Christmas is in the NEST :)

Christmas has come to the NEST!!!

 

After 6 years in business we finally have a Christmas blanket or 2;)  

{Making a lovie this week to add to the collection!}  They make a perfect holiday gift for young and old birds!  Just sent one to 2 of my favorite birds that are getting much, much older these days and are spending a lot more time in bed.  Hoping these brighten their holiday!  

Who do you know in your life that could use a little color??

We wish you Warmth, Love and Happiness!

J.O.B.,
Grace Berios
of Little Bird Vintage Designs

EEEEK!

Okay ... Just noticed my last post was August 1st ... Can you tell I'm a WAHMof4?????  It has been such a summer/Fall and now soon to be Winter!  Soaking in every second, I guess, sometimes means letting go of other things.  It's such a balance!  BUT I LOVE IT!  I wouldn't trade it for the world and appreciate our Little Bird Flock for graciously soaring with us in the highs and lows and especially the  in between :) 

Let's see.. Where to begin??  Little Bird's started off August with a huge leap forward--as a featured artisan shop on Etsy and all gussied up with our first professional photo shop which highlighted ALL 4 animals and their inspirations--my flock!  Thanks to Rachel Kirkland of KPS for such a fabulous shoot and the addition of 2 star models to our modeling crew :)

A few of my absolute faves:

Next, Kalliope, our 4th, is just getting to that age where it's hard again to work in working, and you know what, that's just fine with me :)  

I have the rest of my life to pour my entire heart and energy into something--but I only have these few years to pour everything into these four.  I would not change a thing, and I'm so grateful that I am able to balance my career around my family.  This time with them is such a gift and pure joy {even in the bad}, I could not see myself being me, or their mommy, any other way.  

I've been relishing in the fact that for the first time in 6 years, I'm not expecting, acting as an incubator, nursing, in between pregnancies, and I do not have a newborn.  I'm LOVING this freedom :)  It's amazing how much these little people consume not just your time and energy, but take such a toll on your body, emotions, mind, spirit ...!  I definitely could not have survived this first 6 years--which at one point I had 4, 4 and under, without my Johns.  It's been so neat to witness how our love has evolved from the day we said 'I do' to now :)  

This summer John and I made a goal together to run a 1/2 marathon in November--{Which we did successfully this past Sunday :)} and a full in June, 2013 together.  It's been such a time of connection and commitment on a completely different level than we already give to each other as parents to 4.  It's been an incredible joy for me.  One day our kids will be grown and completely independent from us--we're holding them to that ;), but we know we'll always have each other and plan on making it through these next 75 years together best friends to the end!  I couldn't ask for a better partner in this life we chose together!

So I hope that justifies my absence! 

I'm so looking forward to the holidays!  The kids are at such a perfect age to really, really love celebrating the spirit of each.  We're staying home for each and not hosting for the first time since Leo was Kalliope's age!  I'm thrilled about taking time with each and crafting and baking and playing and starting some new traditions together!

I am MOST Thankful for the many, many blessings in my life, including you and the entire Little Bird Flock!  It's a joy to create for you!

Monogrammed pictures to come next week!!!

Wishing you a season filled with Warmth, Love and Happiness!

JOB,

Grace

Featured Indie Artisan Handmade

YAY!  

Our Maximus our Handsy Octopus is featured on Indie Artisan Handmade this month!

Check it out and the rest of the Indie Artisans featured in August :)

HAPPY AUGUST 1st, by the way!  We've been busy back at the Nest keeping up with summer and very happy to finally be seeing August--let the countdown to the 2012-2013 school year begin!

While you're shopping--Our Little Bird Sport Blankets (available in all animals now) measuring "40x"53 make PERFECT 

nap mat blankies :)  

 

AND I'm soon to be offering MONOGRAMMING!! Would that interest you? Stay tuned ...

Here's to Summer's End :)

   Cheers!  

 JOB,

 Grace

Independence and Giveaways! Who could ask for more??

So excited to be the featured giveaway on
Ginny Sheller's Small Things Blog :)!!

Happy Independence Day to ALL! 

3 of our now 4 ... 4th of July 2009:)

We're having a wonderful day here, organizing, decluttering, maybe catch a train ride as we picnic lunch, rest, swim and then taking the kids to our favorite BBQ joint:  Rudy's--one of the 3 original locations, just another wonderful reason to love San Antonio--for dinner.  We're too young to stay awake for fireworks, they get cranky or super hyper and giddy after 7 ... But we are definitely going to try to make the most of celebrating our Freedom together.  

What are your plans for today?

Check out the giveaway, it's a good one :)

Wishing you a day of Warmth, Love and Happiness and FREEDOM~

~JOB~

Grace

Summer 2012 is officially here for us back at the Nest--starting tomorrow ...

Summer is hard work!

Mommies surprise me--am I seriously the only mama who literally dreads summer--especially South Texas Summers??  It's hot!  There are only so many camps available and not for each age range, which also add ($$$) up so fast, and there are only so many times you can visit the Zoo--the animals don't even want to be out in this heat, the Witte, the Children's Museum ... 

My 2012 Flock :)

This summer though, I'm determined to love it--at least blissfully endure it.  I hired my sitter to be my right hand woman--a must have for moms with multiples--that or a super cool grandma.  I've equipped her with a GYM membership that houses our pool for our daily pool time (one cannot securely take 4 fish 6 and under to the pool solo and come back with all 4 fish--at least this one cannot ;)) and plan on making the GYM/Pool our main routine, with a little Spanish Camp and summer school mixed in, for the next 12 weeks!  

You will see one fit, sun kissed mama of 4 when school comes back around :)

Things I also plan to try out this summer in my mommying and me time to make our Nest all the more wonderful, more delicious, more pleasing to all that inhabit the Nest ...

http://darlyblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/art-on-plates.html

chicken lettuce wraps!

Zumba

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/summer-schedule-for-kids/ ---definitely this :)

http://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/personal-sized-baked-oatmeal-with-individual-toppings-gluten-free-diabetic-friendly/ --We're not GF or Diabetic, but we also never want to over do anything, so why not try recipes that keep you going without all that mood/energy altering stuff ...

http://his4homeschooling.blogspot.com/2012/04/bunny-muffin-tin-meal.html-- I have to admit, I cringe when I read this blog, I'm not a fan of the name--although it's probably just a nickname--Boogie, but, it's a great thought, will try it out, reblog with my own nicknames and love it :)

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2008/11/we-are-most-thankful-for.html

What are your summer routines shaping up to be?

Memorial Day Festivities back at the Nest: Part II

It was pretty tough to top Saturday's big event, but I think we did!  

Sunday, we celebrated Kalliope Jude throughout the morning, who was Baptized by her Papa David, guest Pastor at Alamo Heights Methodist Church.  She was beautiful and absolutely beaming!  Papa David, who had baptized her 3 older siblings, used oil from their Daddy's family olive groves in Greece which was used way back in Ava's baptism, and then Leo's and then Maximus's and now Kalliope's.  It was such a special service, celebrating on Pentecost, we felt the definite presence of the Lord and Holy Spirit throughout the entire service.  

It was perfect.  

So thankful for each of our four and the people they are already turning into.  Looking forward to seeing all that they do as they grow each year.  Thankful I get to be fully present in each of their lives.  

Makes me so happy just being their Mommy :)

Her fan club, Yia Yia, Ava, Papou, Leo and Avia,and then Maximus on the opposite end of the pew.

Immediately following the beautiful service--we headed back to the house to host a BIG cookout with family and family friends, honoring Kalliope and MAXIMUS who is NOW 3 Years Old!!!

John grilled souvlaki, (shish-kebabs) while my mama friends helped prepare the Tzatziki Sauce--my favorite Greek side ;), a huge Greek Salad, and of course, Iced Tea.  Homemade potato salad and egg salad sandwiches, from Jenn--a family favorite!  

Chocolate cupcakes for the birthday boy and guests and a Delicious assortment of Pies from the Bird Bakery, made for a GREAT feast and Celebration!

Our Maximus is known for his mad skills in Messy, so we accommodated with water balloons--thanks to Avia filling, lots of running around in the back yard and of course, A Pinata--Maximus is a pro at the one handed Pinata bashing ;)

Our Leo, 4 1/2, was such a superstar host this weekend, genuinely happy for each of his siblings celebrations and joyful.  Made me so proud :)

The ultimate Host:  Mr. Rigby

This hug happening behind me is a favorite of mine :)

It was such a joyous day shared with many of our loves, so thankful for all who shared in our moments of joy and celebrations.  Special thanks to each of our Grandparents who came in to celebrate with us for the entire weekend, and all the help from my mother especially.  It was more of a celebration having her there beside me to help hostess. Little joys that are never taken for granted when such distance is between us.  And to my father for 4 beautiful, unique, very personal Baptisms.  Such treasured memories.   

Thanks Dad.  

THE coolest joy of having such a huge celebratory Memorial Day weekend:  A fabulous kick off to Summer!  Here's to a great one :)

Wishing you a summer full of Warmth, Love, and Happiness~

JOB,  

Grace

Memorial Day Festivities back at the Nest: Part I

We had such a wonderful weekend full of celebrations and family and friends and love!  It was fantastic!

The weekend started off with birthday celebrations with schoolmates and 

of course cupcakes!  

 These were from the Bird Bakery, 

a fresh new favorite place of mine to frequent, 

conveniently located right down the street from our Nest!

Ava with Leo, such cute sibs surrounded by a class full of friends :)

Maximus with big bro, Leo, serenading the ladies of course, such a cool 3 year old ;)

And the festivities have begun! 

Saturday morning Ava and I hostessed her 2 grandmothers and twelve 6 year old's to a Girls ONLY Shoe La La Tea Party-with a last minute adjustment adding in The Muppets-a new household obsession!

It was a fabulous party, full of shoe and headband decorating, friendship bracelet making and nail polish!  We had the girliest most delicious cake we could find - Again compliments to the Bird Bakery :) With Miss Piggy making a grand appearance on top.  And then rounded out the party like all good South Texans, bashing in a Pinata!

My two Memorial Day Weekend Birthday Peeps :)

Avia and Yia Yia--Ava's lovely grandmothers :)

A hodgepodge of candles--it's hard to remember everything!

The guests patiently awaiting their turn at the pinata

We actually have a permanent hook attached to our tree for Pinatas-we seem to have quite a few throughout the year ...

After such a Party, what could top that???? Dinner at Pappasito's--

to celebrate with just Fam :)  

This might have been my favorite moment of the day ...

Uncle Taunton :)

Classic Maximus, celebrating his last night as a 2 year old :)

Papou and Papa David with Leo :)

AND that was just Saturday!!