unfiltered random thoughts for the day

I keep starting posts and then not finishing them.

Between a horrific cold that has me somewhere between absolutely no voice whatsoever and sounding like a slightly sexy version of a wildebeest - and being smack dab in the middle of the "learning curve" and "growth opportunities" and "opinion forming" craziness that that is sometimes referred to as the terrible - but we're trying to be optimistic - twos.... between all of that, two kids, a husband, a yard, and a part-time job, well, I just haven't been that productive.  Ask my book-buddy who is still waiting for my thoughts, now three weeks later.  Sorry HK, I promise they're coming...

Y'all, it's really hard not to be able to talk.  Like at all.  Especially when you have a toddler.

So rather than finishing my posts on weightier subjects, but knowing how much you wait on baited breath for my thoughts (I know...), here are some slightly less weighty, completely disconnected, and mostly humorous rambling thoughts - until my brain returns to normal operating power.  We'll consider this my "talking" experience for the day.

--
I wonder if toddlers believe the lies that they tell us?

"S, did you finish your peas?"
"YES!"
"I can still see them sitting right there on your plate; are you sure?"
"YES!"
--

My neighbor, a very sweet abuela, speaks no little English, and I speak very very little Spanish, but we try - today we had a lovely (a la hoarse wildebeest) conversation about our gardens, wherein she gave me a beautiful sunflower to plant in mine.  I thanked her profusely, in what turned out to be remnants of my middle school French, for the "flower of the soil." As opposed to the one that grows mid-air, K?  I'm just hoping that that bumbling french didn't somehow translate to a gratuitous thanks for the dirty flower, because I was actually very grateful.
--

Conversation from this morning, as we pretended to cook:

"S, what are you making?"
"Peas!"
"Yum! That sounds great! What are you putting in them?"
"Peanut butter, chocolate chips, peas, yeast." "YUM!"

Burgeoning chef, that one.  Really thinks outside of the box.
--

Never in my life have I been more grateful that the trash truck comes every Monday morning at a predictable time.  Free toddler entertainment for a whole 10 minutes.  Thank you, neon shirted men, whoever you are.  My toddler thinks you're awesome and wants to be you when he grows up.
--

Down the street from our house, several blocks, there's a house that's been condemned - found ill-fit for tenants - and badly managed by the landlord.  I met the occupants last summer, because their toddler daughter bit and punched S on the playground, and for several months after that, we avoided eye contact on their front steps as we passed by.  The mom was an addict - I rarely saw her when they weren't high.  They were evicted in the middle of the winter.  And every time I pass their house, and see the windows boarded up, my heart twinges and I wonder where they are.  Hope they stayed warm in the winter.  And hope that the little one is somewhere she is safe, loved, and happy.
--

Yesterday, for Mother's Day, in addition to homemade breakfast, cards, and an other-worldly grilled steak dinner (I totally have an awesome husband!) - my husband gave me a glorious 45 minutes of solitude in addition to nap time.  To figure out what I wanted to do, I asked myself the question, "what do I feel like I can't do when I have the kids?"  So I ate chocolate chips by myself without sharing them at.all. and it was glorious!  And then, for the first time in months, I pulled out my paints and painted.  And you know, when the kiddos came back inside, soaking wet from the sprinkler, the first thing they wanted to do was "paint with mommy?"  There's something so enticing and exciting about a mommy who is happy and fulfilled and doing things that she loves - that it passes on to her kids, one smeared paint glob at a time.  And it's beautiful.
--

I use my college physics to explain to my toddler why the small, deep bowl of oatmeal stays hotter longer than the shallow, wide bowl does.  And I may pull out formulas.  It also might be the only time that I use that degree regularly.
--

My 11 month old thinks that the yoga ball is the most hilarious thing that was ever invented, aside from his brother.  Pair the two - the yoga ball AND his brother - together, and well, he's just all giggles for like, forever.
--

And that friends, is the summation of your random thoughts for the day.  I'm sure that you feel much more fulfilled than you did before.  Or not.  But regardless, I hope you have a wonderful day and know that your thoughts, be they big or small, deep or silly, lasting or fleeting - they matter. Filter them better than I do - or at very least, look for the humor in them with me - and make sure you find time do something that brings you life, even if it's with kiddy fingers painting their own wild designs.

Until next time,

KD