Wonderland.
I was going to slave away on this “rainy” Sunday in my self-contained world of Photoshop and Lightroom.
I was going to upload about 200 photos. Then the day dawned sunny and I realized that the weather forecast was wrong, and I decided I’d rather spend my day in “Wonderland” with Scarlet and Des. Wonderland is on my mind. Mostly, because Scarlet wears an Alice dress at least once a week. And also because I saw this trailer on the Happy. Pretty. Sweet. blog and I got excited.
Isn’t it fascinating when there are books, movies and TV shows that make the main character question what is real, and what is only in their mind? I can’t stand ambiguous endings, in which you have to make your own decision about what was real, and what was fake. What was magical, and what was very un-magical. I can never decide anything but what I want it to be. Proof. Solid proof. Of magic or other worlds. Can you imagine if real life was like that? I imagine for some it is. You go about your day and experience many seen and unseen wonders, and someone is there to tell you none of it happened at all. Except in your mind.
Someone else is there to tell you that it did happen, in and outside of your mind.
Anyway..uh..Happy Monday! We went to the Big E on Friday and on Saturday we went to UConn to celebrate my father-in-law’s birthday. It was one of those (rare) days in which there are no meltdowns or diaper mishaps or arguments or tears. It just flowed. Many friends and family members, and both kids brought out their best for the party. Scarlet was affectionate and talkative and whimsical, and she didn’t once say a foul word or scream. Des showed everyone his climbing and cruising skills, and ripped out a bunch of new words for everyone. He generally doesn’t do anything you want on command, but he was generous.
 |
 |
Please note, life is not always like this. Life is not often like this. We have lots of hiccups and things aren’t always what they seem, or what they appear to be. After all, this is Wonderland. Lots of strange animals and costumes and imagination.
Plenty of fear and pain that gets washed away, or should I say – rolled away, in great, mountainous group hugs.
At the end of the day, if we can have great, mountainous group hugs, then we’re doing something right. My favorite parts of our days are often just before bedtime, when Des is giggling and singing “Twinkle, Twinkle” and Scarlet is trying to outdo him, but sounding very pitchy. (don’t tell her I said that). And everyone is in snuggly, mismatched pajamas. And it’s like we’re rolling away the hard parts of the day. Literally. We roll. They roll. I photograph. Sometimes I roll too. Those are great, great days.
On great, great days, there are floor tickles too:
Sometimes I get sad that I’ll have to tell her about all of the magical things she believes in that aren’t real.
Mostly I get happy that I’ll get to show her all of the magical things she believes in that are real.
Like love.
Hope you all had weekends filled with sunshine and great, mountainous, rolling group hugs.
This is sorta the prefect read for a Monday morning! Love the smiles on their faces during the tickles. We had one of those rare no meltdown, no diaper explosion days yesterday. It wasn't a big day or anything, just us, but it was magical.
Yeah, I love that! Doesn't have to be a big day, but to end it like that with the rolly hugs is my favorite.
I can't believe you were at UCONN and the Big E and didn't call me! HA HA!! We have yet to go to the Big E and I was also very excited about the lack of weather prediction yesterday!! Love all the photos of your family rolling around on the floor. Such joy – captured!!! Awesome.
You know, I always forget because we’re close to Hartford and I think you’re farther away! We’ll have to have a meet up with A Dish of Daily Life’s Michelle and represent CT/MA!
Sounded quite frankly like a perfect weekend to me. We had a pretty good weekend here, too. Saturday, we were together pretty much from start to finish even if we had flu shots and errands to run, but then we went out to dinner as a family, where the kids were actually really good and well behaved. Sunday brought soccer and then time with Kevin's family with our nieces and nephew. All-in-all can't complain and do so look forward to the weekends now myself after working long crazy hours during the week. Monday now and back to the grind!!
I hear that! All I really want to do today is sleep, but I can’t quite swing that on a vividly sunny Monday afternoon with two kids in tow.
Flu shots – the family who flu shots together, stays healthy together! Cassidy and I got them at the same time last week. So romantic, right?
Looks like such a fun day and the perfect way to enjoy the weekend! Love the pictures of the kids…they look so happy! :)-Ashley
Thanks! My personal favorite is probably the floor tickles one. Way past their bedtime, that one.
Look how sweet!! Those pictures are so completely precious, just like always!!
Thank you so much! I'm partial to these photos. They're not professional but they're so much fun.
Such beautiful photos! What a wonderful way to end the day, with play.
I'm a big Alice in Wonderland fan. I own 6 or 7 different movie interpretations. But the original Disney one from so many years ago is still my favorite. It got me through tough times as a child. My reality wasn't wonderful, so I spent a lot of time dreaming about a reality that I could create. Thanks for reminding me about that.
Thank you for commenting about that! I think it’s a pretty perfect escape movie. It makes you believe in a rabbit hole out of the ordinary, and into the extraordinary.
I am a fan of the big hugs. If there are three of us in a hug I immediately call over this missing link! There is so much joy in something so simple as a hug!
Right! I was the missing link. Darn. I got lots of hugs after the photos, though.
What fun! I love all the smiles in giggles your pictures contain.
Thank you so much! Totally what I was going for.
It sounds like a wonderful weekend!
It was! And you had one too – I saw the photos! Ours was missing pie.
I love the group hugs at the end of the day and before bedtime and the big belly laughs. My favorite part of the day. And those weekend without hiccups? Glorious.
I think weekends without hiccups are rare around here! Big belly laughs are just the best sound on earth.
Sounds like an amazing weekend. I love this: "Mostly I get happy that I’ll get to show her all of the magical things she believes in that are real. Like love." You should have that put on a canvas 🙂
Or maybe I should stitch it on a quilt!
You captured such beautiful moments on camera with your husband and kids! They are just so cute! I love that feeling when everyone's in a happy mood and laughing and playing. It makes you forget the to-do list, the problems and just enjoy the moment. Glad you guys had a great weekend!
Exactly. It just erases hours and days of stress and trouble. Keeps us all young!
Love all those pictures of group rolling hugs and floor tickle time!!!
I often prefer to stay in my "wonderland" especially when Chris has to deploy – only way to stay sane sometimes!!
It sure is!
Awww what a beautiful post incorporated with beautiful photos. Love the smile on all their faces. Groups hugs are the best aren't they? Here's another Monday hug from me and Madison. ((huggs))
Aw, hugs right back to you two from all of us!
What a perfect weekend! I love hugs…it's absolutely the best when I get one these days…thank goodness my kids still hug sometimes! I definitely got more from them when they were little.
I'm glad they still do! And you always have Murphy, right?
That last picture got me. I just want to embed it in my brain it is so sweet! I love the one where they are obviously laughing. Such great moments captured. I am so glad your weekend was without “hiccups”. We all need those once in a while to get us through, don’t we? P.S. I still believe in magic. 🙂
Me too! Just not the same kinds, maybe. There’s some overlap, though.
I love the rolly floor time play. Agree that it’s the perfect way to end the day. Also, my favorite is you getting to tell her that the magical things she believes in ARE real – like love. Awww!!! Total swoon here.
I also love to tell her that princesses are real. She'll say, "Well it's make believe, right?" "Nope! Not so! Princess Kate, baby."
I hope my kids always believe in the magic they believe in now. All of it, from Santa to the tooth fairy. And all of the magic beyond that as well. I'd like to believe it's all real anyway – no matter what anyone else thinks or says. Life is so much happier that way.
My mom still believes in Santa – you’ll have to ask her about that!
Life is happier this way, I agree.
Sounds like an enjoyable weekend. I can't wait to see your pictures from The Big E. I bet they are amazing!
I didn’t really take any other than my phone! Shocking, right? It was our third fair this summer and I was kinda tired of lugging the camera around.
As always, love your pictures and words. I get sad too when I think about the not-so-magical lessons my daughter will learn as as she grows up. But I’m always filled with hope because there are many, many more wonderful & magical things in this world to share with our children!
So many. So much good. I got sad today because Scarlet bumped heads with another girl on the playground and sobbed and wanted to go home. At home, we had a snack and she spilled why she was so upset. (I hadn't known what was wrong, just that something was wrong). I wish it could always be this easy to make her happy because she's totally over it right now.
I have no idea what the Big E is but hope you had fun – lol
Love the pics & mountainous group hugs 🙂
It stands for something else, but it’s basically New England’s version of a state fair, only it incorporates all six states of New England. So it’s massive!
Ahhh…tickle time. Is there any better time in the whole day? I wish I could record the sounds of the giggles just as they sound in my ears and have them to listen to in my old age.
I know!! Maybe I need to send audio recordings of the belly laughs for my elderly grandmother! She doesn't hear well but she does hear things that are loud enough, and this certainly is!
Life isn’t always like that…but when it is, it’s great!!
It’s pretty much perfect sometimes.
i love how you mention that life isn't always full of happiness and giggles. it just makes these moment even more real 🙂
Yeah, lots of hard times for sure. Hard days, followed by giggles – takes away the hard memories.
Oh my gosh, isnt it better to put work on the back burner and play with the kids instead! I really need to do that more. Like today. The kids are off of school. Yay!
I hope you're having fun with them! Beautiful day here and it would be a shame to stay inside.
Ah, we used to roll around on the floor like that. Our group hugs tend to be standing now, in a huddle with Daddy’s arms encircling us all. Still magical.
That sounds wonderful.
Group hugs are always soul-affirming.
This was absolutely perfect for a Monday read! And I love, love, LOVE the picture of the floor tickles. That right there is childhood all summed up in one picture.
Thank you! That’s my favorite one. They just look too adorable and expectant for words.
Big rolling hugs sound like the perfect way to end the day. And I still love those stories that have a hint of magic, a little bit of that impossible possibility.
Sounds like a lovely weekend!
I think I always need that hint of magic. Otherwise, sometimes life can feel dramatically un-magical!
Confession: I am obsessed with all things wonderland. I have seen Disney’s Alice in Wonderland about a 1000 times and as a little girl I insisted on acting out scenes. I would eat crackers and pretend they would make me big or small.
And pictures of dad playing and snuggling with kids are special. As are rolling on the floor kind of hugs.
I’m pretty obsessed too! I am going to watch the new show based on the “Once Upon a Time” series. I watch both. Fairy tale characters and the producers of LOST? What could go wrong? (Probably lots of things..)
It amazes me how sometimes days can be absolutely perfect and others can be so royally fucked up. What is that? I am so glad you had a perfect day with the kiddos!
Hugs mama and Happy Monday!
¤´¨)
¸.•*´
(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
Raising-Reagan.com
Hugs back! I agree. It's like swing days. They can be terrible and then earth-shatteringly wonderful next!
Happy Monday Tamara 🙂 lovely photos, I loved watching the trailer too 😀
Thanks! I can’t stop watching it. I’m so DVRing it.
Thanks for the shout out! I can't wait to see Once Upon A Time In Wonderland 🙂
I know! That trailer gripped me! Come to think of it, I should watch the others in the link you provided.
Aww! those are great days indeed and this was beautifully written!
Thanks, Lisa!
Such sweet memories! How rare those days are that don't end in meltdowns…especially when it comes to going on special outings. So happy for your fun weekend. Also…I hadn't heard of that show, and now I think I'll HAVE to add it to our queue!
I can't wait! I watch the one it was spun off from – Once Upon a Time.
I love a day that just “flows”… so good to note and savor days like this! They offer inspiration for the down days that something better could be just around the corner:)
I totally agree. And today was such an off day, that I'm counting on something better and more "flowy" around the corner.
Sounds like an awesome weekend! The rolling, hugging, tickling – so nice you captured it! Those pictures are precious!
Thank you, Leah!
Ah…. takin' it all in. Always breathtaking and wondrous and the best part is it is all REAL. No questioning curiosity here- just beauty in your world. I absolutely adore the laughter, the smiles, the rolls, the love. The message.
Thank you, Chris, What an awesome comment! (You have many of those)
I absolutely love your pictures! So glad I found your blog. I nominated you – http://girlmeetscamera.com/2013/09/liebster-award/
Thank you so much! Glad I found you as well!
Is there anything better than seeing a dad roll around on the floor with his kids?! And is there anything better than going to an event and your kids acting as adorable as they look?!!! High five, Mom!
haha, no! Nothing better. They behave a lot better in public than at home. Home can be a disaster.
I would prefer things to be magical all the time. I’d be happy with that. I would be okay with living in fantasy where all things are fun and fancy and worry is not a factor. I don’t like worry or uncertainty.
I would love a 100% magical life..
There is nothing better than group hugs at the end of the day.
I agree! Hope you're feeling well, Heather!
Tamara, this was so sweet. I love that you simply take the time to enjoy them and soak up the laughter, tickles and giggles while you can. Mine are 10, 10 and 12 so it's not the same but I still jump on their beds and tickle them and just try to laugh and enjoy them while I still can. And I love the "don't tell her I said that!" And not that I was stalking, but I want to tag along with you and Allie and Michelle – you all inspire me even if I'm still keeping most of it inside right now! Enjoy your week!
Stephanie! Always awesome to see you here. And thank you. Maybe we should all four hang out because we all live within 1-2 hours of each other!
I agree! As long as my kids are in school I'm pretty flexible and willing to travel. Whatever works for the group. Fridays tend to be my best day for "me" stuff but let me know how your schedule is with Des and Scarlet, we'll work it out.
Oh what a delightful way to start the week! The kids are so happy and it makes me smile! It's the simple things in life isn't it?
Love this post! I'm so glad you got a smooth weekend and documented it all. Love love love the floor tickle pictures. So hilarious and what great memories.
Thanks, Ida! The floor tickles are my favorite.
Amazing photos! I love the group hugs! Your weekend sounds like it was awesome!
Tamara, I was inspired to find these angles when I photograph my kids with my husband after reading this post. I am curious, are these your best photos or are they the only ones? On my other blog, I once posted the 15 photos I took to get the one good one and my dad had no idea I usually snapped that many to get The One. I'm curious what it's like for you.
In this case, these are the only ones. I was testing out a battery pack with my external flash and it wasn't working so I didn't get to press the shutter button as much as I wanted to. This is what I got and I put them all up.
Generally though, of course I have a lot of blurry or darkened shots to get to the good ones. Before I learned more about exposure, I'd say it would be like 2-4 out of every 10 photos would be viable. Now it's more like 6 out of 10, but I have great a many bloopers! I should share them one day..
It is! Thanks for stopping in!
Happy Tuesday!
And now, Happy Wednesday!
Had one nice weather day and one very rainy, chilly day over the weekend. Enjoyed your wonderful photos. They LOVE Daddy!
They do! He's a really great Dad. The stuff of fairytales.
Awww! I'm so glad you all had a wonderful weekend! I love the way you took the wonderland trailer and tied it into your wonderland of a weekend and Scarlet's world that she understands it to be. You're such an awesome writer 🙂 xoxo
xoxo! Thank you – I totally just saw a connection there and ran with it.
{Melinda} Love it! Kicking back and just embracing those awesome special moments with your little one is priceless. You have incredible blessings! 🙂
Thank you! I feel very blessed with them.
You have such a way with words and imagery and then of course, tying your actual images into it all to make it just perfect! There is a balance in our Wonderland – the good with the bad and hopefully, in yours the good outweighs the bad and Scarlet will be able to maneuver through it with the love you so beautifully show her and Des…for now, keep rolling on the floor, laughing and hugging and singing Twinkle Twinkle because that is all that really matters (Oh, and I can't wait for OUAT:Wonderland to premier!! The new season of OUAT starts on Sunday!! I'm so excited for that too!!)
I can’t wait for OUAT! I hope they have a good season and stick around. I also love Revenge, which usually follows it.
Mountainous group hugs are simply the best. Especially when they are followed by tickles on the floor. 🙂
Tmara, you have written this post in such a beautiful way. You have pretty family and cute kids. You son is so so cute and fun loving father. Have a great weekend!
I'm really looking forward to watching Wonderland. I've loved almost every interpretation of Alice in Wonderland/Looking Glass that I've seen. It, and The Wizard of Oz, top my list of favourite books.
I find that I get a lot of deja vu, which makes me question myself and reality. I don't mind…it feels a little bit magical when you experience something and just know that it's happened before.
You are beautiful. I love the way you think. I get it completely. oh do I ever. I wish that I could live outside of my wonky mind. I’d have someone whisper “You do know that your day was pretty fucked up. I don’t even know what is real. Clearly your drugs are magical.”
HAHA.
Oh if you can’t laugh at yourself…
I agree that there are hiccups but at the end of the day when you’re swarmed with mountainous hugs, you know that you can do it tomorrow.
xoxo