days like this

waking early in the dark to feed a sleepy baby boy
a long before-breakfast walk with a best friend, conversation in the cold to start our day
morning snuggles on the couch with girls in pajamas
blueberry bagels and cream cheese, time with my Bible as I ate
the very rare occurence of a mid-morning nap on the couch with my boy while my girls played nicely and quietly
gray skies and rain outside, cool air through the windows, autumn everywhere
schoolwork with no rush to get done as the day lay before us, unhampered by scheduled things
a few episodes of Planet Earth with lunch, which totally counted as our science
yoga pants and a sweatshirt and undone hair instead of skinny jeans and a scarf and makeup
two cups of coffee, just because it sounded good
playtime outside with a little red-haired neighbor boy
lots and lots of coloring and drawing, papers strewn across the table and floor
the happy prospect of soup and biscuits for dinner

not a perfect day-- there were many poopy diapers, moments when Bennett screamed and wouldn't be quiet, melt-downs from Rosalie, fights and squabbles between the sisters, too much mess throughout the house, things that didn't get done, moments of frustration and weariness.
the kind of day one might refer to as "perfectly imperfect".
the kind of day that makes me thankful...
...for my four little ones.
...for autumn.
...for God's goodness and graces, big and small
...for peace, and quiet, and love, and the joys in our life.
...for home.

days like this are so good for my soul.

our day in the magical kingdom

Friday last week at this time, we were in the midst of that most wonderful place, Disneyland. (I do realize I've been a horrible blogger lately, but do you see this?? It's only taken me ONE week to post about our trip! Not a month. Not six months. Not a year. ONE WEEK. That's got to be a record for me! heh.)

The last time we took our kids to Disneyland-- the one and only other time, actually-- was when I was pregnant with Rosalie and ohmygoodness, Emma and Annabelle looked like babies! It was so fun to take all three of our girls this time (especially since Rosalie was still free, woohoo!) and have an entirely new and different experience with them all. The only thing not different is that I was, once again, pregnant in Disneyland. I seriously think I've been to Disneyland pregnant more times than not. Just ask me what you CAN'T do there when you're pregnant-- I know!

Anyway. Prepare yourself, for I am about to bombard you with what is probably far too many pictures. (if you're my facebook friend, you've already seen these. but, come on, you know you want to see them again!)

The night before, with all three of them tucked into the cozy hotel bed, they were SO excited they could hardly sleep. Went to bed at 11:30, up by 6. Kids are crazy. I expected them all to be tired and dragging the next day, expected Rosalie to crash in her stroller at some point, but none of that. We had our tired moments, but considering the short night they had, I was so happy that they were all happy!

From the instant we walked onto Main Street the next morning and made our way back under the castle into FantasyLand, their faces were just LIT up, so joyful and excited and thrilled to be there.



This was Rosalie's first time at Disneyland, and I almost couldn't stand how cute she was, pointing everything out and smiling constantly. This kid kills me.

After the merry-go-round, it was time to take another spin... in the teacups!

Emma and Annabelle loved the teacups the last time, and it was no different this time. And Rosalie couldn't stop giggling as we spun round and round and round, all sliding into each other and getting dizzy. It was one of my favorites with these three too, I think!

When we got to the teacups, we noticed that one side of it and the pathways that led past it were roped off. Turns out that the show Modern Family was filming there. RIGHT THERE. Like twenty feet from us. Some of you out there are probably going "so?? who cares??" WE care! :) It's one of our favorite shows. HI-larious. The characters are amazing and quirky and so funny. So when were actually able to spot some of the stars only feet away from us, well, we got a little excited. (we don't see celebrities very often, you know.) But don't worry, we didn't turn into crazy weird stalker fans. I only snapped one teensy weensy discreet picture, just to prove that we were there and we saw them.

After the excitement of spinning teacups and celebrities, oh my, we headed off into calmer waters (ha! ha! sorry.) and took a ride on the jungle cruise. I'm pretty sure Rosalie thought 90% of everything in that jungle was real.
"Look, it's fell-e-phants!"


While we were there in Adventureland, my husband was kind enough to buy me one of the Dole pineapple soft-serve ice creams... oh my. It was good. I'd never had one before. But now I want more.  I snarfed that thing down.

Since we had park hopper tickets, we were able to head over into California Adventure for a few hours too, and the first thing we did there was to ride the new Ariel ride. So fun, so colorful. The kids (for the most part) loved it.
Right now, at the ages our kids are at, their favorite place in that park is the Bug's Land. We rode every single ride in Flik's Fun Fair, oh yes we did.
We went a-munching with Heimlich the caterpillar...


Daddy and Emma and Annabelle took a ride in Tuck and Roll...

we had MORE spinning fun on the scowling ladybugs...

and we flew up, up, up, and away in an animal cracker box!


Lots of smiles, lots of happiness, and absolutely no "scary" moments. Perfect.
We also took a trip through Monstropolis on the Monster's Inc. ride, because my kids adore that movie. At the end Roz (you know, the green oozy slimy monster who wears the glasses and is always onto Mike about his paperwork) is standing there to say different things to those getting off the ride, and she happened to tell us that we aren't allowed to take little monsters out of Monstropolis... at which statement Annabelle got very worried that we weren't going to be able to take Rosalie with us! Rosalie can be a little monster sometimes, so I understand her confusion. heh.

As we entered Disneyland again, Minnie and Mickey Mouse themselves were right there in the town square, practically waiting for us! I was SO excited, because I had been really hoping that we would get to see them, especially since it was Rosalie's first time and she loves all things Mickey Mouse.

Minnie was the first character she had been close to all day, and she actually hugged her! (I missed the moment by thismuch, unfortunately). However, after the hug, she decided she wanted nothing to do with these huge mice, or any other Disney character to follow. She would wave and smile and call out their names, but no hugs or pretty posing for pictures, thankyouverymuch.

Her sisters, thankfully, were more than happy to hug and to smile and to pose.

Rosalie looks terrified in this one. poor child.

While we were there we also got to see Ariel...

and Jasmine...

Princess Tiana...

Tigger!!!......

Eeyore!!! oh, I love Eeyore, he is the cutest thing ever.

The best part about watching my kids meet the characters they know and love is the look on their faces when they go in for that first hug. So precious.

We love Winnie the Pooh.

This picture makes me happy... all of us together and Winnie the Pooh too!


We were blessed by the fact that we didn't have to wait in line TOO much the day we were there... it was busy, but not overly so. Part of Disnyeland is the lines, though. The waiting and anticpating what's coming next, the people-watching while you stand there, the conversations you have with other folks who are just as excited as you to be there.

While the three girls and I stood in line for the princesses, a mentally challenged lady spent ten minutes talking to me about who her favorite princesses were and why, and how she HAD to be there at the parade later because Tinkerbell would be looking for her specifically. She was sweet.

More waiting in line, this time getting close to Pooh and friends!

Ready for our cruise around the world, and for the Small World song to become lodged in our heads semi-permanently.


Toon Town is another favorite place for the kids. They love just goofing around back there, playing in the characters' houses and being generally crazy.

Annabelle rode the Toon Town coaster with Daddy-- her very first roller coaster ride! and she loved it!

By this time, we were ready to sit down and take the train back to the other side of the park in time to watch the parade. I must admit, the parades are one of my favorite things, They're just so happy.
We found a pretty good spot and settled in (ah, it felt good to SIT) to eagerly wait for the start of it.




Unfortunately, right after I snapped this picture of Main Street all lit up, my camera battery completely died.

It's ok though, because after the parade, dinner, and the disappointment of a cancelled fireworks show (booooo), we were all ready to head back to the hotel and rest our tired feet and put some VERY tired girls to bed.

Next morning it was sleeping in, getting ready to go, checking out of our hotel, a very late breakfast where we happily talked about all of our fun the day before....


... and then on the road again, headed homeward.

I already miss Disneyland, and wish we could take our girls back! But I'm SO thankful and glad we got to have such a wonderful little family getaway, so chock-full of happy memories and fun.

oh Disneyland, you are always good to us. We can't wait to visit you again someday!

a very flower-dy post

(does anyone else use the word "flower-dy"? you know, instead of "flowery"? I do, just for fun. it drives my husband crazy. I'm sorry, honey.)

Spring is such a speedy season. I can't believe it's already May!
And I know May will fly by too, for it is crammed full of many things. I also know that it will be summer here before we know it. It was 97 degrees here yesterday, this is how I know.
So, I'm trying to soak up as much spring as I can before the heat arrives for good and the season is officially over.
We've been spending lots of time outside, doing our schoolwork for the day on the patio at the little table covered in the strawberry-print tablecloth. Reading in the playhouse on pillows and eating lunch in the sunshine. Riding scooters and getting covered in chalk-dust. Being chased around by the puppy and playing with neighborhood friends. Digging in the dirt, planting tomatoes and corn, hollyhocks and roses, basil and creeping fig.
My garden has been so good to me lately, with flowers blooming in wild abandon and honeysuckle and jasmine scenting the air with delicate perfume. When I take Violet outside early in the morning, I wander from plant to plant and just drink it all in. The beauty of the garden feels just like a gift to me, something I can enjoy without care. My house is always a mess no matter how hard I try, the laundry always needs to be done and is never finished, and the closets and cupboards never seem to stay organized... but outside, in the garden, it's a different story. This beauty doesn't rely on me. It's not a project that awaits my hands in order for it to be lovely or complete... this beauty just happens, thanks to the good Lord above. Once upon a time I simply stuck a plant in the ground, and now, for years after, it simply IS beautiful, growing and gracing our yard and home even when everything else might be less-than-lovely.







It makes me happy. And thankful.

You know what else makes me happy and thankful?

These three little ladies, clad in their Easter dresses on that Sunday.

Yes, indeed, they make me quite happy and thankful. I love my girls.

Even if they won't let me take just one good picture of the three of them together.

teehee.

Going to the Getty

Last week there was a Thursday. There usually is. But this Thursday was special, because it was spring break for the schools here. And that meant that all my piano students were out of school... which meant that they weren't coming to piano lessons either. A Thursday without piano lessons! Such a rarity! Usually I have five students. I hardly knew what to do with myself.
We decided to take advantage of this free day and drive a few hours down south to LA and visit the Getty Center and Museum. I had never been, but always wanted to, and I heard it was quite kid-friendly. Lydia hadn't been in years and wanted to go back. And so, off we went!
As soon as we stepped off the tram I fell in love with the place. It's just so beautiful.
But... our time there did not begin well.
Emma and Annabelle, who were overly tired after a slumber party with a friend the night before, kept complaining about the sun being in their eyes as we tried to take pictures. They whined about the fact that we hadn't gone into any buildings yet. They whined about anything and everything.
Rosalie didn't want to sit in her stroller and threw a fit. And then when I finally let her get down, she tried to take the stroller from me, got mad, and fell down and hit her head on the hard ground.
At lunch, none of the girls wanted to eat their food properly. More complaining.
Rosalie had a major meltdown which resulted in my literally crouching behind a trash can trying to quiet/discipline her.
Lydia and I had begun to despair.
Thankfully though, things turned around when we visited the garden and they were outside, running around, and exclaiming over things, enjoying themselves and getting into our experience. I was so glad to see my girls having fun... which meant we got to have fun too!



Have you ever been to the Getty Museum? It's incredible. The architecture is so gorgeous, with these amazing lines. There's white stone and tile everywhere, and such openness. It's so calming.



One of our favorite places, where we spent a good deal of the afternoon, was in the gardens. Ohh, the gardens. They are so incredibly beautiful, laid out in such a way that you wander from path to path discovering new wonders at every turn. I could have wandered for hours.





sweet peas! I adore sweet peas.

My girls absolutely loved running up and down the paths and pointing out each new flower.





It was so delightful having Lydia there. We always have fun together, and I love that we can so easily go on adventures together now!


She's very interested in photography and was snapping away constantly at all the gorgeous-ness around us.

One of the buildings has a little family fun center, with all sorts of hands-on acitivites for the kids, based on different displays and pieces throughout the museum. It was the perfect thing to break up our time wandering through the actual displays (which got a little tedious for them, I'm sure).


I think of all the art displays, my favorite was the one of European paintings. They blew me away... I couldn't believe the detail and realism in some of them. There was one that was a huge full-length portrait of a woman in a gorgeous pink dress, standing in an ornate room... and it looked like a photograph that had been taken with a top-of-the-line camera. I stared at it for probably five minutes, it was just so incredible. Someone painted that! I couldn't help but think how amazing it is that God actually gives some people that kind of talent and ability.  And when we went into the impressionist room, I couldn't help but be a little awed... it was full of Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Degas, and even a few from Van Gogh. They were paintings that you see prints of all over the place, that practically everyone recognizes... and these were THE paintings. The very ones that the great artists themselves had put a brush to and created out of a blank canvas, many many years ago in a very different place and time. Right there in front of me, close enough to touch (but don't worry, I didn't!). Maybe it's silly, but that's how I felt. Anyway, I've definitely discovered a new love for art museums.

We ended our visit by wandering through the French decor exhibits....
OH MY WORD. I was drooling. The colors, the opulence, the gorgeous detailing. I tell you what, those French kings knew what was what when it came to interior design. Simple was not in their vocabulary, and it shows.

I literally wanted to pluck the chandeliers from the ceiling and take them home with me. Ok, so, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, and I'm sure they would have looked terribly out of place in our humble abode (especially considering some of them were practically bigger than our rooms), but, here, look for yourself. Behold! Gloriousness!



And then there is this...

How would you like to cuddle up in that come beddy-by-time? Clearly we all are lacking something from our lives. And it is a bed like this. All you need are 30-foot tall ceilings! I was ooh-ing and aah-ing over it, saying howI wanted to bring it home, and Emma looked at me and said "Um, mommy, it wouldn't FIT in your room." I'm so glad I have such a sensible daughter. She keeps me grounded.

I would also like a pair of doors with plump naked ladies on them. It would add a level of class to our home that has previously been lacking.
(naked lady aside, are these not gorgeous?)

By this time, the museum was closing and the kids were quite ready to leave.
We stopped for one last picture of our little troop in font of an old ornate gilt-franed mirror....

... and then walked out through the spaciousness of the white buildings, to the tram and to the van, wherein miss Rosalie fell fast asleep within five minutes. :)

What a great day at the Getty with all my girls.
I already can't wait to go back and explore some more.

Have any of you ever been? What did you think of it? What was your favorite part?