Parenting | Childhood Myths

Brunch at The Whitney

May 20, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

What a beautiful day we had yesterday…in all ways! A gorgeous Michigan spring day, my most favorite people in the world, and a delicious brunch at an elegant, old Detroit mansion!!

love

Every single bite of food was amazing! From scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and wonderful potatoes to jambalaya, shrimp and grits, beef and mashed potatoes, and prime rib. Then to a salad station and a bread station. After eating all this and having unending mimosas…upstairs to a dessert station!! I had bananas foster for the first time…yum!!!

S and L

C and S

Then the architecture…just incredible! Brunch is served in all of the many different rooms….a fireplace in each one, elegant service, happy people. I’d do it again in a minute:))

this is a ceiling!!

stairways and railings...

Maybe you remember how I love piano music….:) The piano player was stationed right next to us, and I was delighted by his masterful playing along with his absolutely engaging personality ( he just loved playing!)….

celebrating L's birthday...piano player played 'Happy Birthday' for her:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: angels, appreciation, beauty, birthdays, fun, having fun, joyful, love, parenting, photos, smile

A Lovely Day

May 13, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

I had a delightful day yesterday with my favorite people in the whole world…these guys:

We had brunch where these two will be married this summer:

C and S:

with S’s Mom and Dad:

and her brother and sister (missing one brother)

S and L:

L’s Mom (missing her brother):

This beautiful day included brunch, flowers, wine and very special gifts that only my boys would know that I would LOVE…a weather station to replace a broken one and a very simple bottle of soap with a smell that I love…They always impress me with their caring, loving ways:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: angels, brothers, families, family fun, family photos, flowers, giving thanks, joyful, joyful holidays, love, parenting, photos, receiving gifts, smile, thank yous

Happy Mother’s Day

May 12, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Today is a day for celebrating moms. So hurray to my mom…the lovely Helen!!! I just found a few more photos to share with you. She will have to wait to see them until I visit again since she does not ‘do computers’!!

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Splurge on yourself and have some fun….I love you lots:)))

Everyone….celebrate your moms…they deserve it!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, families, family photos, giving thanks, love, parenting, photos

Favorite Quote

May 10, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

Some of my favorite bloggers have been doing an ‘Every Day in May’ blog….way too adventurous for me:)) But there are some great topics that I may have to try here and there during the rest of the month!

Today’s topic: What is your favorite quote?

That is not an easy thing for me to answer because I love inspirational quotes of all kinds. But one quote has been a part of my life for what seems like forever:

“DO WHAT’S BEST FOR KIDS!”

In all ways, at all times, by all people…this should be uppermost in all of our minds. Doing what’s right both educationally and emotionally for our kids will lead to the most important characteristics becoming those that lead these kids successfully into the future. Ignoring the academics doesn’t work, but neither does ignoring the emotional. For those who try to maintain a businesslike atmosphere in schools…shame on you! Learning comes in all forms but must be integrated into the whole person and all centers of the brain. Whether you are a parent, teacher, administrator, or businessman on the street….please use your brain and your heart to influence those who influence our children.

Whew! I guess I got that off my chest, huh?

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, behavior, beliefs, children, education, families, improving the world, inspiration, intentions, methods, parenting, quotes

Quilts from Memories

April 27, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

After completing quilts for both Chad and Scott….do you remember….made from t-shirts I kept after their dad died. Each quilt was made from more than 45 shirts, 12 x 12 squares or pieces formed into that size. My lovely neighbor sewed the pieces together after I pinned them in the order I wanted. Then I used batting and a backing and hand-sewed them together….YOW! I am. not. a seamstress and therefor wrecked my fingers on each quilt. BUT I loved that I could give each boy a lovely memory quilt to remind them of their most awesome father:)))

Here is Scott’s

7' across and 7' down!!!

And here is Chad’s

same size

After giving my fingers a break, I decided I needed a quilt of my own. So combining F2′s shirts with some of my old shirts also…here is the front of my quilt. I haven’t decided yet what to do with the back…less than I did with the boys, I think.

this was how I started...

good, huh?

And then some up close and personal views…do you recognize any of these??

for my Monfort buddies...and Dave and Jodi:)

for F2's Teke buddies

for my Alpha Chi sisters

for remembering the Crary and Fink boat:)

Memories of all kinds….that’s what it’s all about!!! Make sure you keep every memory you might want later…time is fleeting!! Love my quilt:)))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, beauty, brothers, carpe diem, families, follow-through, giving thanks, goals, happiness, having fun, inspiration, intentions, methods, parenting

Joyful Thursdays #59

April 11, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

What brings you joy, makes you happy, gives you peace? Here are some photos, quotes, and thoughts that make me joyful.

Joyful Thursdays #59

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

1) celebrating Scott’s birthday at Mongolian BBQ…hilarious!

yum

grillin' up the food..

poor Scott...ha, ha...foil helmet and singing "I'm a Little Teapot"

at least he was rewarded with a free sundae!

oh, no...poor puppy was afraid of the new look!!

2) being able to help teachers with their unending testing….I brought home some theme tests to grade at home

stacks of them

3) had book club this week…book was Fall of Giants by Ken Follett, next month The Kitchen House and then The Forgotten Garden

thought this was hilarious!!

I hope you are having a delightful Thursday:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: beliefs, birthdays, book, book clubs, brothers, education, family photos, happiness, Happiness Tuesdays, having fun, joyful, joyful Thursdays, love, methods, parenting, photos, quotes, reading

Happy Birthday, Scott!

April 5, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Another beautiful day for a special birthday…

Happy Birthday, Scott:)))))

Lots of Love to a wonderful son….I’m so proud of the man you have become….you’re awesome!!

…and of course, a few reminders of a smaller you…

Happy Birthday, then and now!!!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: birthdays, brothers, children, families, family photos, joyful, love, parenting, photos, Scott

Thank You, MOPs!!

February 26, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Last night Chad and I spoke at a MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) meeting in Macomb. What a great bunch of ladies!!! Lots of fun, lots of discussion, and hopefully for them lots of hints! A couple of little ones were there to add to the atmosphere…baby talk is always welcome:))

This is what we love to do, so let us know if you’d like us to come speak to your group…

talking about family life is what it's all about:)

we actually sold some of these last night!!

Finding ways to share our message is always important to us. The meeting last night helped to invigorate us with some new energy…so thank you very much MOPs:)

lovin' them when they're little and lovin' them when they're bigger!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: behavior, being involved, book, children, education, families, giving thanks, goals, helping, inspiration, intentions, methods, parenting, respect, thank yous

Wine Tasting

February 24, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

The boys, girls, and I went to a wine tasting in Romeo last night! It was a Christmas gift from my sweet-peas:) I didn’t realize there was a winery in the small town of Romeo, but sure enough…they have been there for about 5 years. It was great fun!! We learned just enough, drank just enough, and bought just enough to make it a perfect evening. Then we headed down the street for a little dinner.

Another lovely evening spent with my favorite folks…love them so much!!