Today

I'm feeling an urge to jot down what we did today. Maybe to remind myself of how much we can do each day, even if between tantrums.

We woke late, l was asleep in Alice's bed. She wanted me close and after going back and forth from her room to mine three times between 2 and 4AM, I climbed in beside her. I awoke to find Max watching cartoons and Shawn sound asleep. We rushed off into our morning. Shawn to work and me running the kids up to their drop off playgroup. I jaunted to work, logging a few hours. I zipped into the grocery grabbing some special items for the kids lunches, picked them up and whisked Max to school. Alice and I made another store stop on the way home where she drove around a little car grocery cart. Home for some snuggles and reading. Again she refused a nap. Reading to herself for over a half hour. We then snuggled and watched her favorite backyardigans episodes about pirates. I tidied up the house and enjoyed the quiet. Max blew through the door at four with his friends and their mom who dropped him off. A whirlwind visit, and when the friends departed Max went stir crazy. We were off again. Our neighbor telling us on the way out of the beautiful sunset imminent over the Olympics. We scooted over to our beautiful Fremont Peak Park and played hide and seek, admiring the lovely yellow and pink hues above the mountains. A quick trip to the Ballard Library the kids picking out one book each. A few minutes of content reading and then over to the pool to meet Shawn. Max and I snuggled and read as we watched Alice and Shawn swim and have fun. And then home. Max loopy with tiredness. Shawn patiently entertaining them while I cranked out a fast and simple dinner. More playing with their dad. Books, cuddles, and to bed.

It was a good day. The mundaneness of it was welcome. I feel the heat coming out of the baseboard, making the living room cozy and I am thankful and happy.

Thankful

Tonight, as Max and I snuggled and watched Alice and Shawn in a swimming class Max told me ten things he is thankful for. Here they are:

1. Alice

2. Shawn

3. Me

4. Jumpstart (his new school!)

5. The toys in the pool lobby play area

6. Helping me cook and bake

7. Loving himself

8. All his toys at home

9. My love and care for him

10. When I let him watch tv

:) Happy Thanksgiving!

Today

Today I have fumbled around in the dark at 6AM to find a pacifier to soothe my baby. I held my daughter close and snuggled with her for a better part of an hour.

I laid in bed listening to my children watch cartoons, bickering, and then resolving.

I made breakfast for my children, boarded a city bus, flipped through a New Yorker, got off the bus and walked in the crisp fall morning air. I stopped at the market picking out some beautiful fruit for my family.

I arrived at my quiet office, hearing the security alarm enough as I shut the heavy door.

I chatted with a legendary mountain guide and talked bookkeeping with my boss. All the while smiling as I think of the children having fun at gymnastics with Shawn.

I piled into the old volvo with my family as the children greet me with smiles, asking for candy.

Just their luck, two pieces lurked at the bottom of the backpack Shawn had carried around all morning. The devoured their treats, happily showing me chocolate covered fingers. And then a banana each.

Home for awhile. Consoling a crying Max with snuggles and several books. A popcorn party, tasty fruit, and then they were off.

Up to the library with Dad. How they love to go on special outings with their doting father.

And they are there yet, while I cook pizza sauce from scratch, roast carnival squash with olive oil and kosher salt, and make homemade pan pizza.

It is a good day.