Photo Dump Archives - Page 11 of 15 - Enjoying the Small Things

Friday Quicky

October 14, 2011 By Kelle

I’m keeping this short because my mother-in-law is coming over tonight and my house screams “Your son settled for less” right now. Plus, Dot’s here and she sits next to me on Fridays while I post and makes me laugh so that I don’t really know what I’m typing.

Here’s the breakdown.

We returned to Outside the Box this week for imagination/drama/art/music/magic classes.

Mainly we go for Miss Lulu who runs this place. Watching her with the kids makes me cry. She is a magnet for little minds, and when she’s teaching–weaving stories with her enchanting Brazilian accent, the rest of the world disappears and it’s just Miss Lulu and a circle of adoring faces.

When class was over, the kids played while the mamas sat on the stage with Miss Lulu and talked about changing the world. It was divine.

We spent the entire morning in the woods today.

Lainey found more fall, right here in Florida.

And word on the street is, a big box of Michigan leaves will be landing on our doorstep tomorrow morning.

I love this one.

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Friday Photo Dump:

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Several locals have asked for more info on the Buddy Walk. I’m working on one big e-mail response but, in the meantime, all info can be found HERE. You can join our team if you’d like or form your own, and you can fill out registration and pay on site the day of the walk.

And for those who asked about reposting our Buddy Walk links…post away!

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Finally, I’m happy to welcome Every Scrap Countz as an October sponsor. Her crochet headbands are perfect for fall, and her terry cloth beach bags and reusable sandwich bags are adorable.

Use code KELLE for 15% off your order. One lucky commenter will win a $25 gift certificate to Every Scrap Countz.

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And, if you’d like to join me next week in spending one hour with a girl in your life to help promote Dove’s Self Esteem weekend, you can find activities and pledge HERE.

Company arrives in T minus 2 Hours. Time for a shakedown.

Have a great weekend.

A Proper Tea

October 7, 2011 By Kelle

We had a proper tea yesterday.

I happened across an Internet list of all the tea rooms in South Florida recently. Not cafes. Not restaurants. Tea rooms.

It was as if I found a treasure map, and I couldn’t get gloves on my girl fast enough. Because I will forever be entranced with scenes from old books like Anne of Green Gables where raspberry cordial and fruit cake are things one talks about in everyday conversation.

Mr. Brambles, the tea room’s resident bear, joined us, looking dapper in his velvet vest, complete with pocket square.

We talked in British accents, and I could not contain my laughter when gushing things like “Oh this Devonshire cream is so delicious, dahling.” Because it was funny and yet so delightfully not-funny at the same time.

I love to celebrate the ordinary, but I also like making room for the imagination and fantasy of unordinary occasions–like wearing satin gloves for tea with jam and bread and pretending like a good currant scone recipe is something I’ve been perfecting for years.

Childhood is such a magical place…it’s a shame it doesn’t last forever.
…or does it?

And it is such a delight now to have Nella leaving her role of baby-who-totes-along to accept her position of baby-who-participates. The best way to learn and grow.

We will, for sure, be returning to Brambles.

Afternoon tea was accompanied by some local window shopping…

…and a park & beach night cap.

Back to the ordinary this weekend. Less fancy, just as delicious.

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Last year, I participated in Dove’s Self Esteem Weekend, and I’ll be doing it again this year. Dove invites you to join this powerful campaign by asking you to pledge an hour in a self-esteem buiding activity with a girl in your life during the weekend of October 21-23.

Check out their pledge map, and suggested ideas for activities here.

Having girls, this mission hits home, and I am so grateful for what Dove is doing to show that beauty comes in all sizes, shapes and colors…but mostly, it radiates from within.

I’ll be writing more about this movement later this month.

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Friday Phone Photo Dump:

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Hot weekend plans? Do tell.

Have a delicious weekend, dahlings. Pip pip, cheerio!

Friday Quicky

September 30, 2011 By Kelle

This kid is going to walk soon.

Yesterday, I swore it was going to happen. She got up on sturdy legs, stood there for over a minute, smiling, and I told myself, “She’s going to take a step and you’re going to cry.” It didn’t happen, but it’s close and I’m realizing just how much I’ve loved having her little for so long. First Steps is the bridge out of babyhood. You know going into this special needs thing that your baby will most likely walk late and while for some that is difficult, for some not so bad–first steps seem to turn the page toward the next chapter. The first chapter has been so good and it’s felt incredible to sit back and enjoy it. I will miss her crawl and yet I will applaud her moving forward.

You walk when you’re good and ready, Sister.

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After waking early yesterday morning, we dropped off some goodies to teacher friends where I used to work. Nella, still dressed in her jams, sat at the reading table and neatly shoved powdered sugar donuts in her mouth with just a trace of powdered mess that followed.

Yes, that’s a hundred in her hand. Someone owed someone money, slapped it on the table and Swiper took it because she knows a good thing when she sees it.

The Queen and the Sceptre

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We’re working on Halloween costumes this weekend–turning an old wrinkled dress into Little Bo Peep and a onesie and a hat into a sweet little sheep. More to come.

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The week closes with the stomach-dropping rush of a good swing push and the squeals that follow.

I miss old-fashioned parks with old-fashioned swings and wooden bridges and merry-go-rounds and climby things that don’t look like space-age contraptions. Other than the swings and slides at this park, we kind of just stare at everything, wondering how you’re supposed to use it. Which is exactly what I do whenever I go to the gym (which is never). I’m afraid I’ll start pulling something with my arms that’s meant to be pushed with my feet, and some hot guy will come over and tell me I’m using it wrong. This has happened. And it’s funny, but what is funnier is that I’m talking about the gym like it’s a part of my life right now when my exercise comes in the form of following these girls toward the places they go.

Lainey’s shirt (also works as Nella’s dress) from the amazing, talented Kiki at The Measure

Those places led us on a boardwalk path last night–around a lake, through tall cypress trees and straight into long rays of sunshine that cast tall shadows.

I have a girl in cleats and shin guards waiting for her first practice tonight, and I will smile until my cheeks hurt.

Happy happy Friday.

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Friday Phone Dump:

Third row, last picture: Nella fell asleep in the Target cart

And two I had to pull out of the collage because I loved them too much to downsize:

Friday Phone Dump photos are taken on the Instagram Iphone app (free) and dropped into a 12×12 collage. I am etst on Instragram if you want to follow the feed.

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Listening to THIS (thanks, Meg) and THIS this week.

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Spark Energy drink giveaway winners are:

Comment #219, carrie: Fall is my favorite time of year. Cooler weather and the upcoming holidays around the corner

and

Comment #21, Christine Gottemoller: I love your use of “fall freak flag.” Makes me laugh. And honestly, your girls are some of the best dressed cuties I have ever seen.

Ladies, please e-mail your contact info to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net with the subject line GIVEAWAY WINNER. Thank you!

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Tomorrow is October. I want to find a cornucopia, climb up in it and never come out. Fall Freak Flag–Find it, unfurl it, wave it high. And have a happy weekend.