A Cup Of Tea For Mommy

The act of preparing a cup of tea in the afternoon has saved me from totally loosing it on innumerable occasions. Its true. Late in the day, that hour or two before dinner is ready when my sweet tots are tired from a day of play, I am tired from a day being Mommy, my patients waining, I'll make a cup of tea. Its a small thing that I can do for myself amongst the business of filling sippy cups and clean up messes of toys and finger paints. Turning the kettle on, pulling a favorite mug from the cupboard, picking a tea from the pantry. These small steps divided take no time at all but enough time to calm my nerves a bit and focus on the very small simple task i am doing. While letting the tea steep I'll soothe a boo boo on a little knee. We make the world around us beautiful with these small acts and being kind to ourselves. I recently ready a quote by Audrey Hepburn.

"As you grow older you will discover you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." 

While I'm not I qualify as "older" becoming a Mom many of us dive in wholeheartedly to taking care of our children and discount our own needs as something to be addressed later. The act of preparing a cup of tea might seem like just another thing to put on the "to do" list and perhaps it will be the first time around. You will find that it really is a very small gesture to yourself. Once you breathe in the steamy aroma or perhaps even enjoy it with a friend during a playdate at home it will become a ritual in honor of you!

Linking here  for What I Am Loving Wednesday.

I was not compensated in any way for this post but would receive a commission on products purchased directly from the Tazo link on this page.

Over Too Soon

I woke yesterday morning in my own home after spending almost two weeks with my parents in Northern California. Always incredibly gracious they decked out the guest house for us to stay in and have our own private space. Going so far as to stock it with our favorite wines, toiletries and late night munchies, (Chamomile tea for Mr. and hot coco and HOMEMADE marsh mellows for the kiddos!) mom even made a little bed for my pug dogs, which by the way... THEY LOVED!

Joaquin and Stella ate sweets daily, stayed up past bedtime, played and visited with family. Stella discovered the doggy door and used it as often as she could get away with it. Like brother like sister I guess! Joaquin sang Jingle Bells over and over and over... And fell asleep at dinner TWICE.

We had meals with family and friends. Talking long after dinner had been eaten and the wine bottles empty. The time went by much quicker than I had expected. In fact time in general seems to be passing so quickly.

It was a lovely holiday and beginning of a new year for us and hopefully for all of you as well. Linking to What I Love Wednesdays

'BaahBee" Baby

She can climb up on her own.

Positioning herself amongst the baby dolls she opened the book.

Reading and pointing out the pictures.

 She started saying "baaahbee" this week in her tiny little voice. I could sit and watch her for hours I think. So sweet. My Mom has been taking JQ on Wednesdays and it has been so nice to have the time alone with Miss Stella.

Linking up with Lollipops, The Paper Mama and FTLOB!

Evolution Of A Nursery

The nursery has changed a bit in the past few months. There is more to look at, to play with and this winter I am hoping a whole lot more time spent in here. This room can be a total bomb too and it doesnt bother me one bit!

 Stella is still co sleeping but her little bed is ready when ever she is...

 Hand embroidered pillows and crocheted blankets from great grandmothers.

 Lots and lots of books to read...

We are linking up for What I Love Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday and FTLOB.

Arena Entre Los Dedos

Home again after another ocean trip.

The sun, sand and cool breeze, even the foggy mornings will be cherished until next time. Even the half pound of sand in my car is fine doesnt bother me (yet). Makes the beach seem closer in a way. Like we just left it an hour ago.

The little ones played and ran and laughed. Stella ate her body weight in sand and Joaquin ran from every wave that chased him. We discovered un vecindad con una carneceria y panaderia. We ate sweet breads and chicken teriyaki at a little beach grill. We stayed in my Brother in Laws home near Pleasure Point. It was a lovely time.
It is hard to believe it has been more than five years since Mr. and I moved from our sweet little beach community. Making the move back has been talked about a great deal lately. The babies aren't infants anymore. Although I have never left them with anyone other than family and never overnight. (Over protective much?) Mr. is feeling much better so... Why not be where we love?

Well. Didn't I just write about how much we love where we live now?
I mean, people move here from all over the state to settle and raise families. That is, after all, why we moved back here. To start a family. To be near our support system while the kiddos where small. 

So what would you do?

If you could live in a place that you love, that you wouldn't mind raising kiddos in but was many hundreds of miles away from your family and support system, would you do it?
Would you seek a bit more sun and leave a perfectly good spot in the shade knowing you could get burned?  I really don't know.
linking up with Lollipops, The Paper Mama & And Then, She Snapped

Love Where You Live. Bidwell Park

Bidwell Park is just one of many things that make Chico great.

 A place to explore nature, this park is part of who I am. No joke. I have memories of this park in every stage of my life thus far. Growing, learning, exploring, appreciating. Loosing control and finding piece. Some of it has changed and some has remained the same.

Just like me.
The third largest municipal park in California and one of the 25 largest city parks in the United States we are so very lucky to enjoy this park everyday!

 Joaquin, Stella, Mr. And I frequent this particular part of the park, Hooker Oak, for baseball, for play and for long walks.
This post simply touches upon the beauty that is Bidwell Park. I promise to share more and encourage anyone interested to visit! Some other posts that include the park are here, here and here.

linking up here and here.



Enamored

These two have completely stollen my heart.

Life will never be the same...

Linking here & here.

Mini Man Lunch Date

 

Having a lunch date with my mini man.

Taking time with just him.

No distractions. Just him and me.

Lovely.

We did a little shopping (at a toy store of course!), had lunch, went to a museum, met a turtle.

Finished off with some sweets from our local bakery and taking the long way home.

Linking up with:

Mi Jardin

What I am loving right now, aparte de lo obvio?

My garden.

I have tomatoes coming off by the handful. The basil, rosemary, echinacea and Ruda I planted this spring are all doing fantastic! We are going to have cantelope soon and pumpkins this fall. I could spend all day in the garden.

Seriously.

This is my first time linking up for What I love Wednesday!