Lucky Lady & Bath Stuff

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love,

you have to find the courage to live it." -Anonymous

I rushed to catch an early train home from work last night so I could do something I've been wanting to do for a while--give my kids a Sensory Bath. 


(I know--some of you are wondering what the heck that is. I first discovered this idea on this cool mama's blog and she continues to inspire me with all of her fun themes for bath time.) 


My kids watched in eager anticipation while Kathleen and I filled the tub with green-colored water and hung the decor. 


Yep, it was a St. Patty's Day themed Sensory Bath (you know how I heart the holidays). 

The kids were completely enthralled. They loved playing in the green water and with the green Legos, foam numbers and letters. 

The bath was scented with fresh gardenia essential oil so the kids smelled delicious well after bath time. 

 

 (The fun Lucky printable is from here.)

The plan was to have a bath full of balloons but, I had a hard time finding green balloons in the city and the ones we had in our craft drawer weren't the greatest. So, we planned a very special surprise with the one balloon that was cooperative.

I kept building up the excitement for what was inside of the balloon until Hunter couldn't take it anymore.

We had some small scissors and asked him to help us cut it open for the big reveal but he was a little nervous it might make a big Pop sound so he asked Dave to do it. 

(He's covering his ears in anticipation.)

As you can see, it was balloon-excitement-gone-awry. The water and blue coloring filled balloon which was intended to magically turn the bath a beautiful teal color exploded shooting blue everywhere.

(Uh, "A" for effort right?!)

 Regardless of the mess, the water did turn out beautiful and the kids had a blast. (So much so that after threatening at least 45 times that they'd have to get out of the bath if they kept splashing, we finally followed through. We hear this "consistency" thing is important in parenting.)

 

 After bath we got our PJ's on and finally decided to wear our multiple Mardi Gras beads (thank you Suzanne!) that were somehow frightening in the bath tub yet not outside of it.

Yeah, the kids were pretty darn happy.

In its own special way, the bath was a little magical. A nice way to introduce a new holiday to my kids. 


The magic; however, wore off around 3 a.m. this morning when Little Miss had some bad dreams and refused to go back to sleep without Mommy holding her. After fighting it for almost two hours, we finally brought her in bed with us. 


I didn't sleep much after that but, as she snuggled close to me she smelled of sweet gardenias and I realized that I'd better treasure this moment because one day I know that, given the choice, I will give anything to trade a night of sleep for a baby nestled under my arm.


Dave woke up early to run and sweetly made me coffee and eggs before he left. He also prepared breakfast for the kids so I wouldn't have to worry about it and for that I'm grateful.


After he left I snuck back up to our room to work on the blog when I heard a sweet little voice asking, "Hunter? Hunter?". I turned around to see this.

We did our good morning hugs and our ritual of looking out the window to see what the day is going to bring. That is when I got a glimpse of her hair. 

No wonder they warn against babies sleeping on adult pillows. Frightening!

Soon big brother was up, so we ate breakfast, tamed the monster hair and watched an episode of Veggie Tales before heading to the Y with Daddy to play basketball.

We have more fun plans for the weekend and knowing that spring is almost in our grasp makes it that much more exciting. 


I smile when I think about flowers, warmer days, a new baby and dyeing Easter eggs. Yeah, although lacking sleep, I'm one lucky lady. 


I need to admit though....I do like the idea of green shamrocks and finding gold at the end of rainbows but, I don't believe in luck. Not even in the slightest. I believe in being blessed and in a God who delivers situations and experiences that don't just happen by chance but by choice. 


Our days are often made up of what would seem not-so-lucky but, even given those busted-balloon type of times in life, if you wait out the fulmination, it nearly always gives way to beauty.

"Nothing happens by chance, my friend...No such thing as luck.

A meaning behind every little thing, and such a meaning behind this. 

Part for you, part for me, may not see it all real clear right now, 

but we will, before long."

-Richard Bach