happies

i am going to write this post all lower case.  it's not any literary device i'm attempting -- unless a keyboard with a bum shift key counts.  i don't think it does.  since shift doesn't work, i can't put in any exclamation points, or parenthesis for that matter.  [here i would normally type egads exclamation point, but can't.]  and just to give the full picture of this keyboard situation, only half of the keys i am typing are appearing on the screen, and i have to back up the cursor and retype the letter very, very hard.  so i am pounding the keys, sounding a bit like a mad typist.

i am not.

actually i have quite a bit of the happies here.  happies because i am taking it day by day and am not allowing for anything else.  no boxes packed yet [egads again.]  instead the to do list has things like end-of-year teacher presents, baking for a bridal shower tea, thank you notes, play dates, more play dates, sending a box of boy clothes to a friend and soccer games. 

you might say i am in total denial that i need to have this very full, very cozy house packed up in two weeks.  that. just. might. be. it.  maybe.

my rational is that as soon as the first box is packed, then upheaval will begin.  i am willing to wait it out and condense the upheaval to an intense short period of time.

thus, the playdates.  and the spontaneous trip to the park, following the tractor that had ambled down our road, and watching it rake the baseball fields. 

all happies, i tell you.  so many to share.  in no particular order. 

the house in our neighborhood with the most amazing gardens.  we walk there almost every day and lovey pretends that the front walk is her castle.

there is even a 'secret garden' that winds behind the garage.  perfect for little ones to walk into a magical space.

bluths.  there is always money in the banana stand.

a hand-picked bouquet.

a boy who, with such diligence, learned to ride his bicycle.  nothing better than to hear shouts of 'i did it.' [that would have several exclamation points, and likely all caps too.]

spinning in fancy dresses with your oldest cousin.  as she gets ready to leave for prom.

and being made to feel special...not at all like a little cousin.

pink heart cut out cookies in a crystal bowl that has been in the family a long time.

and ice cream on the front stoop.

the first rose of the summer.   i look forward to it every year.  i will miss it when we move.

new sparkly shoes.  lovey chose red.  she calls them pink.  you go girl.

that curl.  he woke up with it.  it lasted all day.

blue sky days.  and a glimpse of the moon too.

barry white on the car radio.  honey and i choreographed a dance to 'my first, my last, my everything' for our wedding.  i can't help but smile when i hear any of barry's songs.  what fun.

seeing something that makes you smile and say 'you don't see that everyday.'  we laughed a long time about this.

this moment

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of grace and goodness!

old fashioned sweetness

The line was quite long.  And the wait even longer. 

We lucked on counter seats and a front row view of the soda jerks. 

They made everything the old fashioned way and served up the goodness in glass dishes with real spoons.

Munchkin wanted a root beer float.  His first ever.  He claimed he would eat is all.  And he did.

pink

During these busy days of finding our rhythm and way, I am glad to find goodness in the teeny tiniest of places.  I think her toes qualify as teeny tiny.

Somehow I had thought painting toenails was too much of a luxury of time.  But it turns out that it can be done when big brothers are at school and baby brother is sleeping.  That is if we do it quickly, and don't worry about a bit of imperfection.   

Imperfection.  A lesson I am learning to embrace a bit each day.

It also turns out that I can be inspired to quickly paint mine.  And when Munchkin gets home, he won't be left out too.

So, pretty in pink.  And pretty perfect after all.

scenes from the holiday

Oh we are so lucky that our holiday started well before December 25th, and is lingering the next several days as we spend time at home and close to home.  Just us.  The five of us.  That rarely happens, and it is simply wonderful.

We are lingering snug in our beds.  Well some of us are lingering, while others of the little variety jump up to resume play with the treasures left by Santa.  We are eating good meals.  We are venturing out when the sun or a fun activity compels.

These are scenes of the past several days.  I hope that your holiday scenes are just as overflowing with love, laughter, family, friends and joy.