Winged Things

This afternoon I decided at the last minute to go to a state park that is not far from my house. It was a beautiful day, far to nice to just spend inside doing laundry and sitting around. So instead I hiked a trail that is around 1.5 miles, give or take for my wrong turn. Along the wrong turn was this bright yellow bush and sitting on it was this little prima donna of a butterfly. She posed for me for over ten minutes and allowed me to get so close I was almost touching her with the camera. It was awesome!! I have thirteen great pictures of her, some with other insects in the picture and some solo. On my return trip by the bush once I discovered I had made a wrong turn she had been joined by her entire family as a dozen or more butterflies filled the air. They were not divas or prima donnas and refused to stay put long enough for me to get anything resembing a decent picture. It was amazing though to be surrounded by so many butterflies going everywhich way! This little one - she is my new best friend!

Cheap and Easy

I discovered yesterday that while there are many things that can frustrate me during the course of the day, there are even more things that bring moments of joy. Most often these moments come not from big events but from the littlest things. It really does not take much to amuse me, to entertain me, and to bring a bit of joy to a day. Below is a small list of yesterday's moments that made me smile.

* No line at Chipotle when I finally had a chance to go get a meal after work (my first meal of the day at 4:30pm so is it breakfast, lunch or dinner? brunner?)

* making it to the gas station (and thank God for the bright red Idiot Light that reminds me that yes, genius, the car does indeed need gas)

* seeing one of my little ones from last year come to her first day of school this year

* being able to carry three lunch trays down the hall and not spilling a drop

* listening to an adult try in vain to correct the grammer of a three year old

* finishing a three step (over three days) art project with all of my little ones

* watching my little ones swing on their stomachs and "work up the courage" to lift up their legs

** seeing the other children at school say hi to my little ones and treat them not just with tolerance but acceptance and appreciation!!! This will make my day, week, month, and year!!