Fishing with Far

Family time here is sacred... We have one day a week to tuck in all together and I try to make the most of that precious time. That mostly means getting us all to settle into a different rhythm, a beautiful rhythm that includes Far. The kids know so well Mama's boundaries and allowances and we must stretch our arms just a bit wider to accommodate that special guy who has been working so hard six days of the week to support our family - giving him space while honoring his rules and just trying to have fun playing together. It is a hard little balance to be honest and it looks different each weekend as seasons shift and our children grow and change.

Lately Friday has been filled with Kasper and I making a special something in the kitchen to share with the whole family that evening while playing a board game that the kids choose. This has honestly happened "perfectly" twice and is a goal I have for us to settle us into our family time and make the most of Friday evening and Saturday together.
We have been thankful for the beautiful, sunny, perfectly crisp Fall weather. It is day in and day out glorious and we are embracing it.

We are all in transition, aren't we? Day in and day out it all changes but I so want our family to be a safe little place for the children to retreat to and depend on...

This was our today. Bowing in gratitude...

Glimpses of Fall

AnaSofia came home for school today and raked up leaves for the boys. A small, not very colorful pile but surely an indication that change is in the air. The garden is still offering so much and each morning breath outside feels warm but the sun is moving quickly and assuredly along its path to Fall. Magnus was so joyful to play in the leaf pile and scatter the leaves about as AnaSofia and Kasper quickly raked them up again - it was such a fun game for him.

Fall, leaves, fall

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;

Lengthen night and shorten day;

Every leaf speaks bliss to me

Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow

Blossom where the rose should grow;

I shall sing when night’s decay

Ushers in a drearier day.

- Emily Bronte

First Day of First Grade

Yesterday marked AnaSofia's first day of first grade, she was so excited to find her desk and "sit and do some work!". We tried to take the morning slow, step outside and breathe in the wonders of nature before submitting to the flurry of first morning preparations. I need that first breath of nature each morning to feel right in my bones and hope to teach that to the little loves too...

Little brother was following so closely behind her (can you see him?), missing her already and feeling the changes in our sweet little summer world. He will begin preschool next week for three days and have a little fun of his own.

I made her a first day of school dress in the fabric of her choice (and who am I to complain about something with bunnies on it?!) from Marisa Anne. I love her stuff so and ordered a lot of chickens and bunnies for the coming months and years - I cannot resist buying fabric that sings to me and has no specific purpose at the current time, it is a disease that cannot be stopped. I used some rick rack an vintage embroidery tea towel to add interest. She loved it, thankfully. I love her and wish her such merry moments each day at school, I will miss her so!

The littlest sprout is one

Dear, sweet Magnus...
 Your frequent night wakings are buffered by the soft nose kisses you give, the sweet caressing of my arm with your chubby little hands and your constant nodding and chatter.
You love to emphatically shake your head yes or no to our questions in an attempt to communicate - I daresay you will be the most fiercely independent of all three (and I thought Kasper was a challenge!).
You have such confidence. One of the highlights of your days is riding up and down the road on your Kepler bike with Mama steering and you proudly looking on.
You are quick to cling to Mama in a crowd and unwilling to be pried away by anyone, but I truly think this time with me now will reinforce your independence in the future.
You are falling in love with Far and love to hear his voice when he comes home from work each day. Like the other two, you love to entertain him with your greatest tricks.

Your big sister is willing to babysit, care for and be responsible for you with capabilities way beyond her years - she is such a wise, old soul and loves you so.
Your big brother is eager to kiss, hug and be so very close to you (too close for your comfort), he loves you so fiercely and is waiting for the time when you will be able to tumble and play with him rather than just watch from a wary distance - he adores every inch of you.
Mama is still in disbelief of how cute you are with all that white blonde hair and is thankful for the many quiet days we will have together in the coming months to just be. Our alone time is filled with time outside and you asking so much about the world around you, I love seeing it all through your eyes.
Far loves to give you your bath, rides on his shoulders and carry you around all day Saturday on our adventures on his day off. Lucky fella (you and him).

Dear, sweet Magnus. I have said it before and will say it many days of your life. You are the warm fire we gather around day and night. AnaSofia is the lighthouse guiding us through the storms and Kasper is the wild, beautiful storm that pulls us out of our comfort zone. Each of you are a gift to us and I am grateful and humbled by you.

Happy 1st Birthday sweet fella.

End of Summer

 Beach :: Blunt's Pond :: Hiking :: Staying Home and Outside All Day :: Friends Visiting :: Family Visiting :: Gardening :: Fishing :: Bike Riding :: Homeschool Crafting :: Road Trip to NY :: Camping ::
And the list goes on...
It has all been so free, unstructured and beautiful and it is so hard to let go... I am grateful for this time with these three this summer. So grateful...