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

Joyfully Optomistic Bird, or J.O.B.~

 

Just Grace:

I am a mother of now 4 beautiful Little Birds who are constantly inspiring me. My 6 year old, the original inspiration of Little Bird, is an aspiring Artist or social worker or professional play date, she's pretty cool. My 4 1/2 year old plans on being a cowboy (or cowgirl at times, depending on the color boots he's wearing at the moment) but can and will be anything he sets his mind to.  My 3 year old is definitely going to be a lover, or maybe even President of the United States and my now, 16 mos old, Kalliope Jude is our go getter, and has a spunky determination to be big and do everything her older sibs can do.  She is a perfect fourth and completely makes our Nest!

My soul mate, best friend and biggest fan is my husband. He was once asked at the beginning of our relationship, "How can you stand her voice??" (It's been said I sound like a Japanese Rat...) His response, "What's wrong with her voice?" I've loved him ever since :) My biggest fear is losing him, he makes me, me.

My humongous fault (or one of): Using "We" instead of "I"--much to my mother's dismay especially. I am very aware that everything happens with a team--whether direct or indirectly. I could not have accomplished any of my successes if it were not for someone else who helped in some way--big or small. I suppose I use "We" just to ensure credit is given where due at all times.

No man is an Island.

I am a lover of Kid-less weekend's away with the one you love, although I've never taken one ...

I'm a firm believer and supporter of Mommies! I think that we are all Superhero's and demonstrate our heroic powers day in and day out. I'm so proud and honored to be apart of the motherhood group :)

Our goal here at Little Bird's is to spread warmth, love and happiness - and we are doing just that, one bird at a time.

Little Bird is passionate about mommies and mommy friendships. Little Bird Vintage Designs was created when a long distant move separated 2--Anastacia and Grace, original designers and owners, back in 2007.

USA constructed, based in Texas.

We strive to offer as much natural, organic sweatshop labor free material as possible in Little Bird production, from our organic T collection to our organic cotton quilt batting used with each bird.

Each blanket is hand painted and lovingly created, uniquely designed with care. And our Direct To Garment Print tees use eco safe inks that do not peel, they are 100% safe to produce and wear.

Little Birds has a passion for encouraging Love and support to those in need.  Check out our Buy Love, Give Love 2012 Campaign!

I personally hope you love us!  Join our flock and become a part of our story.

Flock to us at The Chirp to stay in flight with us! http://littlebirdvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Mama Bird GIVE AWAY!!!

Mother's Day always makes me smile :)  

This is my first in 6 years where I am not expecting, and on the verge of exploding, or nursing an infant, still adapting to our new member.  It's also the first Mother's Day where I'm not counting on John to make me feel special and loved ... SAD, but sometimes mommies only get this one day, and sometimes not even this one day to feel totally appreciated.  Not me,  AND not this year.   I'm back and comfortable in my own body without anyone else laying claim to it, and happily the mother of a very full flock of beautiful, loving, KIND, thoughtful, creative, inspiring, totally unique fledglings.  With a Husband that's able to be a pretty much full time Daddy alongside of me now, and realizes the importance of each of the roles we play together parenting this crew.  I get mother's day joy a lot throughout the year, and for that I am very, very thankful :)  

Mother's Day last year, after church we had a picnic lunch, Kalliope spit up all over her outfit--naked here, with LB Lovie, though ;)  Ava, Leo and Maximus SOOOO sweaty--Me too, probably :)  Another favorite captured moment!

I LOVE being the Mama!  

 My favorite Mother's Day Memory:  Mother's day of 2010, our last in Corpus Christi where we completed John's residency.  John, of course, was working that weekend, a resident's life, and I, at a loss for just exactly how to get through the morning with 3 kiddo's 3 and under, decided to take them to get donuts and to the car wash!  A novelty, I thought, they would love both the sugary breakfast and the entire car washing experience ... WRONG.  Maximus, 11 mos at the time, SCREAMED the entire time we were stuck in the drive through car wash, and I couldn't look back to help because I needed to look ahead and be attentive to the signals telling me when to go and when to brake and when to exit.  I knew he was safe, just probably scared of the loud sounds and dark ... WRONG again!  As we existed, I promptly pulled off to the side and turned back to see just what all the commotion was, there I saw him, soaked!  His window was cracked and water poured in on him throughout the wash:(  

I was so sad for him and for me as a mommy (a definite low point) and then sad for his 2 year old and 3 year old siblings behind him that they couldn't tell me his window was down. They were oblivious. Now, 2 years later, all dry, I can laugh about it and chalk it up to a memory :)  Thankful I have it actually, it's kind of funny.  

GIVE AWAY!!!!

Little Bird Tote in either Bird, Lion, Octopus or Gecko--Your choice :)

What's your favorite Mother's Day memory??  Comment or Facebook me and I'll put each name into a drawing for a Free Little Bird Tote to be drawn on 

Mother's Day 2012, May 13th.  

Happy Mother's Day to all my Mama Birds out there, and especial to My mother and Mother-In-Law, I wish you each a day full of Celebration, Love, warmth and Joy!

Love, 

JOB,

Grace

Happy 2012!

Entering our 5th year 

in business!!!

January is such a special time to me.  January 7th, 2007 is the official birthdate of Little Bird Vintage Designs.  So long ago I started this company alongside the Ava Bird Designer, Staci Postema, my best mommy friend at the time.  She and her little family were moving from Corpus Christi, Texas all the way to Portland, Oregon, and it was a last attempt to keep connected in creativity even with distance--and we did!  Little Birds took off faster than we could have imagined together and gained quite a following in Corpus Christi, which was so neat to witness and be in the middle of!  Demand grew great for Staci to keep up with a new full time job and distance, so I continued on with our dream of success solo, adding on our now Graphic Designer, Erin Wallace of www.tinytwistcreative.com/.  She is also the Creator of our Leo Lion, Maximus our Octopus and New Kaki, the Gecko.  Little Bird's has been so blessed to have her on our team :)

In 2010, we went from being a wholesaler to direct to sale retailer through our current Etsy shop and we've been flying high since!  Through the 5 years in business I've been able to grow it alongside our growing family.  Starting with our Ava Bird--now 5 1/2 years old, we've had 3 more beautiful, spirited, enthusiastic additions to our Nest, all for the better!  Now, with our Nest officially complete, we look forward to wowing you in 2012 with our 4 New styles and designs.  Additional animals added to our Lovie and Sport Blanket collections and more color options to our Appliqued Tee's.  We offer matching totes in 100% Organic Material.  AND since our ages are growing, we are offering many more sizes from infant to Youth to even mommy and daddy sizes :)  

I thank you for your consistent support as we consistently grow, and stretch and fly here.  Through you, our flock, we have been able to really give back to Birds in Need through our Branching Out projects--In 2011, we donated over 40 Sport's Blankets to SAMMinistries, an organization that supports families in need,  and $150 to relief in Japan from it's Tsunami in April.  I hope to only increase our giving in 2012!  Please share any ideas that you might have for Little Bird giving or pictures of your Bird being worn or loved!  We'll highlight them on our FB page!

We have a NEW Etsy Shop Name:  LittleBirdVintDesign, a little more direct than gracelbvd ;)  Please visit towards the end of the month as much will be available to purchase again!!  

Thank you again!  And HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Here's to Fresh Starts:)

Wishing you WARMTH, LOVE and Happiness!

Grace

To Give Part 2:

Busy, Busy, Busy!!  

For the good though :)  

Getting out last minute custom Christmas orders and finishing up this year's Branching Out Project:  Donating 40 Sports Blankets to SAMMinistries, an organization centered around assisting homeless families.  Could not think of a better give project than to offer a bit of warmth, love and hopefully, happiness through a Little Bird Blanket to a child who may not have a "lovie" of any sort.  As I'm making these, I get the joy of praying over them and enthusing well wishes and spirited vibes throughout the entire batch :)  It has been a sincere joy adding our Branching Out Projects to the 

Little Bird Venture.  

In the middle of work, I have definitely enjoyed the holiday parties and concerts with my kiddo's!  They are all at such fantastic ages and truly are LOVING the season :)  We had a wonderful time at their Christmas Concert last night, Maximus, our Octopus played Santa which was a huge surprise to us, and our other 2 "bigs" were SO BIG as they sang every word and stood so tall and confident!  

2 very proud parents:)

NEW DTG PRINT Tee's and Totes are in--check out my Etsy shop and order yours just in time for Christmas, simply convo me with your animal and size!!  The only Little Bird Product available to ship by the new year. 

To Give!!

It's been a total of 15 months since Little Bird Vintage Designs revamped and took a new fresh look at the future through Etsy, the world of blogging, Facebooking, Tweets, and GIVING ... This company began back in January, 2007 with a desire to make a difference and impact in Eli (The designer of the original Ava Bird's, son) and Ava's world, and now, 5 years later, I'm proud to say that it has--Not only for each of those, but their siblings as well--and hopefully more little birds out there 

throughout the world :)

Since August, 2010, I made a goal to go it solo via my website/blog and Etsy store.  We've had 1 more addition to our nest--Kalliope Jude, or Gecko!  Our loyal fans have been so patient as Little Bird grows both in business, but also within our personal nest ;)  In the 5 years, it's been fun looking back and seeing how for 6 months we'd revamp and grow and strengthen, then I'd have another baby, we'd take a few months off, reintroduce a new animal into our nest and get right back to revamping and growing and strengthening!  That's what I'm most thankful for these days--that I can have a business that I LOVE and adapt it around the natural needs I feel are important in my goals and priorities as a mother and in raising my family.  I am thankful for Little Birds especially because it allows me to oporate in front of my children on a daily basis under the understanding how great it is to make a successful business so that we can, in turn, help others with it and make a positive difference in the world we live ...  And that's exactly what we're celebrating this holiday season in the Berios house--Giving!  

How can we be more elflike?  Making something for someone else and giving it to them, of course ;)  (My kids are wanting to be elves these days).  So they have been helping me in my workshop making blankets to give from each of the blankets sold throughout these past 15 months--40+!   My goal these next few weeks as we're gathering up the blankets and preparing them to be given, is to keep you, the reason we have so much to give in the loop!  I would love to hear how your bird blanket is being loved!  Comment below :)

Wishing you Warmth, LOVE and Happiness from our Nest to yours this Holiday Season :)

grace

Operation Christmas Child!

Want to experience such overwhelming joy and anticipation and excitement over a charitable act--Pack a SHOEBOX!!

It was such a pleasure to share in this activity with each of my children:  

Kalliope helped do the shopping, Leo and Ava the sorting and packing, and Maximus the sampling ... Either way, they each touched, inspired and enthused love some way or another into each of these 12 shoeboxes we packed together to donate to 

Operation Christmas Child! 

I LOVE lessons in giving with the kids, especially when they do so with loving, open hearts and joyful spirits :)  Thanks to Jessica Burns, one of my dearest friends and creator of Clip with Purpose Blog, who is very outspoken and involved with OCC all throughout the year.  IN January she encouraged her fans to pledge shoeboxes for OCC, and the kids and I came up with 12, one for each month.  There is still time to participate in this easy, breezy giving to others with your children or even solo :)  The drop off for boxes is this week November 14-21!  Enjoy!

October!!!

I feel as if time is just flying by!  Last month was in scary high speed since Labor Day it seems.  John was out of town for 6-7 days and crammed all of his shifts in, for the most part, prior to his journey which equaled, one LONG month of working in work along side 4 little people.  So I'm a bit behind in getting out our fall collection ...

The great news:  Little Bird's has some truly fabulous new looks and options to choose from, AND they are all 100% hand made and photographed by me.  I was really excited to do everything from start to finish to decide exactly how to hire others to help in the future when we head towards making Little Birds HUGE :)  The FANTASTIC News with this, every product posted is 100% authentic, and unique.

It was before as well, but as we have evolved into the company and direction we want to head, there hasn't been a definite style that we've stuck with and loved.  The only constant:  The Ava Bird itself, other than that each new additional image Little Bird's has produced has been tweeked--to now, perfection!  (At least from my opinion:))  Last year (August 2010 thru roughly June of 2011) Little Bird made strictly Yellow Birds and placed them on juts a few color and blanket options to enable the product to be easily mass produced for large orders.  What we took from that:  Consistency in painting, quality and design.  The cons, or things that were missed, uniqueness ...

So this summer, I spent it with Ava and my children, studio, washing machine, art studio, and of course, trusty sewing machine perfecting the art of 

LITTLE BIRD VINTAGE DESIGNS.

Will be featuring new items as they are photographed :)

For Now:

Check out Our Halloween Collection, I hope you like it :)

Thankful for another Day.

I'm thankful today.  Just as I am everyday, for another start, another joy, another celebration whether those come in the form of happiness or sorrow.  

I am thankful for another chance to be kind rather than rude, to be grateful and open rather than resentful and closed, to be strong and confident rather than weak and easily swayed, to be the me I was born to be rather than following someone else's lead, to have chosen to bring children into this world and to choose to be their mother and 

all that that title entails, to have a choice, to have a voice, and to use it for good rather than for evil.  

I'm thankful for all those who have made so many sacrifices before me to ensure that I am free.  I am thankful for another opportunity today to take full advantage of that freedom, of my blessings and share 
blessings and love with others.  

Today, I am thankful for much. 
grace 

So much for Perfect Attendance this year...

That's right, who in the world misses the first day of school when not on a planned vacation or ill???? We do ...  

I was so psyched about celebrating the last week of summer with my crew this week, that I didn't even realize school actually began today for 2 of my 3 heading off to school this year.  

We had a great day accidentally playing hooky though:)--turned it in to a full day of State Parking it!

We had such a fun spur of the moment Family day together, we checked out Guadalupe State Park--wondering where everyone was??  Why weren't they all out soaking in the last bit of summer with us???

And here we are at Canyon Lake State Park, because, why not? 

Rounded off the day enjoying some ice cream and Rudy's Barbeque, it was a GREAT Day :)  

 Check out this montage of Maximus, true to form and true to the shirt he's sporting! 

Our Octopus ...

By the end of the night though, especially after the sugar low came roaring through and the effects of no nap times shined brightly and LOUDLY,  John and I are more than overwhelmed with joy, and a bit of giddiness, of having 2 in school for the remainder of the week ;)

Here's to an early Fresh Start tomorrow to 2011-2012 School year--Yay!!

summer 2011

I have taken this summer to truly, fully, wholly embrace each moment that I have been given with my wonderful four, my family, my friendships, my work, my craft.  I have organized each room in my house--once, it needs to be done again actually ... BUT I did do a one time major clean out/purge/filing/sorting of EVERYTHING week.  I played with each of my children, read books, rode bikes, swam ... I created with each, shared paint, shared stories, shared dirt, and lots of germs for sure.  I took just the 'bigs' out on occasion, and hung back with just the 'littles' while John got to share in the same experience of just having 2 again ;)  I went on date nights, and girls nights and had nights all to myself.  I made a cake from scratch, and Beef Wellington!  I became obsessed with the Food Network ... I entertained, I love hostessing :)  I exercised and really started taking a good hard look at what I eat ... I went on my first vacation since my honeymoon, granted it was with 4 children--but also a babysitter ;)  I enjoyed lots of one on one time with my husband and we really got to know each other again in these new roles we play in our real life now.  I brought Ava into the family business, she helped to create our next line of birds soon to be out, in fact!  

I lived this summer, and really enjoyed being me, and loved being with all those that make me, me:) I'm so thankful to be able to have the time to embrace Summer Breaks, 

I'm glad I took the time and really did this summer.

Kidspiration of the Month--our very own AVA BIRD!!

Kidspired Creations: Kidspiration of the Month!

Check out full interview and get inspired!!  

Such a fun blog, Casey :)

This was such a special moment for 

Ava and it shows :)  

She looks and sounds like such a natural throughout this interview.

I was so proud and thankful that 

I get to be her mommy :)

BIG BIG news coming next week!!!  

Stay tuned ...

July 10th, 2004 :)

Seven years ago today I woke up anxious, a little under pressure, a bit stressed, but excited and ready for the day!  I gathered my tools, flowers, coffee, and headed to 

First United Methodist Church in Downtown Shreveport, Louisiana to finish setting the stage for the perfect summer evening garden party celebration one could create inside a church gymnasium :) I was the floral choreographer to the most important event of my life thus far, our wedding. 

It was a week full of family and help and love, just as John and I wanted.  So thankful to have parents who were on board with letting us have it and going along with our plans, filling needs and major roles in and out of their comfort zone—like florist for my mom and event coordinator for Dad.  I am so thankful for my brothers throughout the entire event, Jude and Taunton and Blayne took charge of the entire big picture, ensuring the little details were attended to.  The night would not have been so perfect and beautiful if it hadn’t been for them, and then afterwards, with the help from my other brother, Daniel, they coordinated the clean up/tear down!  I guess all those Student Council Days of event planning and 

stage set up and tear down paid off :)

My favorite memories were made throughout the entire week leading up to this day.  On this day, I was joined by my brothers, mom and dad, family friends, my two Matron’s of Honor—and best friends, to do the final 

preparations and help me transition 

from florist to bride:)

John and I wanted to keep the wedding as intimate as possible, each having our closest friends by our side.  It was only fitting that Josh Young and Julie Anderson were our Best Man and Matron of Honor since it was with the two that John and I first met and became friends during Spring Break, ’99.  And it was Julie’s wedding in 2001 when we had our first date together—and we’ve been together ever since:) Dave McCall and Jessica McHugh Burns, were our besties too up there.  Although they had nothing to do with us as a couple, they each were such a significant part in our individual lives as friends and still are.  Our siblings and my sister-in-law Sonya were standing with us as well, which was important to each of us.  Gracey Jayne, my namesake and 3 year old niece was our flower girl :) My Father walked me down the aisle, and then married us.   It was definitely a beautiful 

week/weekend/day/evening.  

 We were surrounded by love, and it showed! 

John and I are still two very strong individual people with a constant emphasis on unity in all that we do, and in each of our decisions and choices that have been laid before us since that day.  Our lives are better together and more full with each year that passes, especially when you count each impending birth, birth and 

delivery we’ve shared.

I feel so blessed to be 

Mrs. Grace Melville Berios :)

Here's to year 8!