Meet One of the Owlettes

First day of summer camp today. This little lady has been excited for this day for months! She is now officially an Owlette in room 5. Let the fun begin! 

Lucky Number Thirteen

It feels like yesterday that we got married, but today is it thirteen years since we walked down the aisle that sunny day in Sweden. Toasting tonight to the most handsome, caring, funny, smart, confident and humble guy I have ever met; and to our beautiful, happy little kids. You are all my rocks that keeps a little bit of sanity in this crazy world. 

Love you to the moon and back again.

Happy Birthday Campbellina

Where did time go? This little peanut is already four years old this week. It feels like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. She is already a big girl, and after the summer, she will start nursery school full time.

Celebrated with our traditional breakfast and presents in bed, mini cupcakes and a special cupcake push pop for the birthday girl. And she got her ears pierced—just like when my dad brought me for my ear piercings as a surprise for my fourth birthday! (Best birthday memory ever—not so sure how happy my mom was about it…) She was so excited about it and didn't shed a tear…even if it hurt a little. My brave girl!

Sunshiny Days

I can't believe it's actually been over a month and a half ago since I last posted something. Having two kids keeps me busy 24/7 and there has been little time for the blog—that's not to say that I haven't curated tons of photos to share (when I get a moment.)

It was mother's day today and I got spoiled by my three my favorite people. Fresh croissants and coffee for breakfast, a massage, playtime with the kiddos, and a fantastic italian dinner with my favorite girl. What more can you ask for?! These two wonderful little beings completes me. Brings brightness and joy to the greyest days. Being a mom is the most amazing thing you could ever wish for.

Mornings with Brody

Cami watching cartoons, hubby sleeping. Perfect time for some quality time with my little boy.

The Laughing Heart

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is a light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

@Charles Bukowski

Lost and Found

We restarted our effort to purge some of our belongings from the attic this past weekend, and I came across this gem—my grandma's 70s avocado green tea kettle from Sweden. I'm definitely making room for this one on my stove.

Happy Four Months

Forgot to post this the other day. My little boy is already 4 months. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. Already flipping over from tummy to back and vice versa—and he got a tooth! Please make it stop. I want him to stay little a while longer. Cami was 7 months before she got her first one.

Working Hard for the Money

Finally Friday! Just another couple of hours of work until I pack up and start the weekend. After retuning from maternity leave, I have been working two days a week at the local office in suburbia. What a difference it made—a little bit of sanity in the crazy rat race.

Still chilling in my slippers at work. Had the best intention of changing into my heels once I walked into work this morning, but with no bosses in the office today, they are still on my feet. I love lazy Fridays. 

Breaking the old fashion rules and broke out my white jeans today. I so excited to fit back into them—suck it baby weight! 28 more days to go for my diet, and just 8 more pounds to go. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again.

Have to run to get kids a slew of birthday gifts after work. Despite the threat of another snowstorm for Monday, I can tell Spring is here—kids birthday party extravaganza. Saturday party at a gymnastics place and Sunday at a local farm. Oh joy!

Snow Fort

Making the most of the situation—building a snow fort and having a picnic. Tea and Oreos (Hot coco was rejected claiming illness as the reason they needed tea)

Hello Springtime

Beautiful start to the day—39F, clear blue sky and sunshine. And I heard a Cuckoo bird singing this morning. That must mean that Spring is just around the corner, right? Can't stand the two feet of snow still on the ground in our back yard. Crossing me fingers that some sunshine and rain will take care of that stat. Decided to brave it and left my winter boots at home today—new Vince Camuto leopard flats is making their premier trip to manhattan.

Beautiful Things

Pretty things from Nicole Porter Designs in Minnesota. 

Second Coming

Sitting around with a bottle of my favorite wine, waiting for the second round of heavy snow to start. After three storms in the past 10 days we have over a foot and a half of snow on the ground and 4 more inches are expected overnight.

Endless snow and winter. Sigh. When's spring going to come??

Thursday Treat

Having fun while mom's at work.

Reunited

First day back at work and a huge snowstorm hits the city. I keep on telling myself that this is not a sign! 

Wrapping up an immensely unproductive day and will head out before the snow overtakes Manhattan. 

Bored

This game is really no fun at all. Trying to entertain ourselves with some selfies.

While You Were Sleeping

My most significant accomplishment during this 12 week maternity leave—new bar area/guest kitchen  downstairs. All done single handedly by yours truly while the little babe was napping. Maybe this whole house finished just in time for us to have outgrown this house and need something bigger!

Kitty

I think one of our other little girls is feeling neglected.

Lazy Days

A little afternoon nap with this one is never wrong.

Ear Candy

Draw back of heading back to work—clothing and accessories budget is steeply increasing. Refinery29 just tickled my tastebuds with this delectible Delfina Delettrez earring. Ahh sigh. Only $510 @Opening Ceremony.

Counting Down

Enjoying my last week of domestic bliss before heading back to the bright lights of the city. I can't believe that I haven't been in the office since early October of last year! Of course, I feel torn between the satisfaction of being close to the kids every day and the sanity that a career and job gives you. I'm kind of dreading the thought of the morning and night routine—rushing to get kids dressed, packed, loaded into the car, and dropped off before even driving to the station to catch the train. I guess all pieces will fall into place once we get the hang of it. 

Since I only have a couple of more days, I'm taking advantage of the sleeping babes and make some home made mushroom bisque. Have been on a diet this past week, and have another 6 weeks to go, but this yummy concoction is going in the freezer anyway. We will need easy ready-made meals starting next week!

Managed to squeeze in a couple of minutes on the spinning bike today too—I feel so accomplished. Lost 8 lbs this past week, but I have another 15 lbs to go until I'm back to pre-Cami weight. Ugh, diets absolutely suck. I hate feeling somewhat hungry all the time. But it will be worth it; I can't wait to be back in tip-top shape for the beach and feel fully human again. I absolutely detest being pregnant—thank god that the reward is so amazing! 

Brody 3 months

Chilly

Braving the arctic freeze for a few minutes of snow play. Need to burn some calories before we refuel with some home made hot cocoa and cinnamon toast =)

Snow Day

This is the plan for this morning. All four of us snuggled up in bed.

The Snow is Falling

Hurray! It's snowing! I absolutely love a good snow storm here and there. Bundled up inside, candles lit and a good movie on TV (today's pick is Scapegoat...which seems to be excellent by the way.) 

Fifteen inches of snow predicted to fall over Long Island today, and it was a perfect time to organize my closet. I can't believe that I found two pairs of J Brand jeans, one pair of Paige jeans and another pair from J Crew that I had totally forgotten about.It's like going shopping in your own closet. I got three more bags of clothes packed up for goodwill. Such a good feeling afterwards—clothes hoarder no more!

A Very Merry X-mas @ the Arthurs

Sadly this is just about a month late, but I wanted to share some of the pictures from our Christmas. Every year we commit to keeping things low key and free of stress, but yet again, this was a hectic holiday season. I guess it comes with the territory, and getting used to two kids made everything extra crazy.

My biggest regret this year is that we didn't make it to Rockefeller Center and the tree—the Lucia snowstorm managed to foil that attempt and we decided to not make the trek from the upper west side. But the tree will be there next year again!

It was a magical and special Christmas and we started some new traditions. Christmas Bath (made extra-special with bath fizzies from Lush); midnight sprinkling of oatmeal and glitter on the lawn so Rudolph and Santa would know where to land; baking of christmas cinnamon buns for Santa (which landed in dad's belly while last minute gift wrapping); decorating of a cool new silver christmas tree; and of course an amazing brunch with Santa at Prime Harbor Club (we have to do this again).

Can't wait to do it all again next year!

e