Sophia and I took Will out for his first round of trick-or-treating this afternoon. She's been coaching him how how to say it for the past week or so, like the fantastic big sister she is. He toddled after her, climbing up stairs, announcing "tree a tree" and giving a polite "tee you" when the homeowners dropped a piece of candy in his little bucket.
When Dave got home he took the kids out for a second round, then a longer run with just Sophia so I could stay here and greet the trick-or-treaters. I mad...
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The summer is always a busy time for us. Chicago keeps us locked indoors for so long during the winter months, that it's hard to get me to stay inside very long once things warm up.
Here are the broad strokes:
We went to Texas to visit family.
Sophia turned 10 and got her ears pierced.
Will turned 2.
We got the Yellowstone camper and have been fixing it up.
I got hi...
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I frequently refer to my younger daughter by the nickname she gave herself as a toddler. You'd ask her what her name is and she'd respond enthusiastically, "I'm Fi Fi!" So she's stuck with it.
Anyway, Fi is getting ready for a 50's-themed music program at her school. She even has a speaking part where she gets to announce a boy who's playing Elvis. Last night I cut her hair into bangs and tonight I need to finish making a poodle skirt for her to wear in the show. Just the addition of the bangs changed her look so ...
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Sophia and I are the ones who wore Dave down on the whole backyard chickens issue. She's my partner in crime. Now he has one, has named it, and is as into it (almost) as much as we are.
She tends to them several times throughout the day, checking their water, sitting with them, holding them on her lap and petting them. The chicks will come and eat right out of her hand and seem more tame around her than Dave or me. She's a natural animal caregiver. Animals love her and she loves them.
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I've been busy, busy, busy! First on the list is my new online store, Bluebird Goods. After moving, I got so inspired by this 1927 bungalow with it's original stained glass windows and kitchen cabinets. I want to capture this environment and blend it with what I grew up around at my grandmother's home on the Gulf Coast. I love making things, fixing up old furniture, and using antiques to decorate with whenever possible. Old things have so much more character than new, plus you have to hunt for the right thing. ...
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'Fi at the Brookfield Zoo bear exhibit
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When my brothers and I were little, we spent many hours hiding away in tents in our backyard. It was the best place to feel like we had a little freedom, almost like we lived on our own, free to set up as we pleased, invite other kids over, do whatever we wanted. I don't think we even needed an activity, but were very happy to just sit inside of it and feel like we had our own little world.
Sophia and I had grand plans to erect some sort of homage to modern architecture out of canvas and wood, but as it happen...
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This evening Fi and I put together a terrarium for our poor, homeless gnome.
He's sheltered by a money tree and flanked with angel plants and live moss we culled from the front yard. We sprinkled some Assyllum seeds in the background, so hopefully we'll have a little flowered fairy setting when they come in.
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Especially to all the women and mothers who are part of my family's life. Much love to you all.
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We spent this past weekend in Madison. I was up there shooting a wedding for a friend of the family and caught this pic of my sweeties on the way out the door. Deep sigh of content. I love them so much.
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Sophia and I are very excited to have her new room 'do featured over at OhDeeDoh.com.
Check it out!
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8 year old Sophia needed an upgrade in her space, so we started before her little brother was born. With all the hubbub over the baby, we didn't want her feeling left out and figured it was time to step up from the decor she had known since she was 2.
We painted the walls, installed a closet organizer, new lighting, tore up the carpet to expose beautiful hardwood floors, added a new bed and all sorts of fun touches. My favorite is the tent over the bed that can be pulled closed for imagination time or hiding out w...
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Good morning, darlings, originally uploaded by Alana Waters-Piper.
Sophia and Will having some cuddle time on a Saturday morning.
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Father Daughter Dance, originally uploaded by Alana Waters-Piper.
Sophia went to the Girl Scouts Father Daughter Dance with her dad. I was completely choked up over how pretty she looked and I could tell she was feeling extra special this evening. I let her wear some of my Chanel perfume and as I spritzed it on she told me, "Oh Mommy, I feel just like Cinderella."
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Taking care of the winter birds, originally uploaded by Alana Waters-Piper.Dave and Sophia tending to the feeders in the backyard.
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Moo.
01/31/10
veal, originally uploaded by Alana Waters-Piper.Earlier while I'm standing in line at Jayson Home & Garden, Sophia sits on a cowhide covered chair and asks, "Was this cow dead already when they decided to take it's skin?" I think and answer, "Yes. That cow was very, very old and had wandered up on a grassy hill at sunset to lay down under a beautiful tree where she fell asleep and passed away while dreaming about rainbows."Sophia's response: "No she didn't. They shot her and used the meat."
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Kamahachi dinner with FifiShe's such a cool kid. Sophia's been eating sushi since she was old enough to chew. Tonight she tried octopus, mackerel, unagi (eel), and spider rolls (soft shell crab).
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bed wall, originally uploaded by Alana Waters-Piper.1 week after Sophia turned 8, she became a big sister. We couldn't have our star helper feeling left out with all the attention paid to preparing our nest for a new baby. Little by little we've been pulling her room out of the little girl princess phase to a pre-tween hang out space with plenty of cozy nooks to curl up, read, entertain friends, or watch a movie. This past summer we found a great deal on a twin-sized Jenny Lind bed, which we figure will last until gr...
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