Flying Lessons

This is what childhood should be.

Carefree

Full of joy

Full of freedom

Flying high into the sky

Laughter that makes your heart soar

Smiles that stretch your face almost painfully

The security of knowing you're loved

And yes, even scary tumbles from the swing

Because it's good to know that someone is there to catch you when you fall

It's good to know that it doesn't have to stop you

You can relish the comfort of a snuggle, and then brush off the dirt - and start again...a little bit smarter and a little bit stronger

You can learn that despite the bumps along the way, life is full of hope and promise and beauty.

Especially on a gorgeous fall afternoon at the park

With kitty cat rainboots on the wrong feet

Curing the Monday Blahs

Some Mondays are just so very....Monday-ish.

Case in point: this past Monday.

The reason for our glum morning is a whole 'nother rant, but we decided to turn our frowns upside down with an impromptu trip to historic downtown. Think cobblestone streets, quaint little gift shops, dusty antique shops, friendly people everywhere - that's the downtown square. LOVE it, and we don't visit anywhere near often enough!

My girl is quite the little shopper these days, and she had a blast discovering all the little treasures.





And - of course! - posing in front of the full-length mirrors.



These concrete frogs are scattered throughout the area, each one decorated differently. This one made for a great sunny resting spot.





The couch at the art gallery was also good for sittin' a spell. Hmmm, I'm seeing a trend here. Apparently my kid likes to rest a lot?? (HA!)



The shops and frogs and rest-stops were all well and good - but none of those were Nadia's favorite thing. Nope, that honor was claimed by the SPICIES! I had bought a bag of Snyder's Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzels earlier, and the former Miss I-Don't-Like-Anything-Remotely-Spicy LOVED those things. Loved as in, I had to cut her off before she ate the entire bag in one sitting. Goodness. Hey, at least she's got good taste. They are seriously yummy, and I'm not entirely pleased that I had to share my snack! ;o)







I'd say it turned out to be a pretty darn good morning after all. Whoever said "The Mondays" are a bad thing?!

Sweets for the Sweet

She has an orange-and-black bag bulging with sugary sweets...and yet there are two goodies that rank higher than fun-size chocolate bars and Smarties.

Actually, I take that back - there are three favorites. There's a flimsy little orange spider ring that The Girl finds truly awesome.

I can't claim to understand that reasoning, but it doesn't take too much effort to understand why the other two top the list.

I mean, they are cool! (not the mention, big - and size certainly does matter when it comes to treats!)









On a totally unrelated note, something seemed a little odd about one of Nadia's eyes today. Hmmm. :o)









Thanks to Baba & Pappy and MawMaw & Pepa for these special treats!

P.S. Color and exposure is totally wacky on these pics, but I don't feel like messing with it so they are what they are! I am becoming MUCH less of a perfectionist in my old age. :o)

Mommy's Little Monster

One of her favorite movies lately is Monsters Inc (mine too!) and it has permeated our life.

Now, every time she gets going in a really big belly laugh, she gasps out "Monsters Inc would just love this for all the energy it makes!"

Let's just say the monsters aren't the only ones that appreciates the sound of her laugher. :o)

Au Naturale

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. ~ Anne Frank ~



God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~ Martin Luther ~



I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~ George Washington Carver ~



Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~ John Muir ~

I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.... People think pleasing God is all God care about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back. ~Alice Walker, The Color Purple, 1982 ~



If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. ~Eleonora Duse ~



In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia. ~Charles A. Lindbergh ~



Earth is crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God. ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning~