feeling thankful:

 for the morning light,

 for little moments like these,

 for our bedroom closet being taken over by tiny hand-me-down baby dresses,

 for tinkertoy rock bands,

 for our homeschooling days and how very well they are going,

 for the abundance of good food we have to eat,

 for this smile,

for a few moments of peace while a baby napped and little boys were at lessons to knit in front of the fire and breathe deep.
It is good.

My three little loves~

 

Ari- still wearing that apron I made for him when he was a toddler,

 

Dorian- making up games on our walks. He is a robber, trying to steal my (willow leaf) money.

Willa Rose- rolling over and and just generally wowing us all with her sweetness.

Oh how I love them so.

 

Some random pictures from around here. Not picking the camera up much these days, and never remembering to grab it when we head outside. There has been lots of book reading and school work and messes made, and pictures drawn (I'm in love with this wizard by Dori!) and baby goodness and a little bit of knitting. There has been jam made and laundry washed and dirtied again, and diapers changed and washed and changed and washed. There have been meals cooked and band aids carefully placed, and baby fingernails carefully cut and guitar and fiddle practices attended to and baths and board games and kisses and sibling squabbles. There have been lullabies and cuddles on the couch and long morning walks in the crisp autumn air. There have been voices raised, and little heart shaped cards for mama cut from paper and illustrated with care. There is a big boy who likes to jump and run and leap and bound and carry his sister around all day long. There is a littler boy who likes to play and draw and play and draw all day, and likes to have things just right.  And there is a wee baby girl who has found her voice and likes to coo and chat to us all and who sometimes would prefer a few less kisses on her face and a few less laps around the house in her brother's arms. And there is love. So very much love in this busy life. This wonderfully, crazily, joyously full up life.

We celebrated Dorian's 5th birthday this weekend. Five! I'm not sure how my baby got to be so big, but there it is. He is big and sweet and ever so lovable. We had a small family celebration on his actual birthday, and an art party with friends and family in the bighouse the next day. He was pretty excited.

We love you our sweet  boy. Thank you for being your wonderful, snugly, imaginative, creative, bighearted goofy little self. You fill our hearts with laughter and joy. It is a gift to watch you grow.