Tradition

Today started out nice and slow. I spent the morning organizing the filing cabinet and my closet (which always seems to get cluttered with stuff that doesn't belong). The little boys played all over the house, happily engaged in a game of make-believe. Ollie crawled at my feet, protesting and complaining whenever I'd leave the room to get something. 

Before too long it was lunch time, followed by a nap for Fin. Joe and I worked on a few pages of school together and then he spent the next little while playing with Ollie. I admired them from across the room, playing so sweetly together. Oliver is getting so big, and so interactive. He loves to wave at people, point at things, and shake his head yes in response to questions. He asks for things in his own language and uses his adorable wave to let us know when he's finished eating, ready for bed, or saying good-bye to someone. 

In the late afternoon Joe and I snuck into the kitchen and made some sugar cookie dough. He helped me mix, roll, and cut the dough into shapes. "I'm so glad I have a mom like you," he smiled thoughtfully. The first pan came out just as the kids walked in from the bus. They were so excited to decorate our Halloween cookies and giggled as they reminisced about the black icing coloring their teeth last year.

They each iced and ate a couple of cookies and then headed out to the park to play baseball with some neighborhood boys. I finished icing the last of the cookies while Reese curled up on my feet. The kitchen felt warm and happy as the chicken soup simmered on the stove. Soon Hyrum came home and offered to help with the last few cookies. He sang along to the song "Humble and Kind" while we both iced away. "Mom, is this your favorite song?" I told him it was definitely one of my favorites and he said, "Oh, well it's my favorite" and then went back to singing along. I moved down the counter and started a batch of biscuits. We cut them into heart shapes and put them in the oven just as Daddy walked in the door. A light rain had started sending the remaining kids back to the house for warmth. There was lots of "I love you's" shared between siblings and they were all genuinely helpful and wonderful. 

This week has been crazy long with many late nights for Mr. Stannix. I have looked forward to my time with him all day today. We've shared many midnight chats and early mornings this week. I was excited to take it slow and easy tonight. We curled up to a show, I blogged and tucked my toes under his legs on the couch like always. All is well.