Weekend Recap

I love this time of year.  Everything is quiet.  The calm before the storm, perhaps, as the busy holiday season approaches.  We occupy ourselves with organizing and cleaning, planting bulbs for the Spring, putting all the Summer toys and furniture and clothes away for the Winter. 

I've decided to focus on the beauty of these simple tasks.  There is such a satisfaction that results from the seasonal preparations.  I'm able to evaluate the things we own, take stock and be grateful.  I find that there is little that I want and even less that I need. 

A few highlights from the weekend:

*A trip to the library.   My big boy is on the verge of reading on his own.  He can read individual words but lacks the confidence to tackle sentences just yet.  However, with each word successfully read, I can feel his confidence and excitement growing.  My excitement is at its peak, as I watch him discover the magic of reading.

*Date night!  This was the first time we left while both boys were still awake.  Thankfully, they were both happy and did not put up a fuss when we left.   Thank you, "Peter Pan".   K and I enjoyed dinner, drinks, and a late movie.  I had planned on seeing "Moneyball" but somehow got the movie times mixed up.  Bummer.  We ended up seeing "Ides of March".  Great acting - Ryan Gosling is a badass; I am a big fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, and Paul Giamatti; and one can never have too much George Clooney.  It was a good movie. 

*My big boy and I made these pumpkin cookies.  Yum.

*Sunday morning, we paid another visit to Cambridge.  I feel so fortunate to live where we do.  We went to The Museum of Natural History.  After reading a book that featured dinosaurs last month, I had promised my big boy that we could go to see some real dinosaur bones.  He's been eagerly anticipating this trip, and it did not disappoint.  Afterwards, we asked him what his favorite part was, and he said, "I loved every single thing there".  Well.  We followed up our museum visit with a walk through Harvard Yard and brunch in Harvard Square. 

So now begins another week.  I find my mind shifting towards thoughts of holiday planning.  Menus, gifts, activities...  I will strive to prepare so that I am fully able to appreciate the beauty of the season.