The Gorilla and the Monkey, by C

One time there was a monkey, he liked bananas. The zoo keeper had bananas in his hand. He brought bananas to the monkey. He put the bananas on the monkey's house. The gorilla took the bananas.

The monkey did not see the gorilla. When he could see the gorilla, he grabbed the bananas that the gorilla had. The monkey ran away from the gorilla. The gorilla chased and chased and chased the monkey! He caught up but the gorilla fell. The gorilla bumped his head.

Then the zoo keeper brought the gorilla a banana. The gorilla hugged the monkey. The gorilla jumped happily. The gorilla tried to hug the zoo keeper, but the gorilla couldn't hug the zoo keeper. He got mad. Then the gorilla followed the zoo keeper, he let the gorilla out. The gorilla hugged the zoo keeper.

Watching the Storm

Home in the knick of time from soccer practice. The boys were thrilled watching the pouring rain, and even got to see some hail. C jumped every time there was thunder, asking for his blanket. H slept with his blinds left open, hoping more storms would pass through during the night.

Mother's Day

Despite the fact we had to be at the soccer field by 7:30 a.m. this morning and were gone all day, my boy's still figured out how to spoil me rotten for Mother's Day. First, C came into my bed to snuggle. Turns out, he was the distraction for me getting breakfast in bed! They picked out what was served (lox and bagels) and presents (a new tunic/dress, chocolates, rosé wine). Brian said they've been having "boy meetings" for weeks planning this. They sure know how to take care of me. After the soccer games, we drove to visit Brian's mom for a bit. We couldn't stay too long unfortunately, but were happy to get to see her. And then we went to my parent's for dinner, along with my sister and her family, and my cousin and his family. (To be clear, Amy is pregnant -- due any day now -- and I am not....). It was a perfect, exhausting, beautiful fun day. I'm so thankful for my two little guys, who make this day, and every day,just so very special. I'm so honored to be their Mom. (And thanks to my husband, for helping them pull this all off!)

Soccer Weekend

May is the month of soccer tournaments. C had one last weekend. H had one this weekend. And they are both in their home club's tournament next weekend. One of the families who lives near the club where the tournament was held this weekend invited us all over to their house for lunch. It was so nice to be able to talk with some of the parents outside of the soccer field and I think the kids felt the same. They had a great time running the neighborhood with squirt guns and riding bikes. Genuinely, they have a great time together. Unfortunately, neither H or C won a game all weekend. But both played hard and well. It was really fun to watch.

Moms

My sister, my Mom, Me circa 1976

My mother-in-law with Brian

About to run off in different directions, to multiple soccer games, birthday parties, etc. I'm already looking forward to meeting up as a family again later tonight because so far, it's been a crazy day. The good news is, we get to spend all day together tomorrow. Although, one of the soccer games starts at 8:00 a.m. How mean is that? Anyhow, in honor of Mother's Day tomorrow, I found these classics in our photo albums. Our mom's are pretty great -- and without their guidance, we certainly wouldn't be the people are today. We can't thank them enough. 

Freckles & Dirt

Always my little boy -- thanks to some freckles and dirt...

Indiana Buttermilk Pie

Honestly, when I got this book, I kind of thought it would be kind of fun to make every single pie in the book. All 300. You know, kind of like this? But then I realized, that is kind of crazy. How many pies can a person eat? Once in awhile, I'll pull the pie book out and make one. But it's really not that often. Recently, however, I did make one -- and froze one of the pie crusts. Then I realized I had some extra buttermilk, so thought I'd try this Indiana Buttermilk pie before the buttermilk expired. The pie was delicious. And I might be on a new pie kick again. Watch out summer.

Art by H :: Victorian House

Inspiration Files :: Loggia House

Loggia. 1. a gallery or arcade open to the air on at least one side. 2. a space within the body of a building but open to the air on one side, serving as an open-air room or as an entrance porch. I had never heard of a loggia until we bought our house. It has a loggia. And I just love saying "come over for drinks on the loggia." I get a kick out of simple things, I suppose. But honestly, it is one of my favorite rooms in the entire house. Unfortunately, we can't use it all year round due to the lovely Wisconsin winters, but we practically live out there during the summer, and I kind of can't wait. The Glass Loggia House above has been hanging out in my archives for awhile, but it sure has me craving for some outdoor time. (architects: Allen Jack+Cottier, photos: Nic Bailey, via Desire to Inspire)

Art by C :: The Starry Night

The Starry Night

by C

The Starry Night

Vincent Van Gogh

Milwaukee Art Museum

????? (forgot to write it down)

Nancy, 1968

Chuck Close

The Green House, Murnau, 1911

Gabriele Münter

Street at Schöneberg City Park, 1912-13

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Dandelion, 1970 & Untitled, 1970

Harry Bertoia

Homage to the Square-Early Rising, 1961

Josef Albers (I'm a big fan of his wife, Anni's, work too)

Paysage (Landscape), 1952

Nicolas de Staël

I've mentioned before, that one of my favorite places in the world is the Milwaukee Art Museum. Despite the fact that we are members, I haven't been since summer. When the boys went back to school in the fall, one thing on my to-do list was to visit the museum. By myself. Do you think that ever happened? Of course not. So the beginning of this week, I told myself that today would be the day I went there. I can't remember the last time I've wandered the museum by myself, and I left wondering why I don't do it more. It's beyond inspiring, and kind of my happy place. The museum has an excellent collection, ranging from a mummy coffin dating 500-250 BC, to current works. But my favorite pieces, by far, are the photorealism paintings, their collection contemporary artwork and German Expressionism pieces. I honestly think I could live in the Mrs. Harry L. Bradley Collection wing. I also caught the last few days of the Accidental Genius exhibit, which was quite inspirational, featuring self-taught artists. Some of them didn't even start painting until 41 or in their 70s. Amazing. I only spent a couple hours there, but wish I could go back tomorrow. Honestly, it was an excellent day in so many ways.

Art by C :: Cityscape

Found

I love all the little treasures the boys find around the yard. In keeping with the season, their newest thing is looking for hatched robin eggs. It's like they struck gold when they find one. Note: The empty nests that line up in the planters along our house were found last year. No new nests were disturbed.

Stained Glass Butcher Diagrams

Oh my gosh, do I wish we had somewhere for one of these. Stained glass butcher diagrams of cow, chicken and pig by Halona Glass. (photos via Halona Glass)