Day 719/12 - Ahhhhh

I think this pretty much says it all...

Day 720/11 - Citrus Heaven

Today I began my day with this - made with oranges that just came off the tree:

 

And ended my day with a greyhound made with these - fresh from the tree:

 

 

It was a delicious day!

Day 721/10 - A Perfect Tot

Today we flew across the greater part of our country to Palm Springs CA to hang out with Hub's dad and stepmom.

I have to say, I really wasn't looking forward to 4 hours on a flight with a 2.75 year old.

I was envisioning kicking seats, loud talking and antsy pants. Not a pretty picture.

This is what we actually got:

 

Tot Perfection!

Day 722/9 - Puzzle Time

Today was a good day around here.

I felt loads better. Ran some errands. Cleaned up around the house.

A pretty basic Saturday.

You may think the best part was packing for our impending trip west. And that was pretty good.

But watching this was better:

Day 723/8 - Girls Night Out

Well, kind of.

I'm a social person.  I love meeting new people and being out with friends.  Or in with friends.  Really, it doesn't matter.

So moving to a new place and having almost no friends has been tough.  Really tough.

Tonight I went to a sort of get to know you thingy with some other ladies from church.  Yeah, some of you are going to think that's a little cheesy.  But I loved it!

And I had to leave early cuz it turns out I'm still a little sick.  So I'm heading to bed.

Day 724/7 - Survival

Soooo sick today.

Today's magic moment was being able to sleep in all morning because Tot was at daycare.

And then on the way home he said the snow smelled like pineapple. 

Love him!

Day 725/6 - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Day

That's right.

Today's magic moment is those first few minutes after Tot goes to bed.

Hubs and I look at each other, sigh, and hug it out.

Phew!

Day 726/5 - Art Time

I've never really been all that creative. 

From time to time I've had creative itches and stretches where I've tried to do creative things, but it never sticks for very long. 

So I've been trying to take the time to do art at least once a week with T, with the hopes that he'll at least appreciate the creative process.

This afternoon when he got up from his nap, he said I want to make some art for grandma and grandpa. And I said let's do it!

I cut out some shapes which he stuck on with a glue stick, and he worked on his cutting and pencil/crayon skills (which are seriously slow in developing - I'm guessing it doesn't help that he's a lefty).

 

 

Then he said Mommy, draw me Ms. Bridget (his teacher at day care).  And give her some coffee.  And draw me a house.  And a car.  And a vampire house (?). 

 

I did my best.

Day 727/4 - I Love Rock and Roll

Tyler really loves music. And the days when I could sit in my car and happily listen to NPR while doing my errands are gone.

Now all I hear is Mom, I want to hear "Ever Ever". Or Mom, play Gangnam Style.

And while I love that he loves music, and I don't even mind that he likes pop music more than my treasured rock and roll, it does make me a little sad that he'd rather listen to Taylor Swift than Bon Jovi.

Today we're in the car on the way to music class and Tot's in the back making his usual requests. Only this time, I have no idea what he's talking about:

Mom, I want "This is what I want".

Huh?

I try all the usual suspects, Swifty, Psy, Rihanna. Nope.

Mom, I want "This is what I want."

In the parking lot at Target, I'm scrolling through my iPod, trying to decipher Tot Talk. And finally, I get it.

I put on Journey - Any Way You Want It.

I say, Is this the one you want?

And from the back I hear, mmm-hum.

There's hope for him yet.

Day 728/3 - Sunday...SUNDAY

So, it's only 11:24 and today's magic moment has already come and gone:

I love tot's bathtime...because between the "keep the water in the tub, knees or bottom, don't drink that, don't pee in the tub"s, I still see glimpses of the babe he used to be.

Time with a tot really does fly by - he'll be three before I know it.

But there's something about his wet face and clean bod that reminds me of when he was itty bitty, and it makes me smile.

Day 729/2 - Pizza

Ahh Saturday.

I used to love you for sleeping in, relaxing trips to the gym, fun nights out on the town. 

Those days are loooooong gone.

Still, there's magic to be found on Saturdays.  LOTS of magic!

Hubs has started studying for the CPA exam.  It's a long road, but it hasn't been too bad so far.  These days, Saturdays look like 7 AM wake up calls, frantic trips to the gym to make a 9:30 AM Body Pump class, and family time together in the afternoon after naps. 

It was freezing in Chicagoland today, so after naps we headed to the Mall (Let's go to the mall, the mall).  Tot played in the play area and hubs and I had a few minutes between "Hey, get back in there"s to catch up. 

That leads me to today's magic moment:

 

Oh yeah, I love me some pizza. This gem is from my grocer's freezer, but it's made just up the road.  For coming out of celophane and into my oven, it is DELICIOUS. If it's one thing Chicagoland knows, it's pizza.

 

Alright, it's not really about the pizza.  It's about spending a Saturday evening in, on the couch, watching hockey with my boys. 

 

Delish.

Day 730 (or, Day 1)

So, I've never been much of a blogger.

I don't follow many blogs.

I like to see my friends' blogs, but I usually forget they even exist until they post something and link it to Facebook.  

Then I go Oh yeah! And savor the few minutes of connection to old friends.

But lately, I've been feeling like I have more to say. More to contribute. I'm just not sure how, or where. So until I figure it out, I'll start here.

In two years, I turn 40. I can't even believe I'm writing those words.

40 is just so OLD.

Remember that scene in When Harry Met Sally and Sally's all, but I'm going to be 40. And her friend says, when? And Sally says, In 8 years...

Ugh, that was 6 years ago, for me.  And now it looms large.

Lately, I've been lonely, sad, and a little down about things, despite all I have in my life to be grateful for. Living in a new place with new people has been harder than I ever thought it might be. So this year, every day, I'll remind myself of all the magic still to be found in my life, even when I have to look a little harder to find it.

And next year, I'll celebrate the end of my 30s with a little more magic!

Until then, here's today's magic moment: 

OK, it hasn't actually happened yet, but it will, tonight.  

And I will savor every bite!