Enough is a Feast

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."  

Melody Beattie

'Enough' is a feast.  

Buddhist proverb

This Thanksgiving we hosted a feast.  Fifteen family members swept into our home midday, which included all of the grandparents living in town as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins.    The boys were very excited to be home this year and to share this holiday with everyone they love.  I was super thrilled to create the menu with Anna and then set about making the meal as good as it could possibly be.  This also included using vintage Swedish china and linens, decorating with fresh flowers from my brother, and creating an assortment of conversation starters to lay at the table.   It was beautiful, the meal was delicious, and I am four or five slices of chocolate pecan pie happier as I write this. 

Gratitude for:

My parents,  both hovering around the ninety year old mark and still able to partake in all of the festivities.   

My mother-in-law, for bringing the best damn cranberry relish ever to the meal, and sitting and chatting with my mom for a long time, listening intently to her and making sure to speak up so my nearly deaf mother could hear her. 

My sister, for her zany, positive, always generous nature.  She bubbles in and sparkles and shines no matter what the occasion.   I love her energy so very much

My sister's fiancé, who remains healthy and provides for all of us the privilege of seeing serenity in action in the face of adversity.  He has been my hero for a long time now.  

My brother and his two children, for driving all the way from their home in Buffalo, to be here with us this holiday.  I know that my parents were thrilled that they came.

My niece and her fiancé, because they are pretty much the coolest and kindest couple I know and they sure do know how to spice mashed potatoes!

My children, two energetic, family loving, eager boys who could take down the house with their sincerity and joy. 

My wife, for her ability to stay steady on and go with the flow with all things family.  And for her love and for her patience and for her beauty.    

A feast for sure. 

 

Still Hazel!!

Hazel is in middle school now so we don't see her as much as we used to - but still, and I think forever, both boys will always be her Number 1 fans.  

S K U N K !!!

    Kuba and his friends made clay skunks at the party.

    Pizza

    Building skunk habitats

    Opening and reading birthday presents

    Watching Pepe Le Pew Cartoons

    Skunky goodie bag swag

Skunk hat and skunk shirt are just perfect!

Nailed it!

Each week at the boys school, students are recognized by their teachers for the character traits or actions the students have taken that are worthy of celebration.  This week Kuba was chosen as the student of the week.   His teacher, Mr. Leal, wrote this:

"Sometimes you meet a person so kind-hearted, funny, creative, adventurous, and grounded, that just getting to know them changes who YOU are.  I believe that Kuba is just that sort of person.  His positive energy and his thirst for knowledge inspires everyone in his classroom, including his teachers!  Whether he is making art, eagerly jumping into a new learning activity, befriending people on the playground, or making everyone around him laugh, Kuba follows the ROAR rules every day.  He truly respects every person and every animal on this Earth.  Thank you Kuba, for inspiring us and for making our days full of joy."

I am so deeply grateful for Kuba.   And thanks Mr. Leal for being the kind of teacher who really gets his students! 

This Beautiful Boy

My youngest son turns eight tomorrow.
My youngest boy.
Eight.
How amazing is that?
How amazing he is.

This is what I know about him...
He's beautiful.
Healthy.
Tall.
Generous.
Eager.
Funny.
Super duper bright.
He's happy.
Full of life and energy and joy and willingness
and BRILLIANT WHITE SHINY LOVE!
His hair, equally shiny and white.   And you just have to love that.
His joie de vivre is so big he makes lots of people smile.
I have never seen him be mean and for a little kid he has wicked ethics.
His internal compass for doing the right thing is fixed on kindness. 
He had excellent manners. 
He has random freckles, a big imagination and lots of creativity.
He loves babies.  And toddlers.  And 4 year olds.  Ah heck, he just loves kids.
He loves animals.
He loves to read non-fiction more than fiction.  Especially if it's about animals.
His favorite animal is a skunk and we are having a skunk birthday party on Friday for him.
He likes to sleep though he doesn't like going to bed.
He often likes to sleep in the "big bed" right between his moms.  He loves feeling cozy and warm and loved.
He has perfect pitch and has a musical ear.   He's always been this way.
He's learning how to play the piano.   He sings a lot.  Mostly made up songs - though he loves singing along to Laurie Berkner tunes.
He loves school.
He loves his friends.
He loves dumplings.  Chicken ones.
He is scared of the dark.
He likes to hold hands...still.
He LOVES his brother and the rest of us.
He has big emotions....big love, big anger, big joy, big fear, big enthusiasm.
I love him.   More than I could ever say.
Happy birthday to Kuba.  The best little 8 year old I know.