Uncategorized Archives - Page 168 of 437 - Enjoying the Small Things

International Day of the Girl

October 11, 2013 By Kelle

I’m over at BabyZone today for International Day of the Girl.

To celebrate the International Day of the Girl, a plea to my daughters: Stay true to yourself.

The United Nations has declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. Its mission is “to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.” To celebrate this day, I’ve written a letter to my daughters expressing the importance of being true to yourself.

Dear Daughters,

My beautiful girls, right now you are six and three—the stories of your life just beginning, the first few chapters already filled with people who love you, places we’ve explored and experiences that, unbeknownst to you, have already begun to shape your thinking and strengthen your character…

READ MORE HERE.

Enjoying October

October 7, 2013 By Kelle

A happy little weekend full of happy little things. After all, it’s October.

Enjoying…

A sleepover at Heidi’s. The night part was slightly tainted by a corneal abrasion I endured from a flying cracker that came at me like a ninja star, but the morning part was heaven. Babies and coffee and pancakes and noisy kids who had the innate sense to pick a room just far enough away from the kitchen that their happy chaos didn’t overpower our coffee talk.

My friend Janita visited from Canada (wildly waving to Canadian readers!) last week. She is lovely. She demonstrated solidarity for my cornea issues with sunglasses for all.

Friday Night Lights. I have new smile lines. As far as focus and following directions, she nailed it.

Sister watched adoringly from behind the fence.

Weekend walks.

Little hands cupped over bottles.

Her flip-flop obsession. She finds them in her sister’s room or in the garage and wears them like a boss. I love it when they’re backwards or wedged between the wrong toes. But she keeps them on just fine. And I smile every time I hear the snap-and-slap of flip-flops making their way across the tile, announcing she’s getting closer.

Finding Fall in Florida. The search often requires creativity.

Baby/Dog Staredowns.

Sunday tea parties.

Man cub explorations.

When he falls asleep in my arms even though his head weighs a hundred pounds.

Watching my kids love life. They do it right.

Time to make stuff, bake stuff and dream stuff. Happy Monday.

Did anyone see this high school’s video this morning on GMA? It’s awesome. The girl featured in it is now a 4-yr. varsity cheerleader.

Hello San Diego!

September 24, 2013 By Kelle

(I wrote this earlier today from the plane. Apparently modern isn’t very modern because the super amazing sky Wifi wouldn’t let me post this.)

I’m in the clouds right now, somewhere over the Rockies (Hello Colorado!!!). This whole blogging from the skies thing is so 2013, and I’m feeling very modern.

First and foremost. You guys, thank you for all the responses on the last post. I can’t possibly answer all the e-mails, but I’m reading them and trying to at least send back little thoughts. And I read through the comments, amazed at how many of us have similar issues with past faith conflicts and hurt. It felt really good to write that post. I am okay with where I am right now and I feel that God’s okay with that too. I don’t feel “almost there.” I feel there. Where I am supposed to be. Simply open and aware and asking good questions. I love the Elie Weisel quote a kind reader shared: “No heart is as whole as a broken heart and I would say no faith is as solid as a wounded faith.”

So, with that said. What’s up with Mercury (??) because there is some serious galactic energy all up in this place right now. And it’s good stuff. I’m in a glass case of emotion! (I can say that, you know, because Ron Burgundy’s from San Diego and I’m on my way there) It feels like “let go and move forward.” So I did. Beginning with Act 1: The One Where She Cuts Off Her Hair.

Well, I didn’t cut it, my friend Shannon did. And I like it.

I am excited about not asking my hotel for six extra bottles of conditioner for once.

Before an eventful week in San Diego…a few small things we’ve been enjoying:

New wall art. A paint-by-numbers(ish) guided piece Lainey finished this weekend at a friend’s art studio birthday party (don’t be too impressed, every kid walked out with the same looking unicorn). We had nothing to do with the subject choice–it was assigned. But awesome, right? Unicorn AND glitter in one painting.

This.

And this.

Twirling.

Improved jump rope skills and constant practicing.

Park sisters.

And slide smiles.

Tippy toes at the drinking fountain.

He likes the big boys. He has a different smile for them, a wild kick, an obvious big brother adoration.

Nose-to-nose love.

He loves water. Dunks his face in it with no reaction whatsoever.

The return of the pacifier. Maybe.

Random Barbie heads in the pool

Our little family on our mantle. I got a bag of 40 assorted unfinished wood dolls on Amazon for $15 and painted them (I’d link it but the mile high club Internet is being weird with Amazon so search the above if you want them). Fun Christmas gift for friends:

And this:

You and I Dance from ETST on Vimeo.

More from San Diego soon. Baxter? Baxter, is that you? Bark twice if you’re in Milwaukee.