L is for London

Written by leslie. Posted on January 26, 2012. Filed under Memory Lane, Twintuition. 2 Comments.

I am overjoyed to note that London shares my fascination with putting ideas to paper. These days, she takes advantage of every opportunity to cheer, announce, or document by way of the written word. For instance, within minutes of her occasional sent to her room, there will inevitably be a note thrown over the banister or sent down by way of sibling:


(Mom can I have a story
How about one for each person
I miss you
Have a great time)

Here are some of the more latest gems.
Be it a tea party, bowling match, or stuffed animal show, London is always in charge of the advertising.


(Now it’s time for the owls
Now please no cell phones or noise in
If your baby’s crying go out)

Any member of the family who is under the weather will always receive a pick me up. The black heart is my favorite.

(Dear Maddy
We love you with all our hearts in love
Love, London and Olivia)

After an instance of accidentally running into an already-upset Olivia, there was this:

(I’m sorry Olivia
How can I help you.
How about I leave you alone.)

Late at night as I collect little mountains of the day’s treasures, inevitably, taped to the wall, a memory of this moment in time, when she is six. Each page is unique, like a snowflake falling heaven-sent from the sky. Each one a gateway to a memory. The bowling party complete with homemade confetti. The restaurant where the server, chef, hostess, and dishwasher were all the same person. St. Patty’s Day. Someday I will read these more intently than the pages of any novel. Pages in the book of life, a story through her tender eyes.

The Pleasantest of Mounts

Written by leslie. Posted on January 23, 2012. Filed under Festivities, Memory Lane. 1 Comment.

In the midst of the chaos that holidays and weddings bring, there is always serenity in San Pete county. Naps! Sewing! Cousins! and finally, a much-needed date night of Mexican food and Sherlock Holmes 2. Memories of my children cozy and nestled and loved by their grandparents. The unmistakable tune of ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ on the ukelele coming from the office; upon opening the door I will always remember this scene.

I always leave Mt. Pleasant feeling quite refreshed; equipped with new recipes and books and exactly the parenting advice I needed to hear. Where else could a person ever find such peace of mind, not to mention, the clarity that comes from watching and discussing the extended version of Lord of the Rings (naturally after having finished reading the series). And a drive through Thistle to top it off, where the girls have become quite fascinated with the concept of ghost towns. Pleasant it was, and always will be.

H + M

Written by leslie. Posted on January 11, 2012. Filed under Families are Forever, Festivities. 3 Comments.

A couple of Barlow hiccups that happened just days before the big day (some have accused me of sabotage!):
1. Olivia bashes her forehead open, only to repaired with purple Derma-bond in lieu of stitches.
2. Jack goes to Sports Cuts to get a trim and comes back looking like Frodo Baggins; however, said haircut is eclipsed by the mysterious, leprosy looking rash all over his body, which cleared up about as quickly as it came.
Hiccups aside, it still was a miracle everything came together all the way from Texas.

These two, however–
effortless.
The perfect fairy tale kind of day.
Have you ever seen a more beautiful bride?


    


I heard an audible gasp when my girls made their debut.
How many little girls dream of being flower girls?
This day alone proved my mom to a shopping Olympian.

     

A friend witnessed the scene behind this shot: my three little flower girls are running to and fro, twirling and darting around table and guest alike. Olivia trips and falls, spilling all of her petals. The twins scurry around and finally, return each petal to the basket, sending them all back on their way….

     

If ever there is someone to give a speech, it is my dad.
If ever someone to serenade his new bride, it is Marshall.
My brother and Olivia bust a move on the dance floor.
I kept the Kleenex quite handy.


I keep coming back to this moment.
Magical.
M: To you we extend-
A very heartfelt welcome to the family.

(*The wedding pics keep trickling in. I do not take credit for all, nor can I pinpoint their sources!)

A Davis Family Christmas

Written by leslie. Posted on January 9, 2012. Filed under Festivities, Memory Lane. 1 Comment.

Yikes, I can’t believe I kept the shot of me in a Poinsettia vest + Ryan in a ‘stache up for almost a month.
That said, we are back from Utah, folks.
Christmas was every bit as magical as when I was a kid (how was that possible?). I think it had to do with the fact that it was also a family reunion. We had some newbies this year so, as expected, the traditions went up a notch. Case in point:
The infamous ‘matching pajamas on Christmas Eve’ ritual & fashion shoot to follow…


Topped off by a caroling session, reading of Luke 2, and the ever so important putting out of reindeer food (sparkly oats). Best part of the night: persuading Marshall to jingle some bells past the twins’ bedroom door circa midnight, even throwing in a convincing ‘ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!’ Second only to my setting the Christmas ham on fire.

Games and dessert and laughing with my sisters.
How many hundred-pieces of Noah’s Ark/Amish Quilt puzzles?
Pretty sure it was the fulness of joy.
Christmas morning:

Build-a-Bears designed especially by the girls, complete with birth certificates. I loved that L & M named theirs according to color (Pinky and Purple), and Oliva’s–Happy.

      

Hand-squeezed Christmas morning Orange Juice, so thick you have to chew it. A little trip over to Riverwoods where there is the most fantastic Christmas setup. If ever a dull moment in life I will be thinking of Jocelyn + London trying to recreate the Nutcracker smile. A spin on the carousel with Jack. This moment marks the very beginning of the troops trickling in for the wedding. The best is yet to come…

Festivities 2011

Written by leslie. Posted on December 15, 2011. Filed under Memory Lane, Twintuition. 1 Comment.


The ugly sweater party. Who cares that mine was technically a vest? It was all worth it for the second place chucky meets john travolta prize ornament hanging from our tree that may kill us in our sleep. Not to mention, who knew that the bump it, and mustache for that matter, could do wonders for ones cheekbones?


The next day, a complete 180, I took the girls to Ballet Austin’s production of the nutcracker. As expected, the girls loved it slash couldn’t get over how hungry & tired they were. Maybe we’ll stick with the Barbie Nutcracker for a few more years?


Loved the 1st grade Christmas show. A handful of songs, and to be politically correct, one about Hanukkah. My all-time favorite, Jammin in our jammies, I’ve been hearing since before Halloween. Feast your eyes on these lyrics, but imagine with hand motions:

Mama in her nightgown, Daddy in his flannel pants
Santa is the deejay, spinnin’ in his pj’s now
Let’s dance!

Hope you are having a warm and festive season!