first snow

Bob and I have this little "joke" we play out for impending winter weather. He gets this serious smirk trying not to smile face and says in his trying not to laugh voice something like, "Um, mom... I'm very sorry to tell you this, but..." and I'll start with my look of horror and the corners of his mouth will jump up and down as he tries harder not to smile, "...but, mom, it's going to SNOW this weekend." And before he can even finish I bellow a desperate, "Nooooooo!"

Or we'll be playing outside and a cold wind will pick up and we'll look at each other, and he'll tilt his head to the side with his not-smile, and I'll cry out in a moan at the top of my lungs, "Wiiiinteeeeeerrrr!" And the crazy laughter that follows keeps me from crying. And my dramatics are the joke but they're actually not that far from the real sounds I'm making in my own head.

Whereas I am afraid of the cold, Owen is afraid of being separated from his Legos. He is hilarious and in general tries to be a good sport about anything -- declaring that cold snowy weather is his favorite! despite the fact that last winter we could hardly drag him outside until snow turned to mud.



But truth be told, even I can't resist the lure of the first snow. Truth be told again, this wasn't even a real snow, just a dusting. It came down in flurries and then in tiny snowballs and then in bigger clumps, and all three littles were out romping and tasting. Maisy is actually the easiest one out the door-- as soon as I mention the possibility she goes running to the sun room to collect her shoes and coat.




There's undeniable magic in it, that first snow of the year... and snow in general, and water in general! And even I at 31 years and self-professed hater of winter (not necessarily December but definitely January and February... and usually March...) even I can't help but marvel, and get a little giddy, at this particular miracle of our planet.





I won't be the first to say that as a parent the wonder is doubled, but it's true. It's not just being a parent, though-- it's being human I think. It's looking through a lens, it's painting a portrait, it's the recording of scientific experiments or baby milestones.


It's the intently observing of another human and of the earth, of deeply wanting to know more. It's caring for another person or thing, and trying to view things though another perspective. It's taking our new perspective and processing it, and then offering it up to God or to others-- even on Instagram! There are so many ways to double your wonder.

Or triple your wonder, as in my case.


These little humans who love each other just because they belong to each other-- they move me.

They make me open my eyes wide, crouch down low, take a second look at the moment, hold it tighter.

They take me back to my earliest days when the world was so new and that is magic -- but I've found the magic in other experiences too.

I find it in the crunching of leaves and the delight of fresh snow and in the last bit of golden light and in friends to whom I can say I'm lonely, and they'll say I'm lonely too.

Sometimes the magic is in going back in time or catching glimpses of myself way back when... but mostly it's about the present and the magic of them now and the gripping grace by which this life is given me. It's looking into their faces and seeing the wonder of these marvelously new human beings -- and having the opportunity to share in it... my words don't do it justice.

Snow frosted leaves and golden sun but the most beautiful part is my little one.

xo, a.

PS. I recently watched this TED talk which was very inspirational to me and perhaps to some of my words here. So worth your time -- have a watch and become a part of the artwork.

PPS. I really need to move my blog, because it looks simply awful on mobile and I don't even know what blogger is doing to my images. One of these days... :/

Live on the Lake in the Berkshires

We finally made it to Live on the Lake! (For the very last concert of the summer.) We've had it on our list to go but for one reason or another kept putting it off... so last night was our last chance, and nothing would stop us!  We met up with Ben after work and I performed an amazing parking maneuver and the adventure was on.  Maisy Lou was so happy to be someplace new -- it's totally her jam, just checking everything and everyone out. So content and friendly and fun, this one.


Pittsfield people watching is pretty grand -- I brought my fancy camera fully anticipating taking photos of strangers.

Also spectacular: the Onota Lake sunsets.

And if that weren't enough, there was a bit of divine providence on our timing... look who we bumped into!  And, better yet -- got to spend the evening with!!  Bobby jumped up into Chloe's arms, wrapped his legs around her waist and his arms around her neck and did't let go for five minutes. I could've collapsed into a puddle of tears, but had my trusty lens to filter the scene through.  Oh, how I've been missing this girl.

We ate some crazy good food from Lucia's Latin Kitchen -- and probably I should've taken a photo of the kebobs and rice instead of the empty plates, but I was starving apparently!

The band was Madison Ave (I heard a rumor that the lead singer was the winner of "Berkshire Idol" although I didn't know that was a thing...) and they played mostly (or all) covers, which was cool with me because they finished off with a couple of my jams. (Yup I just said "jam" again and I'm rolling with it.) (And I'm rolling with all the parentheses too because I just love grammar, that's why.)

We got ice cream of course (I think we've each eaten our weight in ice cream this summer-- whoops). Maisy is well-versed in the routine; she starts freaking out the moment she sees the list of flavors.

We lingered as the sun set and walked back to the car, and three fell asleep still slightly sticky in the backseat on the drive home.

Summer ain't over yet -- here's to making the most of our final days of freedom!

three!

Guess who turned THREE while we were in California?  (A month ago; I'm slow.)  It was this guy!

 first thing on his birthday morning, saying "I'm thlee!"

Owen was so very excited for having his birthday in California.  There was much anticipation leading up to the trip... Owen's mantra was, "When we get to California it's going to be my birthday!"  We kept trying to explain that his birthday would be three days after flying day, but he wasn't having it.  "When we get to California it's going to be my birthday!"  Yes, buddy.  We shall celebrate you all week!

 When asked what he wanted for his birthday, his reply was "oatmeal for supper."  Anything else?  "Cake."  Are there any presents you have in mind?  "Three puzzles -- teenage mutant ninja turtles, star wars, and super mario bros."  So I ordered three puzzles on amazon and had them shipped to California Gram's and on his birthday morning they were in the hotel room waiting to be unwrapped.  He went straight to work.

 We had a nice little hotel breakfast of waffles and fruit.

 Then we went to California Gram's for the day.

Remembering Fruit Loops from a previous hotel stay, Owen couldn't survive his birthday without some.

We went out to the pool for a swim... in January, by the way.  Owen was hesitant at first.  We haven't swum (swam? swimmed?) here in months, so he had to ease his way in.  Maisy went right for it; she was trying to dive her way into the pool from the moment she saw it.

Some people -- the birthday boy in particular -- needed a little rest after the swimming and before the party, so we took the littles for a scenic drive.

And I wanted an iced coffee, so Ben pulled up to a Starbucks.  And I'm not sure I have ever been inside an actual Starbucks.  My first trip to the 'bucks had me laughing to myself like a lunatic because... One, I ran in thinking the five dollar bill in my pocket was going to buy coffee for two, and Two, because even though I was the only customer in sight the two male baristas followed every service protocol including loudly calling out my order when it was ready even though I was standing right there, and I was the only one standing right there.

O stayed asleep while we carried him inside, and truth be told he could have slept for the rest of the night, but we had to wake him for the long awaited birthday party!

He opened cards and presents in a bit of a daze, then slowly woke up and played with everything right away.

A sweet friend of Gram's gave him this Thomas bubble blower which served perfectly as party entertainment.

There's my love, drinking on lifeguard duty, and he deserves a post all his own because last week was actually his birthday!  But let's be honest, he won't get one because I am way behind here.  So, suffice to say: I love this guy and I love doing life with him.  We're not old yet, honey!  Many more birthdays to celebrate.

And I love doing life with this little guy also.  He's such a sweet person, usually just goes with the flow, Bobby's little parrot copying everything he says and does, always good for a hug or kiss fight.  We both cherish our "snuggle party" every night after silly time and book and story.  He lives these days for puzzles and play doh, Star Wars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  His play lightsaber and ninja weapon fighting is pretty hilarious; he reminds us of the leaked home video of George Michael Bluth (Arrested Development, people... if you don't know what I'm talking about then watch it.)  He loves to eat, especially breakfast, so much that for most of his two-dom he spent most of many mornings at the table asking for more and more food straight through 'til lunch.

And he is very excited to be three.  This might be one of the best birthday ages -- able to anticipate the joy of cake and presents, but not yet sucked in by greed; still thrilled by the simplest of things -- a floating balloon, candles lit, clouds of bubbles for popping, birthday cards with five dollar bills inside, construction paper signs taped to doors, and the question, "Wait, HOW old are you!?"

He's got a great sense of humor, this guy.  Every day he makes us laugh out loud and Ben and Bob and I will look at each other with knowing smiles -- Aren't we lucky to have such a funny boy in our family?

On the same day Owen turned three, Gram's friend Al turned ninety three.  Crazy to think what's in store for O's 93rd birthday... I like to think I'll be there with my head attached to a robot body.  Just kidding-- I stole that from Donna.  (Parks and Rec.  Come on, get with my tv references, people.)

We lit the cake up twice, because three year olds really like to blow out their candles, and because Bob wanted to capture the moment on his cell phone camera (he has inherited an old phone of Ben's and is stocking it up with photos and videos and although it bugs me to see him using a device it's pretty darn sweet how much he cherishes his memories).  And I said, "That's right Bob, in our family we're always up for a photo re-do!"

This serious furrowed brow expression, it's one of Owen's classics.  He can be so silly, he can be so serious, he can be so laid back.  He fits in perfectly, and we love him so much.

Happy third birthday, Oboe!