Blitzen'

A friend reminded me today that sometimes the best moments are the ones you just can't capture. Those moments are bittersweet to me because you want so desperately to remember their face, that feeling, but it's just not possible. That's what life has been like these past weeks, non-stop moments of kid brilliance I just can't seem to capture in words or photos. I post the humorous snippets on Facebook, but they're just teases to the magic happening in between.

Not unusual, but I just have to say it - I can't get enough of the kids right now. Every meal, play time, bath, snuggle under the covers, and general encounter is full of challenge, questions, laughter, screaming, tears, quiet, etc. I can barely keep up with Roland's questions, which always lead to more, and I love it. His imagination is exploding and while lengthy, I enjoy his stories and hearing him acting out adventures with his characters (Fin, Jake, and more). And boy, can he sing!

I can't begin to explain how fiercely independent Aria is, which makes the rare times she requests your presence at a tea party so very special. There's nothing Aria won't do and she repeats everything she hears. (A warning.)She's really starting to wail on her brother, and is finally able to answer the question, "What happened?" Roland is less than thrilled with this development. She has two billion facial expressions and is cleverly animated with each and every one. We're doomed.

Together they are pretty amazing. They fight like only siblings can fight. Aria loves taking Roland's toys. Roland has started hiding them in the Christmas tree. Roland loves bossing Aria around, Aria rarely listens. They've started dragging the dogs into their play which just makes things even more hilarious. Their favorite time would have to be after bath, where dragon and butterfly run like mad, squealing and roaring and giggling into a pile of naked laughter in a mess of towels on the floor. 

Thanksgiving was an easy time filled with friends, family, football and food. This one will also go down as the Thanksgiving Roland, wearing Jared's glasses, and without hesitation, asked Gordon for a glass of wine!

Tonight with Aria behind the wheel, Roland in the front seat and Christmas tunes on the radio we slowly crept around our neighborhood oh'ing and ah'ing at the lights. Here in the prep of the Christmas holidays we're working hard to help everyone understand the giving of presents, not just the receiving. It's an entertaining struggle! So after dinner we donned Santa caps and filled our red wagon with our holiday baking trays laden with treats for all the neighbors. Roland got to ring the doorbell (loved that job) and it took all the restraint the kids could muster to reserve their "Merry Christmas" till the door actually opened. Hands down way more fun than Halloween.

And last, a fascinating observation at the literal and yet still imaginative brains kids have. Every year our school has a Breakfast with Santa, and when we pulled into the parking lot Roland asked, "Do you see the reindeer?" panic quickly set in and before we could even come up with a response, "Oh, he must have taken a really fast car."

Which brings me to the photo at the top. I just recently turned the mirror so the kids can start seeing themselves get dressed. It's been quite the discovery watching the antics - seemingly unseen - that go on when they think no one is looking!