Enjoying the Dickersons.

Yesterday, it rained out of nowhere. Forecast said nothing of it, but come afternoon, it rolled in unannounced.



And not just a sprinkle either. A shower. Soft, steady rain that fell for two hours, making circles in puddles and mini waterfalls at the base of our downspout.



Brett, my weather man, thought it was world breaking news. And he's all scrolling through radar maps on his phone, smiling like a boy, excitedly pointing out blinking green clouds that hug the western edge of Florida's map. He tells me it's a sea breeze front, and he runs his finger along his screen while he throws out terms like gulf wind and air flow interaction, and I smile, listening intently because I know he is thrilled to teach me something he loves.



And if I've learned one thing in my thirties, it is...

When rain falls unexpectedly...dance in it.
We danced in the rain yesterday, drenching our hair, catching drops on our tongues, and finally running inside, wrapped in towels, for a hot bath.







Spring love list is checkin' off quite nicely. We still have yet to fly a kite, find a four-leaf clover, land the perfect jelly shoe and purchase our Peeps (of course opening package at least two weeks prior to eating to let them harden appropriately for a proper crisp), but we have put our galoshes to good use. And isn't the word galoshes just lovely? Makes me want to splurge the $25 for a used copy of this adorable book. But then I found another word you can use for galoshes, thanks to Wikipedia. It's...wait for it....dickersons. And, well...galoshes just got its ass kicked. Because dickersons is the greatest word ever. Makes me want to bust out my British accent to Lainey with a "Go on now, Lovey, put your dickersons on and we'll go frolic in the rain." Galoshes, wellies, dickersons...so many choices, whatever is a girl to do?

Continue a list of happy loves. We are just happily loving right now.

Sun slivers.
Because I'm not done using the word sliver and my girl is still enthralled with scouting out sunny treasure spots for shadow making.




Friend Breakfasts
There will be many more to come because when we make efforts to do it, we are fulfilled in the way that makes us say "why don't we do this more often?" a dozen times. There were just a couple of us today and it was good and cozy. Heidi always thinks her house is a mess and apologizes for the food not matching her standards and we tell her she's crazy 'cuz if there's one thing Girlfriend can do, it's cook a meal.




I am in love with this photo. The light, the tomatoes, the herbs, my friend who's in love with her girl.


Baby Kinsley grows.

And when I'm with Heidi and my kids are off making trouble with hers, I miss my family a little less. Because it feels like cousins and sisters. We sip coffee and laugh and don't worry about the kids until we hear crashes coming from upstairs. And we yell, "What happened?" and they yell back "Nothing," and we keep sipping and laughing and talking.


Nella always shimmies across the floor, following the sound of voices until she finds the kids. And then she plays with them, no trouble. Walked in to find this scene...happy heart.

Mornings
I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's.

"Morning is when the wick is lit. A flame ignited, the day delighted with heat and light, we start the fight for something more than before." ~Jeb ...oh now, this is just uncanny. Jeb's last name? Dickerson. Swear. Jeb Dickerson said that quote.

Regardless...mornings...we like 'em. The coffee, the jammies, the potential.




Slipped another Oh in there.

You know where she gets the Oh?


...and he has no idea I took this picture.

The Blue "Fancy" Dress.
It's getting worn and junky and yet she puts it on every single day. It makes her happy.



Contrary Mary.
Garden is growing and we will soon have carrots and radishes and lettuce. I thought everything died twice but apparently, our garden is cat-like in its multiple lives.



Outside Ratio
Our outside time/inside time ratio is shifting, and I'm loving it.


Nella's hat, Lee La La




And a waterpark date with new friends.





New Sport: Drawer Digging.
She can make a nice little mess.



Daddy Love.
I love the way he loves them, the way he smiles while he's holding them, the way I know they feel so secure in his arms.




Plus, he makes really good scrambled eggs, so that's kinda nice too.

And then there's...
This Girl.



Brett took Lainey for some Daddy time yesterday and I had this girl to myself. And we just basked in love. Laid on the couch belly to belly, kissed, whispered, laughed and patted. She's always been just pure lovely, but now she's funny too. Purposely makes us laugh and eggs us on and then gets this look in her eyes, anticipating our reaction. 'Cuz Sister knows she's funny.





Going to Bed.
It's almost as good as mornings, and tonight my bed is calling early. Clean cold sheets, eucalyptus mint pillow spray, a new book and a hot tea.

The weather's calling for rain tomorrow...perhaps there'll be some dickersons.

And look who won the muthaload with a Mamalode subscription...Comment Winner #312, The Jones Family: My sweet Noah does the eyes lock, smile while nursing love to me too. It is bliss!

Congratulations, Jones Family. Please send your contact info to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net and your first Mamalode issue will be in your mailbox soon.