How’s this for a view from a playground! Today we went to Muddy’s here in Cairns. Its a free playground for kids of all ages and includes at least four dry (each one huge!) play areas and at least three wet play areas. Its very hard to describe it really and you have to see it to believe it. Its also quite unbelievable that its free! Here’s a few more shots to give you a better idea (I’ve blown up one and made the rest into a click-able gallery):
Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. ~Author Unknown
Somehow my girls (and nephews) seem to know how to dance. It seems to be a natural thing to them, the beat starts (whether its a proper song or shopping centre music) and their arms start moving and feet start shuffling. I like this quote:
Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music. ~William Stafford
Yesterday the two older cousins watched Toy Story 3. At the end there is a scene where Buzz dances in a Spanish style with Jesse (see below) so immediately they started dancing. Mr M started swirling Miss K around and doing an impromptu waltz, giggling the whole time. Its so sweet to watch and I must admit to being a little envious of their freedom.
I’ve never been a dancer (although I did dance at a recent wedding) and I think I’m better at sitting and brooding. You know, the pessimistic sort (realist, right?). The ‘glass half empty’ sort, that can be me.
This has been a tough year (I keep saying that) and with one day left in 2010 I think I need to take time to find the things to dance (praise God) about. I’m sure there are a few but it might take a bit to get into that head-space. To kick myself off here’s a list of what comes to mind right away:
- Even though the girls were sick a lot at the start of the year, we’ve had a run of nearly four months with nothing more than a cold or a short lived 24 hr bug.
- My health is ‘starting’ to improve.
- I have some very wonderful friends who look after me and check up on me.
- We live in a wonderful house.
- My have the privilege of staying in a tropical location for many weeks because family live here.
- My FIL retired this year which means he spends even more time with the girls. He and my MIL are wonderful people!
- Since resigning from his job my hubby has been a lot less stressed.
I’m sure there is a LOT more to dance about but I’ll have to dig a little deeper. What do you have to dance about?
To finish, this is one of my favourite Steven Curtis Chapman oldies (lyrics below):
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
“Lord Of The Dance”
(Steven Curtis Chapman and Scotty Smith)
On the bank of the Tennessee River
In a small Kentucky town
I drew my first breath one cold November morning
And before my feet even touched the ground
With the doctors and the nurses gathered ’round
I started to dance
I started to dance
A little boy full of wide-eyed wonder
Footloose and fancy free
But it would happen, as it does for every dancer
That I’d stumble on a truth I couldn’t see
And find a longing deep inside of me, it said…
I am the heart, I need the heartbeat
I am the eyes, I need the sight
I realize that I am just a body
I need the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But who’ll give purpose to chance
I am the dancer
I need the Lord of the dance
The world beneath us spins in circles
And this life makes us twist and turn and sway
But we were made for more than rhythm with no reason
By the one who moves with passion and with grace
As He dances over all that He has made
I am the heart, He is the heartbeat
I am the eyes, He is the sight
And I see clearly, I am just a body
He is the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But He gives purpose to chance
I am the dancer
He is the Lord of the dance
Lord of the dance
Lord of the dance
And while the music of His love and mercy plays
I will fall down on my knees and I will pray
I am the heart, You are the heartbeat
I am the eyes, You are the sight
And I see clearly, I am just a body
You are the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But You give purpose to chance
I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the dance
I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the dance
