Thanksgiving Tree

Inspired by a friend, we made a "Thanksgiving Tree" this year. Everyone contributed leaves to the tree, including relatives who visited from out of town.

I have many, many things to be thankful for. The tree lists only a few.

Fall Soccer

The Little Things

I have a feeling that these are the best days of my life.

And they are flying by.

Someday, I hope that I will remember the countless little things that comprised each and every day, such as…

…my twins putting on a puppet show for me at the library--"The Big Bad Wolf." (That wolf was ferocious!)

…and the many, many shopping trips I went on with this little duo…

…and how sometimes they were naughty on those trips, but (at age four) how they were more often sweet and endearing, keeping each other company as Mommy took care of the shopping.

I'd like to remember the innumerable numbers of papers and projects the kids brought home, some of which I would display in the house, or put in a box to keep forever, or ultimately toss to make way for the newest piece of art.

(Sorry, that picture was rotated before it posted!)

I'd like to remember the batches and batches of cookies I would make, especially on Sunday afternoons, and how my kids were always around to help…or at least, help eat. ;)

I'm sure I'll remember how this girl diligently practiced two instruments each and every day, generally without reminders, and how her skill on both just grew and grew month after month. 

I'll certainly hope I'll remember this:

And I know I'll remember these two little people in the backseat of the van, always in tow for the chauffeuring and errands we had to do. Their conversations and constant chattering always gave me something to smile about. (Don't worry, Mom & Dad, I took this picture while the car was stopped!)

I'd like to remember how we took our kids to cultural events, most recently to Les Mis with the two oldest. 

We would go to story time at the library...

…and at night, they'd snuggle up in Madeline's bed and look at stories together. 

I would be bequeathed picture after picture...

…and at holidays, we'd make and decorate sugar cookies. (Below, I'm rolling out the dough. The kids all helped with the latter parts of the process.)

This little boy would color his favorite pictures of ghosts, pumpkins, and snowmen….

…and then he'd hang them on the wall as decorations for our house.

I would be surrounded by fall colors.

After trick-or-treating, a bit high on sugar overload, these two would have gobs of fun in their bubble bath, where we scrubbed and scrubbed until Madeline's face paint finally came off.

This cute kid would add a few elements to his Halloween costume, after the fact.

I'll reminisce about the many room decorations, themed to the current holiday.

I'll remember how Isaac ran into a wall and hurt himself, and then his sister Clara put the offending wall in Time Out.

Clara, always bursting with tons of new and creative ideas, would start planning her friend's Christmas present well in advance.

Nathan would analyze the presidential election for many days afterwards...

…and he would bring home a turkey from school to help him practice his speech.

We would kickoff the Christmas spirit by visiting an amazing Christmas attraction not far from our home. The kids would revel in sitting on the stage during a play…

…and I would gaze at the twinkling Christmas lights and feel grateful, once again, for the life that is mine.