Roadtrip.

“The road to a friend’s house is never long.”

-Danish Proverb

F A M I L Y.

it's really all that matters in life.

Generational Gift.

My Grandfather. We celebrate him every day, but today marks his 100 years. He passed away on Valentine's Day in 2002. He was an amazing Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Friend, Neighbor, Baseball player, Football player, Joke teller, Story teller, Gardener, Golfer, Pool player, Boxer, Collector, Heavy foot "for an old man" on the gas pedal, Provider, Man of his word, Devoted, Selfless, Admired, Music loving, Romantic at heart, Gifted, Loving, Caring, Generous, Silliest, Childlike, Loyal, Curious, Dearest, Bravest, Determined, Proudest, Family man I've ever known. He taught me so much about life and I luckily get to carry a part of him with me, always -everywhere I go.

Thank you, Gramps for sharing your life with us. You touched so many hearts along the way. We love you. You ARE a Generational Gift.

Here's to you (holding up Martinelli's Sparkling Cider -he never drank and would call us "Boozers" when WE would)

Luigi Vincenzo Mancuso, Happy Birthday today! May 23, 1909 - May 23, 2009

PS: I miss your homemade "Pork fried rice", my $2 bill allowances on Sundays after church, the name "Jake" you'd attach to everyone no matter what their name was and most of all our talks about life and the way we'd swap our vivid dreams. So this is for you, Gramps, "Vedali nei miei sogni".

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days...... Tuesday, Wed...

Sharing Info: Parents with NEW BABIES or Parents with more new babies!

Did you lovingly discover, you have a fussy baby? Don't pull your hair out yet, there's hope. Watch this video and give it a try.



If you like what you heard, she's got more to offer. She's like a new BFF. Visit her youtube collection of what I like to call "MOTHERLY ADVICE" by following this link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/babiesgottahaveit

She's super witty and she makes parenting simplified. I like that. We can be so excessive. We can all use a bit of help when it comes to the basics. So here's another great video clip that I find extremely helpful to every parent of children 5 and under:



and just one more...

Morning thoughts from the Treehouse..

Children should not be kept in a bubble, but held lovingly in the gentle touch of a parents heart.

I came across the following quotes and just felt like I needed to add this to my blog. These are things I never want to stop actively doing or thinking about with my own children.

Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves. ~Abbé Dimnet, The Art of Thinking, 1928

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ~Alvin Toffler

The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn. ~John Lubbock

From:www.quotegarden.com/learning.html

Celebrating the LOVE of my life!

Eating his "Birthday-O's" for Papa bear!

We celebrated with Banana-Nut muffins and coffee for

Papa bear's Birthday Breakfast..

This little guy just fell out of heaven.

Brother bear wishing Papa bear a healthy life by
feeding him. I believe this is the best wish you can wish upon.

Happy Birthday, Papa bear! May today and every day that follows, be your best. I love you, WE love you.......

Love,

Mama bear and the little cubs

And now the music and singing begins...... Uh one, and a two and "Happy Birthday to you...."

Lets eat cake!

Popcorn never tasted better.

A few weeks back a friend of mine was in town and we decided to take our kids to the "Drive-In" that just opened up. It was a bit of a drive, but worth the haul. Turns out, being new to the area, I took a longer way there than going home. We were the only ones there aside from another car, who seem to be on a date -the blinkers had a mind of their own, if you know what I mean? Ya, we got a laugh outta that one.

(view from our car)

We had the little ones in our laps and we dined on popcorn, soda and left over Chick-fil-A. We watched Matthew Perry in "17 Again". Honestly it wouldn't of mattered what the film was, it was just so nice to be sitting in the comfort of my own car with my loved ones. No worries if the kids were too loud, or fussy at all. Luckily, they were content enough to let us enjoy it. They stumbled around the car, but it was more sweet than frustrating.

It felt so familiar, after all these years, to be sitting in our car watching a movie. Just like being 17 Again....

Dear Children....

I love you. You make my heart feel super happy!

Love,
Mama

Mother's Day is really every day.

Don't you agree? If this isn't a Santa sack of gifts, I don't know what else could top this.....

We had some friends in town last week. I will post some more lovely photos soon. For now I hope you can see why I spend most of my time offline. You mother's know best. Go and hug your child(ren), no matter how little or big they are, they all love to be loved. Even the furry ones. For a while, I was spending more time distracted with family and life that I realized I was neglectful of my first baby, Pearly Bear. She seems to look at me like she used to -with love in her eyes and not the lost, "will you love me ever again" look she had been giving me for the past year.

Ok, going to have dinner with my family. Thinking of you here at the Treehouse. Pull up a chair.

A Mother is.....

Everything. Happy MOTHER'S Day........
Being a mother reaps me many rewards, one is that I get to stay home and raise my beautiful children. This is a gift. I have been choosing to be offline more and more lately because of this great gift. So today I'm popping in to say go and celebrate life and send your mama flowers -handpicked ones are the best.

Mom, thank you for being my best teacher in life. I love you and am so proud to share today and every day, with you.

Happy 7 years -Cheers!

The 4 Bears are off celebrating Mama and Papa Bears 7 year Anniversary.. . The little ones are what we are so thankful for. They are the icing on our wedding cake..... who knew?

We celebrated in a very simple way, a couple nights away with the little bear cubs. We spent much of the time driving around exploring a new area we've never been to. We found TWO great national parks to camp in, this was an anniversary gift from above. It's all we ever need.. more places to make memories at.

We ate alot of BBQ and room service. Sister bear enjoyed it ALOT! She's just at this great age to travel with, she says the loveliest things, I wish I could just hit the record button my my camera and just never worry about it running out of battery juice or space.

I am a blessed wife and mother. Thank you my lovely little family, you sure make me one happy girl.

Tree-Homeschooling...

We are beginning to homeschool at breakfast time. Sister bear is really excited about it and taking to it well. This makes me feel confident that I can do this and very enthused! We're very into RECYCLING! Saving the planet and nurturing it has been a Treehouse-hold focus that we are ALL (including Papa bear) embracing quite beautifully. I feel more responsible than ever and the little cubs will reap the benefits some day and so will my future grandcubs. Ahhhh, what a lovely feeling and vision that brings.