Monday, August 23, 2010

.....calm before the storm......

.....Lazy weekends sometimes turn into lazy Mondays......especially when they are rainy and dreary.....it was Stefan's first full weekend home in over a month, so we did a lot of lounging.....in fact, we all snoozed for so long on Sunday, that our bed turned into a napping, then reading with some snuggling in between stories, retreat....not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon......


.....and sometimes lounging feels extra good when the week has been bustling with friends and city  adventures.....we started out with a big play date earlier in the week at the Museum of Natural History......




.....and there is nothing like walking through a museum with oversized animals and watching the wonder through a child's eyes......we made it though less than half of what this fantastic place has to offer, but that was enough for them.....they had their fill of ooohs and aaahs....



.....and they enjoyed the companionship of the day more than anything.....the anticipation of running to the next exhibit was more fun than actually getting there, just because it meant a little laughter with friends along the journey.....


......and I quickly learned soon after I moved up north, that we preserve the days of the four seasons that we celebrate.....especially warm and balmy ones that draw us toward them.....we can never let one go to waste.....


.....and with that, we headed outside to the terrace to cool off and extend our summer day....lingering just long enough to allow us every opportunity to breathe and inhale each warm and sunny moment.....






......and when we were done playing with the water, we moved on to other silly games.....simple made up games of rolling in and out of the towel for a bit of peekaboo that only a Momma and child can appreciate.....it's the simple things, the small things.....


.....that add up to one big hearty thing....and I love bold and substantial moments in our life.....it's what makes it all beautiful.....even the days that are trying and long....

.....and I am loving our last days of summer.....you can feel it in the air, especially at night.....the season is changing.....the days aren't as hot, the sidewalks don't sizzle, you might even see a long sleeved shirt or sweater walking by after the sun has set.....and I have found myself eyeballing crochet hats, suede knee high boots and soft, silky long scarves for fall.....the season that always reminds me of becoming a Momma that one Novemeber day.....but as tempted as I might be to leap toward a new season, there is still much fun to be had this summer....

.....fun times like meeting new friends....




....and meeting new friends with one of your favorite friends...




.....when Stella's Momma invited Elsie and me to go meet the Yo Gabba Gabba crew in a small setting while they performed on channel 11 morning news, Elsie could hardly contain her excitement.....she and Stella were amazed at how close they were to their tv friends and it was a highlight of the week.....and we had done all of this meeting, greeting, laughing and dancing by 9:30am.....it kind of makes it hard to come up with fun activites that match up to DJ Lance and his friends for the remainder of the day.....

.....but since summer is still here, we don't need an excuse for sweet and creamy treats that add a little something special for an ordinary day....


.....and summer also beckons long naps...


.....which leads me back to lounging....those days are so good for us and I am thankful that my husband initiates them....he will come home on a Friday afternoon with a big smile on his face and say, all I want to do is hang at our home and relax with my girls....

.....our days are soon to be filled with visitors.....friends and family from afar.....trips are in the works for just one more long and warm weekend before the summer is over.....which will quickly turn into the first day of nursery school for Elsie, Momma and me music classes that start at the crack of dawn on Mondays for Callie, reconstruction of our apartment to make room for growing girls and Halloween and birthday party planning....it will be a while before we lounge again.....

.....but we will squeeze in time for friends, time to find some quiet and resolve in between the pending new season that brings briskness, a hop in the step and steamy, hot cocoa.....and time to appreciate one another.......


.....love one another and savor all the moments ahead.....


....Happy Monday....