jewelry organizer

before!

after!

It's hard to see how incredibly disorganized and tangled all my necklaces were as they were all on top of one another.(poor smothered Gnish!) Emmett and I spent a lot of time getting everything sorted out. I always wanted to make something like this...thinking of buying an old frame and screwing in hooks etc but this is great because it holds all kinds of earings, posts included. I love this wooden frame...I got Mac a smaller one in a lighter wood too...the idea inspired by Cami. When we visited she had one like it in her bathroom that I coveted! Here's the link www.walljewelryorganizer.com.
The guy who makes them seems super cool too. He e-mailed pictures of the completed projects and wanted feedback. Not cheap but a great thing to put on your xmas list!
Again, thanks Cami for being ever inspiring!!

wobbily mobility!!...

Emmett teaches Silas how to use his pusher! (while Mama uses embarressing voice...)

today's pretty things...

oodles of plums...!!!!!





It's always a surprise seeing sunflowers grow this big this quickly!

The 7th Book!!...

It's finally here!



A good time was had by all at the Harry Potter Party at 12:00 midnight last night...yes, we all stayed awake...even Emmett... to hear the first chapter read in the car on the way home.
All very exciting.




You will also notice Mac's new short hair. (boohoo, its sad to say goodbye to the longer hair of ages 3-8) It actually looks great on her and saves us much brushing grief!!

Our Harry Potter predictions:
Ginny and Snape will die, both trying to save Harry. At this point I also think Dumbledore is still alive somehow...so does Matt (obviously wishful thinking!)
I hope it's not Ron that dies but we know two main characters gotta go...maybe Harry AND Ginny? but part of me thinks it may also be...OK I know nothing but somehow Ginny's love of Harry has gotta mean something...
aaaaaaaaah!
The great part about J.K. Rowling's writing is that the plot is compelling but the writing is better so it's not just about what happens but HOW it happens!
Time to start reading!

Belmont Park

Look close and you'll see Mama, Mac and Emmett on the crazy submarine

They also rode the Tilt-a-Whirl.........TWICE!

Some lounging on the yacht.......

Water gun fights! Emmett won and got Silas a "Care Bear" stuffed animal which Mac and Emmett named Greenie-Greenie.

BUMPER CARS!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy, you gotta love summer

Papa

Pablo is 6!!

Happy Birthday!!



(pablo 2 months, Emmett 7 months)
Lauren reminded me that 6 years ago I was watching Aida while Lauren was in the hospital having Pablo. It seems like yesterday.
Now he's such a great kid. Such a good friend to Emmett!
We love you Pablo. Happy Birthday!

Silas' Official First Word!!!

"BIRD"


...and all because of those kindergarten zebra finches who continuously chirp and tweet and are currently laying eggs and nesting.
The picture is of the mobile made in honor of the bird that is indeed the word.
(We've been trying all day to get Silas to say "bird" on bloggable video but no such luck. It is so frickin' cute, though.)

Emmett's new favorite book...

"The Dangerous Book for Boys"




I've caught Matt reading it quite a bit too!!

Thanks BeBe...
and thanks to Cami for the great picture!!

two blasts for Cami and Craig...

I love this picture.

Some early pictures of Mac that remind us of Finley. (we really miss her...and you both!!)

The Baptism of Finley Joyous and Silas Loyal...

Blogging New York...

We did so much in such a short time in NY. Matt, I am sure, will do some blogging later about his adventures on a night out with the guys and our day at the Natural Histiory Museum...(whose visitor numbers increased by 2,000 people a day since the movie "The Night at the Museum"!!) But here are some of the highlights from my cameras perspective...

...went with Megan and Silas on an epic adventure to St. Marks Place, Washington Square Park, Soho and all over the place in 98 degree weather. Megan is an awesome person to cruise around with...(notice the Mandala store next to Whatever...!! and click to enlarge Silas' view of the village and NY in general!)

...and speaking of cruising...Rich and Lisa (aka Bebe and Grancops) took us on a fabulous harbor cruise with lunch and entertainment. It was my first time seeing the Statue of Liberty, if you can believe it. Mac especially loved it!! (I thought I had taken more pictures but most of them were lame, bebe...maybe you have better ones??)





Silas liked the swings and I enjoyed waking up early and getting an iced coffee for a trip to the city playground .

And for Mac, it was all about Harry Potter. Megan, Mac and I got a chance to see it on our last night. (Mac will review it later.) Such a perfect ending to NYC.

WANTED

Pawling, NY AP: The infamous Wilkenson Hollow Gang struck again, continuing their reign of terror in Duchess County, with another daring daylight raid on the Qwik Stop. It is estimated that the Gang made off with several quarts of soft serve ice cream, to include swirl.

"I have never seen such audacious behavior", the Mayor of Pawling commented in a interview outside the Town Hall on Charles Coleman Boulevard.

The Sherriff of Duchess County, Butch Anderson, [go ahead and google it if you don't believe ed.] stated to our reporter that the Wilkenson Hollow Gang is to be considered armed and dangerous and not to be approached save by trained psychiatrists. Sherriff Anderson stated that all requests to be included in the posse be directed to his office and that prospective posse members bring their own horses and guns. Ammunition will be reimbursed by the County on an as needed basis.

The regional office of the FBI declined comment but sources relayed to our reporter that intelligence agents believe that the gang may be splitting up, with elements headed for New York City, New York.

Recent crimes by the gang have included:
Frog-napping
1st degree sunburn
Meshuganah
Bedtime curfew violation
Hysteria, with intent,2nd degree
Dual baby slinging without license
Grilling, with reckless disregard for the health of humans.
Indecent butt crack exposure by 6 year old
Indecent Lactation
Improper Post Partum Party Planning
Sloth
Gluttony
Mayhem

just can't stop with the Americana...

A bunch of Dreyers on Wilkenson Hollow Road

Emmet Craig Dreyer and Craig Roberts Dreyer

Mac, her sunny face and her Sunny fish


Emmet got one too!

Baseball in Pawling on Independence Day

Playing the field!


Emmett's introspection on the Great American Pastime


No comment necessary

Five Finley Faces

Hey...my source of nourishment isn't in my mouth!


I don't know how much I like this Uncle Matt guy holding me.

I think I'll furrow my brow at him.

Maybe pursing my lips will help

I think I'll just go back to sleep.
(Words translated from "babyspeak" to English by Matt)

Day One in Pawling

Mac agoin' frog hunting in the creek

Pops with babies

Annie, Mac and Emmett on the paddle boat

Me with the babies (Lounging in Adirondack chairs is my version of New York paradise)

Craig, Silas and Mac playing on the country road.


Thanks everyone for commenting on yesterday's post. Just so you all know, Annie's migraine is gone, my sinus infection is not, those big seats are Jet Blue Airlines-they rock, Silas doesn't like it when Annie carries Finley, but we are all having the best time.

I will keep you all updated as we travel with up to the minute blogs! Matt

Flying To New York City

Waiting to board

On board cruising eastbound (Migraines can't stop Annie)

"Hey, we can watch 5 hours of TV and were not getting in trouble"

Me holding Silas (Sinus infection won't bother me)

4 O'Clock in the morning and all the trauma of flying, driving is gone when we see our newest family member. We love Finley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great books...

I really love Barbara Kingsolver...especially "The Poisonwood Bible" but just about everything else too. This is her latest...a collection of stories/essays... part memoir, part journalism...with great recipes in it too.