Team Boo

2011 in Pictures (from my iphone)

2012-01-03T12:36:00.004-05:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures and moments of 2011, taken from my phone. It's lazy, yes, but at least its something!

when I had a princess and a bride in my house (and Arlo wasn't 2 yet and still such a nice child)

that time Sadie wore my tank top as a dress over her pajamas with heels and a blonde wig and King was sleeping in the linen closet

pretty much anytime we went for walks around our old neighborhood

that time Sadie picked all of the inchworms off of our trampoline and put them all over her body

that time Sadie took a picture of Arlo and me watching TV, with Arlo's hand down my shirt and her little feet in the picture

when we finally sold our house and had our last meal at 77 Track Road

when Sadie became a Kindergartener

when Sadie was Jesus

Arlo being Arlo. Way more "boy" than I could ever have imagined in a son, but that boy has me wrapped around his finger!

Like probably most people, 2011 was equal parts awesome and hard. There were no fancy vacations (although our Storyland trip was perfect) but looking through my year of pictures on my phone, I realized, wow we spend a LOT of time together. And that's what its all about! Reflecting on the year, I think that most days were lived with the best of intentions (regardless of how they turned out) and some of the challenges we faced (and continue facing) are helping us grow stronger together as a family.

On New Year's Day morning, Marshall and I listed our 3 goals for 2012: 1. say goodbye to Arlo's chupa 2. Potty train Arlo and 3. Find and buy our new Woburn house.

Happy New Year!

ipads and dinosaurs: thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-29T12:54:00.005-05:00

This year's Thanksgiving was saved by the ipad and the discovery of dinosaur tracks in Connecticut.

Entertain cranky/tired/sick kids with your ipad while trying to eat a turkey dinner with one hand!

Also, are you and your small children (who wake up so early) guests in a house full of humans who wake up at a normal hour? Keep those little ones quiet for a little while longer with your ipad! Note this year's Christmas jammies. Adorbs.

If you find yourself traveling through Connecticut and need to get out of the car and give the kids a chance to run around for a few hours, stop by the Dinosaur State Park! You can see real dinosaur tracks preserved and explore some pretty walking trails.

I am thankful for (in addition to the ipad and dinosaurs) 24 hour CVS, public education, a job I really enjoy (both the one I get paid for and the one that I don't), and of course, our friends and family.

happy thanksgiving!!

When I transform into Sandy Claws

2011-11-16T10:49:00.003-05:00

Thanks to She & Him's new Christmas album, the transformation occurred early this year. One of my favorite parts of being a mom is getting to be Santa! When our kids stop believing, a small part of me will die inside. I'm super excited to give them their presents this year (Leappad! Handy Manny Construction Laptop! Mermaid costume! Thomas and Friends train track/pirate ship!)

Sadie took her picture with Santa Bob at Spence Farm- Arlo wanted nothing to do with him this year. But when he saw this picture last night he was super jeals. So I guess we still have to make our annual visit to see our buddy Woburn Mall Santa, maybe Arlo will allow himself to be photographed on or near Santa.

Here are some ideas for you in case you are wondering what to get me this year: http://pinterest.com/traceyw/my-wishlist/. Also add "a new house" to that wishlist. Thanks!

This is for Brendan

2011-10-24T12:10:00.003-04:00

This is for Brendan who keeps asking me in all seriousness why I don't blob anymore. Hi, Brendan! I'm back.

I would say my lack of blogging was due to:
1. Having two crazy kids who keep us very busy
2. The effort involved in selling our house and then moving our family of 4 into a temporary living situation
3. Having a broken camera since July (this actually is about 95% of the real reason for not blogging)

Anyways, good news, Marshall bought me a new camera. I love it and so glad to be taking pictures again! The day after I got my new camera, I had Sadie pose for some pictures. Enjoy.

Just taking pictures of myself in the bathroom with my new camera, totally normal.

I promise to be a better blogger. Bye!

Lock your lips and throw away the key

2011-09-13T13:14:00.004-04:00

So, then we moved out of our house and Sadie started Kindergarten. So many things have changed, and yet everything is still the same. Kids are so adaptable, it's amazing. I wish I could handle transitions as well as they can. Sadie loves kindergarten and has started repeating those corny teacher phrases, like the one in this post's title. This morning I was already cranky and stressed and did not want to have to find a place to park and take Arlo in and out of the car (as I've been doing for the past few school days) to walk Sadie to the school door, so I live parked directly in front of the door and stood next to the car and tried to get Sadie to simply walk herself the 2 feet to the door but she absolutely would not. She did not want to go by herself. And all I could think about with each passing moment was that it was just going to be more stressful trying to get Arlo off to school (he screamed from the minute we pulled into the parking lot and I left him screaming in a teacher's arms, in case you wondering) and which would mean I was just going to be that much later for work. I was so frustrated, there was so space in my brain to think through why Sadie was feeling anxious about walking to the door alone, instead I said something horrible to her and she cried and finally went inside. I truly couldn't feel worse about anything. How will I make it up to her, besides asking for her forgiveness and showering her with love and patience? I have been repeating this quote, to myself and to Marshall, over and over ever since I heard it- ""Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being." Sad that we have to remind ourselves of this, but sometimes it is so frustrating to be parenting when you have a strict schedule to maintain. Even though I know perfectly well a small child does not give a hoot about my schedule.

I promise that life is good here at Team Boo though, our closing went very smoothly, and we are so grateful to Maura and Dennis for letting us stay with them until we find a new home. The kids are having a blast and we have doing lots of fun things together and have lots more fun activities planned.

In conclusion, I promise to work harder to be more patient and when I am about to lose my cool, I will lock my lips and throw away the key.

Home is wherever I'm with you

2011-08-02T11:56:00.005-04:00

We have been super busy loving up Summer. Including but not limited to: going to the beach, eating lots of ice cream, taking lots of after dinner walks, visiting Nana on the Cape, getting ear infections (Arlo), checking out the Ecotarium, and selling our house. We will be spending August packing up and saying goodbye to our little red house. I have already cried a little but we are really excited to start Team Boo: Woburn Edition. We'll be even closer to all of our favorite people!

Please send any unwanted boxes our way. Have a nice life, Reading!

A Story for Sadie on her 5th Birthday

2011-07-12T12:51:00.003-04:00

Once upon a time, I wasn't a mother. Life was easier, simpler. Gogurts weren't even invented then! I didn't even know what a Magic Eraser was! (I think I will refer to these years with little kids as my "Magic Eraser Days") Then I had a little baby Sadie on Sunday, July 16, 2006 at Brigham and Women's Hospital and everything changed.

I desperately wanted to be a good mother for you but I wasn't sure how, I was so unprepared for motherhood. No one else in my world was a new, young mother. I felt unsure about my new identity, was this still Tracey?? I found it hard to transition from being your mother to being around my long time friends, maybe my friends didn't realize how I had changed, maybe they were still expecting the old Tracey. Because I was stuck straddling the new and old me, I wasn't very confident in being either person. I found comfort in spending time with family, your grandparents and aunts, and especially with your Nonna, who helped guide me into my new role. I am so grateful to our family and my close friends for being so supportive and letting me have a little time to figure out who I was and to settle into this new life.

And today I have an almost 5 year old Sadie! So much has happened in those five years. You have grown into an absolutely delightful little girl. You have a crazy brother who you (almost) never lose patience with. Your dad is as handsome and funny as ever. And I feel like an old pro in this parenting thing. I wish I could re-do that first year of your life with you, I would do it so much better! But that's OK because you are a resilient little kid and you weathered our experimental first year as parents just fine. We love you, Sadie, you are without a doubt the best part of who I am today.

Brag Dad

2011-06-20T12:48:00.002-04:00

I know its super lame to brag, but I done did good picking out a man to be the father of my children. I will be honest and say that I really did not realize the extent of the commitment I was making to this man when we decided to start a family. He has grown into the Ultimate Family Man, adored by his children, and also by any other children who come into contact with him; but at the same time, still never losing the essence of who he is a person- curious, funny, weird, generous, hard working. Marshall, thank you for being enthusiastic about and on board with all the crazy things I want to do and for embracing the chaos of our life. Also, thank you for being patient and forgiving when I am acting like a stressed out crazy person for no reason (well, motherhood is a pretty good reason).

Most importantly, thank you for being such a devoted and loving father to these two nutty kids:

The Graduate

2011-06-16T22:54:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to our First Born for graduating from preschool! I don't know if there is anyone in the world who DOESN'T manage to graduate from preschool, but we are proud all the same! Her teachers have told us she is a joy to have in class and she loves school and sharing all the things she learns with us at home. I imagine I will be 70 years old and still singing "Open, Shut Them" before eating my lunch. We think Sadie will continue to thrive in elementary school and we will just keep being in awe of her ability to transition from each stage in life so gracefully and effortlessly. Today in my yoga class I was thinking about her birth. She was born so easily and like she knew exactly what to do, even before my body knew what to do. That is Sadie.

So hooray for Sadie for growing, learning, sharing, and being a wonderful little girl.

And think happy thoughts for Buddy who is recovering from a nasty virus. And kind of making us all miserable.

Lots of hugs for Nonna P. for being a rockstar grandmother this week and helping me out so much this week. Endless amounts of gratitude.

Have a great weekend!

Lovely family

2011-06-06T15:31:00.004-04:00

Spring has been good to us. Some updates- we took a last minute mini-fam vacation to NH and went to Story Land and took a train ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad. We had a blast! Marshall and I kept high-fiving each other because things went so well. Also, Arlo has been upgraded to the toddler bed (the one Marshall made for Sadie), its definitely been a struggle to get him to stay in bed at night.

I am constantly given reason to feel thankful for my family, immediate and extended. Every Wednesday night my mother has the kids and me over for dinner (we call it Wednesday Supper Club) while Marshall is working. This past Saturday Maura and Madelyn showed up at 8 am to cut the grass and do other landscaping duties before a house showing while Marshall was at Brendan's bachelor party in Maine. I was so grateful I could have wept.

I hope my kids are always appreciative of the amazing families they have been born into. And I hope that as they grow up and (like I did) think that where we live is boring and dream of moving somewhere far away from these same old sights and faces, they can remember how hard everyone around us has worked to make sure we are safe and happy and healthy, that our families have truly done all they can to give us the best possible life. That their dad worked three jobs when they were little so we could take little vacations now and again and do fun things together and so that I could be at home more and enjoy these special years with them. Of course, I will be supportive of whatever they choose to do and wherever their paths may lead them, but I definitely plan on trying to guilt them into staying.

Here's little video we sent to Marshall while he was away this weekend:

Goodnight, Daddy from Tracey White on Vimeo.

i'm moving past the feeling

2011-05-17T22:08:00.004-04:00

Recital and Baby Brain

2011-05-16T14:12:00.003-04:00

Sadie's 1st dance recital was this weekend- here she is waiting to go on stage and dance her little heart out. Those little girls were just too cute. I helped out backstage and got their tap shoes tied and kept their spirits up while waiting in line. I'm so proud of her and it's so wonderful to watch her growing up into such a great little lady.

In other news, I've got babies on the brain. We are having lots of discussions in our house about how we will expand our family in the future. It has meant some tough decisions. I'm being selfish because I love pregnancy and childbirth and breastfeeding, but there are so many babies who need homes and loving families and Marshall feels strongly about adoption. I love this blogger and her recent post about the "right" sized family and the"right" aged Mom came at a good time and spoke to me.

via

However it happens, I just hope my baby days aren't over and that we are lucky enough to add another baby to our family some day.

One Happy Mutha

2011-05-10T16:13:00.002-04:00

via

We had a lovely Mother's Day at Casa Team Boo. Marshall and the kids brought me breakfast in bed, we took a bike ride and jumped on the trampoline, received some very sweet handmade cards from the kids, Marshall grilled steak tips, I drank a Bloody Mary in the bathtub, had dinner at my favorite restaurant and also finished A Thousand Splendid Suns (I laid in bed sobbing at the end, good lord. I'm still weeping for Mariam.) But I think my real gift was a few days earlier when after telling Marshall about coming home from grocery shopping and giving the dirty cat a bath and then having to clean the now dirty bathtub, and all the crazy things the kids did that day etc etc, Marshall said, "You do a metric ton of work around here. Thank you." Well, I am also excited for this handpicked present to arrive tomorrow.

I love being a momma. And I am so grateful to the mommas in my life who help me to be the best mother I can be. I had no idea I had it in me to give so much, and to enjoy it so thoroughly too. Thanks for leading with your excellent example.

Happy birthday, Arlo!

2011-05-02T11:20:00.004-04:00

My baby is TWO!

Fun facts about Arlo:

While in labor with him, I had a loop playing in my head- it was of Sadie playing on the playground from the day before. It involved her going up the ladder and down the slide and it just played over and over. I don't know why that got stuck in my head but something about focusing on that repeating memory of Sadie helped get me through a few hours of bad contractions.
He loves trains, Blue's Clues, Mickey Mouse and all of his grandparents. Nothing makes him more excited than when a grandparent walks through our front door.
His energy level is so much higher than Sadie's. He prefers running to walking. Marshall calls him Prefontaine. He is also known as "Arlo the Destroyer".
If Arlo is grumpy, everyone is grumpy.
Nobody can cheer up Arlo better than Sadie. Their closeness is one of the greatest joys of my life. Siblings are truly a gift from your parents.

Pictures from Arlo's party soon!

On Motherhood (kind of)

2011-04-18T11:54:00.007-04:00

I know peeps come here for the cute pics of my cute kids and I have started feeling less comfortable sharing more private things on the interwebs, but I had a thought the other day that I would like to share. Maybe an insight into parenting you might find useful if you don't have children yet, or that my kids might find interesting one day.

Many big life events happened for us in 2006. We got married, four months later Sadie was born, a few months later we bought a house. During this year and maybe even through out the following year, I had lots of silly and irrelevant concerns. I should have been focusing on my new role as a mother and wife, and enjoying this new phase in life that I had entered. In particular, I worried about how it looked that Marshall and I had gotten married when I was pregnant. I worried that people would judge us/Sadie. This is what I have learned- no one cares. Do you know when you get the most judgement from others? When your child is having a full on tantrum at a Subaru dealership showroom and is laying on the floor screaming. Or when you let your two kids jump around in a brand new car in said showroom. And you don't have the energy to try and control them. This is what people care about. Basically, people want to see that you are a good parent. They don't care how you got there.

It took me a little while to fully grow into and embrace my new role as a mother, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about what a tragedy (for me, personally) it would have been if I had missed out on this experience. Even if we had a somewhat "unconventional" start, there is nothing different or unconventional about our family. Our kids are crazy, they make us laugh all day long, they eat about 15 Gogurts per day, and we are trying to raise them to be good, vaguely ethnic looking, happy people.

My New Mom Lesson is this: Parenting is too much work to care what other people think (did some one at the zoo recently yell to Arlo "You're too big for that binky!"? Yes. Did I care at all? No.)

Thiswas long, but cathartic, maybe if you don't think this was too obnoxious, I will start using this space for more than just sporadically posting pictures.

Edited: I can't help but re-read this post and think "FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS!" and "WHITE PEOPLE PROBLEMS!" I realize the challenges of parenting are universal but I apologize if this post came off as self-indulgent. Also, I feel like I wasn't sensitive to the fact that motherhood is not an option, nor an interest for some women. Really, this lesson could be applied to life in general- Life is too short to worry about what other people think, just enjoy the place where you are at right now. Oh, maybe I should just stick to my pictures and anecdotes...

Playdate with Nina

2011-04-11T09:12:00.002-04:00

Last week, we had a fun visit with Nina! We played, discussed Arlo's upcoming yoga party, and she took some very sweet pictures of the kids.

Thanks for sharing these cute photos, Nina! We can't wait for Arlo's party.

In other news, Open House season is here again and our house is looking beautiful. May the real estate gods look upon us favorably.

Sadie Style

2011-03-30T09:26:00.001-04:00

Hallelujah!

2011-03-21T13:04:00.003-04:00

Hooray! It's Spring! We survived this horrible winter. Last week's warm weather brought us out of our hibernation and it was glorious. I am a much better mother when there is sunshine.

For the past few months, I didn't really have anything nice to say, so I didn't say much at all here on the blob. Instead, I've been on Pinterest, collecting pretty pictures. Here's my pinterest page, I look at it often for inspiration: http://pinterest.com/traceyw/

Happy Spring, friends!

I found a reason

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

We are still here! Survived a stomach bug and office make-over.

Is this winter over yet??

Happy Valentine's Day, my lovely friends and family!

Marshall, I love you always, even though you told me I dress like Liz Lemon.

Let's celebrate with those cute babies of ours, some Cat Power, and more Tin Man.

Korean BBQ

2011-02-04T07:35:00.001-05:00

Reading

2011-02-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Snow Day

2011-02-02T11:38:00.000-05:00

Bedtime Stories

2011-02-01T08:58:00.000-05:00

Picture week!

2011-01-31T14:33:00.000-05:00

Because I have nothing better to do with my time (and I've been having fun teaching myself Photoshop), I am going to try and post a picture a day this week. Come back tomorrow!!

Good things

2011-01-26T11:28:00.000-05:00

Instead of talking about how Arlo has been sick again (ear infection and pneumonia), I will share some good things with you.

Babies. Arlo, 1 day old

Family fun. Trip to the aquarium with Nonna

Kindness. (source)

The Baby

2011-01-18T12:35:00.000-05:00

Check out this baby who is practically not even a baby anymore. We all love him so. We comment daily that our lives would be so boring without him. He has sooo much energy but also requires hours of snuggle time per day. I've been known to fuss over him a wee bit more than is necessary (according to Marshall) and I'm not even going to pretend that I won't be that mom still fussing over her grown son someday. He is only going to be a baby for about 5 more minutes, so I vow to try and slow down and enjoy every moment with this little boy.

And don't even get me started on Sadie, who we just registered for Kindergarten. Honestly, these kids are killing me.

Friday morning

2011-01-14T07:52:00.000-05:00

This morning I was trying to take a picture of Bud eating a poptart on his Radio Flyer bumper car and Sadie snuck into my picture and looked just like Bob from Twin Peaks!

Happy Friday!!!

It's always sunny at teamboo

2011-01-10T13:35:00.000-05:00

I took this picture because the kids were sharing snacks and the light coming through the window was nice. But mostly because I painted that mirror above that cabinet and I wanted to show it off. Every time I look at it, I think "The blue makes the yellow pop, the yellow makes the blue pop. Groban likes his girls to pop." If you haven't seen that episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadephia", you should watch it now.

****

It's shameful that I don't write down all the hilarious things that come out of Sadie's mouth, but here are a few ones that I can remember off the top of my head:

Me: Sadie, what happened? Why is Arlo crying?
Sadie: I don't know!
Me: Please just tell me what happened.
Sadie: Promise you won't get mad?
Me: OK.
Sadie: I smacked him in the face.

"I'm the kind of princess that doesn't wear pants."

"Does Dorothy ever eat gum?" while watching Wizard of Oz

"When I do this, you look just like Candice." while playing with my face at bedtime

"Yours is named Chinese, since you like Chinese food." while playing with baby dolls, she names my baby

I think when Sadie turns five, I will finally respect her privacy and stop talking about her on the blob. But until then, I will try to remember funny things that she says and share them with you.

Happy Face

2011-01-04T10:21:00.000-05:00

Marshall sent me an email yesterday that said my last blob post was a downer. I didn't mean for it to be! Honestly, last week was pretty crappy but of course there were some happy times. That is parenthood, isn't it?? You are having a perfectly good evening, everyone is playing nice and then someone coughs so hard they throw up on your new rug. Then everyone under 5 starts to cry and fall apart. Then you and your husband get cranky at each other. It's not a downer, it's just life!

So, here is a happy story. After I got into the car accident, I cried on the phone to my mom that I didn't even get snow boots for the kids, which is what I was trying to do when that guy decided to drive his Honda Civic into my Subaru. That night, they took the kids to eat and play at Jordan's Furniture (and ran into their neighbors who also have little kids and everyone played together) so Marshall and I could go out for dinner. The next day, they joined me and the kids at Jump On In and then took us to lunch for Sadie's favorite- broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl. I took the kids home and we all napped. When I woke up, I found new boots for the kids (and cute tights for Sadie and socks for Arlo) on the kitchen table with a note from Nonna and Papa.

Aren't they amazing?? We love those guys.

Anyways, Sadie is much better today and back at school, yay!

My favorite girl, playing in the snow in her new boots

A New Year

2011-01-01T21:53:00.001-05:00

Some updates from the end of 2010: Christmas was lots of fun, we were all spoiled rotten by Santa and grandparents, and we had some really nice days spending time with family.

And then Arlo got another double ear infection (Dr. is talking about putting in tubes), Marshall wasn't home very much due to work, the kids and I got into a car accident (that's a total of 2 in 2010) and now Sadie is sick and I can hear her coughing away in bed right now.

Anyways, happy 2011, friends! Maybe I will get motivated someday soon and post some pics from Christmas/New Years Eve/playing in the snow.

This time of year

2010-12-20T13:54:00.000-05:00

Very happy to report that Santa has closed her workshop and is looking forward to a relaxing week of watching Christmas movies and eating peppermint bark. This weekend Marshall and I finished wrapping presents while watching Scrooged. It was glorious. We also had a ballet Christmas party, preschool Christmas party, annual Provost cookie decorating party, breakfast with Santa and Rudolph at the Hilltop, and then a fun dinner/playdate with some new awesome friends.

Three things for you today:

1. Sadie's art skills.

She drew this family portrait for me this morning and told me to bring it to work.

2. Arlo's Haircut

Before I trimmed his shaggy hairdo

Post-haircut. I love this picture because Sadie looks so strange and Buddy is so grumpy that I cut his hair. Also, he is wearing his Korean Mickey and Minnie jammies that I love.

3. It seems too good to be true but, Beach House has a holiday song! My gift to you.

Happy Christmas Week!

Santa!

2010-12-13T11:57:00.000-05:00

The Team Boo kids are some super lucky little guys. This weekend, Nonna P. took Sadie and me to see the Nutcracker! The Nutcracker is pure magic to Sadie and she was in heaven. She watches our Nutcracker DVD daily, year round. We asked her after the show if she wants to dance in the Nutcracker too someday, and she said "Yes, but in the movie."

We really went all out with our outside decorations this year! Har har.

Yesterday, Santa came to our house! (aka Bryan!) Sadie was really excited, Arlo was a little reserved/didn't care too much. But he also brought presents!

I love the craziness that my little kids bring to the holidays! Marshall and I are having a lot of fun with them this year. Even when they are jumping out of their cribs, or sneaking candy canes off the tree to eat at 7 am, tearing the limbs off new nutcrackers, flipping over the kitchen table, etc.

PS. The ribbons I hang Christmas cards from are still pretty bare. Send us some cards!

Festively infected

2010-12-06T15:30:00.000-05:00

We are getting festive! Sadie and I were able to convince Marshall to put some lights on the house, the first time in the 4 years we've lived there. It has made our neighbors happy.

Our little Christmas cottage

The majority of my interior decorations are in this picture. I'm going to try to step it up in the next few weeks, I promise!

Arlo has another ear infection. That's not stopping him from pulling down all my nutcrackers, tormenting his sister and causing chaos wherever he goes!

The Sufjan Stevens Holiday station on Pandora is really great, by the way. Enjoy.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

Some pictures:

The dudes (who invited "The Situation"??)

Performing the Nutcracker on Narnie's "stage"

Sadie gets attacked by a Christmas tree

Eddie the elf is back! I can't keep track of when he is suppose to be moved, etc, so Marshall is on elf duty. The tree is decorated and stockings are hung (high this year since Arlo kept wanting to pull them down) and the upcoming weekends are filled with fun holiday events! Sadie is super into Christmas this year and talks/asks questions about Santa, Eddie, reindeer, etc. from the moment she wakes up until she falls asleep.

Other exciting but non-holiday related things going on: broken internet/cable/phone for a week, identity theft, reoccurring ear infections, and Marshall and I stayed here last weekend.

Here's hoping me and mine and you and yours stay happy and healthy for the rest of the year!

Sadie vs Pilgrims

2010-11-22T11:08:00.000-05:00

We had two fabulous Thanksgivings this weekend! Thanks Wheatie and the Super8 for a great time, as always! Candice, Sadie will be calling you about that playdate soon, get ready to play Nutcracker/Princess/Super Heroes.

The kids reenact the Santa Parade they went to with Nonna and Papa. Check out this year's matching Christmas jammies.

At the Provost Thanksgiving, we went around the table and said something we are thankful for. Sadie said, "I am thankful for the Indians killing the bad guys."

I am thankful for our wonderful and incredibly supportive family and friends. Even those of you who read Team Boo and never leave a comment...

An interesting walk

2010-11-15T10:27:00.000-05:00

Last week, we went for a walk through an old cemetery in Wakefield. I love the fonts and designs on the old headstones. Sadie thought it was very cool to be walking on top of dead people. "I think I can feel an arm." She is a morbid child. I guess I'm the morbid one for taking pictures of my children in a cemetery.

I just got my copy of Holiday with Matthew Mead! It is beautiful. I am ready for Christmas.

I'll take care of you

2010-11-10T20:09:00.000-05:00

I said "the stomach bug" but what I really meant was "the turn your 4 year old into a zombie for a week disease". But she's on antibiotics and was back at school today, hooray!

We are working on getting things back to normal. In the meantime, enjoy more Beach House. Their album "Teen Dream" is the soundtrack to Team Boo Fall 2010.

PS. Wouldn't this be the perfect holiday dress for Sadie?

Halloween 2010

2010-11-03T11:22:00.000-04:00

Hope you all had a fun weekend! Trick or treating was a blast with the kids this year. Arlo ran around our 'hood handing out his candy to everyone. Sadie was the cutest Bad Witch that ever was.

The littlest Boos have a stomach bug, please send us healthy thoughts!

Don't I know you better than the rest *

2010-10-27T09:41:00.000-04:00

We are in full-on Halloween mode! Costumes are ready to go**. We finally carved a pumpkin last night. We'll be watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown tomorrow night. Preschool costume parade on Friday. Spence Farm Fall Festival on Saturday. Woburn Halloween Parade and Trick or Treating on Sunday!

Local peeps- Marshall will be Pub Quiz Master at Atwood's Tavern tonight, come and play with us!

Have a creepy weekend! I can't wait to see all the pictures on Facebook of everyone's babies and pets all dressed up.

* I listen to Beach House on repeat.
** Thanks to Nonna for all her help with costumes!

Bangs, Tub Clubbing and Bumps

2010-10-04T14:29:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday, friends.

1. Bangs: If you love looking at and talking about hair as much as I do, you should be reading Reagan's blog- Hairdresser on Fire. I'm such a huge fan and I submitted my hair question- about bangs of course! Check out her blog to see how famous I am, and also, for tips on cutting your own "fringe". I used her advice and not looking too shabby! I can not stop trimming my bangs now. It's addicting.

2. Tub Clubbing: We put glow sticks in the bath tub and turned off the lights.

3. Bumps: Buddy gave himself a truly horrific lump on his poor baby face at Narnie and Grumpa's. He is fine but that baby is sure to leave a mark. It still hurts my feelings when I think about it.

The End.

Hooray for Marriage

2010-09-29T09:02:00.000-04:00

Wheatie and Matt are married! Sadie was an absolutely fantastic Flower Girl and I survived my speech.

In case you are interested in such things, I make all of my banners (like the above "Just Married" sign we hung on the newlyweds hotel door) from this template.

It was a magical day. I know there are about fifty billion pictures already on Facebook, but this one is a personal fave (stolen from Katie H, then Rolliped):

Hooray for marriage and family!

Team Boo Wedding Services

2010-09-24T20:15:00.000-04:00

Co-Matron of Honor and Flower Girl at Rehearsal, Misselwood

Tomorrow, Katie, aka "Wheatie" aka "Auntie Katie" is getting married. I am blogging instead of packing/practicing my speech/making a Just Married banner.

Please cross your fingers that Sadie does in fact perform her duties as Flower Girl and walks down the aisle. Also that my speech doesn't bomb.

We are so excited for Matt and Katie!! Marshall is the Master Tweeter of the Wedding, you should join us.

Cheers!

School Days

2010-09-13T19:23:00.000-04:00

First day of school today! New school is next to my work- I spied on them all day.

We celebrated with a long and hilarious dance party at home afterwards. I love our family.

Goodbye, August

2010-09-07T13:58:00.000-04:00

August is always the best summer month. This year was no exception. Wheatie's bridesmaids threw her a bachelorette party. Marshall turned 29. We spent a weekend in Vegas and Vanessa and John got married. Yay! I took some time off from work and we had some family fun.

Canobie Lake Park

Nakey sprinkler fun in the backyard

Bradley Palmer State Park (Marshall and I will be renewing our vows here someday. How's 2016 looking for you?)

Plum Island

Next week- Sadie starts preschool!
Thanks to Nonna and Papa for taking good care of the babies while we were in Vegas!

Hello, August

2010-08-10T09:01:00.000-04:00

This summer is flying by! Hope you are spending these nice days outside snuggling your loved ones.

Have a happy August, friends.

Sunday afternoon

2010-07-26T14:14:00.000-04:00

There is really no point to this video except that a) I could watch Sadie pretend to faint over and over again and B) JUST ONE HUG.

Also, I'm sure you watched to see The Kitchen in action.

Untitled from Tracey White on Vimeo.

Four!

2010-07-21T08:37:00.001-04:00

Sadie is four!

She had a pretty sweet birthday.

Kimball Farm with Nonna and Gina

The kitchen was a big hit!

New sandbox!

This is Sadie's little brother.

Some Sadie fun facts:

- She loves the word "butt".
- She sleeps in the nude most nights.
- She loves cats and babies.
- She's a hoarder.
- She loves gum.
- She loves to "snuggle crazy".

We love you, Sadie! You are delightful.

Sadie's 4th Birthday Party!

2010-07-12T09:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we celebrated Sadie's upcoming 4th birthday at Jump On In! I know the pictures are all on FB already, so here's a just a few for the online baby book...

Crazy sliding birthday girl!
I was worried she would be scared if I didn't go down the slides with her (like I did when we went for a test run last week), so I hurried up the slide telling her to wait for me. When I got up there, Sadie yelled "I don't need to sit on your lap anymore!" and was off on her for the rest of the party. All growns up.

Patrick and Sadie
I made that dress for Sadie from an old tank top of mine!
Sadie, I bought that in South Africa, take good care of it!

Another fabulous cake by Nonna!

Secrets...

There is a birthday surprise hiding in the Bad Shed!

Finally found the play kitchen I had been looking for on Craigslist. I forgot to take a Before picture, but it's this kitchen (the one I got was "gently used"):

Here's Sadie's new kitchen after it's makeover:

Total costs:
KidKraft Play Kitchen from craigslist- $60
Paint- $0 (already had everything! Doesn't that blue remind you of our bathroom?)
Fabric from etsy- $7.75
Spending 100 degree days in the Bad Shed during nap time painting this bad boy- a few days off my life

Hope she loves it!

Oh, I can already tell four is a going to be a fun year!

Thanks to Nonna for helping with the party and for everyone who came and played! Sadie had a blast!

4th of July

2010-07-06T09:19:00.000-04:00

Hello, I have two babies and they love to swim. We spent our weekend having fun in the sun/water. We went to the Cape, rode bikes, swam in the pool, had some cookouts.

In other news, Sadie tells everyone she wants jewelry for her birthday. Also, sad to report that her imaginary friend Alice is no longer with us. Sadie says, "Alice died but she is still in my heart." Single tear!

Perhaps you might be interested to know that the Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Suncreen worked awesome on Sadie this weekend- no hives! Thanks to Aunt Nessa for picking up some mineral based sunblocks for Sadie as well.

It's hot out there. Stay cool, babies.

Team Boo Summer

2010-06-28T11:02:00.000-04:00

Quick catch up, for the baby books.

In June, the kids and I were involved in a car accident.
Lost Sadie at the beach.
Arlo is walking like an old pro now.
I spent approximately a billion hours on craigslist searching for a wooden play kitchen for sadie's bday. maybe I will try to make one.

We are having a fun summer! The kids love the beach so we head to the ocean as much as possible. Sadie's sunscreen allergy went from giving her a few hives to full rashes all over her body. Any suggestions? For now, keeping her out of the sun during peak times and making her wear a long sleeve bathing suit.

making apple stamps

everyone loves a summer nap

big boy at the children's museum in boston

don't let your almost 4 year old go to the water to rinse her hands off alone! they might disappear. and be returned later by a kindly sears employee who has found many lost children in her day. that woman is a saint. i'm sure this will be one of those often told stories by sadie: "remember when you and nonna lost me at nahant beach?"

hope you had a killer june! hope I am a better blogger in July.

Arlo's Audition Tape for the Movie BABIES

2010-06-15T10:05:00.000-04:00

More Arlo walking! And falling. Sorry Facebook peeps who have already seen this video.

Untitled from Tracey White on Vimeo.

Team Boo Gets Earthy

2010-06-09T16:09:00.000-04:00

Hello, friends. Just wanted to stop by and say hi! Hi!

A few things:
1. Ms. Wheatie and I (supervised by Moe) made our own laundry detergent and its natural and lovely smelling. And fun to make, if you enjoy grating soap for hours. We used Soulemama's recipe: 1 cup Borax, 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup soda ash, and 2 cups of castile soap (we used Dr. Bronner's lavender)
2. Team Boo experiences the Great Outdoors this weekend! We leave for our camping trip Friday, please weather, be good to us.
3. Marshall has started composting. So far, I am not impressed. I'll keep you all posted on how that progresses.

OK I've bored you all enough. Here's Arlo enjoying a nice cold beverage at Grandma Boat's 80th Birthday Party in NJ last weekend.

Stay classy!

Arlo walks!

2010-06-07T10:17:00.001-04:00

MVI_2751
Originally uploaded by tjwhite83

Trying to get some video footage of Arlo's first steps is hard!

Aloha

2010-06-02T09:19:00.000-04:00

Late night blogging, just for you!

We took Arlo on his first beach excursion! Technically, Arlo had his first beach day as a newborn but he slept through it so I am considering this trip to be his first true nautical adventure.

Warning, this beach photo series has been brought to you by LOST...

The survivors of Flight 815 exploring the island, looking for answers.

Live together, die alone. Or, "Hey, where did that freighter go?"

Time travel has really done a number on Arlo's state of mind. Here he is, eating sand in 1977.

"Will you be my constant"? or "Now you're like me."

Good night!

Family Day

2010-05-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

I love Sundays. Parenting is so much more enjoyable when my co-executive director is around.

Hope your weekend was filled with fun times with your loved ones!

Hands up!

2010-05-12T10:02:00.000-04:00

Way up high from Tracey White on Vimeo.

Bikes + Cat Puke= Mother's Day Weekend

2010-05-10T12:14:00.000-04:00

Some Mother's Day weekend highlights:

1. breakfast in bed
2. schooling everyone in badminton
3. not having to change any diapers

My new baby
I think I will name it Alice, in honor of Sadie's imaginary best friend.
Alice, I'm sorry I make you sleep in the Bad Shed.

In other news, I spent Saturday cleaning the house for a showing, woke the kids up from a nap and put them in the car before the perspective buyers arrived, kicked the cat out of the house. Upon returning an hour later, saw that the cat had puked all over my room before we left. Oh, life.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend with your family.
P.S. Anyone want a cat???

Arlo's Owl Birthday Party

2010-05-04T09:12:00.001-04:00

Thank you to:
Maura and Dennis for letting us use their home for the party and all their help!
My parents for the amazing owl cake, owl games and lots other details they added that I never would have remembered.
Everyone who came and helped us celebrate Arlo's big day!

One

2010-04-26T14:14:00.000-04:00

Arlo is ONE today!

Arlo Likes:

chocolate munchkins, jumping in his crib with his sister, Sadie, making messes, taking baths, snuggling.

Arlo Dislikes:

getting his diaper changed, vegetables, the phrase "No biting!", his car seat, sleep.

We love you, Buddy!!!

Real Estate and Steroids

2010-04-16T14:49:00.000-04:00

I was getting sick of looking at those Easter pictures.

Moving on...

Oh hey, does anyone want to buy our house?

I love our little house. I can vacuum the whole place in about 30 mins. I love vacuuming.

This little guy came down with the croup this week. He had a fever of 102.9 and we spent a few sleepless nights with him. The doctor put him on an oral steroid and he seems to be better now. Sadie put him in that tutu. Maybe you are admiring that clean bamboo floor?

Another Open House this weekend. Wish us luck.

Easter

2010-04-05T09:39:00.000-04:00

Easter 2010:

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

2010-03-30T11:42:00.000-04:00

Hello. The kids are recovering from colds (Sadie had it bad with her asthma/wheezing) and I am recovering my sanity.

At least when you are sick, you get to watch movies in bed and be waited on hand and foot. I set up a chair with the essentials next to Sadie's bed: her nebulizer, eucalyptus cold/flu chest rub and juice.

Nonna's house for egg dyeing!

Silliness at bath time.

My Mother's Day wishlist (ahem. MARSHALL):

- new polaroid camera. gina is "borrowing" mine.
- this print
- this dress

Here's to better health and nicer weather.

Scene of the Crime

2010-03-22T15:28:00.001-04:00

Amateur move- leaving his chupa at the scene of the crime.

Bike Love

2010-03-19T10:25:00.000-04:00

"I love riding my bike! I am doing great." - Sadie White, 3.5 years old

Our day

2010-03-09T09:13:00.000-05:00

A Team Boo Daily. This is from last Thursday, but for the most part it could be any day I'm home with the kids.

12:00 am- 5:30 am :: Wake up a few times for Arlo's dream feedings. He wakes up 5:30 and is wide awake, Marshall gets up with him. I go back to sleep.

7:00 am :: Marshall kisses me goodbye before he leaves for work. I am still half asleep.

7:05 am :: Sadie wakes me up and says she needs help going to the bathroom. I say, "ask daddy to help you." She informs me that he's not here. Whoops! I finally get out of bed. I am not a morning person and need lots of coffee to get me ready for a full day of mothering.

7:15 am :: Feed kids. Drink more coffee.

7:30 am :: Vacuum and start a load of laundry. Fill dishwasher.

8:00 am :: Play with kids. Change Arlo. Bite his delicious toes.

8:30 am :: Nurse Arlo and put him down for a nap.

9:00 am :: Make breakfast for myself and do "school work" with Sadie.

9:30 am :: Take a shower and make myself presentable for the world. Get Sadie dressed.

10:00 am:: Arlo is awake and we gather up our library things and head to the library. Remember half way to the library that today is Thursday, the one day the library opens late in the afternoon. Head to Barnes and Noble instead.

10:30 am :: Sit in the cafe with some snacks, browse magazines and books and then let the kids play in the children's department. Arlo thoroughly enjoys pulling books off the shelves. Sadie asks me to read her some really terrible Barbie books. They involve princesses who are best friends and love singing on an adventure to stop the evil witch and along the way they meet handsome twin musicians and adorable puppies. Sadie loves it.

12:00 pm :: Head home, feed the kids lunch (noodles and string cheese) and put them down for naps. I check email and my favorite blogs, then lay down and read for a while.

1:30 pm :: Arlo wakes up. We snuggle and play.

2:30 pm :: Sadie wakes up. Snuggle and get her a snack.

3:00 - 5:00 pm :: Watch TV, put laundry away, keep kids happy. This is the hardest part of the day, and usually anything goes. We are just watching the clock and waiting for Marshall to get home.

5:00 pm :: Marshall is home! And Erin is here too! She watches the kids while we go to an advanced screening of Alice in Wonderland. Thanks, Hoagy!!

10:00 pm :: I check on the sleeping babies, fix their blankets. I get ready for bed.

10:30 pm :: Bed time! Try to get some sleep before it starts all over again!

Outside Fun

2010-03-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

We were very happy to be playing outside in the sunshine this weekend:

Walks in the double stroller to help me get ready for bathing suit season.
Those kids are heeeavy.

Endicott Park with Nonna and Gina.

Stone Zoo- Arlo loves those chubby goats.

All that fresh air makes babies sleepy.

Check out Arlo crawling!

4 years

2010-03-05T09:41:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, Marshall and I will celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary!

In four years, we've had: one apartment, one house, two babies, four cats, some hard times, and lots and lots of good times.

Happy Anniversary to my favorite person in the whole world.

Last home improvement post- for realz

2010-03-01T21:11:00.000-05:00

The evolution of the front of our house.

When we first moved in:

Before Arlo was born, Marshall built the bench and cabinet:

Shoes rarely actually made it into the space. Shoving them on the shelf became the bane of my existence. And Arlo loved to pull everything out.

Final product:

Mmm, shoes hidden inside a drawer.

I love being married to a carpenter.

27, 10 and Goober

2010-03-01T11:45:00.000-05:00

On Friday, I turned 27 years old, Arlo turned 10 months old and Sadie celebrated her life as a Goober as she does every day.

My babysitter

2010-02-18T12:06:00.000-05:00

Sadie is a very good babysitter. She keeps an eye on Arlo when I am not in the room. She lets me know when he is about to eat cat food or dump over King's water bowl or when he is trying to pull down one of the kitchen chairs.

This morning she came into the bathroom while I was showering and told me, "Arlo's trying to get out of his swing!"

Indeed, he was.

He was even able to drag his basket of toys out from behind the swing. Impressive. I guess he really is too big for the infant swing. But we are addicted to the naps he still takes in it.

A picture of my lovely girl, Arlo's vigilant watchman, sleeping with her beagle, Pete.

Kids' Room

2010-02-15T20:19:00.000-05:00

Happy President's Day!

This is what we did this weekend:

Before

After

Amazing that we lived with those bubblegum pink colored walls for as long as we did. I don't recommend picking paint colors when you are one month postpartum. Clearly bad decision making is to be expected.

I promise no more home improvement related posts for a while...

The Kitchen

2010-02-09T09:42:00.000-05:00

Good job, Marshall!
Happy to report that we are still married!
Next up in Home Makeover: Team Boo edition- repainting the kids' room.

The Skinny Jeans

2010-02-08T09:21:00.000-05:00

I can't fit into skinny jeans, so I dress my daughter in them. I wish I could wear them because as you can see, they turn you into a rockstar:

So fierce!

Seal baby

2010-02-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

We have been waiting and encouraging Arlo to start crawling. He's not crawling yet, but he does scoot himself around the house and gets where he wants to go. At first he was just dragging himself around with his arms but now he's got this whole scooting thing down. I think he looks like a seal out of water. Enjoy!

Seal Baby from Tracey White on Vimeo.

Sharks and Sinks

2010-01-28T20:39:00.001-05:00

Today I took the kids to the aquarium! I liked when Sadie showed me how the different fish swim. Arlo liked banging on the glass tanks. Sadie liked pointing out older gentlemen with white beards and yelling, "He looks like Santa's brother!"

Arlo seems annoyed that I am interrupting his penguin spectating.

I forgot my nursing cover at home. When I asked if there was a place to breastfeed, we were brought into the First Aid room. So here we are kicking it on the gurney!

Currently we have no kitchen sink and Marshall is trying to restain our counters and put in a new sink. Sadie has a bad cough and threw up on me before bedtime. I washed our dinner dishes in the bathroom sink and clogged it. I just asked Marshall if we are getting divorced and he said, "I think so."

Good times!

Breaking News

2010-01-27T13:10:00.000-05:00

1. Sadie has a new bed!

Kids' rooms to be repainted soon, as part of Operation Sell This House v2.0. What do you think of Sea Froth?

2. Sadie loves babywearing! Found this Babyhawk lookalike on etsy for $7. Amazing.

That is all.

9 Months

2010-01-25T13:50:00.000-05:00

Oh, Buddy, you turn 9 months old tomorrow. I think you will be crawling soon too. I am happy for you. But also, you are such a lovely baby and my life is 50% dedicated to snuggling with you and I will miss that (the other 50% of my life is dedicated to keeping Sadie from starving to death, how does such a small person eat so much??). I know there are other wonderful things to come. I'm just saying.

Did you know that the day you were born, I was in labor for a long time but you were not very motivated to do anything about it. I texted your aunt Gina "Help me" and she responded with the lyrics to the Gilmore Girls theme song. And I felt better. And then you decided to make your debut.

***

I'm loving this video right now, I feel like it perfectly depicts my life today as a mom to young kids. I strive to make our every day moments feel special and magical for our children. I hope when Arlo is older he remembers being walked to sleep in his sling/baby hawk and knows how loved he is.

Hot + Not: January Edition

2010-01-19T10:33:00.000-05:00

Hot:

found here

Living in a tiny house means coming up with fun ways to use the precious space we have most efficiently. I love this loft bed with the crib tucked underneath. I am working on making the kids' room more of a playroom and trying to think creatively about how to re-arrange things. I will let you know what I come up with.

Not Hot:

Getting the stomach bug. But we are all healthy now, yay!

Sidenote: Check out the new Craft Hope button in the sidebar. Lots of cute crafty things for sale, all proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. New items being added all the time!

Home[made] for the Holidays: Colored Pencil Roll

2010-01-13T09:29:00.001-05:00

I promise I will make this the last HFTH post.

This was really fun and easy to sew. Good for beginners like me. This was a gift for my mother in law who always makes lovely hand drawn birthday cards.

In other news- Buddy has sprouted two top teeth! And is starting to eat more solid foods. Such a big boy.

Some dinner time silliness:

Sadie told Marshall last night that she wants five sisters. Oh, dear.

Sundays are sweet

2010-01-05T12:35:00.000-05:00

I used to hate Sundays, but now I love them.

It might even be my favorite day of the week.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T08:03:00.001-05:00

New Years 2009 from Tracey White on Vimeo.

2009: So long and thanks for all the fish.

2009-12-31T13:26:00.000-05:00

Please ignore everything I said about Detachment Parenting. Arlo is teething something fierce and the timing is not right. And if there is anything I have learned from my 3.5 years in parenting, its that timing is everything. Also, I am not ready to wean and not ready to give up co-sleeping. And so I head into 2010 with my nursing bra on and a kid tied to my chest. It's not perfect but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Quick obligatory recap of the year: 2009 was amazing! And really really hard! Quick obligatory resolution for the new year: In 2010, I vow to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and focus on and enjoy my own little adventure.

This weekend I will be short one kid and I'm hoping that I will have some free time to work on a little treat for all of you faithful Team Booers.

May the new year be happy and healthy for all of our loved ones!

Home[made] for the Holidays: Polaroid Ornament

2009-12-28T13:54:00.000-05:00

In case some of you are looking for some easy crafty things to make your loved ones, I can now post some of the things I made this Christmas!

You've already seen the Inspiration Board and the Chalk Board. And now I give you:

the Polaroid Ornament

Tutorial found here. Super easy to do. I was having sewing machine issues and ended up doing most of it by hand. All you need is a picture, some felt, and some ribbon. It's a little wonky looking but I like it.

Have at it!

Christmas + Detachment Parenting

2009-12-28T10:57:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, Team Booers! Hope yours was magical. We were so busy, I didn't get to stop and take many pictures- this one is of Christmas morning from Marshall's phone. Sadie loved everything Santa brought her. That Santa. He knows her so well.

Some highlights: late Christmas Eve, trying to get Arlo to sleep so we could put presents out, nursing him in the glow of the tree lights. finding sadie asleep in her bed covered with toys and presents on the 26th. the next morning we asked her why all her toys were in her bed and she said she was being santa and her bed was her sleigh. finally watching the new Harry Potter movie. RIP dumbledore.

This week, its Operation Detachment Parenting for little Buddy. Time to get him sleeping without the aid of my mammary glands (my dad is throwing up right now). Plus, I'm thinking about when it will be time to wean him. Rough week ahead for the smallest Boo.

Wish us luck!

Hot + Not: Holiday Edition

2009-12-21T14:32:00.000-05:00

Hot:

Provost Cookie Party! Plus, check out Gina's new boyfriend.

Watching Christmas movies and eating snacks!

Playing in the snow!

Not:

Poor Bud Bud is teething and will only sleep in a patient parent's arms or the hawk. I have to admit I'm not always that patient. I try to remember that he is almost 8 months old already and before you know it, he will be too cool for snuggling. But most of the time you can find me gazing into his sweet face or pretending his tiny foot is a cellphone (don't ask). Marshall makes fun of us for being "sooo in love" with each other.

So, I guess there really aren't any "not hots" this week but thats OK because its Christmas week!! Hope you are all ready for Santa.

Two shirts = One dress

2009-12-21T09:32:00.001-05:00

There were so many gifts I wanted to sew that I never had time to make and I am accepting that they probably won't happen at this point. So I'm not sure why I decided to use my few spare moments making this dress for Sadie instead of working on one of the other projects but here it is!

Before:

After:

Yes, that's seriously the best picture I could get out of my model.

Pictures of holiday merriment to follow!

The Board and the Boy

2009-12-11T13:41:00.000-05:00

Another finished present- the Inspiration Board! I found this corkboard, complete with antiquey and already painted frame, for $2! It is from the set of the movie "Witchita" which was filmed in Woburn. So when it comes out, go see it and maybe we can find my corkboard in the background. With some nice fabric and funky ribbon, I turned it into an Inspiration Board for a hopefully non-blog-checking family member.

Even more exciting, Arlo is an independent sitter!

Have a great weekend!

Holiday Happiness is...

2009-12-08T10:22:00.001-05:00

dressing my peeps in matching Christmas jammies:

putting on the Christmas music, pouring a big glass of wine and being OK with wherever Sadie wants to put the tree decorations (all on the same branch):

the annual picture with Santa. Sadie loves him but still didn't want to get too close. Arlo didn't care either way:

Looking forward to the annual Provost cookie decorating party, sharing some of my DIY presents with you, sending out the Christmas cards, and loving the holiday experience as a mom. It's almost as much fun as when I was a kid.

Thanksgiving Part Deux

2009-12-02T13:14:00.000-05:00

Team Boo Thanksgiving 2009

How excited am I to have won this scarf from Red Prairie Press via marta writes giveaway? Answer: VERY!

Guess I have to stop complaining that I never win anything!

No worries, my elves, I got my second wind and Team Boo's Handmade Holiday is back in full force. That is, it was until I cut my thumb open last night with a rotary cutter and then broke another needle on my sewing machine this morning. The challenges of being a completely unskilled wannabe crafter.

Quick survey: When do you get your Christmas tree? Is this week too early??

What's Hot + What's Not

2009-11-30T09:43:00.000-05:00

Hot:

Giving early Christmas presents

purchased from etsy

Freezer paper stenciling

A google search for "freezer paper stencil tutorial" will provide you with lots of different ways to do this, but its very easy. I was able to complete this onesie for a friend's new baby during yesterday's naptime.

Elf on the Shelf- Maura gave Sadie the book and the elf (we named him Eddie) and Sadie is OBSESSED. Also, so far, it really works. Sadie can't stop talking about how Eddie is going to tell Santa she wants a candy cane and does Eddie fly I think he flies in the picture he is flying is Eddie watching me right now? I am being good I want to put my jacket on here so Eddie can see me etc etc. I love hiding Eddie in a new place every night for Sadie to find him in the morning.

Not Hot:

Arlo turned 7 months old on Thanksgiving. I swear, I'm not going to be able to take it when he turns 1.

Forgetting to put Thanksgiving pics on Flickr for The Blog. I'll post them later this week!

Losing steam with Christmas shopping. I was doing really well and now I have lost all motivation. Help.

In that same vein, I started to make our annual holiday card, hate it now, don't have any never been seen pics of the kids left, and wonder if I can get away with sending a photo-less Christmas card this year.

I love you, Christmas, but you are so much work and I am feeling so lazy. So today you are Not Hot.

Learning Gratitude

2009-11-24T09:13:00.000-05:00

It is very easy for me to feel sad about the things I don't have (vacations, free time, rock hard abs). This week I deleted Twitter, logging out of Facebook and reminding myself that I have a lot to be thankful for.

So, special thanks this week to my amazing parents and rockstar husband.

And my incredible group of friends, the Super 8.

And of course, those babies.

We'll be taking our first road trip as a family of four this week! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Santa's Workshop

2009-11-19T22:49:00.000-05:00

Santa has been staying up waay past his (her) bedtime this week working on a gift for Sadie- who has actually been pretty naughty these days (Saturday she crayoned on the walls and locked us out of her bedroom so that "no one would see her mess" and then I shipped her off to the grandparents before I lost my sanity) but I guess she still is getting some presents.

I wanted to make her a chalkboard so I found a big old mirror at a thrift store in Salem.

We removed the mirror and I cleaned and painted the frame. Then Marshall attached a piece of sheet metal on top of the mirror (to make it magnetic) and I painted the sheet metal with chalkboard paint.

Here's the end product:

I like the ledge on the bottom for holding chalk.

More holiday crafting to come.

Sitting up is hard to do

2009-11-17T09:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Things

2009-11-10T12:13:00.001-05:00

1. Christmas came early for me this year! How awesome is my mom's sewing machine. I've already broken a needle.

2. Sleeping babies. Look at those lips.

3. Made up dances by Sadie. Last night's was hysterical. I will try and get a video of it.

4. Shinzi Katoh illustrations/posters. I can't decide which one to frame for Arlo for Christmas, the Zoo poster seen below or this one.

found here

Please share some of your Happy Things with me!

Once old, now new

2009-11-04T09:57:00.001-05:00

Before:

After:

Notes:

- My model had to be bribed with Halloween candy to pose for this picture.

- I had to hand sew the hat. Dear Santa, I need a sewing machine.

Team Booooo 2009

2009-11-03T12:49:00.000-05:00

"On Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises from his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys to all the children."

Hope everyone had their share of tricks and treats this weekend! Sadie provides us with both every day of the year (aren't three year olds so....interesting??) but Saturday was especially fun.

Ask my mom about her swine flu resistant goody bags.

Dinner Time

2009-10-27T10:03:00.001-04:00

MVI_1965
Originally uploaded by tjwhite83

More proof to show the kids of how much they adored each other when they were little.

Halloween/Owl Love

2009-10-26T10:24:00.000-04:00

This weekend, we attended the Woburn Halloween parade.

The girls, blowing right through nap time, which ultimately led to Sadie's downfall. Worth it, though!

I know you've all been waiting in suspense for the unveiling of Arlo's new mobile. Found hooters just like these on etsy but for $60. So I tried to do it myself, not quite the same, but I'm pretty happy with them. My hooters, that is.

My new owl obsession is over the top (insiders circus joke!). Here are some folky owl prints I'm drooling over on etsy:

found here

Happy Owloween!

The pumpkins

2009-10-22T16:21:00.001-04:00

The pumpkins were finally carved last night!

Marshall did Totoro, I made the Friendly Ghost

Seriously, she is an odd child.

My other pumpkin! Sadie and I race to be the first one he sees when he wakes up from his nap. I think I'd like to be a baby brother in my next life, it seems like a pretty sweet gig.

Sometimes King beats us to it. I know a cat in the crib would

freak most people out, but not me!

Babies and felines (tick-free) live in harmony in Team Boo Town.

Happy pumpkin days!

Circus and more

2009-10-19T09:23:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, Team Boo headed to the Circus!

Arlo stayed awake and watched the whole show. Notice his two new bottom teeth.

The whole crew. Thanks Nonna and Papa for a great time!

Arlo and Sadie are roomies now.

Smile!

Lots of rearranging and crafting going on these days. Hopefully I will finish the mobile for Arlo's crib someday soon and I will post a picture.

Happy Monday!