When my children were younger and I was mostly staying at home, I was always on the lookout for things to do. Storytime at the library, preschool field trips, children's museums, new projects at home. Now I am working, with two-thirds of the brood in school full days, and instead I scan the calendar for things we can decide not to do. Birthday parties to skip, volunteer opportunities to decline, worthy after school activities to pass by.
It's not easy for me to say no. I'm draped in a light blanket of guilt most of the time for not backbending far enough to find ways to volunteer in the kids' classrooms and somehow be more present in our various communities. But slowly, I'm making peace with my limitations, little by little realizing that saying no is the only way this thing can possibly work.
And so despite the fullness of this new season, there was time in October for a wee bit of seasonal crafting (outside of costume-making, of course), revisiting all things pumpkin (most especially with oatmeal, baked or slow-cooked), digging in closets for sweaters, and best of all, a visit with a tried and true friend and her sweet baby.
And now ... sigh! ... it's over.
4 comments:
What lovely photos- and the last one, oh!!!!
Says so much in one shot. Really perfect. Those eyes staring out at you. Love.
Cannot believe how big and beautiful little Beatrice has gotten. Speaking of eyes- hers sparkle.
And - I am so with you on staying in for November. I love big empty squares on our calendar. And being together at home vs. dragging our tired, cranky selves hither and yon.
Miss you friend.
Hugs!!!
Nice post! And look how great those costumes look! All 3 of them. Halloween was a total bust here because of a tornado & thunderstorm watch (neither materialized). I've been hoping that none of your kids got E's horrible cold & cough. Did they? Can I be relieved of anticipatory guilt? E, by the way, is completely recovered now.
I love that last picture most of all. It holds a world. Plus the backdrop of your crazy calendar! I want it! The costumes - and the kids - look wonderful and amazing. Congratulations for pulling it all together once again. I hope your home is filled to overflowing with CANDY!!! xoxoxo
H, let the guilt flow. Runny noses abound. (No guilt though - seriously - I was just kidding, because it is par for the course with kids. No one has it as bad as poor E did, and B is almost completely over it). So sorry Halloween was a bust, but next year will be so much more fun with E anyway. Thank you Christen and Mom for the kind words! I love that last picture too. xo
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