Poor Max

His teeth are SO sore. I think the pink and orange color combo are nice though

and a good time was had by all....

Karin graduated












G celebrated

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

Talking head

Had to take a "head shot" of Aaron. He was exhausted after a long day @ the beach and a ball game.

A good friend of ours called to say that they were looking for a boy to play Max in a movie being made based on "Where the wild Things Are". She thought of Aaron. At first he was not interested but then decided that he wanted to try it out. It so happened that auditions were the same day we would be in Boston. This is why Aaron and I found ourselves sitting with a group of child actors and their incredibly annoying parents. Aaron had a great time. Really enjoyed himself. So all in all it was a good experience.

I found it interested that while he and I played the shape game there were some very odd things happening around us. One father brought his head shot and was harrassing his son about getting into character. Mothers were listening at the doors. Kids were stressed out and one boy was having a full on conversation with an imaginary person... poor kid ended up have a fight with his I.F. The two parents next to me were talking about how their sons were on play dough boxes. They kept on using the term "us" rather than he. Not that I have never done that... we do a lot together and out lives are very intertwined but this was something much deeper.

this experience really made me realize how wonderful my boys really are.

oh... headshots. The parents were also talking about these. I saw some and they were HORRIBLE. tacky "kid" poses and much too contrasty. damn....

We then went to a great party for Harvards masters students. Was a blast...I think the boys enjoyed the music (a live big band) much more than they though they would!

The other day I decided that I would put on my investigative reporter hat and find out what really happens in our home when all humans are away.

Here's my story: First I quietly sat in a corner for a while, wanted the current inhabitants to forget that I was there and act normal. At least stop requesting that I feed or pet them.


After a while they seemed to settle into their positions. Henry dutifully watching one entrance. Mica, the other.

After a while boredom set in. Mica seemingly decided that she needed to spice things up with Henry.

taking the bait Henry and Mica tousled for a while.

Then checked in to make that all was "cool"

Guess it was... decided to make my exit here.

Pretty

My favorite spring flower

light-weight

Went for a follow up visit with my doc today. Heard I am pretty funny on drugs.... so happy that I can make the doctors laugh. It was suggested that I stay away from any drug over 5mg... for any reason.

Besides the realization that I do not have a future as a hard core druggie everything went fine and I am well on my way to walking again.

This is how Aidan and G looked to me after surgery.

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...

Here is a story about the Sudanese immigrant populationin Portland by Scott Simon of NPR. If you have the chance listen.


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5370972

Take me out to the ball game

The beginning of the most boring game in history. Due to there being so many kids on his team he was only up at bat once and in the field during one inning. We're hoping that it was a fluke and not a sign of things to come.

Here is Aidan waiting for a pitch. He was walked... I was just pleased that he didnt' get hit by the ball (the pitcher did hit 2 kids before him)



Aaron and G's game was much more exciting. this ball in front o f Aaron is just about to be hit into center field.

Gabriel has requested that his coached called him G-Man (they asked). So... here is G-Man about to hit another pretty good hit down the baseline (are you inpressed with how many baseball terms I know)

Our long cold day was saved by the lovely water and island view.

Some of G-Mans fans.

The suspense of the day was really getting to Max.

I promise to never write about baseball again.

"Please Mama Please"

Aaron wants a...

I want

the Nellie McKay cd. from what I heard it's pretty great. Just thought I'd let ya know.

Papa Heaven

Crossword and chess. could it get any better?!



doing the crossword with Papa

another item to add to your wish list

found this at wishingfish.com what can I say?

silly mistake

lucky for me I have Air American radio up here in Maine. A caller was able to share a wee bit of an error that has caused much pain and suffering in our great nation. God does not hate homosexuals... God hates figs. are you doubtful? here is the site that has some very relevant biblical quotes and what YOU can do to rid of this pesky fruit:

http://godhatesfigs.com/

What a week it was

We had a very busy week. First we had a lovely visit from Ethan and Nana then we traveled down to Somerville and Cape Cod to visit our family and friends. We were lucky enough to also see some exotic animals that one would normaly not expect to see in New England.

This is Harvey the Llama. He lives on Pertersons Farm in Falmouth

Harvey's job is to watch over the sheep. We noticed that Harvey was VERY good at his job

We also saw a monkey


+

monkeys are good at making people laugh, this monkey was also VERY good at it's job.

The way life should be???

Blue Bag Blues It could become more than twice as expensive to generate trash in Portland if the City Council approves a proposal to more than double the price of city trash bags. A pack of ten 15-gallon bags or five 30-gallon bags now costs $4.75. The proposal would raise that to $10 for either size package. The price hike would take effect Sept. 1. City Manager Joe Gray included those price increases in his new budget proposal, which the council will formally consider early next month. The price increases are intended to help defray the cost of several major, new recycling initiatives.

While I do think that having the trash bags be expensive at 4.75 is good since people have recylced more. but 10.00!!!!

Thank you for smoking

My mom and I saw this tonight. Was Great. A must see. I wish that Max could see it but it there was too sexy sex scene. With Katie Holmes... though she did a great job all I could think of was Tom Cruise. yuck.

purdy

David's

Tonight Chris stayed with the boys and my mom and I went to David's for drinks. Their Guinness keg blew so I had 2 Bass'. So much fun. What I think made me most happy was that I felt like we were in Ireland. Just in the way that we were out have a pint in a nice little place with no where to "run". I wonder did I love being in Ireland or not on a timeclock??

hmmm....

How much candy can one eat in a day? a lot... actually right now Gabriel is doing his best to finish a lovely Lindt chocolate bunny.

Happy Easter!!!!

All alone in the world

At first Max wasnt' too thrilled with our 2 miles trek the other day.

A Raccoon!!!

We were so surprised to find a Raccoon in the wild!!!

Sitting in the front seat.

His dream has come true. He is a navigator in training.

G is here

oh my!!!

here it is.

black and red

We painted Max's room. black and red!! though it is dark it does look very cool. looks like a teenagers room. crazy? yes?

last summer