Music Mondays: Pretty Girl

Snapshots on a Saturday: Mommy & Me Time

With our trip to Italy literally just around the corner, I was anxious to spend as much time with Adelaide as I could this week. While I am a huge advocate for remaining true to yourself, especially as a mom, I also love my child beyond belief and have not been away from her for more than 3 days. She has never been away from both of her parents. We have never been out of the country since welcoming her into our family soooooooo while I am keeping calm on the outside, I am worried that Monday will be a different story ;)

happy baby girl

mirror mirror on the wall...

peek-a-boo mommy...I see you!

So we did what we do best...laugh & play, hug & kiss, crawl & scream. We played a lot with mirrors and in the pack n' play. We enjoyed a beautiful 80 degree day at the park. Adelaide L.O.V.E.D. the swing as she kicked her feet and squealed with joy the entire time. All of the "big kids" were commenting about how "cool" the little baby was on the swing. Haha How does a 4 year old call a baby cool?!                     

shoeless Kentucky girl

love my munchkin to pieces!

Hoping you all had a fun filled week with those you love. 

I sure did :)

                                                                                                                                    

Mother's Day 2013: Boston Strong

We celebrated Mother's Day weekend in Boston, MA. I had never been and Ryan had only been for work. And given the recent terrorist attacks during the Boston Marathon, I felt it was the right time to go in order to give back to the city and honor those affected by the bombings. To me, it is incredibly important to show terrorist that we will not be led by fear nor will we allow them to handicap us out of living life to the fullest.

We had good weather, slight rain & overcast on Saturday but warm temperatures and sunshine with blue skies on Sunday. We walked our way from Cambridge to Boston Common then along the Freedom Tour on Saturday. Getting a taste of history and a sense of pride for our country. We learned so much and put places with names from US History 101. Our tour guide was witty, charming, and in character at all times. We enjoyed specific dishes that Boston is known for including oysters & New England clam chowder. Oh...peas & puffs too!

Sunday we snuggled as a family in bed...Beau included! Our hotel, The Marlowe (a Kimpton hotel), is pet friendly which really made my mother's day to be able to bring Beaumont along :) 

Adelaide helped me open my gifts. A beautiful pink & red Swarovski heart with the sweetest little card. My first piece of Le Creuset cookware that I have been eyeing for months years. I am a lucky girl.

We had brunch in the hotel restaurant which was delicious and was the spot for Adelaide to first try scrambled eggs...which she loved! Followed by a walk around Harvard Square in the warm sun. It was graduation weekend and the streets were filled with lots of hustle & bustle. My favorite shop just happened to be Mint Julep with Goorin Brothers as a close second. Harvard was rockin' the Kentucky Derby vibe as well as a shout out to the Great Gatsby. 

Freedom Trail

 Anddddd while we were standing on the Boston Massacre, we were front row for a moving taping...now I know how cars driving in the movie are filmed! I can't wait until the David O. Russell film which will feature Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, & Jeremy Renner. Sort of hoping for a cameo ;)

All in all, I had a wonderful first mother's day and look forward to celebrating many more with my family!!

Stamina: A Book Review

1996: Kentucky wins the NCAA National Championship against Utah. I was nervously pacing my basement as the final clock tick-tocked down. I spent a everyday after school waiting in line for my personalized autographed photograph of each player on the team. They are still neatly displayed in my childhood room. Each one matted and framed in silver. One day we will have a sports room with all of the UK memorabilia from my lifetime. 

Perhaps my favorite player of all time is Derek Anderson. His demeanor on the court was of sheer determination. His story was/is one of great courage and dedication. I was only 13 in 1996, but I knew that he was someone special. Not just for his basketball skills but for the man he had become at such a young age.

Fast forward to present day and you will find that Derek Anderson is even better off the court. My family has had the pleasure of working with him in regards to charity events & his book, Stamina, as he begins to tour the country speaking & signing autographs. He is prompt in returning calls and emails. He is professional and shy. He is gracious and thankful for his life. He has tremendous faith in the Lord.

I was stoked to get my autographed copy of Stamina a few weeks ago. I set out reading it at every chance I could...usually staying up late at night to read his story. I cried several times. I laughed at his realism. I remembered his memories as a Wildcat because he shared them with the Big Blue Nation.

Stamina is the brutally honest story of a young boy who endured all the trials that one person can all while keeping his faith and striving for a better life. In his book, Derek tells his story with painful details, real life examples, and intense emotion. He is the definition of a man. He is the face of adversity. He is the hope of the projects. He is the sole reason why you should always believe that anything is possible.

I highly recommend picking up a copy. Your heart will forever be changed. #BBN4Ever 

May Date: Picnic for Two & Beach Day at Croton Point Park

For May's date, we decided to step outside our backyard and enjoy the peace that nature brings. Tucked away behind the Croton-Harmon train station is a beautiful park, Croton Point, which is wedged between the Hudson River and the west banks of Westchester County. Boats glide in and out as they cruise on down to the city & over to the Hamptons. Families enjoy picnic lunches on the beach as children joyfully play on the playgrounds complete with swings & slides.

So we decided to have our own little family picnic and beach day. The air was crisp and slightly cool when out of the sunshine, but we loved being outside & taking in the scenery. We laid our blankets on the freshly cut grass and opened our picnic basket cooler. With a few snacks leftover from our Derby party, we lunched on petite sandwiches, cheese & crackers, and cupcakes. Sipping on a chilled chardonnay while Adelaide played with her toys and her puffs, we had a wonderful little family afternoon.

It was refreshing to have a low-key family date so close to home. I feel like Croton Point Park will be a staple in our lives come summertime! And I can't believe that this was our 7th monthly date! Our second year of marriage is flying by with lightning speed!! I can't wait for next month's adventure...