So it's been pouring all day here, and Nick is at work, and Jillian and I have been doing absolutely nothing all day, and I am loving it. We've spent most of the day so far playing Pac Man, reading books, and watching tv. I think we both needed it. Just relaxing.

I asked Jillian the other day if she was having fun this summer, and she said "Yes!". and then a few minutes later. . . . . "Maybe too much fun."

Sometimes I need to be reminded that's it's okay once in a while to just sit back and relax. Not every day needs to be full of new and exciting adventures. I think that spending a year not being able to walk, and even worse, not being able to bring my daughter anywhere fun, has left me feeling guilty whenever I don't have something amazing planned. If we just sit around I feel like we are wasting time or something, but I need to remember that once in a while "just sitting around" is okay.

We had a busy schedule even before I got arthritis and was homebound for that year, because we both just naturally like to be out and about, doing things around other people, but I think for now it's time to slow down and just relax and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Yesterday we went to the CT College arboretum for a guided pond walk and picnic lunch afterwards. My mom came with us and it was a really nice time. Here are a few pics:

Carousel Museum

So I took Jillian to the carousel museum in Bristol today. Jillian, being totally obsessed with anything having to do with horses, was in heaven. First we did a guided tour, then there was a tresure hunt for the kids, then a tour of the fire history museum that's in the same building, then a carousel related craft. We ended up being there for hours, and when we were leaving Jillian said to me - "Mama, I'm never going to forget this day." <33









It was a good day. :)

Today Jillian and I went to see The Kaleidescope Children's Theatre production of Snow White. We had a really good time, and Jillian loved it. She was terrified of the wicked stepmother though. Afterwards we had lunch with the characters, and Jillian was most excited to meet and get her pic taken with the prince. She didn't even want to take a picture with Snow White. I had to bribe her with promises of ice cream on the way home. =/
Here are a few pics of the day:

Butterflies.

One of the gifts Jillian got for her birthday is one of those butterfly pavillions from Insect Lore. She was quite excited and we sent away for the caterpillars right away. She really enjoyed watching the whole process. (so did I!). We actually got to see one of the caterpillars shed it's skin and turn into a chrysalis. It was a really amazing thing to watch happen. And then finally when we got home yesterday - butterflies! Jillian was super excited and couldn't keep her eyes off of them.