Friday, Sept. 11: Down came the rain

First, the obvious. Today was another Sept. 11. And I really hate Sept. 11. Last year on this day, we were in Deruta, Italy getting swindled by a guy at a pottery shop (lesson learned: DO NOT buy pottery in Italy that will be "shipped home" to you!!!). We went into a little coffee shop and at the bar, the man serving our espresso saw that we were Americans. He started to make gestures, like flying and then said "boom!" and smacked his hands. And then he kept holding up seven fingers. It took me a little while to realize that he was trying to say something like, "Hey, Americans, today is the 7th anniversary of 9/11." But I was so blissfully wrapped up in la dolce vita that I honestly hadn't thought about it until that moment. This year, it was a grey and rainy day, spent closer to home. I was so grateful for the clouds, because 9/11 was just such a picture-perfect day...any morning that is clear and sunny with just a touch of crispness in the air reminds me of that morning. So today I was just glad it wasn't like that at all. Today, I was happy for the storm.

Today was a work day for me and a school day for the kiddos. After school, the rain held off a bit and Lucy took a bike ride on her new two-wheeler with her friend Maya from down the street. I had Phoebe in the stroller but she fussed, wanting to get out and walk on her own. And then she wanted to go home. And then she wanted a bottle (which we have been trying to get her off of). And then she pulled on my shirt and wanted to NURSE (no way...she gets it before bed and that is IT). But that's life with Phoebe these days...the bitter with the sweet.

Lucy was invited to Maya's house after the bike ride to share in a movie and pancake night. Jeff and I had planned to go to the mall, so we dropped Lucy off (brave girl!) and took Phoebe to the mall with us. Everyone was well behaved and had fun (including Jeff). I did a bit of damage at J. Crew, though. I've decided it is my new favorite store and although it is a bit pricey, I need to grow up already and stop shopping at the Gap and Old Navy all the time. So I am going to build up my wardrobe with a few nicer pieces that will hopefully fit well and last.

This is going to be a busy weekend...I have four photo shoots and two potential wedding (wedding! my nerves!) client meetings. Wish me luck!

{lucy at breakfast...before school, before 7am}

{big, huge, grown girl}

{she bumped her noggin at school}

{little sister wanted the big girk bike, natch}

{lucy and maya, crusing down the street}