George's baptism

This past weekend, we celebrated George's baptism at our church. We had a wonderful weekend visiting with family, and we were blessed with gorgeous weather. Overall, the weekend was picture perfect (except for my dad who had to miss the event due to illness. We hope you're feeling better!).

Sunday morning was a challenge.  Unfortunately, we are hard pressed to have everyone dressed, ready and in their classes in a timely manner, and we were trying to arrive 15 minutes earlier than usual.  While that may sound doable, the above three team members do not always work toward this goal.  In fact, they often seem to be working in opposition of that goal.

But, we made it!  We currently attend the contemporary service, thus the gym setting.  This service is casual, but is most suited to our schedule (see above children). 

George was poised the entire time, and there were no tears shed during the sprinkling portion of the baptism.  He took to the stage like a natural!

After the service, we have a super casual lunch with family.  Thanks to everyone for coming!

Hastings defeats Bobby Flay



Mesa Grill, BobbyFlay.com

Birmingham's own Chris Hastings, owner of the Hot and Hot Fish Club located in Southside, appeared on Iron Chef America last night.  He met up with Bobby Flay, who has appeared on Iron Chef more than 50 times and has a 70% win rate.  During the interview/audition process, Hastings reportedly said that he wanted to go up against the very best, and Flay certainly fit the bill. 

Now, as an aside, we are huge Bobby Flay fans here at our house.  We LOVE Flay, but we had to pull for our home town treasure.  Normally, I would expect Flay to win fairly easily, but a couple of factors caused me to think Hastings would "bring it" and make this a true showdown. 

First, I learned that Hastings had requested Tena Payne, a local potter, credited already for making all of the china for the restaurant, create five, 15-piece place settings for the Iron Chef appearance.  In the history of the show, there has never been a chef who went to that degree of effort and detail. 

Second, Hastings had been rumored to incorporate moonshine into one of his courses.  Moonshine?  Please.  That is unbeatable.  Or, as Anthony Anderson, celebrity judge, said, upon being served the moonshine, "You win." 

Third, Hastings practiced on an insane scale.  After recreating "Kitchen Stadium" in the Hot and Hot, he, along with two former H&H chefs, practiced 4-5 hours per day, 3-4 days per week, for an entire month. 

Finally, and this is the only food-related factor, the pottery work had to be driven 16 hours to New York due to the time crunch and need to get the settings there in time for taping.  Along with the pottery, tomatoes and other local vegetables were transported.  In the paraphrased words of Tena Payne:  How are you going to find a good tomato in New York? 

For some reason, I thought the pottery and moonshine might give Flay pause.  In the end, those steps may not have mattered, as Flay appears to have stumbled more by "playing it safe" with his creations.  Hastings prevailed, and I am so proud and ecstatic for Hastings and the Hot and Hot. 

Also, I will be forever curious about the pear moonshine.    

Shopping

Happy Friday!

If you are in the local area, today is the preview for the Birmingham Area Mothers of Multiples consignment sale.  Tonight's shopping is by invitation only, but an invitation can be downloaded at BAMOM.org.  Feel free to write in my name as the inviting member, or simply write "BAMOM".   There is a $2.00 cover charge, and the sale is open to the public tomorrow morning (no cover on Saturday). 

Although I have attended the last 11 sales, I am skipping this particular sale since the girls nor George need any clothing, equipment or gear.  Quite simply, we are out of room.  But, please go, and shop for me!  These are really awesome sales. 

On another shopping note, I have been shameless in expressing my love for designer collaborations.  Despite the feelings of  Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, designer collaborations are the only way the average consumer will have access to high(er) fashion.  Accordingly, I am down with collaborations (or, as we have taken to calling them around here, "collabs").  Therefore, I relished reading this article that alerted me to the upcoming  Diane von Furstenberg collaboration with Gap Kids.  Do you see that tiny wrap dress above?  So exciting!

Have a fantastic and wonderful weekend!

Friday's quote

Historic centre of Arequip, on Fotopedia Heritage

Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.

-Anthony D'Angelo

A note of thanks

This post marks the 1013th post on this site.  My intention was to posit a few thoughts/reflections at the 1000th mark, but the Instagram challenge made the posts accumulate faster than I had intended (and I apparently cannot count). 

Simply, thank you-THANK YOU-thank you to all of you for reading.  I love your comments, and your e-mails always make me smile.  This blog continues to be an avenue for us to document events with our children, and has replaced my workplace chitchat since excusing myself from the workforce two years ago.  Of course, that has had the unintended consequence of subjecting you to my banal, water cooler commentary.  I understand if you need to roll your eyes sometimes and say, in an exasperated voice, "Yeah, I get it... you really like Target." 

I completely understand.

Your patience and support are SO greatly appreciated, and I thank you again for perusing our site.

Get your crawl on

Hello, my name is George.  I have been an exceptionally sweet, loving and good-natured baby.  Even though I have had a chronic rash since the beginning of December and have been itching like there is no tomorrow, I have maintained a charming disposition.

However, I have grown tired of being complacent and am ready to m-o-v-e! I can barely contain myself!  Plus, if anything (e.g., naps, eating or baths),  restricts my agenda, I get cranky.  As it turns out, I have a bit of a temper.

When I am not crawling backward, I enjoy chewing on things. Mom tells people I get this crazy gleam in the eye, but I am careful not to reveal that to other witnesses.

Wait a minute; did she just photograph me? 

Gracie, Lauren, do y'all know how to delete images?

Clothes and shoes

George recently helped sort and launder clothing. 

I am always and forever managing clothing inventory, and our closets (Gracie & Lauren's and especially George's) constantly need to be reorganized and purged.  I had forgotten how quickly babies go through clothing sizes.  What to do with this clothing has always perplexed me.  Some of our clothing has been sold, but most has been handed down to others or donated.  The sheer volume is overwhelming, and I did not enjoy efforts of readying clothing for sale.  Since we have been the recipients of generous hand-me-downs and loans, I prefer to pass items along.

So... I am going to try to post a few things here and there.  Unless otherwise expressly stated, all items are used.  If you or anyone you know is interested, please e-mail me at lindseytwinsblog [at] gmail [dot] com.  These items are free to you, and I will simply need your mailing info for shipping. 

What's up for today:

1)  Ballet shoes

 

Description:  Pink, leather ballet shoes (leather upper/suede soles), size 10.  Two pair available.  One pair is by Sansha, and the other is from ABT, American Ballet Theatre.  These are basically the same shoe.  Although used, there are many wears left for these shoes.  In fact, we would be wearing these now, if they still fit.  The soles show some regular dirt (it is impossible to keep that suede clean), but they have only been worn inside, at the studio, and always with full tights. 

2)  Ballet flats (not dance shoes)

Description: New, white or off-white (unsure) sparkle shoes from Circo (Target), size 9.

3) White Mary Jane's

Description: Toddler girl's, white, Mary Jane's by Cherokee from Target, size 8. These are in good, used condition, with markings on the right toe and some wear on the soles.

4) Mary Jane's

Description: Toddler girl's, white, Mary Jane's by Cherokee from Target, size 9. These are in good, used condition, with markings on the both toes and some wear on the soles.

5) Sweater romper and shirt

Description: Boy's, light blue, sweater romper and shirt from Carter's, size 0-3 months. Good, used condition. George wore this last fall, but this would be much more perfect for spring.

6) Boy's jumper

Description: Navy/white houndstooth pattern jumper from House of Hatten, Inc., with three horses embroidered on the front. 3 months (up to 15lbs). Very good condition.

7)  Chambray romper

Description: Gap chambray romper, size 3-6 months. I would consider this unisex, as this can be paired with any accent color (pink, green, yellow). Good, used condition.

8) Sundress

Description:  This pains me. We have had this dress in three or four different sizes, and it pains me to see it go. Old Navy sundress, 3T, good, used condition. This is adorable in the summer for an Americana look. Perfect for July 4th parties.

Maybe I can find a replacement in a 5T somewhere.

9) Boy's bubble romper

Description:  Boy's bubble romper by Petit Ami, size 6 months, with matching hat. Very good condition, with only a tiny speck between the first set and second sets of buttons. This will probably come out.   Otherwise, this was worn twice.

If you or someone you know can use these items, please e-mail me the shipping name/address at lindseytwinsblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Weekend fun

William George waited patiently all day Friday for his sisters to arrive home. 

He loves attention from Gracie...

...and Lauren.

They hit the floor and have a good time with their toys.

They are helping George learn to crawl.

Currently, he gets up on his knees and rocks back and forth.

Sometimes, they set up an obstacle course for him.

George is almost up to the challenge.

Mostly, he is thrilled to have their attention.

 

The afternoons are his favorite time of day. 

Happy Monday.

Presidents' Day

We have a few books about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington so, as nerdy as it may seem, we have been excited about Presidents' Day. The girls know Washington was our first president, and they know about the cherry tree story (and that the story is not true). They know his likeness is on the dollar bill. As for Lincoln, they know he grew up in a log cabin, in modest circumstances, and that he led our country during very turbulent times. They know his image is on the penny and the five dollar bill. They have seen pictures of the Lincoln Memorial. We have talked about Lincoln's self-education and his work ethic.

When we mentioned that tomorrow is Presidents' Day, the day we celebrate the birthdays of Lincoln and Washington, recognition sparked in their eyes. Of course, having the day off from K4 gives the holiday a huge bounce, too.

As we were doing the night time routine, Lauren mentioned that she is excited about being home from school. I heard Gracie say something about presents...

"What, Gracie? What was that about presents?"
"I'm excited about presents!" she reiterated.
"Wait, Gracie, there are no presents on this holiday," I said.
"Right," Skip continued, "you received presents at Christmas and even one on Valentine's Day, but not for Presidents' Day."

I must have looked amused because after seeing my face, Gracie said, "Yes, we do!"

And, then I realized.

"Gracie, the holiday is Presidents' Day.  Not 'presents day,'" I told her.

This holiday just lost its allure.

Sundays

Easy like Sunday morning.

Saturdays

William George loves Saturdays.  Daddy is home; his sisters are home; life is busy and good.

Instagram Photo Challenge -- February

As part of the Instagram Photo Challenge for February, here are topics 2/14 through 2/17.

14.  Heart

15.  Phone

16.  Something new

17.  Time

Friday's quote

Historic Centre of Puebla, via Fotopedia Heritage

Whoever loves becomes humble. Those who love have, so to speak, pawned a part of their narcissism.

-Sigmund Freud

Day in the Life

In an effort to capture our day-to-day life with two five year olds and an infant, I am going to track our comings and goings on the 15th of each month.  We know how quickly the last five years have elapsed, and we know our memories are not entirely reliable.  For example, one of the girls has developed a playful habit of meowing.  I think this may have come from one of their DVD's, but occasionally she will "meow" instead of saying yes or no.  This has been occurring for a week, and I give the life span of this quirk maybe another week at best.  Last night Skip and I were discussing the meowing and imagining the conversation we would have about it 20 years from now...

"...and remember... didn't one of them used to meow?  Do you remember that?"
"Which one meowed?"
"I'm not sure.  Maybe one of the girls?"

In an effort to capture the minutiae, our routine yesterday was as follows:

5:48am:  George awakens.  Skip prepares and gives George his morning bottle at 6:00 am. 

6:30am:  My official get-out-of-bed time.  I have the night shift with George so I may be up during the night, but I officially start the day at 6:30am. 

6:35am:  Awaken Lauren & Gracie, get dressed, comb hair, console various crying jags and/or resolve any grievances.  Debate/argue about attire and explain why a sundress is inappropriate for February.

7:00am:  Breakfast.  Currently breakfast consists of any combination of cereal, turkey bacon, eggs, waffles/pancakes or the occasional Pop Tart (I know -- awful). 

7:20am:  Brush teeth, put on coats, gather lunch boxes and backpacks. 

7:30am:  Everyone to the car!  Hurry!

7:40am:  Commute to school.

8:05am:  Girls at school, George and I back in the car.

8:20am:  Stop by a local church for a semi-annual consignment sale. 

8:22am:  Stop and chat with friends.

8:25am:  Shop.  Or, more accurately, speedshop.

9:00am:  Check out, console crying George, head to the car.

9:15am:  Give George his 9am bottle.

9:30am:  George down for nap.

10:00am:  Clean the upstairs, clean downstairs.

Usually some task or errand is scheduled for Wednesday.  Last week was a  major Costco trip, and yesterday was my hair appointment.  Sometimes, like yesterday, I have a sitter, but most of the time William George is along for the ride.

11:00am:  Ralph and Sally arrive to watch George (thanks!).  Visit, prepare dinner (crockpot), finish getting ready and commute to salon.

12-2pm:  Salon.  Bliss.

2:15pm:  School pick up.

3:00pm:  Piano lessons

Since the girls are very excitable after school, we tend to wait in the car versus waiting inside the church where lessons are given.  Yesterday, Lauren played piano first, while Gracie and I sat in the car.  She used her iTouch, listened to music and played some games.  When Lauren finished, they swapped places. 

When George is with us, he looks like this:

4:10pm:  Arrive home, have snacks, play with all three monkeys.

5:00pm:  Finish dinner

5:30pm:  Dinner is served!

6:15pm:  Leave for church (girls' choir practice)

7:45pm:  Home after church; night time routine

8:30pm:  Bedtime

11:00pm:  George's final bottle

12:00am: Glorious sleep

Whew.

Photo shoot at The Reid Brake House

Last Saturday, the girls had a photo session (billed as "vintage photos") at a local home.  The Reid Brake House, originally built in 1887, has undergone extensive renovation and opened for events last fall. 

The owner removed red shag carpeting to reveal the original hardwood flooring.

The house has been meticulously decorated. The owner spent 15 years collecting furniture and pieces for this house. The result is a warm, authentic feel. 
 

Many of the pieces reminded me of the Biltmore Estate.

The high ceilings and dramatic fixtures are stunning.

I only had my point-and-shoot with me so the below photo fails (as each of these photos do) to capture the magnificent lighting in the below restroom. This room is the epicenter of good lighting. Persons with Seasonal Affective Disorder should be prescribed a bath in this tub, beneath that stained glass window.

You are cured.

I especially liked all of the stairways. 

...and all of the original details, like build-in shelves and cabinets

The adjacent carriage house was in a state of disarray.  Therefore, a large banquet room was erected, perfect for weddings or parties. 

This venue is perfect for a wedding, but is also flexible enough for practically any event imaginable.

By the time we left, the girls were calling this home "the castle," and we learned that was appropriate, because that is the moniker the owner has given the house.

(Full disclosure, the owner's daughter and cousin Lexy (of the LEXY! fame) have been lifelong friends.)

We were assigned a bedroom, and quickly got dressed and ready.

Lauren and Gracie, pictured with Grammie, credited for finding/booking this shoot.

Posing in the bridal suite

Bidding the house adieu

Lauren also liked the stairways

We had a fantastic time visiting this historical home and local treasure. The Reid Brake House can be found on Facebook here. This is a wonderful location for your next event.