back to business

I just returned home from taking Doug and Barb to the airport after a lovely visit. I also just realized that I didn't take a single picture of them while they were here. I will blame the rainy weather. It was so nice to have them around to carry the kids, read lots of books to the boys, and to share these kids with. We made it to the spy museum downtown as well. It was crowded but fascinating. The kids are in full spy mode now, hiding all the time. I love it.

But now I am back to the day to day of my life for a little while. I find myself living in between visits, trips, and days off. But, if I let myself I can see the happiness in the day to day. I can find joy in the everyday moments, right?

Here are a few moments that I noticed today:

• Kindergarteners start and end each day with a series of greetings. Luke is welcomed at school with LOTS of "Hi Luke!" He ends each school day with another round of farewells and "see you tomorrow". They have to get each other's attention as well. So there is a lot of friendly shouting when you drop a kindergarten student off and then again when you pick him up.
• Isaac is DRIVEN to master the current set of skills he is working on. We always stop at the same pitiful little park on the way home from school. Today he repeatedly climbed all the stairs to the slide and went down (once on his own because I couldn't get to him). His sense of accomplishment is downright contagious. I get to celebrate these moments with him all day every day.
  
• All three boys are currently playing together in the basement. They are all wearing winter hats because, "that's what spies wear". Obviously.
  
• The leaves changed and fell this weekend with all the rain. Luke and Noah notice every change in our daily walks.
• Noah got a play kitchen for his birthday (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!) and today I was served all sorts of creative concoctions.
  

Lots to celebrate, for sure. (I am still looking forward to our big Midwestern Thanksgiving trip, though.)