What's with the life preserver?

This little lady had zip up pink gladiator sandals on the other day. We asked her, "Are you a soldier?" 

She said, "This is not a soldier coat, it's a life jacket." 

Hello McFly. 

Texting a seven year old

I found this screen shot the other day from a text conversation with my little man. 

You should have seen the shock and awe when he saw that I found a police car and light emoji. 

He's the most best. 

My Phone Loves the Beastie Boys

Yesterday I was talking to Jenn about her sister's Kate Spade bracelet. 

It's pretty awesome right? 

So then today I was texting Jessie and here's what my autocorrect did. 

NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN. 

Aerosols

Gracie hates when I spray aerosols. She sneezes and leaves the room. But apparently when I put my sunscreen on in the car, this is how she copes. 

Meanwhile it was too sunny outside so this is how little man fell asleep. 

As you know, these two are such happy points in my life. 

I'm going to post this quote now and expound on it later.

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.

Albert Camus

It comes from this entire lovely letter. 

My dear, In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that… In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back. Truly yours, Albert Camus

The local grocery store

When you need a brush in a pinch, your local grocery store can provide exactly the pattern you want.

Coincidentally, this pattern will also help maintain your status as the favorite aunt to three tween nieces. 

Am inspiring thought from Caitlin Moran

"Here is a promise, and a fact: you will never, in your life, ever have to deal with anything more than the next minute. However much it feels like you are approaching an event – an exam, a conversation a decision, a kiss – where , if you screw it up, the entire future will just burn to hell in front of you and you will end: you are not. That will never happen. That is not what happens.

The minutes always come one at a time, inside hours that come one at a time, inside days that come one at a time – all orderly strung, like pearls on a necklace, suspended in a graceful line. You will never, ever, have to deal with more than the next 60 seconds.

Do the calm, right thing that needs to be done in the minute. The work, or the breathing or the smile. You can do that, just for one minute. And if you can do a minute, you can do the next.”

Balanced breakfast

Library

We take our library trips very seriously around here. My favorite questions to the librarians yesterday, "Excuse me, where are the chapter books?" and "Excuse me, can you please help me find a nonfiction book?" 

In the end we picked up one chapter book for our first grade level reader to "read," two nonfiction books on pterodactyls, and a nonfiction book about weather. 

Teaching a child to love reading is easily one of the best parts of my life. 

This is my happy

This is my happy place.