Autumn Thursday

1. Jay threw a tantrum in the morning. First time since she started daycare a month ago. The only good thing about it was that I managed to calm her down and that she was in her usual good mood when we walked over to the daycare center. Then Jay asked me: “Why are you walking so fast?” Indeed, I was getting late for work. I wasn’t sure what to say. “I am not walking that fast, am I?” and in that very instant I remembered the poem "Hurry" by Marie Howe… Late for work? Big deal!

2. On my way home I looked at the hills and saw that the colours of the trees are not as green but with a hardly noticeable blend of gold. Change of seasons...

3. Apples picking! Our neigbour's orchard has very old trees with apple varieties that are no longer planted but they are our absolute favourite. Picking apples from such old twisted trees is something we do every autumn for as far as I remember and I love it! Can't wait for the crispy ones we will be picking at another orchard next week!

Seize the day - Wednesday!

1. I was amazed to hear Em had volunteered to make a short presentation on some small bugs for school and was planning to gather the data, make a poster and prepare the presentation without me guiding her though the project like I used to one year ago. Yep, that's what she said: "I am doing this all by myself!" And she did. My only assignment was to print out the photos from the net so she could glue them on the poster. Way to go, my girl!

2. While Em was doing her work Jay was digging big holes in the sand outside and decorating them with stones and flowers. Just as I thought I wasn't going to have the chance for a walk this afternoon Jay happily agreed to take her little bike and come with me. We went our usual route down through the forest and past the few houses in the neighbourhood and than back again. From time to time she would cycle faster than I managed to walk so I had to run after her as a cautious mom. But it was a good exercise! Especially now that I have decided to re-start jogging after a 15-year break...! The program says to start with 20-25-minute walks three times the first week. I guess I could say I had my first training today.

3. With everybody asleep I decided to check all drawers and shelves again to find Gretchen's Happiness Project and read a few pages before going to bed. It had gone missing over the weekend when the girls were cleaning up the coffee table in our living room... I should have known they had put it in the box with the children's books.
   

My Tuesday afternoon

1. I sent the book "Eat, love, pray" to my friend as a birthday present two years ago and now that the movie was at the local cinema we couldn't think of anyone better to go there with but each other. At first it seemed Julia wandering the streets of Rome wasn't going to get my complete attention but eventually my friend and I agreed it was a good movie that did the book justice. Hey, people do change their lives by taking actions!

2. I got home late so Jay, my 4-year old daughter, was already in bed with Daddy, but Em was still up waiting for me. I usually make the girls go to bed by 9 p.m. so they get enough sleep but I felt Em wanted to talk and since we hardly ever get the chance to be together just the two of us without any interuptions I made an exception. I enjoyed every minute of it. My beautiful and smart 10-year old daughter!

3. As I was getting ready to go to bed I looked at my finger nails. Short and dull. I painted them purple. I haven't wore any other but light pink or purl nail polish for 2 years and it was definitely time for a change. I feel beautiful!