Gabriel's Birthday Party

This 5 year old boy will soon turn 6. We are planning his party for June 11. More details to come. He wants a baseball party and Max's band to play. From the boy who has had a danger party and a punk party.. no surprise.





We did make him list some gift ideas. Never an easy task. Here it goes:

-a kitten
-a puppy
-tickets to a Cubs game
-a sleeping bag
-a toy sword with sheath
-baseball cards
-Healeys (sp?? sneakers with rollar skates)
-tracing paper
-boogie board
-magic set
-new Chicago Cubs pj's (size 6)
-backyard soccer computer game
-converse sneakers with fire (size 11)


Dad, you asked.

Today was filled with baseball, a wonderful hike and a trip to our friends new home. We are all looking forward to a restful Sunday. Aidan wants to put together a baseball game with his friends. fun.... I can never get enough baseball.

I go in for surgery Wednesday @ 6. Of course more photo jobs came my way this week than have in months. Wish I could postpone surgery but will be adult about this. Just hope that I will on my feet soon. Got a nice note from VegNews saying that Portland will be included in the best Veg places to live. In part from my little piece. They want some more photos. don't think I will be able to take much from my bedroom. damn. I did decide to send the Veg Ireland article but do not think it's vegan friendly enough for them. we'll see.

The boys are great!! Karin graduates and leaves for China soon!! Dad made it safely home from Italy!!

This photo always makes me smile

Maybe...

A busy yet quaint town in Holland



















The Manoa Valley in Hawaii














casually exploring the classical art and architecture in Rome










a cafe in Argentina

a change of view

The last time I was out of New England was when I was in Ireland. So these are all I currently have to offer. I am feeling the need for a completely different landscape. Not sure what... not desert, not tropical, not city.

Maybe since I have chosen all rural landscapes to show here that is what I am wanting. maybe.

Walking the Walk

Writer Steve Almond quit his job at Boston College after hearing that Condoleezza Rice was invited to give the commencement speech at this years graduation.

Read his letter of resignation:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/05/12/condoleezza_rice_at_boston_college_i_quit?mode=PF


During his reading today he was asked about this by a person in the audience. Though 2 people did walk out (bye buye) he handled it in a most articulate and responsible manner.
GO STEVE!!

On a side note, a woman with a cooing baby left due to heavy hinting from Steve. Seems baby noises are almost as offensive as Condi.

G

We are a family with 2 members that go by the name of G, Gabriel and Giovanni. Interestly enough my Gabriel has a friend at school whose older brothers goes by G. who knew??

Many of you have not been able to see Giovanni in a while because his mean horrible parents moved him away from everyone to Colorado. At least WE only moved to Maine. (okay... there are really not mean and horrible but we sure do miss them)

Anyway... here he is...Doesn't he look like an angel!?

Happy Mothers Day

Though I have always referred to mothers day as a Hallmark holiday, I recently have learned to enjoy it. I think that the fact Chris and I share a birthday has contributed to my new appreciation of this faux holiday.

The boys let me sleep in until 10ish, then served me breakfast in bed and showered me with lovely hand made cards and gifts. Plus a photography book I have hinting around about. Then we were on our way out to run around and take photos!

We went to our favorite summer haunt, Kettle Cove, where the boys were going to let me take photos of them. But it was really just too cold for us so we went home and played charades and such.

Happy Birthday PaPa!!!

biggest goober of them all

Aidan wanted to watch American Idol. I was worried about what kind of garbage would accompany this program (commercials, product placement, etc..) so I watched with him. I now must admit that despite the crappy songs I enjoy it and am very sad that Chris Daughtry was voted off.

There. I said it.

Max's play

I went back and read this post. found MANY typos!! I wonder why anyone puts up with me!

A few months ago Max was asked to join a group of boys to write a play for Boys to Men (conference not the band!!) about masculinity and sports. The play will be put on during the conference by a few local actors. Aidan, Kyle and I went to the rehearsal a while back, we were both impressed.

If a raccoon, car and music were combined

This is what you'd get. A Raccoon music mobile.

It is up at city hall for the Portland Schools art show.

Summer hair

Ari and Aidan have already requested that I remove all of thier lovely hair for the summer.

Had a little fun with Aidan's head. Even he was shocked at how funny he looked.

Ari looks like Curious George. Lately he has been opposed to having his photograph taken so I am going to have to catch him some other time.

Just in case you missed this

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/05/03/145234&mode=thread&tid=25

Max's school did a project on Colonial Lives and created a Portland Historical trail.

Here is Max's piece:

http://king.portlandschools.org/documents/cobblestones/files/lives/maxb/maxb.html

Big News!!!

Sammy is going to be a big brother!!!

Joelle is due November 13th. She had Sammy 10 days before her due date (on Max's b'day)... if she has this baby 10 days early it will share a b'day with Aaron.

Does he look thrilled or aghast?

The East School

Some of the photos from the photography class I taught last fall are on display at the Portland Public Library this month. The East School has a window in the main branch.

Check it out!!!

tips I've learned

the good Irish tea is often found CHEAP at The Christmas Tree Shop.

A while back I stocked up on Barry's. We have now run out (as did the Christmas tree shop) so I bought Dublin tea which tastes just as nice.

Very nice European moisturizer can be found CHEAP at Marshalls.

I have found some great products. Even Perlier which I would buy at Nieman Marcus in the old days...the days I could afford such luxuries.

just thought I'd share. cheep cheep...