Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Christmas, good bye

I loved that tree. I love keeping Advent and Christmas. I love it that it is (reportedly) Henry's favorite time of year. I love it that there's a squared circle on the book on the piano in this photo. Did you notice it? I loved decorating our tree. I loved venturing out in the cold to get it. I loved it that Joel spotted it right off. I loved watching him saw it down and carry it away. I loved singing the little I could remember of "O Tannenbaum" while he sawed it. I loved watching Henry and Noah hike around the hill while we searched. I loved celebrating winter solstice by laying a spiral with cedar boughs that same evening.

If only I loved the rest of winter as much as I love Christmas. Now is the hard part. The days are getting longer, but I'm tired of layering up to go outside. Putting Anna in all her gear; making sure Henry has clothing that he hasn't thought to bring, but might want later.

But, now is the time we have. Now is the time I have. I can be thankful for it.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

ten months



Someone else turned ten months old the next day, December 28, on Aunt Libby's birthday. What an adorable age.

Happy Birthday, Henry!

Our bouncing, not-so-baby boy turned seven December 27. Here he is trying out Anna's restraining :) device. At seven, Henry is...
  • exuberant as ever
  • loving his Legos, especially the Lego Star Wars items
  • writing out his thoughts more and more (He wrote "Grrr, I'm mad" in the car window condensation Sunday on the way home from Wichita.)
  • loving his sister

  • wowing me with the breadth and depth of things he wants to talk about
  • caring for friends with phone calls, reflective listening, patient problem-solving
  • our dear boy!