42 statements of gratitude

Today is my birthday. One of my gifts to self on this day is reflecting on the many things in my life for which I am grateful 42 is my aim since I am 42 years old today.

1. Myself, who I am allowing myself to become

2. My partner Gil, good times and bad (sadly, today has not been one of our good times :-(

3. My son Akello

4. My daughter Makeda

5. My mother, Pearl

6. My father, Ted

7. My sister, Bridget

8. My dear friends. I feel to lucky for all those who remembered my birthday

9. Co-workers and friends

10. The family's of the children I work for

11. The children at my school that I get to regularly interact with

12. My job

13. My wonderful collection of books for myself and the children

14. My home

15. My body

16. My health

17. My car

18. Good neighbors

19. My city

20. Our local library

21. Chai tea

22. Quiet mornings

23. A day off from work as a gift to self

24. Time to myself on my birthday

25. Movie night with the children

26. Frozen yogurt treats on my birthday

27. My developing prayer space

28. My children's prayer space

to be continued

Happy New Year

Looking forward to in(vent)ing this year.

Journey on.

Good day gone bad gone good

A good day at the park turns into a go to bed early time for my sign turns into a time to unwind and refocus time

Alls well that ends well

Mama makes a not so good decision

This morning I was supposed to observe DS in his class but it didn't happen bc of confusion and upset. ...

Face painting!

Probably my son's first foray into to face painting should have been so dramatic. today he got his whole face painted alay his favorite superhero ; - ) spiderman. It was awesome but admittedly a bit much for the first time. We already knew that it was going to be major even g by discussing that he would have to wash his face before going to bed. Step back!!! Well on the way home he fell asleep (long drive) and just as we pulled up BIG wake up smear. So sad! He saw the paint on his hands and just lost it. So sad! He didn't want to have anything to do with anyone. I tried to tell him it wasn't bed then he proceeds to smear the paint more further upsetting himself. Okay, let's wash your hands oh no! more melt down he loses it!
I am trying to be empathetic but he is becoming loud and annoying. (Yes, I said it). Okay mama breath. This is pretty crushing! I totally empathize that he is pretty heartbroken.
I get a basin of warm water and join him outside (where I had pplaced him when the volume became too much). Slowly I approach and he let's me get closer. I begin to wipe and the makeup easily comes off. I feel his disappointment. He wanted to wear this all day. After 15 minutes he recovers. So glad DH took pictures!
Note to self: Next time when he go to a festival we will get his face painted sooner than later so he has longer to enjoy it. This time we waited so long by the time he was done it was time to go not much time to run around and be wild in his spidey look!!! (So much to learn).

Discovering water...

DD is getting around today it was so exciting how she concentrated so intently as the water poured into the basin. The smile of sheer delight with her discovery was a treasure to behold!

My DS and Michael Jackson

My son is obsessed with Michael Jackson.