, swimming, Property Brothers, Shark Tank, volunteering, and cruises.

DISLIKES: clutter, homework, sitting still, and not knowing what’s on our schedule every moment of the day

Please join me in wishing Nick a happy 11th birthday!

A look back…

When he turned ten …

When he turned nine …

When he turned eight …

When he turned seven…

When he turned six…

When he turned five…

When he turned four…

When he turned three…

*If you tried to visit my site earlier today, ack! The site’s host was having serious server-wide problem, and many, many sites were down for most of the day. To say they took a beating in social media would be an understatement. So if you missed last night’s post, here’s your chance to catch up.

And with that, happy weekend to you and you and you.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Mandi says

    August 3, 2013 at 4:32 am

    Happy happy birthday from Australia! Nick, I’ve been reading your Mum’s (mom!) blog since you were about three and I have loved watching you grow up. My 11 year old is just a few weeks older than you and, despite that you look completely different, I see so many similarities – he too is a wonderful big brother and an all round awesome kid.
    I hope you have a wonderful day, full of presents and love xx

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    August 3, 2013 at 5:23 am

    I can’t believe he’s 11 already!! WOW. Time seriously flies.
    Joanne recently posted..Lemon Pistachio Cornmeal Muffins

    Reply
  3. Suzi says

    August 3, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    Happy Birthday Nick! You’re a terrific kid!

    Reply
  4. Cindy says

    August 3, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    Happy birthday from Canada! Nick, I hope your birthday is a wonderful one and that you get lots of presents, sounds like you deserve them xo

    Reply
  5. SIL says

    August 4, 2013 at 7:59 am

    To the best nephew anyone can ever imagine, Happy Birthday Nick!!!!

    Lots of Love,
    Titi

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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