12.24

Merry Christmas, kiddos. We hope the joy was as abundant as the noise and mess.

12.23

Chaos reigned. As he perfected his cardboard snowboarding, the two of them scattered sprinkles all over the kitchen. "Oh my goodness!"

12.21 and 12.22

Now I'm just getting sloppy. End of the year fatigue?

12.20

We're gone a few weeks and suddenly they're all top teeth and walking. They're clearly not waiting on us before they hit milestones.

12.19

We are lucky to have so much time together. So much flexibility for the holidays.

12.18

I closed my eyes and rocked him and he slept. Just like we used to, only the music was live.

12.17

The beauty and the decay. And the beauty of the decay.

12.16

I felt like a genius.

12.15

I heard a thump, but thought nothing of it.

12.14

We didn't see many lights, but the playground was festive enough for them.

12.13

I feel like this stage of parenthood is devoid of middle ground. It's either highs or lows all the time. Thankfully, this season gives us opportunity for more highs.

12.12

It is my fault. Always. That last minute rush is because of me.

12.11

I still like to wonder what it would have been like to live then. It's fun to imagine. And he's just like me.

12.10

The periods of grouchiness are wearying. But we powered through and the highlights far outnumbered the frustrations.

12.09

I should just always keep a picture book with me. To be used when I'm overcome with impatience.

12.08

It seems I have a talent for saying the wrong thing. I wish that wasn't the case.

12.07

For boys, everything becomes a contact sport.

12.06

Sometimes I think I'm younger than I am. The fact that I didn't get sick on the bus made me feel like my youth is still kicking.

12.05

My days of rocking babies are gone and now, so is the chair I rocked them in.

12.04

Part of me wanted to stay home, take care of the "necessary" things. But going was the best thing I'd done in weeks.

12.03

I made her laugh for the first time. We're going to be friends after all.

12.02

Two days out of three hundred and sixty-five isn't awful.

12.01

A photo shoot arranged by a seven-year-old creative director.

11.30

Talk to me Saturday evening. I'll be less distracted, and negligent, then.

11.29

If only we had the entire night for book reading. Our evenings would go so much more smoothly.

11.28

Dinner sometimes seems to me a herculean effort. But I rarely regret the relaxed time we share around our table.

11.27

I wish I could be there to hear the other traditions. First grade is great.

11.26

The first time, all year, I didn't take a single picture the entire day. Disappointing. But maybe a good illustration for this year of ideas and attempts. Mostly successful, but not perfect.

11.25

Mornings at Grandma's. What vacation should be.

11.24

I am thankful for decorations by kids.

11.23

The blue and green lights welcomed me home.

11.22

Why is the world upside down?

11.21

I am regretting all that time in September I didn't spend crocheting. But only for a bit.

11.20

At one point, I thought our entire tree would be overrun with stuffed animals. In the end, only the owls got to stay.

11.19

Now, the night is welcome.

11.18

I did what I could to make the end of his day better than its beginning.

11.17

I think I did a better job today of being present.

11.16

I knew I would have liked it. I hoped that was enough.

11.15

Irresistible.

11.14

We have yet to come up with the perfect way to celebrate this time of the birds. I forget, in the meantime, how much I appreciate their silhouettes. 

11.13

The fire finished up the same time we did.

11.12

The weekend weather smiled upon us.

11.11

We had to race against the dwindling light. We lost, but we were close enough to manage.

11.10

I made them. And someone bought them. It's always a nice feeling.

11.09

Moods and weather. Unpredictable. Rapidly changing.

11.08

Everyone had the same idea. Probably one of the last chances of the year.

11.07

It's impossible to predict which parts of the day are going to go smoothly and which parts will be rocky.

11.06

Fresh air and exercise. Good for us all.

11.05

Maybe one day I'll try to paint.

11.04

Taking the time to take our time made a big difference.

11.03

Every morning, a surprise.

11.02

Exclusion always hurts.

11.01

I wonder how long they'll buy the "do as I say, not as I do" routine. I think they're already on to me.