Chuck D & Mr. T

Scottie has such enthusiasm for everything. I think maybe she inherited a little from me. She freely uses “love” like I do. “I love horses!! I love croissant!!! I love this hanger!!”

(I will never tire of this picture)

Snow day! There is nothing I like more than a snow day! And now we are a 5 minute walk to Battery Kemble. Just need to get everyone into layers of clothing without too much crying or drama…

Skiing allows you to focus on the moment, clear your head and really se that with attention you can do it. I used to worry that I wouldn’t be a good enough skier and that it was for others who were better. But that was just silly nervousness. It is for anyone who wants to do it no matter ability. You just have to enjoy and not be worried and let yourself go. For so long growing up it was suggested to me that I wasn’t capable athletically because I wasn’t good at and didn’t love team sports (despite loving the camaraderie) of teams. I wasn’t good at catching balls at recess games even. I wish I had realized when I was young that single sports without balls- riding, biking, swimming, kayaking, skiing were athletic pursuits and that I could do them and be athletic. At least I know now and can teach the children that using your body and having fun with an activity is athleticism. And that is so good for the heart, body and mind. It adds so much to life.

Nelly Jelly loves skiing to my great delight. She keeps asking “again? Again!” I couldn’t believe she was going on her own without holding my pole or hand by yesterday which was only her second time skiing. She begged to ride the chair lift over and over and when she got tired she said “nap?” And I said “want to go inside to rest?” And she said “no, nap on seat [lift].”
She was desperate to ski backwards like Charlie was doing. I was in heaven skiing with Charlie and Nelly at my side. Nelly’s laughter and delight going down and asking for pushes to go faster made my heart full and the hour spent dressing them all in snow pants, mittens and skis worth it.

Lady Miss Lambchop après ski. So cute I’m at a loss for words.

Is he not the cutest guy ever?

When I was practicing for a dressage test the other day and focusing on the relaxed walk and showing that both rider and horse can take a brake and just be natural in the middle of the hard work of the test, I thought about how that concept should really reach into all parts of life. I really want to teach the children to remain calm and themselves no matter what the activity, no matter how difficult or how much concentration is needed; that pausing to breathe and be present and relaxed is the ultimate way to be and to show mastery of a skill or situation; even in learning or trying something new or hard, you can still be calm, secure and relaxed and being this way will allow you to be happy and peaceful.

Talking to my acupuncturist and health guru, Bob, has made me
Feel so immensely better. He understands intuition and instinct and how one feels about oneself and responds to what doctors say. He tells me to be peaceful, be well, don’t stress, breathe, be in nature, be with my children and I will be well and love happily and healthily. I really am understanding of this. The lessons he has taught me the past few years on being peaceful have been life changing. I hope so much that I’m leading the children and others as will to be peaceful in their lives. It really seems like it is the highest and most pleasant form of living. Peace out.

Tonight was movie night. We snuggled on the sofa and all watched Free Birds together. Funny a movie about turkeys could interest the kids. So interesting my little Teds for scared and I had to take him upstairs. He’s such a sweet one.

I wore my hair curly today. When I dropped Teddy off in his rainbow room his friend Carter and his friend Norah told me “Your hair looks crazy.” I guess that’s why the twins call is “crazy hair.” I better teach them the difference between crazy hair and curly hair. The three of us seem
To have both.