I Love This Kid

Although she DID have a legitimate owwie from an unfortunate accident with a toy bin yesterday, I think her call for a remedy is a bit ridiculous. See for yourself:


So at 7am today when I woke Her Highness up from royal slumber, she first pointed out her owwie ... right 'dere. I kissed it. I fawned over her. I distracted her. And, eventually, I obliged her.

Because at 7am if she thinks a Hello Kitty Band-Aid is going to save the day, who am I to disagree?

I love this kid.

{note, it's nearing 7pm and the bandage is still intact. Heal on, healer}

Wordless Wednesday

The Best Thing

The Dad installed some swings under the deck two weeks ago- for his darling daughter.
Well. As if she didn't already think Daddy hung the moon, that act solidified it.

She wakes up in the morning- she wants to swing.
She protests eating homemade manicotti- she wants to swing.
She hides from me when it's time to fashion her hair into something other than a ratty beehive- she wants to swing.
She gets tucked in and no less than 100 kisses at bedtime- she wants to swing.
She gets home from daycare and hightails it to the backyard with the Beagle close behind- she wants to swing.

She wants to swing. It's the greatest thing to happen to her since, well ... hotdogs.

Happiness

Nutella is a rich, chocolate hazelnut spread I was first introduced to when I traveled to Germany in high school.
I enjoyed it each morning of the 21-day trip smeared on authentic, still-warm German breads and croissants. I brought a jar home in my luggage to share with my parents.

Imagine my surprise when I received a jar in my Christmas stocking that year ... and imagine the United States shelving such an international treat! Nutella in my stocking became a traditional in my family. One year though, it just stopped.

Last month on a whim, and after a 10-year absence from my life, I again found myself ripping the foil off the top of a new jar of Nutella to smear on a whole grain bagel one weekend while I had coffee.

Much to my delight my tiny muse enjoys the stuff, too.


Happiness is found at the bottom of a Nutella jar ...

Earth Day 2010

Happy Earth Day!

This morning I ran the Beagle at the park per our usual 6am routine.
I'm usually in a hurry on the way back, to run in the house and begin getting ready for another day.
This morning was different though; when we turned into our yard, I paused.
And, grabbed my camera.


There, my first tulip was shooting through the soil. It's from the first batch of bulbs I've ever planted, and I was rewarded with pink -my favorite color- being the debut.


Our Autumn Blaze Maple tree, fresh with off-spray from the sprinkler system and a 35* morning, was icy on all its baby leaves.


A hearty perennial showing off its mean-green in the flower bed by the porch.


And, my favorite, most favorite of all, the Flowering Crab Apple tree planted the summer before the lil' dude was born. These magnificent buds break open in early spring, flower, and fly away all before Mother's Day. It's always symbolic to me watching this mighty tree come to life after surviving another harsh Midwest winter.

Celebrate today where you live- take the time to be thankful for the greens, blues, browns, and pinks.
Just pause.

Wordless Wednesday

Daddy's Girl

Not that there was ever any question ... but these photos are hard evidence.