Enjoying Archives - Page 10 of 23 - Enjoying the Small Things

Enjoying the Small Things

February 9, 2012 By Kelle

Enjoying this week:

*Morning coffee in the woods with last week’s party leftovers as our backdrop.

*Southwest Florida Weather. It feels like late spring/early summer lately.

We’ve responded accordingly, spending afternoons outside and fitting in as many as three walks a day.

Lainey’s dress, my favorite kid Etsy shop, The Measure

*Firstborn Date. Just me & her–it was special. She wanted to go to the vegetable market and Steak n’ Shake.

She tells me important things when we’re alone together. Things like, “Hey Mom, when I turn five, for my birthday can you get me a retainer like yours for my teeth?”

*Summer Foods. We picked up corn on the cob, watermelon, strawberries and peppers yesterday at the vegetable market and enjoyed them all in one day.

Florida in February is so lovely.

*Afternoon Quiet. We’ve been taking short afternoon rests lately. Just fifteen minutes or so of reading, lying in bed telling stories, playing a round of Candyland.

*Walker, Texas Ranger.

It’s still new enough where it makes me laugh–the way she just takes off. She is amused and delighted by her new independence–how she can get to her sister more quickly or walk with us on the sidewalk without help.

My aunt bought her a pair of Wee Squeaks when she was little and she finally fits them, so appropriately timed with her first steps. Let’s just say we know where she is at all times.

*And today I am enjoying a day of rearranging some furniture and changing things up at home.

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Tea Collection is returning in sponsorship this month. Our Tea clothes have become reliable staples in our closet as they are soft and comfortable and yet still possess a little funky charm. Of course, with two girls you see a lot of Tea’s girlier items here, but their boy clothes are likewise wearable, edgy and fun.

Both Beckham & Lainey in Tea Collection.

Tea’s new Bali Safari line is lively and colorful–perfect for Spring. And they carry our favorite warm weather accessory–Saltwater Sandals.

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And the adorable Casey Leigh is returning to Enjoying the Small Things as well. Casey is an artist out of Dallas, Texas. If you live in the Dallas area, you can enjoy one of her art classes for both adults and children at A Little Artsy. Or, you can enjoy her creativity and design talents from a far.

Check her out.

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Happy Thursday, Friends. What are you enjoying?

Weekend Celebrations

January 17, 2012 By Kelle

Our Weekend:

We are well now, our house thoroughly disinfected by my germ conscious husband. Besides predicting weather patterns and diagnosing ailments, Brett happens to dabble in germ-spreading prevention as well. I’m going to be kind and call it a “hobby,” although there are a few other terms that come to mind by which I’d like to refer to it.

Appropriately timed for a good home cleanse, we’ve enjoyed a nice cool front which has prompted open doors and windows and a steady current of germ-sweeping airflow. We spent more time outdoors this weekend, the medley of blue sky, filtered sunlight and cool, crisp air reminiscent of early spring days up north.

I like the layers of tank top-plus-sweater-plus-jacket that shifted throughout the day this weekend. And socks–seriously. I can never find a pair of matching socks for my kids. Ever. We get by on sandals and bare feet so much down here, when socks are actually a necessity, I just start digging to the back of drawers and the bottom of laundry baskets praying I’ll find two socks–matching and appropriate size total bonuses.

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Saturday evening, we celebrated Heidi’s baby who will debut in less than a couple of months. I love seeing my friend so happy. She is anticipating this little tag-a-long with such beautifully expressed enthusiasm, and it felt so good to share it in an evening of maternal praise.

Our friend Wylie made homemade pizzas which were out of this world

I am so thankful for my friend, a constant support and continued source of laughter. And babies? Oh, we know how to celebrate babies round here. This one is no different–infinitely loved.

Shower attendees taking turns wearing my fake very refective glasses.

And because my friend is super human, not only did she go to bed late after the shower, but she hauled her bump out the next night for karaoke. Sang and danced a pregnant jig. And my oh my, did we ever have fun last night.

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It’s funny, here I was packing up my Christmas tree last week, hesitant to close shop because I was sad to let go of celebration, and yet January has done nothing so far but call for more of it. Babies and birthdays and friends and all the little things that continue to unfold all year long, inviting little bits of fanfare, toasts of gratitude, occasions for togetherness and remembrance.

Dancing to celebrate another year.

Happy Birthday, Cash & Rocco!

Welcoming new babies.

Lainey gave up face painting, balloon art, dancing and a slew of her friends to hold Baby Ethan at the birthday party. It’s her favorite place to be–holding a baby. I may be raising an introvert, but Sister’s like her mama when it comes to the babies.

We visited my birthday buddy, Baby Sage, today. She is yummy.

And I noticed even more this weekend, my big sister girl has some precious nurturing qualities.

This morning, I wrapped Nella in a towel and set her down while I drained the tub after her bath. Of course she escaped the towel shackles as I heard her palms slap the tile down the hallway a second later and saw a wet footprint trail out the bathroom door. By the time I cleaned up and headed to find her, she was fully dressed–diaper, shirt, pants–and all properly done. Lainey was smiling. “I dressed her,” she proudly confessed.

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Our girl turns two in less than a week–hard to believe.

Nella’s shirt, Tea Collection, half price clearance now

Things have been a little crazy this month and I’m traveling for the first time by myself next week for a couple days, so we moved her party to February. This weekend will be special though, and her day will no doubt receive its deserving honor. Tonight, I watched a short segment on NBC Nightly News about a gorgeous little boy with Down syndrome who is being featured in Target and Nordstrom ads and how, while this is deservedly getting attention, really it’s no big deal–just exactly as it should be. This isn’t the first time a child with special needs has been included in a major ad, and it definitely isn’t the last time. But I still smiled and cried watching it. I just feel so entirely grateful to be a part of this–to have two children who are different, beautiful and bright. To raise a child with special needs during an age when all the hard work of other families is being recognized. Life wouldn’t have been the same for us thirty years ago and it won’t be the same thirty years from now if together we continue to broaden our perspective. I am thankful for the message of acceptance and inclusion–a way that has been paved for our family by so many other families before us. And I am encouraged to continue the fight for more. Please keep the message spreading and help us reach our goal of 2 for 2. Final countdown and a little more than $40,000 to go.

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There’s a winter sale going on over at our Dashing Bee sponsor. Remember, Dashing Bee is an online consignment shop for baby and kid gear. I had fun making some favorite picks from the shop tonight to throw a few outfits together. Everything you see is currently for sale on their site and, better yet…incredibly affordable.

All winter items and shoes are 20% off now. Use Code WINTER20 at checkout for your discount.
Happy Shopping.

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I’ll be stopping by more frequently this week with some special posts. Until then, we’ll be enjoyin’. Hope you will too.

Feeling It

December 13, 2011 By Kelle

Well, hello there.

I started writing this post at 4:39 this afternoon with plans to furiously tap my keyboard, cut and paste some codes and hit publish by dinner. It’s ~~9:30~~ ~~10:05~~ 11:50 now. Between then and now, I got distracted–folded laundry, made a quick dinner, took the girls for a night light walk and finally laid in bed sandwiched between two sweet bodies until their chests steadily raised and settled with the peaceful rhythm of deep sleep.

Really though, I went to write several times today but didn’t feel it.

I like the way it feels to write when I’m inspired. I like to clean my house when I’m in the mood–savoring the way hot water suds when it hits lemon oil in a bucket or forcefully scrubbing mad circles on the bathroom tile because, at that moment, the world will not go on unless my knuckles are bleach-burned and that tile is spotless. I love to cook when my kitchen’s clean, dinner music is streaming, my favorite apron is tied around my waist and I’m two wine sips away from calling all my friends and telling them how much I love them. I like to dance when the roof is on fire.

You can’t always wait to feel it though–at least that’s the antithesis that must be stated to add validity. There are things we have to robotically do whether we feel it or not. Pay bills, work, wake up with crying babies, pack diaper bags, put gas in the car.

But to feel it? To act on a flame that ignites and propels us to think, smile, move, dance, sing, love, write, run, breathe deeply–it’s so different. A short burst of inspiration, feeling, passion–it can accomplish more than hours of robotic output. And when you feel it–deeply–the product is undoubtedly more glorious.

My sister and I talked a lot about feeling it this weekend. She called three times the past two days reporting her house was nearing disaster zone but claimed she didn’t feel it yet–the burning urge to clean. And I get it. We laughed, justifying our similar behaviors with the fact that we’d come around and when we did, it would be good. And then we went on–as we always do–analyzing our tendencies, backing up into childhood and what makes us tick. Which is about the point Brett interjects, “Oh God, sister therapy” before he walks away, laughing.

We arrive at the conclusion (justification) that being motivated by feeling it is powerful. It comes with its drawbacks (Sorry Boss, I know that report was due last Tuesday, but I’m not really feeling it yet), but the rewards are mighty.

I find myself feeling that Come Alive-ness more often now. I don’t know if it’s age or experience or perhaps conditioning–seeking out a hit of inspiration wherever and whenever I can find it because I know what it feels like to have it…and I want more of it. It’s why I take walks at night with the girls, throw things in the car for a last-minute sunset, blister myself on a hot glue gun to create something special, wear red lipstick, hang half a million twinkly lights for my girl’s magical night, or close my eyes and almost cry when the first ballerina hits the stage for the Overture on a Nutcracker date with my daughter. I feel inspired.

It was special and we treated it as such. Fancy clothes, a high bun with ribbon, a spritz of shimmer perfume, and a purse to carry her chapstick, a plastic dalmation, two nickels and a penny.

We chose a community production this year, performed at Big Arts, a small theater full of character and nestled between City Hall and the Historical Museum on Sanibel Island, an hour north of us. It was cozy and authentic and perfect for a little girl’s first trip to the ballet.

For all the times I’ve seen the Nutcracker, none was as lovely as this–because I have her now. And another her at home who will someday be big enough to come along.

And if listening to Tchaikovsky and watching lithe ballerinas glide around a Christmas tree doesn’t ignite the Christmas pilot light (ahem–flaming torch), then I don’t know what will.

Maybe sparkly little angel girls holding candles. Be still my Christmas heart.

There. And the rest of the weekend…

A Florida Santa:

A Sunday waffle breakfast:

A short rain that created enticing puddles:

Cookie Stealer:

She loves to use her Sweet Seat as a chair…perfect height to prompt walking. Order by Wed for Christmas delivery.

Night Light Walks:

Big Smiles:

Doesn’t she look like Mama here?

The following call to my sister last night:

Me: “I’ve made too many decisions today. Tell me, please, what do I want to do? Climb in bed and call it a night, or make peanut butter cookies? Seriously, you have to decide for me.”

Sister: “Make the cookies.”

Me: “Good. Thank you.”

And that, my friends, is feeling it.

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Introducing my new accessory love, One Delightful Button, who joins in sponsorship this month.

One click into this shop and you will be delighted with their selection of pretty and colorful accessories.

From vintage-inspired to clean and simple, One Delightful Button offers eye-catching earrings, cufflinks, bobby pins and more, all at a price you can afford.

My favorites: Marigold Earrings, Houndstooth Earrings, and the Scrabble Cufflink. All make great stocking stuffers!

Use Code “kelle” for 10% off your order.

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And returning sponsor, Heal my Sole, is back with some great new products and some old favorites. Heal my Sole began with an idea to create an all natural foot scrub that worked. It succeeded and grew into a natural product business that now offers a large range of homemade body products including lotions, scrubs, lip balms (coconut lemongrass, my favorite!), and now personalized soy candles. All candles are hand-poured, richly scented and made with the highest quality natural soy wax.

Our apple clover candle smells divine