pure *joy*

So yesterday the kids and I went shopping for a swimsuit for me so that I could take them swimming. My search was fruitless. Not to worry, though, our sports store will order whatever I want, it'll just be a bit of a wait. The kids were a bit disappointed, but said they'd understand. Spider-dove sweetly told me she'd rather wait so that I can get a suit 'I liked and felt comfortable in' instead of one I didn't like so much.

We also went to the toy store to look for a few new dinosaurs to add to our collection. As we were browsing, the kids showed me all kinds of neat things they really wanted to bring home 'today'! I explained that the cash I had with me was for the bathing suit, which they had both said was really important to them so that we could all go swimming together. I then added that if they didn't mind waiting a bit longer for me to get a swimsuit, they could each pick one thing to bring home with us.

They decided they wanted to pick something. It was really cool how they each had their own way to decide what to get. Of course, being only 4, little*bear wanted everything in sight, *right* *now*, but he finally narrowed it down to a new playmobile set...one of his current passions. Here he is getting everyone set up, delight just radiating from every pore...



Spider-dove had recently been to a 'tea party' at a friend's house, and told me she wished for a tea set. So I showed her several, but her eyes were drawn like magnets to a stuffed cat. She has wanted a cat for some time now, but since M. and I are both allergic, it is a wish we have not been able to fullfill for her. When she saw that cat, she asked how much it cost, and how much the tea set cost, then asked how much both of them would cost together, and how much a swim suit cost, and how much would fit into our budget...and the list goes on. She asked a lot of questions, and really put a lot of thought into what her options were. Long story short, she chose the cat. Her eyes just lit up! She chose the name 'catkin' based on a story with the same name by Antonia Barber (GREAT story, by the way! Mel L. - if you don't know this one, I think you'll want to! ;) Here she is with her new pride and joy...



I just loved being able to take the time to really work through that process with her. Sometimes I wonder if we do enough...we are both homebodies, and aside from playdates and frequent library trips, are home most of the time (in the winter that is).

But then days like this happen, when we have no appointments, no deadlines, no schedules, and we can really take the time to delve into choices like these with no rushing, no arguments, no disappointments, where we all work together to simultaneously find the joy *and* work within our own means. Sometimes this might involve lots of questions, or even a meltdown. But we are able to work through it all, letting it unfold as it must, and I really enjoy having that freedom.

We are so blessed. May you be as well!