The World is My Playground

We are blessed to have what I believe to be the world’s most beautiful offerings, the beach, right in our own backyard. I love the beach, She calls my name each and everyday to come and play with her. I find myself ignoring her soothing voice more often than not.

Taking the time to say yes to the things that call to my heart, we found ourselves playing in our own backyard.

We explored, we soaked in the sun, we dug our toes deep into the sand, we played, we threw stones, we got knocked over by waves, we exhaled and relished in this moment, knowing, we were right where we were supposed to be.

I need to do this more often.

We need to do this more often.

Spontaneity, saying yes, going with the flow, letting our hearts desires lead us through our days. I want more of this.

I yearn to be free from my to do lists. I feel handcuffed to our lives daily needs.

We fell into a beautiful rhythm over the past year or so, but it was missing something. It was missing that spur of the moment kick your heels up and dance kind of fun.

It is summer, it is time to say yes, more than no.

It is time to let the laundry pile high. It is time to leave the dirty dishes in the sink. It is time to allow toys to be strewn through the house. It is time for beds to go unmade. It is time to let the little things go.

It is time to play with my children. It is time to laugh with my children. It is time to have fun with my children. It is time to embrace this moment along side my children. It is time to take these days and face them head on with my hearts desire and leave all else aside.

These kids of mine, they are growing fast. These days, years have flown by since I first became a momma almost 13 years ago.

I cannot waste time with petty nuances in our days, but must focus on the little things that create the big picture.

The little things take time, they force us to slow down and steep in our days. They are beautiful.

All of this is not to say that I do not have a daily desire to check off my to do lists.

It is about doing my darndest to find a happy medium. Why it is so hard for me to play in the middle, I do not know. But dang it is.

So, we are pondering lives journey, wondering where we will go next, wondering what is in store for us. Finding that in this holding pattern, I am either the to do task master, or the live life for today fun fairy.

We will find our way to check off lists and throw off our shoes and dance in the sun, as where there is a will there is a way.

My children will be left with memories, I want these memories to be the perfect balance of our daily rhythms and our spur of the moment live your life fun.

And goodness me, I best be remembering these fleeting moments just as they were. My children teaching me all over again how to live life to the fullest, how to live life fearlessly, how take hold of what I want and reel it in. Smile more, laugh more, cry more, and say it just like it is. Yes, that is what is exactly what I hope to reminisce when I am 80 while sitting on my porch swing holding hands with Jason speaking of the old times.

For right now, I will say yes more to my heart, to my children, to my life. I will stray away from complacency.

We will still tend to our daily rhythms, but I will not allow them to get the best of our lives.

What is your secret? How do your entangle fun with responsibilities?

A Performance Filled Weekend

I am in love with the feeling I get upon seeing my kids do their thing. Our weekend was filled with a Spring Ballet Recital and a Mayan Myth called Man of Creation.

What can I say, other than dude, my kid blows me away every time! She amazes me!

I am blown away by her determination, dedication, and desire to dance.

She would rather attend dance class than visit Nana, she would rather dance than have a play date, she would rather dance than go to the movies. I know, you are thinking, really??? I am 100% telling you the truth. The examples I used are just a few things that have come up during a time when she would be going to class, and almost every time she opted for class. I can clearly remember a few times when I made the momma call that we would be skipping dance class, and that sweet little girl of mine was a very sad and disappointed girl of mine.

I was all smiles with a few tears watching her perform up on that huge stage with her 6 little classmates all on their own.

I loved that they looked to each other when they were a bit unsure, I love that they looked to each other to encourage one another…

I loved that they looked down to double check their little feet were doing exactly as they were telling and hoping them to do.

And Oh My Goodness do I love, love, love the smiles and sparkle in each and everyone of these 7 little girls faces when they

DID IT!

They did it, my girl did it, all on her own, with just themselves, they stood up on that stage and danced their dance!

A few of these girls danced not once but twice today, way up there on that big stage.

This time they had a bit of help from their wonderful teacher, Mrs. Eidson. I watched from the wings this time, per Lillitha’s request.

I watched with joy as she danced her danced, I smiled with love when she stopped dancing to smile at her family, and I giggled when I saw her little hand sneak up to wave at her brother sitting in the audience.

What can I say as much as I am in love with all those wonderful “d” qualities, I love, love, love that she “dances” to her own tune, breaking all the little “no, nos” of “good” stage presence. It was most definitely perfect stage presence for her family whom filled up the whole center front row.

We love you Lillitha and we are ever so proud of the little dancing lady you have become.

 

Coral was cast as one of three Gods in the Mayan Myth, The Dawn of Creation.

Coral astonishes me time and time again. I am inspired by her confidence to jump on stage and perform, by her abilities to adapt to so many different kinds of parts, and her determination to make each and every production she is a part of a good one. Once Coral accepts a part, she gives it her all and she expects and wants the same from all of her cast mates.

I think she struck gold this time. This production was absolutely fabulous! I loved the authenticity of everything from the story, to the handmade costumes, to the music.

Coral put more effort and time into this performance than any other. This director pushed her far out of her comfort zone, and she rose to the occasion.

In my book, my little lady outdid herself, she amazed me, it reminded me of the very first time I ever saw her on stage, she did a jaw dropping performance today.

Coral, you will go far in this journey of yours, you soared higher than ever today!!! We love you young lady…

A Friday Night Beauty

We went for a walk tonight, we left the house strewn with disarray from a quick dinner and a day full of classes.

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Our destination was for ice cream & movies. Sometimes leaving the “To-dos” for another day is jut what we need. Taking a step out of my comfort zone, of our nightly rhythm, and shall we say taking a “walk” on the wild side.

Time stood still for this short journey. I was able to take notice of of the little things. I was able to remember how to make learning fun.

Have you ever seen my guy have so much fun with spelling. He is learning to spell pee and poop. Yes, pee and poop. Using potty language is the way to my boys head and heart.

When time slows, we have more fun, we take less for granted, we truly feel the love our lives have to offer. All of that living, love, and laughter knocked this little gal out. Soon after we walked in silence and I began to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us, even in the city.

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The daylight was changing to dusk, the light peered through the tangled tree branches with plump full leaves reminding me it is indeed spring, the surrounding mountains begged me to climb them during the summer months, and for a few moments all was still, quite, and perfect.

My quite thoughts were happily interrupted by my boy saying, “Mom look at me, Mom look at me, Mom!” I turn around and see him walking the plank wearing his happiness in a big smile. As soon as I raised the camera, he slipped and caught himself before falling into the bushes. He laughed, I laughed, Lillitha politely giggled.

The humor, the treats, the tricks, the beauty were all more than worth leaving the messes behind.

The “To-dos” VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The messes and the to-dos will always be here. My children are growing every minute of everyday and I am making a vow to leave it all behind more often.

My guy and gal were pooped after all the fun and love, but still determined to end the night as promised with a movie. Within a few minutes of the movie beginning, my girl was asleep. I lay her down, moved into the chair with my guy, where momma knit and son watched.

Gnomeo & Juliet , knitting, snuggles, and sleeping beauties, what else could I ask for on a Friday night?