This was our first year making Valentine cards for the boys' classmates. I spotted this idea on Designmom (she spotted it here) and knew I wanted to try it. The cards got lots of wows which is nice for something that is very simple and fun to put together. If you print your photos at home, it is even easier!
I think it's sweet and the photo says it all!
What about you? Have you made of seen cool Valentine projects?
This year the boys got their first taste of Halloween. There was a lot of anticipation at our house. Thierry helped the boys carve their first pumpkin. It was a collaborative effort - Andrea drew the nose and mouth and Maxi chose the eyes. We decorated the outside of our house. On Monday, the boys went to school in costumes (Maxi as an Indian, Andrea as a skeleton). In the evening we went trick or treating as a family of skeletons. Loved dressing up as a group and can see it becoming a tradition.
After the first few houses we realized we needed to teach the boys a few ground rules. One, do not enter people's houses when they open the door. They kept stepping into the houses as if they were being invited in. Also, no fishing through the bowl for the candy of your choice. Maxi would turn to us and yell "how many pieces can I take? One?"
Our neighborhood has lots of houses that decorate with lights and scary sounds and black lights and greeters dressed in scary costumes. It was a lot of fun. This year we left a bowl of candy on our doorstep so we could trick or treat together, but we can see the fun in staying home and handing out candy too!
What about you? Do you have any Halloween traditions?
Blog Post Styling Sources: Vintage Polaroid Brushes, Yellow Striped Twill Tape
Maximiliano turned five on Saturday. We hosted eight of his new friends at our house to celebrate. It was awesome.
Happy birthday little guy.
Je t'aime, Maman.
This past weekend Maxi and I went with our neighbor and her son to a nearby firehouse for an open house. Many trucks were on display and firemen and women were available to show us around and answer all our questions.
The firetrucks were sparkling clean, full of so many details and, as you can see by the photos above, ginormous. I was happy to watch Maxi and the other kids take it all in. After all, firetrucks are a childhood icon.
They also handed out safety books about what to do should a fire break out in your home - a conversation Thierry and I have yet to have with our boys. They suggest you discuss and plan two exit routes should your house have a fire. Have you ever made such a plan? We haven't, but after reading all the pamphlets, it seems like something we should do.
In January I wrote about my dilemma about this polo I bought for Maxi. I absolutely loved it and he pretty much did not. Instead of returning it, I decided to let it hang in the closet for a few weeks. Those weeks turned into months. Every now and then I pulled it out, hey Maxi, want to wear this? Until one day his eyes lit up, c'est trés joli! He's been wearing and loving it ever since.
Above photos by Denise Laborde
I wouldn't ever force our boys to wear something. There really is no fun in that. But at ages six and four, they aren't very involved in building their wardrobe.
When they DO choose what they're going to wear, I admit, our tastes don't always align. Recently, while preparing an online order (which Thierry kindly brought back in his suitcase from a US business trip), I let them choose a few things. I was happy when they each chose red summer sandals. Not so happy when Andrea chose the black x-ray tee.
1. Saltwater Sandal in red. 2. Boys X-Ray Sports Ball Tee.
The boys and their new red sandals in Biarritz on Easter Sunday. Photo by Aïta, my father-in-law.
My point, if there is one, is to proclaim VICTORY with the striped polo. And even if I wouldn't be caught dead in the black x-ray tee, there's victory in watching my sons develop their fashion sense. Right?
