We do it alone and together. We do it with family and friends; happily and begrudgingly. We surprise ourselves and others. We carry on our backs the history we have created while we step in to the future with perpetual hope. There is no other way.
Read moreTake A Hike
I had little faith in my 3 year old when it came to our first hike; she barely makes it to the end of the block somedays without asking to be carried. So I put together her backpack with treats and told her we were going for a hike, fully expecting it to be 15 minutes at best. But I underestimated the power of a lollipop and some honest toddler enthusiasm. We kept course for a fair amount of time and snacked by the lake watching ducks in the pond. She was game and so was I; dare I say we might be moving in to a new phase of adventure? Guess I just jinxed it since I still have a baby to bring through two more years (at least I can accessorize her this summer).
So This Happened Today
Entirely Unedited.
Ice Skating with Old Friends
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| no surprise miss M took to these two and asked to go to their house the day after this |
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| look at this hot momma and her beautiful girl |
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| look at this hot momma and her beautiful purse - loved the added bonus of seeing Dahlia's bro, Tony, for the first time since their wedding |
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| I love this shot |
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| I couldn't remember what Dahlia was doing until... how could I forget TRex arm?! |
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| so a duck walks in to a bar... |
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| this looks pulled from some 1980s roller skate movie |
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| dig my 80s rocker hair?! It's really just the wind. |
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| Until we meet again... |
Rebirth of Cool
It started right about here:
I realized I was working with a highly developed sense of coolness in one little package.
This kid really brings her A-game; every day.
I will admit, not all moments are stone-cold Fonzie.
But if not, she's all, "what's the matta wit you?"
She's got her $#it together. Do you?
If not, it's no biggie, she'll ham it up and make you laugh.
Downton
Big news round these parts is we have a basement space to enjoy now. Along with that we have a proper guest bedroom for friends now. The space was fine-tuned in time for the Feiter's visit, complete with a Downton Abbey pillow-case created by the dynamic duo of my talented friends, Ailee and Cheryl Bennett. It seems perfect for our guests. Let Battle Commence.
Rediscovering Youth
There was this great moment in M's room when she and my mom started painting together. I've posted before about how we do this with miss M but my mom stepped in to the experience uninhibited by any notion of what was to happen.
It was strange and delightful for me to watch them together. Delightful because I knew miss M loves to paint with people and because I know how relaxing and fun it is to participate in this exercise. Strange because I don't think I've ever seen my mom paint before. As a kid, she liked to fore go any of her artistic tendencies and default talent to my dad. Though she is creative, she is more well-known for her coined phrase, "you do nice work;" as she hovered over one of us kids doing the most mundane task, such as creating a garage sale sign (as a mom now I understand and appreciate the support).
In any case, I watched her thinking she would never have done that with me as a kid. None of it would have happened in the first place: the water colors... in the bedroom, the bare feet, the ease of the moment. I can recognize now she had a million-and-one things to do: pick-up/drop-off, clean, prepare dinner, etc. and it would have been hard to slow down with six kids int he mix. She also didn't have exercise and yoga to help her find her breath and slow down in those moments (though typing it now I realize she had her faith, which is probably her exercise/yoga).
Miss M was just doing her thing and having a great time as always. But I could see the sheer enjoyment on my mom's face as I watched her in the moment. She enjoyed it very much. She said she never got to do that when she was younger and followed it with, "This is why I have grandchildren, to relive my youth."
I Like You A Latte
We met at yoga - 8 am on a Saturday morning. We were talking before class when we got gently reprimanded and asked to take the conversation outside the studio. I shrunk into myself like I was in trouble (like I was a child). I think she did too. Silly glances passed between us. It was awkward to face the adult asserting herself and her wants for the students in her class; it was more awkward because of her approach. We went for coffee after class and discussed it among the 101 other things we wanted to talk about. Alas, there are not enough hours in the day and this proved to be that favorite part of my day.
The Sands of Time
We stopped at the
on our way home from Taos. I had not been there yet. We snuck in and spent the night in the park, which meant when we woke up in the morning, we had the best view of the light coming over the sand. It was a pretty cool stop to make. The walkers in the group loved the adventure; those along for the ride, weren't as pumped on the experience.
she always steels the show...
