The Happy Challenge: Day 100

Day 100 of 100 Happy Days Challenge. 100 days of finding something to be happy about EVERY day.

I remember when I first started this challenge that I kept thinking: "100 days? Can I even do this???" And I have. It's definitely made me think. What's most important is that I have actually taken the time to look for something in my day that is a happy moment. Of course, this hasn't always been an easy task. There were some really bad days sprinkled throughout the 100 days, and I struggled to find something positive, no matter how small.

On the other hand, I found myself stopping to relish in some of the happy moments, some of which I didn't note on a daily basis, like some of the mornings me and the toddler shared when he awoke, where we would erupt into tickle/giggle-fests. Or even when my toddler would come up to me and want a hug - just because. While I didn't write about those moments here, I made the time to enjoy them, knowing that I won't always have moments like that in the future as he gets older.

I think I might actually continue this happy challenge and continue to blog or photograph the happy things. It's become a habit - a positive one. 

So for today's happy stuff...

1.  I successfully completed 100 days of finding a happy moment in my day! :D
2.  Walking with the toddler to the mailbox - he has such an energetic pace.

3. Dinner at one of my favorite restaurants with a great friend!

The Happy Challenge: Day 99

Day 99 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happiness is a 1/2 price milkshake from Sonic from a friend! :)

The Happy Challenge: Day 98

Courtesy of Amazon

Day 98 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

The happy for today was hearing the toddler singing along with "Bicycle Race" from Queen. It's so funny to hear him sing: "Bicycle...bicycle...bicycle..." And when the CD moved on to the next song, he kept asking for the "bicycle song." 

The Happy Challenge: Day 97

Day 97 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

After a long, grueling day in an unfamiliar environment, seeing my toddler's smile and hearing an enthusiastic "Hi Mom!" greeting was the happy point.

The other happy was seeing some very cool vintage pieces and being able to fuel the creative side of me of seeing how great branding can be done. Yes, kind of geeky, but that's just the reason why marketing was the right career path for me. ;)

The Happy Challenge: Day 96

Day 96 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happy to find a new source of Omega-3s for snacking!

The Happy Challenge: Day 95

Day 95 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Today's happy - SUSHI! 

I seriously LOVE sushi. It's probably the one thing I could eat every single day.

Well, aside from ice cream. ;)

The Happy Challenge: Day 94

Day 94 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

As we were driving back this evening after a quick errand, I noticed the sky...

Although it's not the best picture, considering I was driving and just grabbed the point and shoot from my purse and snapped randomly, I like that I caught the sun rays coming through the clouds. And, to top it off, it's the perfect temperature to me - mid 60s!

The Happy Challenge: Day 93

Day 93 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happy #1: The toddler made me a little present (with some help from Miss Natalie) during craft time today - a "rock" with "Mom Rocks" spelled out on it.

Happy #2: Gluten free brownies (made from Trader Joe's Brownie Baking Mix)! I was only pushed to make it after seeing a chocolate cake posting by one of my friends on Instagram - darned social media! ;)  Thumbs up on this particular mix. I would definitely make it again!

I doctored up the brownies with chocolate chips and chopped almonds. While the brownies were a little sticky right out of the oven, they were quite tasty with ice cold milk! 

The Happy Challenge: Day 92

Day 92 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Another full day with a lot of work stuff, but it's been quite productive. By 5 pm, however, I was a little tired, as was the toddler. The happy stuff?

Happy #1 - The toddler's new allergy medicine finally came in! I'm crossing my fingers that it works, because he was pretty miserable today.

Happy #2 - A quick trip to Trader Joe's to get some gluten free treats!

Happy #3 - A quick catnap and cuddle with the toddler because we were both exhausted. Poor kid wanted the one-on-one time too. He asked me if I was happy, and I said, "Yes." Then I asked him if he was happy, and he smiled and enthusiastically answered, "Yes!"

The Happy Challenge: Day 91

Day 91 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Today was a busy one, that's for sure. I definitely wasn't in one place for long, thanks to work projects! But, I had a few happy moments...

The #1 Happy - Seeing the look on my toddler's face when I picked him up after all my meetings today. The delight on his face and him running to me yelling, "Mommy!" was the highlight of my day.  :D

The other happy was being able to take a moment to just photograph my surroundings while I was waiting for a meeting. I don't get to this area of town often, but it's always fun to look at everything going on since it's so dynamic.

My last notable happy thing - getting to celebrate 2 "National" celebrations: National Iced Tea Day and National Ball Point Day at the same time!

The Happy Challenge: Day 90

Leafing through Sunset Magazine

Day 90 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Wow! It's hard to believe there are only 10 days left of this challenge!

Anyway, today I had to run a work-related errand to pick up some paperwork, and the toddler behaved very well, considering he had to wait for an unexpected 40 minutes (10 or so of which he was left to his own devices, but well within my range, then spent the remainder either playing on my dying phone, scribbling on scrap paper I had in my purse, or going through magazines with me and pointing out objects). I would have given him the tablet to play on, except that he had killed the battery before we left the house. Such is life!

The Happy Challenge: Day 89

Day 89 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happy #1 - One good thing about warmer weather - lots of fresh veggies for snacking!

Happy #2 - Watching the toddler use his imagination during play...

The Happy Challenge: Day 88

Day 88 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Today's happy - homemade tacos! They're not as neat and pretty as the ones you get in a restaurant, but they taste REALLY good!

The Happy Challenge: Day 87

Waiting to see the doctor

Day 87 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

We had a follow-up appointment with the pediatrician today, and all the best happy stuff occurred during our time at the doctor's office.

1.  The toddler got along with his doctor so much better this visit. She was great, making the quick check-up a game. When we were talking about some of his follow-up care, and he kept trying to get the doctor's attention, I knew he was okay with her. It was great! I'm so glad I chose her for his pediatrician.

2.  While we were waiting for the doctor to show up in the exam room, we were looking at a copy of The Cat in the Hat. Since he has this on his tablet, he's familiar with the story, but I didn't realize he had learned to read some of the words until we got to a page, and he read the actual words: "Sit, sit, sit" while pointing to the words on the page. Yay - the tablet has redeemed itself!  :)

3.  So happy to see the toddler interested in the Etch-A-Sketch that was in the exam room. We don't have one at home, so he's never seen one before, but he had lots of fun playing with it. I love when he's interested in the "old school" toys that I grew up with!

The Happy Challenge: Day 86

Day 86 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Today's happy: fresh pico de gallo with tortilla chips for an afternoon snack. Yum!

The Happy Challenge: Days 84 & 85

Days 84 and 85 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

The BIG happy for Day 84 (June 3) is...the toddler asking to use the potty and actually using it! Now, to just get him to use it consistently...

Happy stuff for Day 85 (June 4):
1. Watching a small race for National Running Day. One of the companies in the area sponsored a race today, and I accidentally got caught in the traffic. I enjoyed watching the runners go by - made me yearn for my own running days.

2. Finding a brand new pint of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey hidden in the freezer. I totally forgot I bought this when it was on sale!

The Happy Challenge: Day 83

Day 83 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Today I introduced the toddler to the iPod. At first he thought it was a cell phone, but when I plugged in the earbuds and gave him one to listen, he found it fascinating. It was fun to watch him bob along with the music.

The Happy Challenge: Day 82

Day 82 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happy #1 - The toddler actually ate spaghetti for dinner! It's been a struggle to get him to eat stuff that he used to eat before. I'm very happy he finished a small portion tonight!

Happy #2 - My favorite TV night of the week! New episodes of Drop Dead Diva and Signed, Sealed, Delivered were on tonight!

The Happy Challenge: Days 80 & 81

Days 80 and 81 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happy Stuff - Day 80 (May 30):
1.  Shopping at Target! I haven't been to Target in quite awhile, but the necessity of shorts for the toddler (and a sale!) pushed me into the store.

2.  A Sonic lemonberry slush! These are especially good when it's warm, which it was. ;)

Happy Stuff - Day 81 (May 31):
1.  Fresh produce

2.  Meeting up with friends! We had two dates today - a breakfast and a dinner. And I'm thankful the toddler napped between the two dates too!

The Happy Challenge: Day 79

Day 79 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Today's happy is all about music! I played a few of Michael Jackson's old and new videos for my toddler. We had a great time dancing around and watching them. Plus, it was just great to hear some of the old songs I grew up with.

Michael Jackson in "The Way U Make Me Feel" video