Thankful Thursdays

This Thursday I am thankful for:

The bouquet of daffodils that are brightening my kitchen counter.

A little girl who loves to hold my hand.

An impromtu kids movie night at the neighbor's house.

Friends who email clothing suggestions to break me out of my sweatshirts.

The clerk at Kohl's who gave me 30 percent off even without my having a coupon (so that I could get suggested wardrobe additions).

A free cup of Orange Ginger Mint Tea from Panera - so warming and tasty during a chilly week.

Netflix On Demand and their crappy selection of kids movies that make my daughter oh-so happy.

Uninterrepted bubble baths. The sound of laundry finally being done.

That on the dreariness of this Thursday I can look back at the sunniness of two Thursdays ago:

Bathroom and a Sleigh

On Thursday, while I was buying kitty litter and Windex and laundry detergent at Target I stumbled across a oil rubbed bronze towel bar on clearance. As we all know I have an incredibly hard time passing up a good deal, therefore the towel bar made it into my cart, along with a matching toilet paper holder. I was just going to change out the hardware in the downstairs bath - it should have been a simple, straight forward task. Instead, it resulted in a 3 day bathroom make over which has made me incredibly happy.

I got most of the painting done while Addie napped on Friday. Uncle Dickie installed the new light while I got a pedicure on Saturday (I know, awesome). Sunday I finished the touch up painting and added all the finishing touches that Addie helped me shop for, and wah-la a new bathroom was born. It makes me stupidly happy.

What else makes me stupidly happy? A three year old who very patiently entertains herself on a Sunday morning while mommy hangs and adjusts and fiddles and decorates. When the bathroom was 99 percent of the way done this is the obstacle course I encountered.

I was told it was a sleigh ride for Addie and her buddies. Oh, to live in her brain.

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for:

Quick trips to visit the fam. Especially ones filled with laughter and silliness, as it always is when the McWhorter girls are involved.

Buxom Lip gloss in Ginger - I know, it's so superficial, but it makes me feel like I am at least making an effort. (There is also a tube called Jessica, I plan on purchasing it once there is a bit more of a tan on this face).

Two days of 70 degree weather that resulted in a large amount of yard work getting completed.

A towel bar on clearance for $4.58. That small purchase is now resulting in plans for me to repaint the downstairs bathroom and shop for a new mirror and light fixture this weekend.

The shakers of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and chocolate that Starbucks keeps by their sweeteners - my coffee always feels that much fancier with a shake or two.

Nap time. The days that nap time occur are magical days. Today was not one of those days.

Having my house back - no four TVs and an extra couch in the living room. No loud, cursing, gas-filled boys yelling. No smell of wings or stale beer. So VERY thankful.

Drama Queen

Today's major drama melt down was brought to me by a pair of socks, a Kroger sticker, and cousin Rylan.

I detected a little bit of attitude this morning, but it seemed to correct itself. And then we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond where I cruelly wouldn't purchase her a box of Skittles and a princess tent. Foot stomp, pout and glare.

After a little talking to in the car it seemed all better. I am choosing to believe that when she ran into my Achilles tendons as hard as she could with her "own perfect size" shopping cart it was truly an accident.

And then we got home and Rylan came over to play. They galloped through the yard, slid on the slide, swung on the swings, climbed the fence and had a fabulous good time.

The beginning of the end was at lunch when Rylan selfishly and purposely took the Kroger sticker that was probably laying on the floor and put it on his napkin.

Shrieks followed by tears -But that was my Kroger sticker and I don't want Ry to have it. I was saving it special for Mich and Daddy and IT'S MINE.

Once the lunch drama was done came the sock drama. Tears and shrieks and screaming. Again, Rylan was all to blame because he's just so mean. How dare he think that it's okay to touch and try to wear one of Addie's 64 pairs of socks. Oh the humanity!

This followed by more bickering, a bit of pushing and hitting, tons of foot stomping and a load of theatrics from two toddlers. Rylan left to go take a nap at his grandparents' house and I ushered Addie upstairs for quiet time.

As she crawled on my lap to read Ramona Quimby, Age 8 she looks up at me and says, I love having Ry here. Can he come back tomorrow?

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for:

This stunning plastic crystal chandelier exiting my life and main entry way

and this simple, but lovely, chandelier taking it's place.Bubble gum pink knee high rain boots.
Discounted fabric remnants and my sewing machine. The two together have resulted in many-a new pillow in our house, all of which make me insanely happy.

My little thought out but much loved purchase of a storage ottoman for the family room. It was on clearance which was a bonus, but most importantly it fits all of Addie's toys and crap. It makes me unbelievably happy to not see toddler crap all over.

Second hand shopping. I get a little icked out thinking about bed bugs and cooties, but bought and cleaned a ficus for the living room, a new end table with storage and an old wooden chair that I am going to refinish and recushion and put in the living room. I feel like a true HGTV groupie and do-it-yourselfer. Not to mention I spent a grand total of $39.

The sweet and adorable friendship of these two stinkers. They hold hands and dance and giggle and endlessly chat. I hope that their friendship always stays so strong.

Seeing James Taylor in concert yet again. His voice is nothing short of perfection and his songs me make emotional for all sorts of reasons. Thank you to JT for singing "Sweet Baby James", "Fire and Rain" and, of course, "Carolina in my Mind".

Tiny hands that pick me dead flowers - Look Mama! I picked these for you because I love you.

Deciding to embrace Cincinnati's restaurant week. Saturday was dinner at Local 127. Monday was a neighbor date at Lavomatic and this weekend is a girl date at View. Which explains why I have made myself show up to work out each day this week.

Showing up to work out. Everything, and I do mean everything, hurts. It hurts to sit, to stand, to make dinner, to smile - but I know (really I do) that working out is a good idea for my rear.

The birds that count on my daughter's dedication to filling the bird feeder, and the fact that she can now identify mocking birds, goldfinches, house finches, robins, chickadees, cardinals, mourning doves and blue jays.

Sunshine.

Daffodils pushing through the soil.

Tiny buds on the trees.

The promise of 66 degree weather.

A quick road trip to West Virginia.

Grow

There was a moment this morning, between getting coffee brewed and Addie out the door to preschool, that slapped me in face and took my breath away.
It really wasn't anything spectacular or special, but for just a second, as Addie finished getting into her sparklefied jeans and cute panda tee shirt, I wasn't able to see a baby anymore.
I saw some strange big girl standing in her place.

Her legs are impossibly long with no trace of the rolls that once resided there. The adorable little dimples that bookended her wrists have disappeared, leaving behind hands that can write letters and zipper coats. Her chubby cheeks seem to be melting away, barely pinchable anymore.
And in that moment, as my breath was taken away, my eyes filled with tears.
How is it possible that my baby is so grown up? She barely just got here.

Mama? What? What'sa matter Mama?
You've just gotten so big sweetie - I can't believe how much you've grown.
{Eye roll and shrug} I gotta grow Mom. I'll be your baby but I gotta get big too.

Inquisition

I remember having questions as a kid. All sorts of questions, like:
Why is it called cheese?
How do birds know how to chirp?
Does everyone know how to whistle?
Where does snow come from?
Why isn't rain the same as snow?
What does the brain look like?
Why is it my bedtime?
Will I wear glasses?
What makes the sun rise?
Why do cats pee inside and dogs pee outside?
Blah blah blah blah....

I now have a sneaking suspicion that I may have asked my mother all of those questions in addition to about forty million more. Why do I suspect this? Because my darling daughter never stops talking. She has question upon question upon question. I love that she is curious. I love that she is exploring her world. I empathize with her need to dissect and understand her world, but I would do anything, anything to just have a moment of silence.

Mama....MAMA!
What is a state?
What rhymes with giraffe?
Why do I have to wipe?
Who makes mushrooms?
How do trees talk to each other?
What is a stranger?
Is she a stranger?
Why are we always late?
How do we get boogers?
Why can't I dip my hotdog in yogurt?
Do I have to wear my coat?
What's my breath smell like?
Do you know who my best friend is?
What's your favorite color?
Do you know my favorite color?
Does Daddy have a favorite color?
Who is Gramma's gramma?
Why do I have to wash my hands?
What are cavity bugs?
Where is the North Pole?
Do you know who I love from The Sound of Music?
How do flowers grow?
Why can't I have a treat out of orange bowl?
What is healthier salami or grapes?

And that, my friends, is just one tenth of the amount of questions that I am asked every day.

And it's shocking about how many times I really have to think about what the answers are.

Time

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is save everyday
Watching you play
Smiling and laughing with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd make you a princess in purple and pink
And spend all my days twirling with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things I want to do
Laundry, dishes and life get in the way
And I've been a mom long enough to know
That time goes too fast and you just continue to grow


If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that were all brand new
It would be full of bubbles, sparkles and wonder
And all the amazing things I know you will do

But there never seems to be enough time

To do the thing we want to do

Snuggles, fairy tales and your worlds of pretend

I am so thankful you are mine

And everyday day fall even more in love with you....