Surrender Dorothy...

After a balmy November, todays wind chill is like a literal slap in the face. I had big plans for this morning. A trip to the craft store, conquering the growing pile of recycling, and catching the Saturday morning story time at the library. Simon protested getting dressed, insisting on staying in "cozy PJ's" as he put it, and I couldn't really blame him. Greta began rehearsing a one girl dance recital that is taking place tonight (full with tickets, posters and costume changes), at approximately when-Dad-gets-home-from-work a clock (he is 1/3 of the audience mind you). The weather and the children seemed to be in synch, and once I caught up with them and surrendered my plan, the morning was succulently smooth. I hung our new bird feeder from a nearby tree branch, made pancakes, and did laundry, while Simon stood watch at the window, hoping to catch the first glimpse of hungry bird friends, all to the tune of the Nutcracker Ballet (which I'm pretty sure is the soundtrack to Greta's recital...). Lazy Saturday mornings, really nothing beats them.

Checking it twice....

There are lots of lists being listed around here lately. Lists of ways to winterize this big old drafty house, shopping lists that include fun things like molasses and nutmeg, lists of friends and family that will soon receive holiday cards, not to mention the ever changing lists scattered around the house beginning with "Dear Santa". Living amongst so much "to do" can make me feel paralyzed about where to begin. Sometimes I find it helpful to record what we have done, it isn't very productive, but it comforts the longing to be doing more by reminding me of how busy we are doing the fun things that this season brings with it.

- We went "over the river and through the woods" to celebrate Thanksgiving with family.

- We met Santa on a dreary drizzly day, and watched Simon fumble through his first candy cane.

- We went to a very sweet children's holiday event hosted by the Farnsworth Museum, where we saw a puppet show, and decorated cookies with pounds of green and red sugar.

- Attended our first nighttime parade, at which Simon got to see up close his favorite holiday character thus far, The Grinch.

- Spent the day with some girlfriends that I don't see nearly often enough (and our combined 10!! children).

- I chaperoned Greta's class trip to see The Nutcracker Ballet, while Simon had his first Mom-free play date with friends.

- We found and chopped down our Christmas tree, and then reunited with our ornaments and made a paper chain.

- We went on the Polar Express and witnessed the elves at work.

- Greta saw a production of Annie with her Nana and her Aunt Amanda.

- We made yummy gingerbread drizzled with caramel sauce, and ate the whole pan in two days.

- We taught Simon "Jingle Bells", and are working some other tunes.

We are expecting an old fashioned winter storm today. Greta's school is dismissing early. I guess the to do lists will have to wait while we spend the afternoon playing in the snow, sipping hot chocolate, and stringing popcorn for our tree.

American Pie....

Surely many kitchens across the country looked, sounded, and smelled similar to the way mine did today. The flour nestled in every nook of counter space and the random apple peels on the floor. The squeals of delight that come from the stickiness of fresh dough to the fingers. And the sweet, sweet smell of apple pie, mixed with a little sugary smoke, the sign of a pie bubbled over and filled to the brim with juicy goodness. Have a tasty Thanksgiving.

Gratitude.....

I try really hard to keep my finger on the pulse of my gratitude daily. It tends to keep me and the big black hole of self pity at a safe distance. Ironically, it's usually the same things that cause me worry and stress that I am most grateful for. Don't get me wrong, there are regrets, big novel sized lists of regrets, and there are the overtired cranky Mama days when I wish the world would go away, just one moment of peace please. This is just the way life rolls, and when I feel a little better (sometimes a little dark chocolate helps ease it), I have the perspective of feeling grateful that I'm on the other side. It can be really annoying sometimes, but I like to be "glass half full" with a realistic side of sarcasm.

With Thanksgiving approaching, they are talking in school a lot about what they are thankful for, so it's been a good chance to include Greta in my practice. She says she's thankful for her family (YES!!), and her freedom, (somehow I think this may have been prompted at school) and I'm sure that the list will grow between now and next Thursday.

Right now I am just so, so grateful for little hands. Sticky at times, and hardly ever where they are supposed to be, they are also such great reminders about how fast things change. Our dining room table is littered with traced and cut out hands in various stages of turkeyhood, and it's hard for me to believe how big Greta's hands have gotten so quickly. When I have Greta's hand in one of mine, and Simon's in the other, I am so thankful for the physical connection that keeps them close and safe, even if they are a little sticky.

Busted.

This morning while I was tackling a seasonal clothing shift, and scurrying around emptying bathroom trash cans and such, I had a moment of peaceful appreciation. The folding and storing of warm weather clothing brought back memories of sand ringed bathtubs and popsicles, and the turtlenecks and long underwear made me look forward to snowmen and hot chocolate. The house was silent, and my head full of daydreams when I realized that the house was a little too quiet. What was Simon doing??.... and then I found him, and he looked very proud of his artwork! Luckily, the marker was washable, and came off easily with warm water. Where there is mischief to be made, he will find the quiet window to make it in!

A tiny tidbit....

On our usual walk to school one day last week, Greta and I had this funny little conversation.

Greta: "Look at those flagpoles Mom. They are so tall that the flags are in windier weather than we are"

Me: "Which flags are those Greta?"

Greta: "The one on top is the American flag, and I'm pretty sure that the one under it is the Chinese flag."

Me: (laughing hysterically) "Greta! That flag below the American flag is the Maine State flag, silly!"

Greta: "Okay Mom, we are going to change the subject now."

She sincerely dislikes being corrected these days, but I give her kudos for good communication.

Rake, rake, raking........

The fallen leaves in our yard have provided hours and hours of autumn entertainment. There were the early fall bouquets gathered, when the leaves were still their fiery colors, there was the inevitable jumping and burrowing in piles, and there was the occasional leaf "fight" with armfuls of leaves thrown at one another and stuffed in jacket hoods. I have been raking leaves for weeks now, and also sweeping off the floor the ones that highjacked their way inside. I've loved watching the kids play in and with them, and am grateful for the reminder that nature provides entertainment longer lasting than any toy, but the frost this morning confirmed that some

actual yard work, and leaf removal was necessary before.... well we all know before what. So with the help of my little friends, we raked and gathered and lugged the first half of our yards' leaves to the street side of our lawn, where they will be picked up by the "leaf vacuum truck" as Simon calls it, and turned into mulch. There is much fretting by the truck loving one year old in my life, that we will miss the truck in action, but I convinced him that it wouldn't possibly come after bed time.