Another Two-Puppy Night

You'd have thought that 

we were safely in the warm.

But tonight, it's time once again

to break out the big comforters

and both the puppies...

_

Cuddle

Tired out from a play-date

(where they didn't play).

_

Never Alone

I'll need a weekend to myself

after A gets home next week.

_

A Quiet Thanksgiving

Right now
the afternoon brightens
the dogs sleep
beside me

the last of the corn
and the best acorn squash
from the garden are
roasting from light to gold

The kids sleep one room away
done with every weekend activity
A stumbled home from a night shift
and also sleeps

I? I have something completely
unrelated to work to read
while the week's laundry
churns itself clean and dry

Sounds so ordinary
but this hasn't happened
in years. It is a returning
peace, to be thankful.

_

We're calling this event "Synchronized Sleeping."

(And clearly, we're champions!)

_

What do you mean the weekend's OVER?!?!?

_

Melting

Is she wondering about 

the snow? Just last week 

it was piled high like  

"The Wall" in GoT.

Strange how in spite of 

all the naughty potties 

she still makes me laugh
and melt some more.

_

Look me in the eye!

This picture cracks me up.

(Scout & Grandpa R)

_

A Serious Accusation

These days--and nights--with the kids cute, funny, kinda little, and sleeping under the same roof feel so blessed.

Letting each day go is a struggle, I know I'll look back on now as some of the sweetest times of parenthood some day.

That said, the kids aren't really *that* little.

Just yesterday, the first-grader accused me of treating her "like a kindergartner" :).

_

Those Who

There are those who

just can't hold still for a pic

in the henna/bleach Tardis gear  

(made by an awesome student).

They are the same ones who 

suddenly transform into

a giggly, floppy, silly pile

of puppies in ten seconds.

_

Diagnosis

Their eyes tell me about my future
how they grow up soft
in my heart

Their hands travel like my past
muddied innocent
grown lean

Their touch keeps books of memories
to listen, turn, learn
and cry out


_

A snuggle before work

Big A dropped the older kids off at school
but there was still some snugglin' goin' on…

_

Sometimes...

one needs to nap *at* dinner

-

Golden

_

Guess Who's *at* Dinner

Huckleberry: I'm all done now. Thanks!

_

Double the Cute

I'm so done…

-

New Baby Madness

 Scout would like you to meet Huckleberry.

(He isn't sure we ought to keep her though.)

And here are all four kids…

(Nu is Huckleberry's special big sister

--and raising Huckleberry is clearly tiring work.)

-

Three Valentines...

_

"Two Beds, One Fight!"

Game developer: Nu

_

All I remember from the Road Trip...

Dog fight!

_