A Lighter, Lovelier Note

I continue to be overwhelmed by the responses from people when I write something that hits close to home. I can't tell you what it means to have support and know that I'm not alone, even when that's all that I feel that I am. Thank you!

Ian had to stay late at work today for a poster session at school meaning my typical 9.5 hour day was stretched to a full 12 hours. I am amazed at how well it went.

As I sit here sipping my well deserved half glass of red wine I realize that most of the success of the day was me. No, I'm not boasting or "tooting my own horn". It's amazing how much my attitude affects the outcome of a day with the girls.

Knowing that I had a longer stretch than usual put my mind in a different setting this morning. I didn't have a full agenda, a to do list a mile long to get done. I kept my pace, slow and steady, dragging out each activity and savoring the moments to make the day full and good.

After breakfast and a second cup of coffee I took the time to figure out how to put Louise in the soft back pack carrier, that doubles as a front carrier, that we bought for Ainsley. Ainsley was amused by the photographic directions and my struggles and in the end Louise was as snug as a bug for our stroll to the park. We spent nearly an hour just walking around. We plodded up to the train tracks and watched the commuters race below our feet. Ainsley ran up and down up and down the ramp to the pool house and tempted fate dangling her legs over the edge of the high rainbow ladder at the park. She collected "berries" (fallen crab apples) and leaves. She even (mostly) willingly toddled back to our house when the time came, red cheeked and fulfilled.

We then played in the basement, undoing and redoing bins of clothes that may or may not fit Louise this winter (9 month size!). Ainsley lovingly played with her dolls and we watched the first half hour of the disney version of Peter Pan. She LOVES the pirates (of course).

After a shared lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup (one dunked bite for mom, one for Ainsley) she snuggled down in her bed for an easy nap. I took the time to feed and snuggle Louise on my chest while knitting the last piece of Ainsley's wool winter coat.

Post nap we spent the afternoon indoors, the rain foiling my plan to go out and pick up a few groceries. Ainsley practiced her coloring skills on thanksgiving coloring pages we printed out and helped me circle items in catalogs that she thought Ian would like (if it were up to her he would have a very generous Christmas). I learned that her new favorite color is purple and that she can point out the first letter of some of her favorite words in an alphabet line up (M for monkey and Mama, D for Dada, Z for zig zag - starfall.com people, I'm telling you!) She dictated what characters she would like me to draw for the felt board I'm making for our car trip (Mama, Dada, Ainsley!...I had to remind her of Weez). She helped me clean the upstairs with a duster while Louise laughed and cooed at the vacuum cleaner in her rocker. After dinner and a bath we snuggled down to read books until Ian came home, just in time to finish the last few pages of goodnight moon.

I wanted to make sure to write tonight after such a good day (even with two time outs!) to remind myself that sometimes a day is what you make it, what you set out for it to be. Today was just what we all needed and as I kissed my two sweet girls goodnight tonight I feel like the luckiest lady. I would have it no other way.