rock paper scissors

a weekend off

Thanks to the lovely and generous Anna Towns, Ben and I got some quality time in the hills of Southwest Virginia last weekend. There is much to love about an old house at the end of a long road with a stream in the backyard.

The too short time was filled with hikes, naps, horseback rides, outdoor showers, good food, laughs and some quiet 'me' time. I'm one of those extroverts who enjoys some solid peace and 'don't talk to me' quiet every now and then. When I get it, and I try to sneak some each week, I usually spend some time with my journal. I've kept a journal since college, sometimes more reliably and religiously than at other times. Now that I've got Ben there's so much I find myself wanting to write about. I'm not diligent enough to keep a baby book, but I'm keeping a journal for him. I started when he was about three weeks old. I call it my Bournal (you know, Bennifer and Bradgelina - bad joke but that's what happens when you're seriously sleep deprived. You think you're funny.) Anyhoo, I spend some time each week writing to him and telling him what he's doing new, how the week went, about our first trip to the swimming pool (not such a success), that he likes to dance, I how feel about being a mom. I wonder if he'll ever want to read it.

Sometimes I opt for that true blue moleskine to get my through my need to navel gaze. To celebrate Ben, I wanted something a little more spectacular. A little more razzle dazzle jazz hands. No seriously, I wanted hable construction. I wanted a pretty thing that made me exhale when I look through my jammed bag. I put a slice of vintage ribbon in to mark my place. And I use my all time favorite pen, the AG Spaulding capless roller ball, to ink my thoughts for better or worse in that sweet book.

So if you're thinking about the experience of recording your thoughts, I say just do it. But do it with some jazz hands.

when it rains, it pours

gas prices have never been higher. virginia has never been hotter (temperature wise). the economy has seen better days. and that's just the tip of the iceberg. while the outlook is bleak, and there seems to be no relief in sight, here in our own little piece of the world, rps has much to celebrate.

part-time rps-er and full time mom alissa welcomed the newest addition to her family, little miss maeve madeline, in late may. miss maeve kept us all on our toes awaiting her arrival, and now that she's here, we couldn't be happier...but probably no one more so than big sis cora (that smile couldn't get any bigger!).

our other invaluable set of hands shannon will sadly be leaving us, but will be moving on to greener pastures none of us dare venture: resuming her post as a middle school english teacher. while we cower at the thought of overseeing 20-30 hormone-ravaged tweens, shannon can't wait to get back to the land of emotional distress and leave her mark.

last, but certainly not least, after a near-six month stint in iraq, shannon's husband morgan has returned to US soil, safe and sound.

indeed, when it rains, it pours.

spring babies, er, puppies all around

It is so nice that the weather is warming up, just when you can't take it for one more minute, the daffodils pop up, and the green starts to get a little more vivid. The sun is out longer, and feels warmer, it puts a smile on your face. And when the weather and plants alone can't do that, the warmer weather just brings more life with it. Like today, the newest service dogs were out on a walk in the balmy weather, and came to visit us!
Two baby puppies, brother and sister, from Michigan: Kalamazoo, and Flint, with their little bit older buddy, Gus.

they are exactly like children, actually they remind me of montessori educated children especially, still and focused, yet happy and playful, and respectful of each other's space. Even though they are babies, they know when they have on their service dog vests, and that there are treats at the end of their leashes. They really are special dogs, and also so well handled and trained. And they're artistes to boot! we have notecards with prints of paintings made by these dogs paws. Service Dogs of Virginia is a wonderful organization and we are happy to offer these cards as one of their many ways to raise funds for their important work.

a little blurry 'cause Flint's nose sniffed the camera. he had to have it. just like a baby that guy.

also sweaters are so good for teething.

it's a baby's world

Impressions of the gift show? is that kids rule. There is so much baby, kid, and family stuff out there. It's pretty remarkable. I wonder what it used to be like at the gift show, before the kid was king. Lots of scented candles, wind chimes, and jams and jellies?

We have ALWAYS HAD a "baby section" in rock paper scissors. From day 1. We had kata golda and kate spade baby books. It took 5 years and Amy having a baby of her own before people started to notice the cute baby things in the store. They think that it appeared over the time span of 9 months, magically brought by a stork. Well, those presumptions are only going to continue, because there is a bevy of kid fabulousness, baby adorableness, coming our way. It could be that sending a new mom and an expecting one to do the buying would result in this, but I think it's a combination. It is everywhere! fabulous design for families, and yes we are weak in the knees for it all, but you can't ignore it either.

We can't be the fabulous baby boutique that is petit bebe or toy store, but if it is paper AND for a little one...how could we not? and as long as it is an example of good design, we will find a spot on the shelf for it.

We love the flash cards from wee gallery, made by parents who wanted the stimulating black and white images for their new baby, but were correct in thinking that their designs might be a little more fun. they debuted a new collection of peel and stick wall graphics at the gift show that are just right for spring. Look for it on our wall as we wish for our gardens to grow again.

The soft animals and poofs from zid zid are not made of paper...but they are handmade, incredibly original and fun design, and ecologically and socially friendly. Their booth is reason enough for me to go to the gift show. They are amazingly good natured and it is so fun to see all their adorable things in one place. Of course I was happy to demonstrate the elephant poof that we couldn't resist.When that guy gets here, I think we won't be able to get anyone under age 8 out of the store.

To accomodate those children who would love to stay and play, we will have a cardboard playhouse made in Holland from recycled cardboard. It comes flat and pops up instantly, so if you just have to leave the store, you can take home your very own. Sure you can make these yourself, and you should, because everyone needs a house made from a refrigerator, stove, or washing machine box. But if you're between appliances, this house will fit the bill. Worried about the floor space you might be losing...we'll have the doll house version too.

Not made of paper, BUT it holds paper, backpacks for the short set. They are absolutely perfect, just what a backpack should be. Except that these have the cutest animals ever on them. It's impossible to pick a favorite, so check out the bunny's paws or the sharks expression on Dante Beatrix's website

Other favorites from the gift show are for furry babies: accessories for the modern pooch from mungo and maud available soon at Scarpa, of course Hable construction was so fun too. They had these lovely low couches covered in green poppy print fabric. And not about kids at all, but about our kids' future maybe...the Green Paper Company which sells cards and envelopes in bulk and by the piece, but it is RECYCLED more to come on that topic..it's too exciting.

I think you may regret that I've started a blog

I'm sure it won't take long for someone at work to groan and roll their eyes that now I can publish my thoughts on the world wide interweb. (yeah, the one with email.) snow day = no daycare and a not so zen mommy. thinking that the day would be all mine, I had this insane list of things to do. and starting a blog was not one of them. so, suffice to say, I've done nothing on my list but whatever.

here is a photo of the little man that occupied most of my energy and focus today:

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doesn't he look fabulous in a hat?

as I said, the eye-rolling and groaning will start any minute now.
off to make dinner. domestic goddes I am not