spirited Tuesday

We all have our own definition of challenge, spirit, drive. And we update it over time. Ed would say I tame mine by the day.

True, I am not the kind of Pole who wants to conquer the impossible. (I write that having just finished reading this article on the Polish climbers who will be the first to attempt a climb up the world's toughest mountain. In the winter.) But I do love a spirited day. And so this day ranks high for me: everyone around me was in good form and I found that mood to be wonderfully contagious!

Even though it was a damp and rather cool morning.

Ah, but the lilac looks especially luminous after a rainfall! That sag of the wet clumps of flowers just takes my breath away!






Of course, we eat in the kitchen. (Some of the lilac blooms have made it to the kitchen table.)






With front row seats to this (the spring trilogy -- apple blossoms, lilac and daffodils):






And when I pick up Snowdrop at school, I can tell she is in fine form! Yes, she needs a bite to eat. We pause at the coffee shop. She takes in her surroundings.

What's that in the window? 
I don't know, little one. Maybe a sled? No? Maybe a dollhouse -- I tease her. It's not a dollhouse and she knows it. She laughs.






After a bite to eat, she is eager to go.






And instead of resting in the stroller, she tells me she wants to help push it. All the way to the distant car. Chatting her heart out the whole way long. (Grandma and I, we're pushing the stroller. All the way to my school! Look, there is the mail carrier! And a black car. What's in that car? And there is my friend from school with her mommy! Can I pick the blue flower?)






At the farmette, I cannot let her play in the sandbox. It's just too cool to sit in damp sand right now. But Snowdrop is easily distracted.






She sees me sweeping.
I want to do that!
I have to sweep up the chicken poop from the walkway.
I'm sweeping the chicken poop!






Mission accomplished. We head inside.






Everything makes her happy! Fruit? What kind? Mango? Cherries? Yummy!






Playtime is shorter than she would like it... (I have two babies!)






And it is tough to be firm about naps when she is so in love with everything. Never mind. It will all be here when you wake up.


It's nice to know this, isn't it? If you can't get to it today, it will still be here tomorrow. Excited about the possibilities -- that, to me, is the best way to face another day.