First Day of Montessori!

 

Dexter was so happy to go to his first day at the "new" Montessori school!  I for one am thrilled that instead of a 40 min commute with a 8:30am start time, we have a 9 minute commute with a 9am start time! 

The first few days were a time of transition, but he seems to be settling into the routine and loves the "bean work" and listening to stories.  The bean work is a manipulative that involves measuring and pouring dried beans.  He talks about it every day.  I really love how all the activities at Montessori are designed to teach some larger skill, as well as teach order and sequence. 

We have seen a more peaceful boy when he is home as well.  He has been more orderly with his own toys and activities (putting some things away before getting new ones) and has been more open to learning new things.  I tried all summer to show him how to put on his shoes, and after 2 lessons at school, he is now able to put his own shoes on.  I have to say it is frustrating he won't learn from me, but I am really glad we have found a place that is like minded in teaching personal responsibility as well as fostering creativity.

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Gold Filigree Flower Cuff

Original price: $138
Sample Sale Price: $82

Statement gold tone cuff with filigree flower detail. A beautiful handmade piece made of gold vermeil! Measures 2.5" in width and 'bendable' for fit adjustment.

Designed by Wendy Minks created in a NYC workshop by some of the first Tibetan artisans to find refuge in America

http://www.whitneyray.noondaycollection.com/

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Sneak Peek of a few items in the Summer Sample Sale!

This is just a small sample of the many items for sale at 7pm, Thursday Aug. 23rd! See the previous post for all the details!

 

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Summer Noonday Sample Sale -- RULES

Hi all!

Welcome to my Summer Noonday Collection online sample sale!  Many of these items are top sellers and I love them dearly, but because each item is handmade, we only have a limited quantity and these have sold out or will soon.

I have about 30 items set to be published at 7pm CST on Thursday, August 23rd.  Here is how it will work:

• Each item will be posted separately.  
• Each item will be tagged as "necklace", "bracelet", etc.  So if you are looking for a specific item, please click on the appropriate tag on the right. 
• If you want to purchase an item, please leave a comment with your email address.  If you want multiple items, leave a comment on each item.
• FIRST COMMENT "WINS"!
• If you see an item up that you want but it has an email address in the comments, go ahead and leave a comment with your email address as that will serve as a "waiting list" if the first person doesn't make their payment in the allotted time.
• After commenting I will email you a paypal receipt that you can pay for the item via credit card or paypal.
• You MUST pay for the item within 24 hours of receiving the invoice, or I will re-post the item for sale.
• I will leave all items up until payment has been received.  I will remove an item once payment has been received.
• Let me know in your comment if you want to pick it up, meet up, or have me mail it.  I will add $6.00 shipping to your invoice if you request to mail it.
• Email me at whitneyray AT noondaycollection.com if you have any questions or specific directions for me.

Thanks so much!! 

www.whitneyray.noondaycollection.com

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Sneak Peek of Noonday's Fall line PLUS upcoming Sample Sale!

Oh my gosh, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about Noonday's upcoming Fall line! It launches Sept. 4th on the website, but here are a few sneak peek pictures just for you!  Do you want to host?  I am booking now for back-to-school shopping in September, email me to get on the list before space runs out!

To make room for all the new fall goodies headed my way, I will be having a sample sale this Thursday at 7pm. More on that below!

{Serious style, serious impact!}

I am in LOVE with these items and there are many, many more just as beautiful in the full catalog launching Sept. 4th!

As always, you can be assured that each artisan group we work with is a group we have committed to for the long-term and there are some amazing stories of change effected because of YOUR purchases. This fall, you can be assured that not only are you buying a spot-on trend accessory, you are enabling many others around the world to live a life of dignity and worth.  Be an advocate for these incredible artisans today by hosting a show!

{SAMPLE SALE!}
To make room for all the fabulous pieces for fall, I am tearfully saying goodbye to some serious favorites at my Summer Sample Sale.  If you want to snag a serious treasure for a serious bargain, please check out my ONLINE ONLY sample sale beginning at 7pm, Thursday, August 23rd.  I will have more info soon (and sneak peeks of what will be offered) but mark your calendar now as it will be first come first serve!!

Last year most items were gone in the first 15min!  You won't want to miss it!

{Fashion and design are a vehicle for opportunity and change. You, too, can be a voice for the oppressed!}

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Vallecito Creek

We have been loving our time in Colorado!

It takes so long to drive to SW Colorado from Houston that we made sure we could stay for longer then 5 days like our last trip. The longer time here has meant more relaxed days as we don't have to try and fit everything in all at once. Also, we were able to invite some friends a long for part of our time here, which has been awesome for Dexter! Before a playmate was here he would run for a few minutes then be bored -- not so now!

Today we spent a lot of time at the Vallecito Creek, walking to the semi-rotted bridge down the road from the cabin then heading up to the Weminuche Wilderness trail head to wade in the river.  When we have come before it has always been in May and the river was filled with snow runoff and wayyyyyy too cold to wade, but since it is July it was just right.

Maxwell has been a trooper!  He has been great missing naps and just going along with whatever we are doing, thanks to the Moby back hold.  Oh Moby wrap, how I love thee.

My strong men!

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Durango Silverton Railroad

Today we rode the Durango Silverton train! It was such a wonderful experience! Our assigned seats were on the "right" side of the open air gondola train so we could see all the great scenery.  Dexter loved every second!

 

Here we are, covered in soot, but happy!

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Ophir Pass, the First Ascent

We took off as a family for the mountains around Silverton, Telluride, and Ouray yesterday.  We towed the CJ up to Silverton, over Molas Pass, and then took off for the 4X4 road over Ophir pass (11,814ft above sea level).  This was our first real Jeep adventure and we chose a pass that was easy, with a small section of moderate.  The moderate scared me to death, so much so there are few pictures as it was so bumpy they are all blurry and I was busy holding on to the bar in front of me and the car seat in the back.

Maxwell though didn't seem bothered, he slept the whole way up AND down, with Dexter sleeping right after we came off the moderate section.

Molas Pass

Starting up the east side

View behind us

Me and the kids

Sharp drop off on the side

The summit is in view!

Um, yes...should read, barely a one lane road on shifty gravel rock

Here we go, over the top and down the west side!

The "road"

Land Rover LR3 creeping, like barely moving, down the side

Sander looking at the scenery.  I told him to stop looking and drive.

Off the moderate and back to the "easy" trail

The kids sleeping on the way down.  How, I have no idea.  They don't sleep at home, but do bouncing around on a 4X4 road

HOORAY! WE MADE IT!

Tiny town of Ophir

As we finished the pass the rain moved in so we ended up taking the highway around to Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton instead of going back up the way we came.  It was one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on in my life.

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Happy Birthday, Maxwell!

A year ago today we were greeting all 8lbs and 12oz of Maxwell Asher into our life. I remember right before he was born my midwife telling me, between contractions, to take a moment and give this sweet baby what he needs for a safe passage. I prayed for Asher at that moment and then seconds later, there he was!

Brothers!

First kiss!

Proud daddy

We went to the hospital really not having a clue what Maxwell's middle name would be.  We prayed and prayed and he name that keep coming to both of us was Asher. 

Now, Asher means "happy" and God must have really known our son, because he has turned out to be the happiest child ever.

Here are a few of my favorites from the past year:

Trying to smile in he early days!

Happy!

Happy with my brother

Happy just because 

KISS!

Posing for the camera

Mother's Day

Playing on the stairs, his favorite activity in the world!  And he is totally hamming for the camera, just so you know.

Maxwell, we love you more than words can say and every single day I marvel that God made you from a tiny little thing in me into the boy you are today.  You are feisty, adventurous, hilarious, and cuddly all at the same time.  I love the way you nod your head yes, blow "ssss" sounds when happy, and the way you screech so loud just to make yourself laugh.  And yes, I love how easily you go to sleep and how you sleep through the night.

Happy First Birthday! 

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