the end of an era

5 year old Otis. This pic shows the height of our Gold Lame Lifestyle.

The other day, when I was buying things during the American Apparel sale, I asked Otis if he wanted any leggings for the next school year. No, he announced, he’s done with leggings. F and I looked at each other and made sad faces.

Parrots or gold lame? We couldn’t decide.

It was bound to happen, and though I’ve been steeling myself for the moment, it was still a shock.

The first day of 2nd grade, also known as The Beginning of The End.

It’s too bad, too, since I’ve been seeing all these amazing pics on Thief and Bandit’s Instagram stream, and I really want some leggings for Otis. Bad.

Look how cute:

Pictures from Thief and Bandit Kids’ Etsy site. I may have to buy a dress for myself in a fit of retail therapy.

bee turns 5

Yes, you read that right. I know. I can’t believe it, either.

She ran into our room yesterday morning, bright and early, completely naked. It seems fitting that the birthday girl make her first 5-year old debut in her birthday suit. Happily, she still allows herself to be wrapped up and cuddled like the baby she will always be to me.

She had a sweet, happy day, and we celebrated with family in the evening with one of our traditional birthday dinners.

Curious what we got her? I broke down and bought her the Baby Alive doll that she’s been talking about for months, despite the fact that it made me feel extremely stabby just thinking about it. Note to self: Bee doesn’t forget ANYTHING. Plus, don’t take her to Target. Whatever misgivings I had were alleviated by this:

Otis is pretty impressed too.  At one point, I think the words, “I love my Baby more than I love Baba” may have been uttered. And of course, the misgivings came right back when I found the first puddle of many puddles that this baby has made within the first 12 hours of life in our household.

But one thing that I love about this girl is the absolute joy with which she greeted each and every present, from the doll she’s been dreaming about for months to the wooden turtle that Otis got for her at a yard sale.

Happy birthday, little girl. I love you.

happy mother’s day

Hope all the mothers out there had a wonderful Mother’s Day. I have been looking at pictures from childhood and thinking about my own mother, whom we will see in a month and a half. I love this picture, particularly because I can imagine Bee and me in this same pose (even our hair cuts look the same!).

We went on a lovely little hike deep in the redwoods today. We are trying to slowly work our kids up to longer distances and less complaining while hiking. Snacks seem to be key.

But man, check that out. Shorts AND dark socks. And on Mother’s Day, too. Torture!

And we went to my favorite place for wings, where I indulgently ordered myself an extra platter. It was MSG heaven, and I have leftovers calling my name now.

This is a very fitting fortune for Mother’s Day, isn’t it?

new website + collection

The time has finally come! Our new collection will be ready to show you on our spanking new website. Come and see it on Monday and let me know what you think. I can’t wait to finally show you what I’ve been working so hard on these past few months.

Like my tiny little sneak peek? It’s from my favorite photo shoot of the season.

i surprisingly LOVE these amazing clogs

These shoes just made my heart skip a beat.

So did these.

Did I mention that I’ve totally come around on the high heeled clog issue? Loving them lately, and they make me feel VERY tall. Though they would make my physical therapist cry.
Random tidbit: the chartreuse ones are a surprisingly good match for our bathroom paint color.

Both pairs of shoes available here.