practical and meaningful

costume art

At camp this summer, we gave the kids a project to create costumes for each other. The result included superheros and red carpet worthy gowns....it was amazing the way the kids worked together and they had so much fun!

boarding school

as the search begins for the perfect middle school and beyond - we asked our daughter if she would like the idea of boarding school.

she said "I would really miss being with you guys every day - but I think it would be good for my independence."

just saying

I did not say that it would be easy.

I said that it would be worth it.

my tween

 

my daughter circa 2002.

She is now a tween in 2010.

back to school

This was my first day of first grade and i was wearing my favorite orange outfit that we bought in downtown Los Angeles at the sample sale.  Back then, we lived near lake Hollywood - right under the Hollywood sign at 6449 Tahoe Drive. I took the bus to Cheremoya elementary school and often my dog comet would follow the bus through the back roads of the Hollywood hills and my mom would have to come and get him. My parents were still married (barely).

i love the energy of going back to school. The organization. The routine. The (slight) change in the weather. The schedule. 

Today is my daughter's first day of 5th grade. Her (last) first day of elementary school. I am so excited to see what happens next.

positive motion = rest

being engaged in something new, something you love

is more beneficial to the body

than actual rest.

tell them you love them

Received some devistating news today that one of the parents at my daughter's school was recently diagnosed with lung cancer which has spread to his brain.

He is an amazing father to two incredible kids, a devoted husband and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

Six weeks ago they learned his fate and now they are all holding on with all their might.

We both survived the school camping trip to Blue Sky Meadows last Fall - and here is a picture of him with his daughter.

Sending love and strength and hope to their entire family.

 

fed ex flowers from bompa

When I was 21 years old and living in New York City - I got the best package ever from Bompa (my Mom's Dad).

Bompa was an avid gardener  - His backyard was an oasis and  he grew beautiful hydrangeas, cannas, daisies, gladiolas, and giant roses. 

One evening, he went into his garden and cut the most beautiful bouquet. He packed it up in a 4 foot tall box that he had constructed just for the task - secured the stems with moist paper towels and a ziplock  - and took the huge package to FED EX to send them to me in Brooklyn where I was living in my own apartment.

So at 6 PM California time - right before FED EX was closing - he put my flowers in the mail - and by 9 am the following day NEW YORK time ( a mere 9 hours of transit from Burbank to FED EXP hub to me in Brooklyn) - I had  flowers from Bompa's garden.

Not at all practical but so very meaningful.