We met some new friends. And had a few playdates (this turned out to be the playdate from Hell, but that's another blog post.) There were some knitted trees (this photo is especially for you, Hannah). And birthday celebrations with friends. I became slightly (ok...very) obsessed with sparkling water. And took lots of end-of-winter/soon-to-be-spring walks. Riley let it all hang out, ballerina-style. And we made cake batter pancakes *with sprinkles* (Sooooo gooooood. the recipe is here.) And then I began a 21 day "compassionate cleanse" (day 6 today and going strong.) Riley received a very special package in the mail (thank you, other Amy. We love you!) I kept plugging away on the kitchen make-over (these are cabinet doors). And we rounded out the month with a little lice issue at the girl's preschool. It's been a very busy month, full of the same-old, same-old as well as little surprises along the way. I'm jonesing for spring, however, and while March was lovely, I'm anticipating all the fun times planned for April.
She's three and a half. And boy, is she ever "three and a half". Full of sass and opinions and silly songs and goofy faces (observe). In the course of any given day, she: amazes me, frustrates me, amuses me, teaches me, humbles me, energizes me, exhausts me, enlightens me, confuses me, trusts me, consoles me, irritates me, adores me, ignores me (a lot, lately), watches me, imitates me, questions me, answers me, scares me, calms me.
Life is very full with her around, bigger and brighter than I ever imagined it could be.
Bugga, I'm so glad it's "Me and Yous".
(Her face isn't dirty, but rather that's her makeup job for today. Gorgeous, no?)
Wind swept skies and rain soaked sidewalks ushered in the new season. The mountains near my home are covered in snow, stubbornly ignoring the date the calendar shows. A water-color sun tries to break through the ragged clouds, it's tenacity echoed by the tender buds that push their way through the still frozen ground. Winter seems reluctant to release it's grip on the earth, but slowly, surely, it will grow weary against the incessant flirting of Spring.
Spring. A time of re-birth. Of renewal. A time to make wishes on the wind and whisper promises to yourself, those specific promises (yes, those ones!) you know you must keep. It's a time when you shed the weight of seasons past and open yourself up to the warmth that holds you steady as your colors begin to unfold.
A time of forward motion, starting from wherever you find yourself today. A time to let go of the grudges and grief you once held close, a shield against the storms. A time to discover the strength and beauty that will unfurl with enough sunshine and water. A time to burst, to blossom. A time to bloom.
- - My cell phone and my iPod decided to crash within about 2 days of each other. I decided to take this as a sign from the Universe to upgrade to an iPhone. So far - I really like it. Being a Mac girl through and through, this brings everything into one place. It's so convenient! And my photographer's heart beats a little faster whenever I play with all the photo apps. The funny part about getting an iPhone was that G was way more excited about it than I was. So it's only fitting that the first iPhone pic on my blog is of her, no?
- -I am experiencing a major case of writer's block, only not in my traditional sense. I have plenty - tons, in fact- of ideas and words and poems and essays floating around in my head. I'm even dreaming in written words. I just can't seem to organize any of them into any sort of consumable fashion. I'm just going with the flow and letting them show up how and when and where they may, but the result of this approach is an assortment of stanzas of poetry written on grocery store receipts and texts to myself that have ideas for other work. I know that, at some point, they'lll come together. I'm learning to trust my own creative process.
- - I ate this for breakfast today. This was after I gave myself a lecture about healthy, nutrient filled breakfasts to fuel my workouts last night. Healthy choice, no?
But dang -- it was GOOD!
- -Speaking of workouts, I've increased my training even more recently (added miles to my runs and am swimming and weight training more), and I'm beginning to see the signs that go along with these changes. For me, the first thing I see is a definite increase in my appetite. I know that sounds fun, but when you are hungry all the time, and you need to eat good, high quality, fresh foods, it takes lots of planning and organization and it can be sort of annoying. The other thing I notice is that when I'm tired, I AM TIRED. Tonight, I'm tired. It's off to bed after I finish this post.
- - Riley's class tried to catch a Leprechaun today. They didn't quite succeed, but the little guy did leave her some Leprechaun Gold while she was taking a nap. She's rather excited about it.
- -My ex-husband is Irish, which is where my kiddo gets her reddish hair and fair complexion. He usually celebrates the day up right, and that used to be fun, but I'm happy to be home with my kiddo tonight. She's keeping me entertained by performing this little groove.
- - Riley is going to be with her Dad this entire weekend, and I am heading north to enjoy one more snow-filled weekend before spring sets in for good. I am really looking forward to the long, solo drive (best time for me to really dig into my own brain), and getting out to do some XC skiing and snowshoeing. I'm also planning some quality time with my camera. The logical part of my brain keeps trying to shut this plan down in favor of staying home and working on my kitchen, but my heart is shouting at me to go. I'm listening.
This month's 12of12 had us documenting what was a pretty typical Saturday around here. Longer workout for me, lots of errands to run. Still, it's fun to record this view of my life. Riley has caught on to the reason I carry my camera around on the 12th. She even 'directed' a few of these shots. 01. Hot chocolate for breakfast. Riley calls it her 'morning drink'. 02. Riley thought you all needed to see how long my ponytail was. So here you go. 03. Riley's special treat for the date. It was pink AND purple AND blue. 04. We got a little bit goofy for the self portrait portion of the day. 05. The Girl got to watch a movie on my IPad. She loves that thing WAY more than I do. 06. I snacked on blueberries and blackberries all day. 07. What 'Running Errands' looks like. 08. Grocery Haul. 09. Riley's pop beads. Santa should have re-thought these. 10. New toothbrush. This one has a Barbie on it AND it lights up. She had to have it. 11. Riley reading to the rabbit at the Library. We both *heart* the library and spent more than an hour there. 12. More goofiness for the self portraits. This one cracks me up.
My favorite pic of the day didn't even make it into my collage, but I'll share it anyway. More goofiness.
**There are not many situations where a cupcake is not appreciated. **It's so much fun to be 'burst-out-of-your-skin' happy about someone else's good news. Seriously, I have been walking around with a random, dreamy smile on my face all evening because of this type of feeling. **I am much more productive and happy at work when I have too much to do. It's weird, I know, but I love to be busy! **I am both overjoyed that biking season is almost upon us, and a bit depressed that the ski season is pretty much over. For someone who has never enjoyed winter before, this is a HUGE step in the right direction. **I've spent time with several different friends this week, and it's been a lovely week, indeed. Coincidence? I think not. **I do so enjoy the fact that it's staying light later, and that the time changes this weekend. Bring on Spring! **Hawaii. Six weeks away. I'm just sayin'....(kelly b., just for you, baby).
And had a few playdates (this turned out to be the playdate from Hell, but that's another blog post.)
There were some knitted trees (this photo is especially for you, Hannah).
And birthday celebrations with friends.
I became slightly (ok...very) obsessed with sparkling water.
And took lots of end-of-winter/soon-to-be-spring walks.
Riley let it all hang out, ballerina-style.
And we made cake batter pancakes *with sprinkles* (Sooooo gooooood. the recipe is here.)
And then I began a 21 day "compassionate cleanse" (day 6 today and going strong.)
Riley received a very special package in the mail (thank you, other Amy. We love you!)
I kept plugging away on the kitchen make-over (these are cabinet doors).
And we rounded out the month with a little lice issue at the girl's preschool. 
It's been a very busy month, full of the same-old, same-old as well as little surprises along the way. I'm jonesing for spring, however, and while March was lovely, I'm anticipating all the fun times planned for April.
