Happy Friday!

Wow. What a week, huh? Good news is?! You made it to Friday.

So give yourself a nice solid high five and maybe go out for that drink later. You totally deserve it.

1//our typical nightly cuddle session
2//backyard campfires on the holiday weekend
3//the new spot for cat napping
4//the girls
5//snack time in our kitchen -- no big deal
6//awesome shirt award of the week goes to moi
7//heart rings by Handmade by Nicole
8//the best part of spring + warmer weather
9//next project brewing for Handmade by Nicole.. excited?!

Can you believe it's June already? Cause I can't. So many wonderful things to look forward to this month. Can't. Wait.

HAPPY WEEKEND loves.

A & A

Awkward:

- How someone from Western Massachusetts made a video about Western Massachusetts. And actually. It's kind of awesome.

- The chickens are looking like ragamuffins lately. More to come tomorrow in the weekly update.

- Our cat has caught two mice in the past week or so. Did I tell you about how I found one in the toilet at 3:00am? Oh I didn't? Well that's what happened. How the little dude got there is still kind of a mystery. But lets just say, it scared the crap out of my half asleep self and I'm sick of it. So a few days ago I built a mouse barrier for the basement door. You can thank me for saving your lives later little mice.

- Did you guys hear about the woman who fell through the sidewalk in China? Holy scariness. Reason #153 I need wings. Here's the scoop.

- Running into people that you haven't seen in a really long time, plainly because there is a 110% chance that it will in fact, be awkward. So you avoid any situation that threatens the possibility of you seeing them. And regardless, you run into them. Sometimes even literally. And well, it's an awkward situation. (Wow! Good story Nikki, tell it again!)

Awesome:

- Our second dance competition of the season + my birthday weekend. What's better than dance and cake?

- This cover is the most amazing thing my ears have ever heard.

- The Monday night dinners that boyfriend and I have been having so often that it's almost a regular thing. I pick up something after I get done teaching, go to meet him at the shop, we eat, and then I go to rehearsal and he goes back to work. It's the little things I tell ya.
- How well I can improvise and substitute ingredients in recipes. It's like a hidden talent of mine.
- A R T and how much I love it.

Scenes from the weekend

Most All of my weekend was spent at our first dance competition of the season. I couldn't have been more proud of my students. They did a fabulous job but more importantly, they enjoyed themselves and showed so much love and enthusiasm for what they do up on that stage. And that's really what its about..

Other than that, I spent every spare second that I had playing with the baby chicks. They are growing quickly and becoming more friendly with us. I've found ways to trick them into coming into my hand. Like putting their food in the palm of my hand. For whatever reason, they go completely bananas over it. It's the same food that is in their box, yet for some reason they act like they've been starved for the entire week of their lives.

And now for a busy week ahead. Momma's birthday is Friday, so I've got a little planning to do. The opening of mormor is on Saturday (!!!!) and I've got lots of caring and prepping to do for my little ones. This morning, we were joking about how Dana lives in a house with eight ladies. Lucky him.

Enjoy your Monday everyone.

a very special birthday

 Happy Birthday Dad!
You've always taught me that my dreams are never too far out of reach and that there is nothing more important than family. Your endless support and love has never gone unnoticed and I hope you have a wonderful day full of lots of love.

Ti Amo

Twenty minus one is..

a little awkward. Don't you think? I mean.. you can already drive, buy cigarettes (tisk, tisk), gamble, and uhh do other things that are bad. It's just a bizarre age. You just celebrated a serious milestone Birthday.. and now you're in a lull. You're technically an adult and have been for a year already, but you still kinda feel like a kid. Well, at least that's how I felt when I was nineteen.

It's hard for me to remember the details of my life four years ago. I was in college.. had a serious boyfriend.. and was pretty engulfed in my dance education/career choice. I was still working towards and searching for, my best self. And now, a bunch of years later, I can say that looking back, it wasn't as awkward, dramatic or as "bleh" as it seemed at the time. On that note..

Today is the nineteenth Birthday of my lovely baby sister.

So this is for you Seester..

How to Avoid the (sometimes) Awkwardness of Nineteen

(tips from someone who's been there and done that.. also from someone that loves you very much):

Be strong. Be happy. Work really, really hard. Get some sleep. Take deep breaths when you're frustrated and angry. Stay true to what you believe in - especially when you get lost in the every day mumbo-jumbo. Never you loose sight of the things that are important to you,  no matter what others say. Have faith in life, it will work out for the better. Love yourself before you love anyone else. Buy scratch tickets and remember how awesome it was to turn eighteen. Don't stress about the small, petty things in life.. (I've learned from experience). Look at the photos of us from when we were younger often.. they'll always make you smile. Never regret anything that once made you happy. Play dress up. Have a good time. Be brave. Do things that are out of the ordinary for you. Strive for the best. Give yourself credit. Be pretty. Be confident. But most importantly..

Find & be your best self.

Do all that.. and you're chances of feeling awkward during the next year of life will surprising decrease.

No promises, though. It's just my big sister advice.

Okay!?

Good!

Love you.

*Mom!!! Get a tissue already*

Our Weekend - in photos

{Annual Family Picnic} = Two hour drive for food, bocce tournament, sun, more food, family portraits & all the fun in the world.

{Two photos below}: Our team - the daughters and boyfriends - getting ready to play the most competitive and important bocce tournament e v e r. Our team came in second place - after we beat one of the best teams my parents, grandmother and aunt.. the one's who taught us to play!

Cutie-Patuties

 

Weren't we?!

Yeah.. not much has changed.

Except we have teeth.

---
{I love my sister & the feeling I get when I look at these photos}

A little something.. just for you

 via

 Since this weekend is our studio's dance recital, I will be away from my laptop until further notice.

Recovery time varies - so it could be a few days folks.

Just wanted to share a good laugh with you all until I return.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Pray for me..