{ confetti }

Since I don't much care for the term 'photo dump' (yet that's exactly what this is), I decided I should coin a new phrase for the times when I do exactly that.  I thought about 'mixed bag' or 'smorgasbord' but those aren't very fun words either.  So when thumbing through my rolodex of Exquisite Words and Terms I Love, I landed on confetti (just after champagne and well before whimsical).  Since confetti is essentially a scattering of pretty merriment in celebration of something, I thought it a fitting description for the days when I simply want a sprinkling of happy photos strewn about the blog v. something more structured.

(It's quite a stretch...but it'll do.)

So, without further ado, I present to you, today's confetti.

{ exercise }
We went on another family run this past weekend, but decided to a few strength-training exercises first. Eliza's a pretty hardcore trainer, I must say.  Though she's one tough cookie, herself, too.

{ best friends }
Eliza is borderline obsessed with Addie -- she asks about her upon waking most mornings, and rarely a day goes by when she doesn't break down in tears because she can't see her beloved friend.  They're adorable together.  And because they play so well with one another, the adults get a lot of uninterrupted time to catch up and enjoy one another's company, too.  This past weekend, Addie and Eliza had a fun girls' night in, complete with playing in the rain with their daddys and getting to stay up far past their bed times to watch Brave.

{ ballet }

Ballet is still going splendidly.  Seeing how far these little girls have come in the past nine months is amazing.  I got really choked up during last week's class after their solo (meaning no moms) performances to 'Heigh-ho'.  I remember being there on day one -- helping Eliza twirl inside her ribbon, plie, and march with her chin held high.  Now, she doesn't need me -- she has memorized the dance all on her own and does it to perfection.  Oh, how I love my little girl in ballet.

{ wonder women }

We've been quite busy saving the world.

{ yesterday }
Yesterday wasn't a homerun in the weather department, however, Eliza and I made the best of it and  knocked one out of the park anyways.  After a short-ish nap, I was expecting a grizzly young lady to greet me.  However, when I walked in, this is what I saw:

She was piling her pillows up on one side of her bed and launching herself to the other end, where she had piled up her blankets.  Over and over again...'Ready, steady...go!'...

She was having so much fun that she didn't want to get up.  So, we made an afternoon of it.

And after a quick (pretend) nap...

...she was ready to get up.  It was raining outside, but that didn't stop us.  A little rain can't stop my little wonder girl from having fun in the great outdoors.

And that evening, after a nice calm dinner (which is rarity in this house -- Eliza doth usually protest when asked to sit down and eat), when the thunder storms came rolling in, we retreated to the playroom to read.  Adding to the element of mystique that the storm was providing us, we decided to read by flashlight. Scott asked if the power was out -- no, but she brought it to me, so I went with it. 

{passport}
I had to dust off the ole passport this morning to renew my expired military ID.  Eliza wanted to 'read da book'.  This has been one of my favorite 'books' yet; especially since she was with me during most of the adventures -- even if just a growing bump in my middle.  She may not have had a passort to stamp at the time, but the stamps that fill these pages are just as much hers as they are mine.

{finale}
This picture makes my heart skip.

{ the little things }

As Scott and I toasted to beautiful weather and the fun weekend ahead last Thursday night, I noticed the words, 'For every true lover of life!', staring back at me from my Shiner Bock Hefeweizen.  Clearly, I had chosen wisely, as I am very much a true fan and lover of life, my life.  (And the Hefeweizen didn't disappoint, either!)

And after a very simple yet fulfilling weekend, I delighted in knowing that it is life's most simple pleasures that I am truly grateful for, that make me the happiest, that fill my heart with gratitude, and that make me the true lover of life that I am.  

Like picking strawberries and picnicking with friends...

And spontaneous afternoon BBQs that last well beyond bedtime and leave little ones sticky with the remnants of watermelon and ice cream, and with a serious case of nonsensical silliness due to the sheer exhaustion of a day well spent in the sun.

Even the daunting task of removing a splinter from my sweet girl's foot left me feeling on top of the world -- that is, once I was able to remove it, anyways.  There's something incredibly gratifying that comes with the healing of your child's boo-boo -- the post-kiss 'all better!' and the assurance that you, and only you, hold the power to heal your child like she needs -- it's all very powerful and satisfying.

And on Mother's Day, we had brunch reservations at my favorite place in town: home sweet home. 

Scott and Eliza worked tirelessly in the kitchen making waffles for my mom and me.

And their hard work paid off.

And instead of having to worry about paying a bill and rushing out so that the next family could celebrate, I was able to sit back and enjoy the people I love most in the world.  

And spend time enjoying the blissful simplicity of pushing my girl on her swing.

And that evening, with no plan or agenda, we headed out to search for a special place to eat dinner but ended up at our regular ole' Mexican restaurant for steak tacos.  And went for ice cream after.  I couldn't have been happier.   

And after we read stories to, tickled, and kissed our little girl goodnight, Scott and I sat and talked for a long time about everything from television to the Pythagorean Theorem to our summer plans.  And it was then that I told Scott how truly satisfied I am with the balance I have in my life right now and how very happy and proud it all makes me.  I feel that I finally have a solid set of local friends; a great balance of routine v. spontaneity during the week with Eliza; a thriving hobby that helps me financially contribute a little to my family, while also giving me something that is mine; and I feel as though I am doing a mostly kick-ass job keeping our home in order while also making time for my family.  It's not the balance and life that every woman wants or works towards, but it's exactly everything I've always wanted.  

Simple, yes.  Yet, those ordinary days are the days that stick with me and make up this incredible life of mine.  I've been able to do some pretty spectacular things in my life and will continue to seek out those opportunities.  And while those experiences stick with and build me, it's the little things -- the simplicity of a day at the beach with my husband and daughter, watching my girl thrive in swim class, having a meaningful conversation with a good friend, going on an impromptu date with Scott -- that make my life full. 

Sure, it's hard to celebrate the small things on days when shit has hit the fan, and let's face it -- I have a toddler and a husband who is on sea duty, so those kind of days can be the exception sometimes.  However, at nearly 30 years old, I have finally learned to embrace the ordinary as extraordinary; look for the silver lining; and truly enjoy the small things.  Because only finding happiness and satisfaction in the Gatsby-esque moments in life creates an existence where 'happiness is [merely] a moment before you need more happiness' (Don Draper).  

And as profound (and just so damn good looking) as that Don Draper is, I don't think we'll be seeing those words on the back of a summer brew any time soon.    

~~~~~

Some other simple pleasures I've been enjoying as of late:

The abundance of peonies in my home...my God, has there ever been a more beautiful flower?

Early morning toasts to the sunshine...

And early evening toasts to the sunshine...

The fact that this is happening less and less often these days...

Learning how to play a new game (Canasta)...and winning!

Time with girlfriends...

A growing sense of courageousness.  

And final Stateside Skype sessions with friends (the happiness coming from knowing how great of an adventure this is going to be for them!)...