Oh boy, I have some catching up to do.  I have a scarf to finish while it’s still cold out, I have magazines to start AND finish (yes, there is a September issue still in the pile) and I have a book that I just can’t seem to get beyond the first chapter.  This has nothing to do with the book, mind you.  It has everything to do with the fact that I save it for an end of the day treat for myself, but when I get into my cozy bed, my tired eyes just won’t have that conversation with my brain – ahem.

Here’s the truth – I have a habit of prioritizing responsibilities over things I enjoy doing and often my time and energy is spent before I pull out the needles or open my book.  Not a good plan at all.  In my efforts to slow down more, I’m learning to let some things go, like turning a blind eye to the dusty furniture in favor of taking a walk to the park or watching a movie.  It’s a slow process mind you because I do love a clean house and an orderly garage and a mowed lawn and a brushed dog.  But I also love a good book, a finished scarf and an impromptu dance party.

I think with some good planning and a dash a realism, I can enjoy a more even balance in my days.  What do you do to find balance?

Visit SouleMama to see other special moments from the week.

At my daughter’s school, they celebrate the Season of Kindness.  It starts over the Thanksgiving holiday and carries on until mid-January.  They keep track of individual acts of kindness throughout the season and celebrate the sharing of toys, the acts of empathy and little helping hands with a wrap up party.

Oh how I love life from the viewpoint of a child.  Where you get free food and a personal visit with the Berenstain Bears just for simply handing a block to a friend.  I actually like the idea.  Skills in showing sympathy, empathy, helpfulness and sharing are wonderful, indeed, and should be celebrated.  I well with pride when I hear my daughter pats a kid on the head after a nasty spill or watch her snuggle with the dog.  It certainly helps balance the moments of tantrums and the flexing of independence through the hearty and repeated NO’s.

As an adult, a simple returned smile or a warm hello are always welcome in my book.  I certainly don’t expect a balloon or cupcake after handing a dropped pencil back to a co-worker, but I can guarantee it would encourage laughter and affection – two things I will never outgrow.

When we were younger, my older sister and I would often complain that most of our family vacations revolved around visiting grandparents – versus going to the beach, Disneyland, what have you.  It wasn’t until I was in high school did I start to realize how lucky we were to still have healthy, active grandparents to visit and share time with.  And now that I’m a mother, I truly relish the moments D spends with her grandparents.

Our closest family is about 400 miles away, so when we do plan vacations they often involve grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  As our number of years continues to grow and distance continues to separate us, we use what vacation time we have to come together; we like it this way.  And, as fortunate as we have been, we have found ourselves together at the beach, Disneyland, what have you.

I find pride in building the importance of family in the mind of my child.  D has a Life Book that includes key milestones, memories, travel, etc.  After every vacation, I update it with special memories that I want to hold near and dear for both her and us.  In reading through the growing pages, I find the most joy in the solid familial foundation we have layed out for her thus far, and it is my hope that she will continue to find joy in these special moments.

:: To see more photos from our trip, please visit our page on Flickr ::

I always enjoy this time of year because of its post-holiday slow pace and detour from the regular routine.  After a few days off, I feel re-energized; as if my brain has a reset button.  We spent some wonderful days with family (more to come), went to parks, did some good eating and, hence, walked it off by taking strolls around the neighborhood.  I caught up on a couple new movie DVD releases (I highly recommend “The Help” if you haven’t seen it), took a nap or two (a nice luxury) and enjoyed opening up the house to welcome the nice spring-type weather.

We also completed a couple small home projects, including hanging up the little one’s artwork.  Over the past couple months, we have been collecting artwork of sponge paints, finger paints, glitter paints, turkeys, wreaths and birds from D’s school.  As the proud parents we are, we hung them on the refrigerator, layering them until the fridge began to look like one big present wrapped in hand prints.  At that point, I decided we needed a new display.  With simple grosgrain ribbon and laundry clips, we found a new home in our office for the ever-growing and ever-changing displays of artistic expression.  Yes, proud parents we are indeed.

I look forward to meeting you here again in the coming days!

]]> http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/from-our-home-to-yours/feed/ 1 lifesimplistic _DSC2866_2 http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/right-now-holiday-rendition/ http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/right-now-holiday-rendition/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:52:21 +0000 lifesimplistic http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/?p=908 ]]>

Candy Cane Lane

:: I am sampling the yummy goodness of last weekend’s holiday baking with homemade Gingerbread and Cranberry-Orange Bread.

:: I am enjoying the multicultural holiday crafts my daughter is making at school; including a Christmas wreath made of paint and glitter, a menorah made of paper, glitter and Q-tips and a lovely snowlady with a carrot nose, top hat and flower accents.

:: I am looking forward to a post-holiday project of displaying all her fine artwork in this similar fashion but far less modern.

:: We are taking in all the holiday lights around our neighborhood, including “Candy Cane Lane”, while enjoying homemade “Snowman Soup” (note, we substitute the bittersweet chocolate for semi-sweet).

:: I am reading “T’was the Night Before Christmas” to my daughter almost every night.

:: I am laughing at the sounds of “ho ho ho” coming from my 19-month-old.  She doesn’t understand him yet, but she will certainly know when he arrives!

:: I am trying to embrace the quickly passing holiday season in the little free moments.

:: We are looking forward to spending some time with family in the coming days.

What are you enjoying the most this holiday season?

]]> http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/right-now-holiday-rendition/feed/ 1 lifesimplistic DSC00797 _DSC2251 http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/play/ http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/play/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:39:17 +0000 lifesimplistic http://lifesimplistic.wordpress.com/?p=867 ]]>  

I chose to focus this blog on life’s simple things because amidst all the busyness of life, I always need a source of accountability to focus on things that are truly important to me.  These are the little things that put a smile on my face, give me something to look forward to, or are just little unexpected surprises.  One of these things is play.

Now,  I will admit that after 30+ years of being sans child, it isn’t in my nature to whip up a puppet show or build a gingerbread house from scratch.  However, once I’m in the midst of any kind of play, I find that I adapt quite well to the environment.  In fact, I find that having a child brings out a side of me I didn’t know I had.

Dancing with my daughter, going down the slides, digging in the sand, watercoloring, playing hide and go seek, spinning in circles until we’re laughing so hard, collecting rocks; I love these moments.  Moments that sometimes seem like just seconds of my day amongst the hustle and bustle, but moments I cherish and look forward to the most.

What moments do you cherish?

Oh how I love these little helping hands.