life lately; oh my how time flies

It's been positively autumnal and we've been busy with school, play, work, surviving...
Hope your fall activities have been sweet and happy, too.

President's Day walk

President's Day holiday. Of course there were projects that needed to be done around the house, but we decided to put them off and take advantage of having PapaQ home for an extra day this weekend. Taking a walk through the woods together as a family seemed perfect on this sunny, easy-going day.. Finding such wilderness required driving a few minutes away to the National Arboretum where you'd never know you were in the middle of a major city. Despite seeing signs of spring in our neighborhood, here it seemed as though nature was still slumbering through winter. Surrounded by lovely shades of brown, amber and gold we leapt over muddy patches (as best and one can leap while carrying a baby strapped to you) and poked at thinly iced ponds with sticks. Such a brisk, refreshing outing; I hope that our children's memories of growing up include these lovely little patches of free play in the brilliant outdoors.
And yes, Mayumi chose to wear a bonnet from her dress-up basket. I'm sure the few people we ran across thought we were some kind of Amish or something... charming but a little strange.

merry moments

Advent devotionals and seasonal activities keep us busy, but mostly merry. This mama has promised herself that we will have a plan but will not be glued to it - there must be flexibility! Which is just as well since we've been battling colds and adjusting to life with twin infants. Quite frankly, sometimes things just don't happen the way I intended - the cookies I wanted to bake didn't happen, we never got out to go ice-skating that one day, and we still haven't hung up the bird seed ornaments outside. But it's been quite magical all the same, even if we're just hanging out around the Christmas tree, passing around the babies, eating cookies (homemade or not!) and telling jokes. Mayumi has been expanding her repertoire recently.

Like this one:
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Mary.
Mary who?
Mary Christmas!

Ha! Get's me every time!

the perfect tree

Despite dropping temperatures we made it out for our second annual tree-cutting. I went along for the ride and even managed to get out with both the twins strapped to me in the Moby wrap, but it was so cold and they were crying that we quickly retreated to the minivan and cranked up the heat and the Christmas music, nursed a bit, and did the proper ooh-ing and aah-ing when Mayumi and PapaQ returned dragging the most beautiful tree!
A quick drive down to the farm market was in order. While the strapping young lads there shook and baled our tree we indulged in hot cider and donuts and picked up some apples to take home. Since then there has been much merriment as the decorations have gone up.
What is it about a Christmas tree? Those gleaming lights, the ornaments collected through the years, those fragrant evergreen boughs...
Well, no one really wants to hear me wax poetic, so perhaps you'll welcome Mary Oliver's words:

When I Am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness,
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."

~ Mary Oliver ~

Oh, to become closer to the hope of myself! I love how a Christmas tree indeed invites one to stop and stay awhile. Those twinkly lights, so hypnotic and soothing. 

More tree loveliness to come!

tea with jam and bread

Lovely brisk days bring about a slower pace around here (oh yes, that, and the extra rest I've been needing from carrying around these boys in my belly). It's been nice to hear the whistle of the tea kettle again and slather on butter, honey, and preserves on toast (not necessarily all at once, though perhaps that would be divine!).

october's serenade

It is not easy (or advisable) for me to be out and about on my feet, but we had a few exceptions this past weekend. The autumn air is so seductive and since PapaQ was't around to give Mayumi some much-needed outdoor time, I had to take the reigns. Outings to the local Family Fall Festival  and grabbing crepes at Eastern Market were just what we needed to take advantage of this time of year. I suppose it was a bit much for me and my poor swollen feet and aching belly... the good news is that when we do all this again next year, I won't be in this condition and it will be the more the merrier!