Its been a busy day. So busy in fact that I took the time to write down all I’ve done today for my husband to see, like a child displaying their artwork on the fridge. Im tired. But good tired. I’ve gotten a lot accomplished and now Im just, wheew, tired.

I just took a shower and put on my most favorite PJ’s, the ones from Marc and Viv. I have a cup of hot tea and Im trying to enjoy the soft light from our new lantern light from Ikea but we are having a major bug problem with- I don’t know, I’ve heard people call them flying ants? Anyway- those bugs are flittering away in the lantern so there is a soft yet annoying sound emanating from the lamp.

Both kids were fantastic today. Nathan has been especially lovey-dovey and these are the days where the mom thing pays in dividends. Today at the commissary there was a small carton of pumpkins! already and I couldn’t pass it up. I love seeing how excited Nathan is just by having a pumpkin! on the coffee table. Simple treasures.

Today we made cupcakes. In halloween wrappers with orange frosting and autumn sprinkles. Mackenzie was asleep and Nathan was hugging me and squeezing me and telling me how much fun it was that we make cupcakes together. I usually let him eat batter before I add eggs and today was no different. I scooped him up a healthy amount and put it in a bowl with a spoon for him. Chocolate-faced he tells me Im the greatest mom ever. (There you have it- a bowl of cake batter puts you among the mom-elite). We also worked on a little banner for Mackenzie’s party and Nathan, my faithful little crafting assistant sat there patiently, often trying to “help” which internally I was like “JUST BACK UP” but constantly reminding myself: he just wants to help. He just wants to be involved. He just wants to be with you. I should be so lucky to have this. He told me what beautiful fabric I picked out and what a beautiful craft I was making and would I ever make something like this for him on my “sewer” (sewing machine)? We worked on a Halloween craft I picked up at Michaels when we were home this summer- you stuck foamie pieces on a spooky house and as Nathan stuck the shutters on he put them over the windows instead of next to them- “so you can’t see anything scary.” He helped me unload groceries today- running back out to the car “darefoot” (barefoot) as he calls it. Have a I mentioned how much I love 4? They are just so charming and endearing and loving and actually able to articulate it. Much like babyhood, I hope it doesn’t go too fast.

And speaking of the baby, Im painfully aware of just how many days it is until Saturday. Until B-day. Its so silly really, whats the difference between 365 days and 366? And I think what it really boils down to is that you cross a threshold. There’s no going back. You’re officially not considered ‘baby’ anymore and its hard to not be sad about that. She’s become such a big girl in just the last few weeks. Pulling up on everything has made her seem more toddler-like and less baby. She is fascinated with the shoes in the front hallway and its gotten to the point now that if I look at her and say, “what does Mama say?” she smiles big, shoe in hand, and shakes her head “no.” My little stinker. Today I was in the kitchen and from the family room Nathan asks, “Where is Mackenzie? I hear her splashing.” Of course I came running out to find her playing in the toilet. The one her brother forgot to flush. Thankfully it was only pee. She was having a grand time until mom came and wrecked it. It makes me a little sad to see her embrace her toddler-ness, like today when I shut the dishwasher- much to her dismay, which sent her flailing back, arching, laying down on the kitchen floor crying. We’re already on our way to being a “two-two-two-year old”, as my niece Kaitlyn would say.

I wish there were more days like this. More days that you (are able to) take it all in. And fewer days with whining, and puking, and strep. On that note, Im going to take my tea, be cozy in my PJ’s, and go watch our new favorite show: The Vampire Diaries.

Filed under: Grace in Small Things, McSassy, Nate the Great, This Is My Life, yes he said that- and no I didn't teach him