Movie Monday: And so it begins..

Wordless Wednesday - Heat Wave

WHHHAAAAATTT??!!

What sunscreen Mommy?  I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about or why you are so upset.  I was just sitting in here quietly twiddling my thumbs. Is there something on my face? (and the towels, and the carpet, and my clothes?)

Top Ten Tuesday

Ten Things I Miss About Northwest Ohio (a.k.a. "home")

1. My parents

2. Friends that have known me for many many years

3. Tiny's Dairy Barn

4. Straight roads

5.  Drive in movies

6.  Metroparks

7. Summer nights and listening to the racetrack in the distance.

8.  Thunderstorms

9.  porch swings

10. ponds to swim and dive into

Ten Things I Love About Central Illinois (a.k.a. "home")

1.  My in-laws

2. Friends that I adore

3. Laura Bradley Park and Glen Oak

4. Moss Avenue Sales

5. Farmer's Markets

6. Artist Communities

7. Summer nights and listening to the racetrack in the distance.

8.  Summer of Dustiny with friends

9.  Thunderstorms

10. Eating outside in the Heights

paint me a picture

A few weeks ago one of my blogging friends, Cori, had a portrait of her two-year old son done by this amazing artist.  I instantly fell in love with the portrait AND idea (like so many of her great ideas) and had complete plans to steal it and get a portrait of Miles done.  In the meantime I remembered that one of my dearest friends is actually an amazing artist that illustrates children's books.  We actually graduated from college together and did our senior art shows together, so it would only be fitting that one of Miles' honorary "aunties" would create a portrait of him.  I didn't really give her much direction, I just told her what "things" I wanted to capture about his life right now.  I wanted a portrait that sort of engulfed who he is at this juncture of his life..... the simplicity of being two.

All I can say is that she did an AMAZING job.  All I did was send a few photographs of things, and Miles and she did an awesome job putting them together in a cartoon illustration of my little boy.  I couldn't be happier.

I love that she captured all of Miles' favorite cars and trucks (notice the minivan with only one tire and no doors).  If you get a chance you MUST check out her work at www.heidibg.com.
After she did Miles' portrait she also did one of her own son, J and is currently working on one for our other friend.

Thanks HIFI for an AWESOME keepsake.  And thanks Cori for the AWESOME idea.  I've got big plans for it. :)

**(could I possibly use the word "awesome" more?)**

loss.

Yesterday my youngest brother lost one of his best friends in a terrible motorcycle accident.  This boy was his travel companion while he was in New Zealand, and his current roommate.  On the same day my brother also found out that he got an awesome job that is perfect for his recently accrued major.  As he packs up his friend's belongings to send back to his parents in Iowa I can't help but feel incredibly sad for him.  I know that I have no right to cry for someone I never knew, but is it okay to cry for my baby brother - who is still alive, healthy, and having to go through such loss in an intense and stressful time of his life?  Is it selfish of me to feel sadness for him, when I still have him alive and well?  I can't decide.  Until someone tells me otherwise I will sit here and shed tears for the brother I love and the friend he will miss.

Project: Fall in Love With Peoria - End of June report

Oh boy, I have a lot to report on.  The W-F's have been very busy being wooed by our beloved city, and I don't at all mean that in a sarcastic way. :)

Chiefs Game - our local Triple A baseball team is a big deal here in P-town.  At least to some people.  We love it because every once in awhile we get to catch a glimpse of an injured Cubs player that is recovering on the Peoria Chiefs.  This year for Dustin's 30th I threw a surprise birthday party for him at one of their games.  We did it up right, complete with a luxury suite for all of Dustin's (our) friends, a birthday cake, and even running the bases after the game.  The best part was that he was actually surprised.

Girl's Day Out - I had a very exciting day out with some of my good friends that allowed us to really explore some great things about Peoria.  Farmers Markets: On Saturday mornings in the summer P is bustling with two very different, and very impressive farmers markets.  The first, in the Metro Center is packed full of veggies, herbs, homemade pasta, and plants.  Although this FM happens everyday during the week, Saturday is definitely its busiest time.  The FM downtown only happens on Saturdays and specializes in handmade art/craft items, as well as local organic produce.  Both were very busy. 

After both farmers markets I took the boys and stopped at my favorite place to find goods for making jewelry.  Illinois Antique Center is located right across the street from the downtown farmer's market and was having a vendor sale where I scored these awesome finds for a future headband project I have planned. 

Plus, one of the owners (who we know and Miles adores) gave Miles an old truck magazine to look at while we walked around. jack.pot.  Later that day, post naps, we went childless and husbandless to 309 - a new restaurant in Junction City.  It was delicious and the conversation was fantastic.  A great way to end a great day.

Great friends visit - What do you show your good friends who reside in Portland, OR, possibly the coolest city in world when they come to visit? (Especially when they come on a Sunday and Monday - Peoria's too most boring nights?) 

We started out with the Heights.  Being self-proclaimed coffee snobs (I think that people from that area pride themselves in having distinguished tastes in....well, everything) we took them to our local coffee roaster and shop.  Leaves and Beans has long been a favorite of ours and our friends loved it too.  From there we went on a walk down Grand View Drive (overlooking the river and mansions of P) and then checked out the boutique shops of the Heights. 

We finished up with lunch at Cyd's, which I'm ashamed to say I've never eaten at before.  But trust me....I will be back.  Our friends LOVED the place, and like I said before - they are connoisseurs of everything. :)  On Monday night we did a pub tour of Dustin's favorite local places that were actually open on Monday night, including Mushrush, Kellehers, and Tavern on Prospect.  It was a great way to wrap up their visit, and we loved getting to see them.  It's been too long.

Peoria Zoo - We actually go to the Peoria Zoo all of the time because we are members and it is a great way to spend a morning since it is small enough to do in about an hour - or two if you actually LOOK at the animals.  While we were there we witnessed a terrible tragedy that actually ended with one of the beloved giraffes passing away.  I won't go into detail, but you can read more about it here.  I was haunted by it the entire day (even though I didn't know he had actually ended up dying), but I don't think Miles even really noticed it - which is a good thing.  Let's just say that it was a good thing my animal-loving husband wasn't there to witness it.  Obviously this event didn't make me fall in love with Peoria, but our trips to the zoo always do.  We have an awesome Africa exhibit and I just know that in the coming years it will continue to get bigger and cooler.

Alright...if you're not from Peoria, I'm sure this post was incredibly boring...but if you are, hopefully it gave you some great ideas of things to try out on your own with your family.  We <3 Peoria.