Pictures From The Park

As I mentioned in this post, Bruce and I took Brinley to one of the local parks here for an afternoon on the weekend of her birthday. Here are a few pictures that I took (or in the case of the pictures of Brinley and I, Bruce took) while we were there. I have recently come across some pretty nifty photo-editing software so I have been playing around with that this past week in the evenings after Brinley goes to bed. I hope y'all enjoy!



Brinley being pushed in the swing by Bruce.



Brinley and a 'boon'. While we were there, another child was having a birthday party and balloons were plentiful. Since it was a breezy day, Brinley had a good day trying to keep up with this orange balloon.



Brinley had a good time going down the slide once mommy went down with her a couple of time to show her how much fun it is.



Brinley and Bruce had a good time going over letters and making words on the alphabet board.



~Kisses from Daddy~

Daybook: Spring Has Sprung!

Outside My Window: Brrrr...it's in the low-40's now, but feels like the mid-30's. We got a cold front yesterday so it will be cool during the days and even cooler during the next few days. Unfortunately it will also be cloudy with a chance of rain off and on this week.

I Am Listening To: ...absolutely nothing. Everyone but myself has turned in for the day.

I Am Wearing: ...blue jeans, a white t-shirt, a green, fleece sweatshirt and warm socks.

I Am Thankful For: ...this silence. This busy mom enjoys whatever moments of peace and quiet she can get.

I Am Pondering: This wonderful piece here. Thanks for the reminder Elizabeth.

I Am Reading: ...the same books as last week: Don't Make Me Count To Three: A Mom's Look At Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman and Martha To The Max: Balanced Living For Perfectionists.

To Be Fit And Happy: Brinley received an Air Navigator tricycle--she calls it her 'bike'-- as a birthday present from her Nana and Papa, and she and I took a few walks through the neighborhood this past week. Hopefully the weather forecast is wrong and we'll have beautiful weather so that we can do the same this week.

From The Kitchen: Bruce is planning to work overtime this week again so I am not planning to cook much.

I Am Thinking: ...this week I'll be taking advantage of the new shelving in our garage by doing some de-cluttering and gathering odds and ends from around our home to store in it.

I Am Creating: I still need to go through the videos and photos Brinley 'birthdaying' and upload the best.

On My iPod: Again, nothing new this week. However, I am still loving my KSBJ app.

Towards A Real Education: Now that spring is here, I feel that Brinley and I will be enjoying more the wonders of God's hands and having quite a bit of nature study.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: We're slowly getting used to the time change from last weekend.

To Live The Liturgy: It's still Lent, however Easter is rapidly approaching.

I Am Hoping And Praying: ...for direction in a particular area of my life.

In The Garden: Bruce and I have been talking about what we would like to do with the flower beds this spring.

Around The House: Bruce's parents came to visit us this weekend and the guys did a few minor projects including adding wire shelving along one side wall of our garage and adding gutters to the roofing of our patio.

On Keeping Home: Now that the guests are gone, I need to launder the spare sheets and guest towels and pack away the air mattress. I also need to launder our sheets and finish cleaning out my closet so that I can take a load of unneeded clothing to Goodwill.

One Of My Favorite Things: Daybook posts. After writing them for the past few weeks, I have come to look forward to this time where I stop and think about where my family has been and what we'll be doing. Definately a wondeful way to put a close on the past week and prepare for the next.

Brinley Anne This Week: ...has been enjoying our time outside. Thankfully the weather was warm and beautiful most days this past week so we were able to spend a number of hours piddling in the back yard, going on walks or kicking the ball around in the front yard.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Brinley and I don't have much planned during the week. A lot of it will depend on what the weather ends up doing. As I mentioned before, Bruce is planning to put in overtime. There are a couple of errands we need to run in town within the next few days.

A Picture I'm Sharing:

One of my favorite photos from our trip to the park last weekend.

Daybook: Post-Birthday Edition

Outside My Window: It's in the mid-fifties. The past several days have been picture-perfect weather. We could not have asked for better weather conditions this past weekend to celebrate Brinley's birthday.

I Am Listening To: ...The Mystery of the Human Hobbit on the Discovery Channel. (Incase you couldn't guess, this is not something I chose to watch on television...ahem. Bruce has it on while he's working out in the living room and I'm blogging.)

I Am Wearing: ...a light blue pajama set that has navy trim around the neck and waistband. No socks.

I Am Thankful For: ...my sweet baby girl. Again, Happy 2nd Birthday Brinley Bear.

I Am Pondering: "The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of Heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the Angels." ~Pope St. Gregory the Great

I Am Reading: ...the same books as last week: Don't Make Me Count To Three: A Mom's Look At Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman and Martha To The Max: Balanced Living For Perfectionists.

To Be Fit And Happy: Yesterday, we spent a few hours of the afternoon at a local park in Mobile. It was our first time to go to a park since we've moved here and I think we have found a new place to visit regularly. It had a nice toddler area of the playground with smaller slides, swings, etc. for the little ones, plenty of picnic tables, walking/biking trails, and grassy areas for picnic blankets among other things. My only complaint would be non-existence of vending machines/consession stands. I really would have expected a park of that size to offer more than two water fountains (yuck!). Luckily we packed Brinley a large sippy of water, but after a couple of hours in the sun Bruce and I were so thirsty that we had to leave just so we could stop and get something to drink. Lesson learned!

From The Kitchen: Yesterday, after we got in from the park, I whipped up some fried deer steak with sauteed onions, twice mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. Yum!

I Am Thinking: ...it would be absolutely impossible for my dog to snore any louder. Geez 'Pex. Do we need to get you a Bi-Pap machine too?

I Am Creating: I was finally able to upload videos from Cole's party last week. Now I just need to go through the videos and photos from this past weekend of Brinley 'birthdaying' and upload the best.

On My iPod: Again, nothing new this week. However, I am still loving my KSBJ app.

Towards A Real Education: Beginning to wonder what to teach Brinley next. She knows numbers 1-10 and some of 11-20, her abc's, colors, shapes, animals... Bruce says we should work on physics and trigonometry next...hehe.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: Daylight Saving Time was in the early morning hours of this past Sunday so I am trying to adjust my 'inner clock'. As much as I was looking forward to the longer days, the sight of the sun shining at nearly 7PM is still taking a little getting used to.

To Live The Liturgy: It's still Lent, however Easter is rapidly approaching.

I Am Hoping And Praying: ...for direction in a particular area of my life.

In The Garden: All the plants that I bought a few weeks ago are still going strong. That may not sound like much to you, but I have the blackest thumb! I'm not kidding when I say I've killed a cactus before.

Around The House: I'm loving the new wicker baskets that I found at Kohl's this past week for 60% off. Our dvd collection is looking much better thanks to them.

On Keeping Home: I dusted on Saturday, Bruce swept and mopped yesterday (thanks Babe!) and Brinley and I vacuumed and did laundry today. For once I can say that things are looking pretty good.

One Of My Favorite Things: Almond Roca. When my parents were in town a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a box of Almond Roca for my dad as a small birthday gesture and I tin of it for me. I have to brag about myself and say that I've been doing pretty good at restraining myself....so far.

Brinley Anne This Week: ...has been talking up a storm. I think that it is safe to say that every day she has said something new. She has even started saying short two or three word phrases. I continue to be amazed by something she does every day.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Brinley and I don't have much planned during the week. We will probably be getting rain the next couple of days. As of now, Bruce's parents are planning to visit us this weekend. I am hoping we'll have good weather for their visit.

A Picture I'm Sharing:

Seems nowhere like two years ago.

Papa's Birthday Weekend

As I mentioned in my previous post, my parents came to visit us this past weekend since last Friday was my Dad's birthday and this Friday will be Brinley's birthday. Here are a few more photos from last weekend for those that are chompin' at the bit to see them (ahem...MOM!).

Nana and Brinley watching a movie together.

~Two beauties.~

"Daddy, I would like mine well-done please!"


~Blue Eyes~

Poor girl...needless to say, size 18-24 month is still a BIT too big. She kept have 'droopy drawers' all day.

Daybook: Family

Outside My Window: At approximately 11PM, its a mild 52 degrees, and the weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past few days.

I Am Listening To: ...the Academy Awards Bruce and I have on in the background while we're getting things in line for tomorrow.

I Am Wearing: ...black, fleece yoga pants, a fuchsia, long-sleeved top and snuggly socks.

I Am Thankful For: ...time with family. My parents decided to make an impromptu visit this weekend since Friday was my Dad's 55th birthday (Happy Birthday again, Daddy.) and next Friday will be my sweet girl's 2nd birthday.

I Am Pondering: "In comparison with the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And without the love of Jesus, everything else is useless." ~John Paul II

I Am Reading: ...the same books as last week: Don't Make Me Count To Three: A Mom's Look At Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman and Martha To The Max: Balanced Living For Perfectionists.

To Fit And Be Happy: Since Bruce won't be working overtime during the next few weeks, I am looking forward to being able to have a little 'me time'--reading, meditating, or watching a 'girly' movie.

From The Kitchen: This weekend included lots of yummy goodness--fried fish, shrimp and oysters Friday evening, and steaks with all the fixins' Saturday evening.

I Am Thinking:...about what we'll do for Brinley's birthday next Friday. Bruce will not be working overtime the next couple of weeks so we're planning to spend the day focusing on her--her favorite foods and fun things to do. I'm thinking pancakes, pizza (not served together, of course) and a few hours at a local park or zoo are in our near future.

I Am Creating: Still haven't uploaded videos from Cole's first birthday party to Blogger, but it is once again being a pain. So, I guess all this counts for trying to 'create' a blog post.

On My iPod: Nothing new this week. However, I have rediscovered my KSBJ app.

Towards A Real Education: With Bruce and I planning to start Brinley with a homeschooling program in the fall, I'm trying to finalize what curricula we'll be using.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: I'm so glad that our days will be getting longer soon. How Brinley and I have both missed the sunshine!

To Live The Liturgy: It's still Lent. Easter is rapidly approaching.

I Am Hoping And Praying: ...for strength, comfort, guidance and motivation.

In The Garden: I need to remember to re-pot the palm plant this week that is in our dining area.

Around The House: Bruce did an amazing job of cleaning off the patio this weekend. It was completely cleared off, the concrete was swept and sprayed off, the door that leads inside was scrubbed down and hosed off and everything was put back in its place. Looks great! Thanks babe...

On Keeping Home: After taking it a bit easy around our home this past weekend while we had company, I will be playing catch-up on laundry.

One Of My Favorite Things: Footed-pajamas...not for myself, but for my baby girl. With spring rapidly approaching, I am savoring every moment that I hear Brinley's feet pitter-patter across the tile. Although they do come in larger sizes (should my 'lil one actually grow between now and next winter) I know that she may be too stubborn to wear them as she gets older and it is truly a sight I'm going to miss.

Brinley Anne This Week: Brinley is growing so quickly from sweet baby to little girl. Over the past few weeks she is communicating much better with us, following simple instructions, and spouting off all sorts of things.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Brinley and I will be puttering around our home while Bruce is at work. Nothing in particular happening until Friday.

A Picture I'm Sharing:

Hope you had a Happy Birthday Papa! We enjoyed your visit!