Thanksgiving Shenanigans, Pt. 2

*wish I could take credit for the next couple of photos- thanks for sharing, Jamie!*

Day 3. Wednesday. The boys were up and at ’em early (think 5am) so we walked to breakfast at Winslow’s Home. I have to apologize for not taking more pictures, but it pretty much took all four adults to corral all 5 children and prevent them from consuming unpaid-for candy and other merchandise. Despite the craziness, it was wonderful to get out of the house for a while and breathe some fresh cool air. Mary and I had plans to stay home to cook pies and cakes and goodies, and also to straighten up the house a bit for Thanksgiving Day. So… Andrew and Jamie took Ben and Milo back to the City Museum for big adventures.

Being brave.

As soon as the big kids were out the door, Mary immediately took on the most-helpful-woman-on-Earth role and calmly strapped Oliver and Greta into the double stroller and a screaming Baby Emil into the carrier and walked around the neighborhood for over an hour so that I could get some cooking and cleaning done for the big day. The littles came home well-rested (which is more than I can say for Mary, I’m sure!) to a clean house, a couple of pies and a cake in the oven, and a much less stressed me.

Snug buddies

It takes a couple of days for me to get perspective. Now that it is Sunday, two days after our guests left, I feel that I have a grasp on the special bond that we and our kids share. Andrew and I have talked and talked about the trip, the experience, and our friends. How life should be lived, what is important. What makes us comfortable and happy.

I think it is all too easy to get caught up in the hustle of life. It is easy to live in your mind, two steps ahead. What needs to be done. Washed. Put away. Cooked. Cleaned. Accumulated. It is easy because you think you are doing what’s best for your family, staying on top of it before it all catches up to you. And in a sense, this kind of thinking is absolutely necessary for a certain comfort and mouths to be fed, clean clothes to be ready, a house that feels warm and welcoming rather than messy and stifling. But balance, people. It is all a balance. And our dear dear friends remind us of this. To be present.

Red light, green light, purple light made-up game

Frozen.

Present.

We are still processing our good fortune. We are still, and always will be thankful for these moments.

Check back tomorrow for Part 3: The Feast