November 18, 2011

I took some cute pictures today of the boys playing in the snow, but now I can't find the cable to download them from the camera so that will have to be another post.

Tomorrow is Landon's birthday, and he is so excited. He is turning five, which seems like such a big deal. He is no longer a toddler, or a preschooler. He is a kid. He will start kindergarten next fall, and I feel a little silly calling him my baby these days. He is just getting so big. I am excited for him, and for us, but it's a little bittersweet too.

All evening I've been watching the clock, like I do every year, thinking about the events that took place this night five years ago. Right now we would be at the grocery store picking up Thanksgiving food that my mom ended up cooking us because our baby was four days old and there was no way I was doing it. When we got home from the store my water broke, two weeks early, and I went into labor less that thirty minutes after that. It doesn't seem like it was five years ago. I think I will always remember those hours of labor and birth my whole life.

So, happy birthday-eve, Landon. We have quite the weekend of celebration planned!

November 16, 2011

Tonight had many of the things I love about wintry evenings.

A snowy, dark walk with the dog. Take-out Thai food with Tyson after the boys are asleep. Snuggling up to watch three episodes of our latest TV show on Netflix. Checking to make sure the boys are tucked in under their down comforters. Finishing a knitting project and starting another.

These long, dark evenings make me want to curl up under a blanket, drink hot tea, and have more evenings just like this one.

November 15, 2011

I left for Seattle for the weekend and totally got out of the blogging habit. Oops. But I am back now, and I plan to remember to post from now on.

My friends and I had a lovely weekend away, even though we did have a bit of an adventure with the pass getting closed on us. There was lots of driving, but there was also lots of fun shopping, good conversation, giggling, and knitting.

The boys didn't miss me too much, and Tyson assures me they had a great time. All-in-all,

I think it was a success!

November 10, 2011

Tomorrow, my friends and I head to Seattle for the weekend. I am looking forward to conversations not interrupted by one of our collective ten children, a long car ride full of good snacks and music, sleeping without anyone trying to crawl in bed to snuggle, sharing good food, and taking the time to browse stores only available in a big city. I think it will be wonderful, and I'm also starting to think a weekend won't be long enough!

November 9, 2011

Today I . . .

. . . dyed yarn with Kool-Aid.

. . . ate the last chocolate chip cookie.

. . . tried a new recipe for dinner, and it turned out well.

. . . spent a lot of time with friends.

. . . snuggled my boys as they fell asleep.

. . . knit a lot.

. . . had a very nice day.

November 8, 2011

When you've been up since 4 a.m. for the third day in a row, "healthy" chocolate chip cookies (made with almond flour and honey) are completely acceptable as a mid-morning snack.

November 7, 2011

Lately we have enjoyed going to the Finch Arboretum. I had never been there until a few months ago, and I didn't realize what I was missing!

The first time we ever went, I think the boys would have stayed all day. They love that there is a creek that runs through the park and trees they can climb.

We never make it farther than a few hundred yards from the parking lot, and with 65 acres to explore, I know we haven't seen but a fraction of it. I think it will be a favorite place for our family for many years to come.