Snugly Friends

I'm nervous and excited to officially role out my little home business, Snugly Friends. I've been working on a new blog to dedicate to the business and appreciate the feedback while I've been getting it ready. Please feel free to keep that feedback coming!

I have been fortunate to have many of you refer my little Snugly Friends to your friends, family, and acquaintances. I SO very much appreciate you helping to spread the word and for the business. Thank you! Please feel free to visit my new blog or pass along the address to anyone that would like to order a friend. (www.snuglyfriends.blogspot.com)

I'll be working to build up my stock of SF in the upcoming months, and get my "business feet" underneath me. I've got a few more friends on the way that will be added as I get them finished, so check back periodically.

I have been asking for a lot of advice over the past few months and I appreciate those of you that I've been inundating with all things related to my critters. I can't express how much I appreciate all the feedback and support! I wouldn't be this far without all your help, so a huge "Thank You!" to each of you!

Snow in the AM, Surf in the PM

Thursday morning we woke up to rain, freezing rain, snow, then a small blizzard as we carefully made our way to the airport. Fast forward a few hours and by noon we were landing in San Diego and a couple hours later we were sitting on Pacific Beach eating fish tacos, watching the boys play in the sand and ocean. Life can be pretty awesome in moments like those.

We spent the rest of the weekend dodging the cold and enjoyed a super relaxing weekend enjoying the beach and sunshine. It was an awesome mini vaca.

After spending our first night in San Diego, we headed North a bit and stayed the following three nights in Dana Point across from Doheny State Beach. We were spoiled with a short walk to the beach and visited every day. The waves were big and loud and had a way of delivering instant relaxation.

If our little trip wasn't already great, I got the added bonus of visiting with my friend and previous roommate from my CT days. Crystal and her son Luke live in the town next to Dana Point and I got lots of face time with her. Our visit was long overdue, 7+ years. It was awesome to see her. We enjoyed a little girl time over drinks Friday night, met up at her place for a BBQ on Saturday followed up by a bonfire on the beach in her neighborhood, and on Sunday she and Luke came and hung out with us at the hotel pool, visited the beach, and joined us for dinner to finish up the weekend.

We're already planning a return trip in July, this time for a little camping trip to celebrate Crystal and Luke's birthdays. It was great to see my friend and her son, and great to have some family time with Darius and the boys. To come home relaxed from a trip is always a good sign that we did it right.

"High Five, Who's Five!?!"

"When I'm a big kid...." It's becoming a daily comment of Ben and Zach. They're already craving for the things to come as they get older, and they made a big step towards those musings this past week when they turned five.

Five?! Really?

We had planned to throw them a little party, but unfortunately the boys and I all came down with a stomach bug during the days leading up to their birthday, so we opted for a little family day instead. I think it was pretty awesome day by their standards.

They started out with some gifts, followed up by toast. Joy brought them some costumes to dress up in and lots of books, including their first copy of Dr. Seuss' Happy Birthday to You!

 

 We lucked up and had gorgeous weather. It was definitely a day to enjoy the outdoors. After presents, breakfast, and cake frosting/decorating, we got ready and headed out to City Creek. We gave the boys a little birthday spending money and let them pick out whatever they wanted. Ben was thrilled to find a Zurg Blaster at the Disney Store. He first saw it at a store in Downtown Disney while we were in Florida and begged me for the better part of an hour for it. Needless to say, he was thrilled at the chance to get his paws on it. The boys got some playtime in at the kids dino play area, and after exchanging some clothes for them and a visit to the fountains, we headed out.

Zach opted to spend his loot at Toys R Us and thoroughly visited nearly every aisle, pausing and ogling over the toys that were all naturally outside his means. He finally made his picks after a little nudging, and on we went to enjoy the sunshine at Liberty Park. It was SO nice outside, and the boys had fun playing and chatting it up with the other kids and parents on the playground.

The boys have only been to an Arctic Circle once before, but when we passed one on the way to the park, they decided that's where they wanted to go for lunch. Maybe it had something to do with the creepy, buggy-eyed Spring creatures they wanted with their meals. I almost feel bad to admit that they quickly found their way to the trash can...almost!

I got extremely lazy this year with their cake and went the easy route with an edible image, slapped it on their cake and called it good. I promised myself after last year's cake drama that I wouldn't spend hours working on their cake(s) this year. I only have a mild case of guilt, and I think that's pretty good for me.

Since the boys' bellies were still a little off from their 24-hr bugs, they didn't have appetites and didn't hound us for birthday cake. We were able to hold off until late in the evening and had some special visitors join us for the blowing out of the candles. Bobby, Carrie and Archer (we felt incredibly lucky he came too) got their first chance to join us for the boys' birthday and it's definitely time they got a turn. We loved that they came to celebrate with us.

Ok, so what's the trick to getting a great cake/burning candles shot? I have yet to get a really good one, and I'd like to figure it out before next year. Tips anyone?

I haven't allowed myself much time to contemplate this milestone. I'm kinda glad I've avoided it too. I can only think about it in small doses. I'm happy for what's to come for them and (as hard as it sometimes) their increasing need for more independence. I don't openly admit it to many, but halfway through the night the boys still find their way to our bed. Ben usually seeks out Darius and Zach finds me. I know it's not going to last much longer and that makes me very sad. Even with elbows and feet to the face, I never sleep as sound until one of my snuggle bugs is cuddled up next to me.

The boys recently got bunk beds and on most nights they sleep (half the night) together on the top bunk. Last night Ben was laying quietly next to a sleeping Zach, and I could just see the wheels turning in his head. I knew sleep wasn't visiting him anytime soon, so I invited him to get up and join me for a little while. He was full of questions and asked me if he was still five. I told him yes. He asked me what would happen if he wasn't five anymore. I told him after he was all done being five, he'd be six.

I'm happy that's still a year away.

The Original March Birthday

More than half of the original Canfields were able to get together to celebrate Joy's last day in her twenties. Today marks her official third decade in life, but lucky for Joy and her slowing-aging skin type, (a little fact I learned over our meal) she can easily claim she's still in her mid-twenties.

Michel, Clair, Connie, and I all met ahead of time at Ruth's Diner to surprise Joy. When Carrie pulled up with her, the look on her face was priceless.

Our speed-demon bro took advantage of the gorgeous day and Immigration turned out to be his first canyon ride on his bike.

There was a long wait for a table, but the mild weather made our wait outside enjoyable. We serenaded Joy with a mish mash of birthday songs.

During the week I helped Joy edit a paper for one of her classes. The assignment was for her to describe herself and who she is. I like to think that I know Joy pretty well, but there's always something new to learn about someone, especially when you're reading about them in their own words. While we worked on her paper we discussed the ways people evolve and change over their lifetime, how we have the ability to reinvent ourselves, and how our childhoods play a key role in the development of our personalities. I got the sense that Joy is at a point in her life where she has a clear idea of the direction she's headed. She's excited for what's to come and all the possibilities available to her.

Joy, Carrie, and I have commented before about being black sheep in the family, but Joy will take it a bit further and claim she's more like a purple spotted goat. She lives her life openly and doesn't edit herself. Some may find it abrasive, but I find it refreshing. I've always admired her ability to put herself out there.

My sly sister Carrie helped me plan the little surprise for Joy. I was so happy for facetime with her and the rest of my siblings.

What a trip to grow up with seven siblings and watch over time the different paths we have taken. As distinct as we all are, I love that we are learning to be more open and transparent with each other, more willing to ask for help and support. It's a challenge to find the time to get together with everyone, but the payoff is worth the effort.

Happy Birthday Joy! Thanks for an awesome reason to gather. I'm looking forward to your next decade in life and all the awesomeness it's sure to hold. Cheers to you!

L.O.V.E....continued

Why try to cram it all in one post eh?

I've mentioned before how I first came to really love Valentine's Day, but I've found over the years that the reasons behind my affection for it have only grown. It's kind of like one of those balls of rubber bands. I keep adding things to my ball o' love each year, and when the day arrives, I love taking the time throughout the day to really examine it and appreciate how much it's grown over the years.

Here are a few of my favorites past/current that stood out to me this year:

Back when I first lived in NJ and worked as a nanny, the family I lived with had a unique way of expressing their love for each other anytime it came to saying goodbye. They would say fingers, sign I love you, and touch fingers. It has stayed with me throughout the years and is impossible not to think of whenever I think about them.

In grade school, whenever I was preparing Valentines for my classmates, I recall saving the most affectionately titled Conversation Hearts for the boys in class I had a crush on. I'm sure the boys were oblivious.

My friend Patti in NJ called a left me a lovely message, knowing it was my favorite holiday.

Sitting with Ben and stringing paper hearts to hang up in our apartment.

The little things Darius does. Washes dishes leftover from the night before....I love unexpectedly waking up to a clean kitchen! Cleans the apartment while I'm out. Takes the boys for haircuts. Calls me every morning when he has a break. The list goes on...

My boys. Their excitement. Their hugs and kisses. The way they tell me they love me.

All my family and friends. There are so many of them, and they're each unique and have such amazing qualities that I love.


Love is unique to each of us. How we feel it, express it, respond to it. It grows, morphs over the years, and takes on new meaning as life progresses. We find love in places we may not have expected. It's surprising. I love that about love.

I love love.