I’m excited to link up for the first time with Stasha at The Good Life for her Monday Listicles feature. This week’s prompt is: List ten tiny (or secret) things that bring you joy. While I work on finding some secret pleasures, here’s my list of tiny joys:
- Half-Priced Play Dates: I took myself to see a matinee of the play Other Desert Cities yesterday and was thrilled to combine two of my favorite activities: watching great theatre and snagging deep bargains! This funny, heart-wrenching play, about a writer about to publish a memoir unflattering to her family, was half off for day-of matinee tickets. Joy for taking advantage of a perk of living in a big city.
- Texts from Ava (9 yo) during the play: “Mom I miss you so much. I think I’m gone too much. I love you.”
- Getting Away with Something: Specifically, not getting a parking ticket even though my meter had run out twenty minutes earlier. Joy and gratitude for the parking angels watching over me yesterday.
- Being Woken Up by this Face: Her delight at surprising me warmed my heart. (After we replayed the moment 12 times, my joy waned; hers did not.)
- Daddy Daughter Dances: Incomparable bonding time for my husband and daughters; three hours of blissful alone time for me!
- Fancy Red Coats & Grandparents: I never would have spent the money on these coats that the girls will only wear twice, but seeing them dressed up like this – priceless. Thank you, Grandma & Pa!
- Rhys-isms: Every time we park in a parking garage, our daughter Rhys (4 yo) excitedly reminds me to get my ticket validated before we leave the store. She yells at everyone within earshot, “Get your card ‘reviolated’! Don’t forget to get your card ‘reviolated’!”
- Our Neighbor, Giovanni: Though we rarely exchange more than simple pleasantries, every time it snows, he snowblows a path to our cars for us. Every time. Better than parking angels.
- Secret Hobbies/Self Portraits: I find our 4 yo’s photos on the camera regularly yet never see her playing with the camera. She’s has a good eye, no?
- Handmade Valentine’s Day Cards: From my husband. On my pillow. Still smiling!
My husband will paint me cards too. Though he didn’t this year — he actually bought me something I hinted at in my Listicle post last week. Ha. And a snowblowing neighbor. That is a blessing.
I like a man who can take a hint! Congrats!
Visiting from Listicles. I sooooo love getting away with something too. It’s like hitting pay dirt, haha.
Thanks for stopping by! Yep, pay dirt. Scary how much I like that feeling!
I loved loved loved every one of these!!! Totally awesome Mary!!!
Thank you! It was fun putting together this list (and fast, too!)!
What wonderful joys! I think the 4yo’s camera antics are my favorite! She does have a good eye!
That feet shot should be in a museum! Of course, I may be a bit biased! Thanks for visiting!
It’s cool that you are always linking up with these different bloggers – community!
I’nm sure those texts make you feel awsome. It’ also cool the joy your 4 year old gets from waking you up with the mask.
I notice that in many of your posts it’s clear how much you appreciate your family and how much you appreciate your space. I like that aspect – very real. I also can relate.
Both of those things are true and I’m grateful my gratitude for my family comes through (cause I also really love alone time!)!
It does and as I said, I am with you on both fronts.
What an awesome list! And I love that your not getting a parking ticket made it on here! Your girls are adorable in those red coats!
I was so relieved! If I had gotten a parking ticket it would have negated my big bargain on the play tickets! My brain is always working …
Beautiful family! I love the red coats and what a great list to be thankful for.
Thank you! The red coats were worth that picture!
I love taking myself to do things. It feels good to know I can still enjoy a movie or play even if no one else was available to go with me. The red coats are beautiful!
Seeing that play by myself felt awesome! I was proud of myself for going and enjoyed the entire experience. I used to do things like that for and by myself all the time. I agree that it feels good to know I still can!
I love your surprise photos on your camera. That is a joy. And those red coats are so adorable. Ellen
I think I’ll get our 4 year old an Instagram account pronto!
Extra time on a meter is a true joy! What a wonderful way to wake up in the morning.
She is a pretty cute wake up call!
perfect. and those red coats are awesome!!
I love getting texts from my girls! Lovely photos!
Thanks! I may even consider getting my daughter her own phone, just so she can tweet me!
AWWW, the surprise photos are the BEST!!
Love it!!
Thanks! My youngest is a surprise a minute!
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Absolutely beautiful list! Thanks for sharing your moments of joy.
Happy Sharefest. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Thank you for the happy comment! A lovely surprise!