Daddy inventions,

good food and family,

and icosidodecahedrons. Cuz, ya know, that's how we roll 'round here on Thanksgiving. Be well everyone.

He wanted to be Harry Potter. And although he has no idea who Harry Potter is, other than what I briefly told him about a boy wizard, he was smitten with the idea form the start. I could not have picked a more perfect character for my fantastic first boy.

Halloween 2010

Hope everyone had a fun Halloween!

Touch

I walked into our family room the other day to find Henry very serenely resting on William's lap. I took a great shot of this, out of focus, of course. They were both as calm as could be. When they realized I was taking a picture they started laughing. The fact that they find this sort of comfort in one another is a great source of joy for me. It leaves me thinking, amidst the days of often wondering what in the hell we're doing around here, as parents, that we must be doing a little bit of something right.

(As a side note, yes, William still uses a bottle. If I was still able to nurse I would be doing that, and the fact that I can't has brought me such deep sadness at times that I won't even begin to try to touch upon it here, now. Ever, probably. So, he has his bottle, as did his brothers before him. And, yes again, we'll let him wean himself when he's ready.)

There is something about the way they do this that strikes me. The unprompted togetherness. If I carried a camera around with me I could snap pictures like this daily. They go in birth order as they move. First, second, third. No one speaks or suggests, it just happens. It's been fun to watch William join this space. He sees them go and knows almost instinctively that he belongs there, too. Next to, part of, just because.

Eese!

Eese! That's what he says as soon as you put a camera up in front of him. Baby boy, not so much baby anymore, full of joy. And spice and fire and busy, but we'll talk about that another time.

Noah's first day of Kindergarten

Well folks, he did it. And apparently loved it. Wanted to go back this afternoon, shortly after he got off the bus at a bit past 4 and started feeling frustrated with his brother. There were magnets and so many fun things and cool shoes on the boy whose hair spikes up a little. There was also a hand written note from his teacher saying that he had had a GREAT day, and a small welcome gift with attached poem. A very good way to start things off with a Mama who will expect her to bring her A game and not much less. 14 kids, 2 teachers, 1 organic garden, and a happy boy. Yes, a good start, indeed.