nuggets, 11/22/12: with gratitude

One good thing about Thanksgiving with kids is that festivities begin early and end early. So, a mama who has spent her day scurrying around the kitchen, chopping vegetables and trying maniacally to time three dishes in one oven, is able to reflect on the day's events--with gratitude--while she watches her amazing husband do the dishes. My post tonight: a list of thanks, starting with aforementioned amazing husband--loyal friend and thoughtful partner, devoted father and the most generous soul that I have ever met.

I am also thankful for the photo above, which is one of my absolute favorites from the past year. We went on a hike last weekend after a long night of heavy rain. Raya started out in rain boots, rain jacket, and a full set of clothes under the rain gear. By the end of the two miles, she and Phoebe were walking in undies only, covered in mud from head to toe. Some bikers who glimpsed them from the road almost fell off their bikes laughing.

I am thankful for open spaces where our children can inhale the clarifying oxygen of nature--spaces where they can let loose, literally, and get in touch with their inner selves. Sappy, I know, but oh so very true.

throwing mud clods atop of a hill

I am grateful to live in a state where one can hike naked in November. It's not that I wouldn't move to Montana or anywhere in the Rockies in a heartbeat. It's just that, for as long as we find ourselves here, we might as well offer votive thanks for the amazing weather.

I am thankful for neighbors who know we hike every weekend and who call up at 9 am on Sunday to ask where we are headed, then decide spontaneously to join us.

I am thankful for mud, which we know builds the immune system and surely must build character also.

"excuse me for butting in"

I am thankful for clouds after a long summer of blinding skies. The weather is great around here, but I miss summer storms a lot.

I am thankful for dirt piles,

fallen-log houses,

and walking sticks--the best toys in the world.

Did I say I am thankful for rain? I am thankful for rain. I adore rain. (Coincidentally, last year at Thanksgiving we seem to have walked the exact same place in rain.)

I am thankful for my husband with a pink umbrella.

I am thankful for being the mama of the sweetest six-year old boy with the longest eyelashes in the world.

I am thankful for how much he likes to throw stones, airplanes, and other things.

I am thankful for how, even though his sister drives him crazy, he says--when I tell him that it is alright to want to take a break from her and go into his room and close his door--that he "wouldn't want to not play with her for two days or anything like that."

I am thankful for being the mama of the most loquacious girl in Silicon Valley and possibly in the entire world.

I am thankful for how her strong temperament challenges me to look at everything from a new perspective and often reminds me that I am far from perfect. (Mommy, you are wrong about that! There are gold bunnies in the cupboard!) Often reminds me, actually, of myself.

she is eating rain

I am also thankful that her dad made me take the picture below, so that, as he put it, our blog readers can see the real deal.

I am thankful for living close to the ocean, with its rich life,

its fickle moods,

and its unique color palette.

I am thankful for a neighborhood where, as the evening clouds of a brewing storm gather,

so do the children on the playground;

where a six-year old can play by himself while his mama prepares dinner

and his sister, who is no fan of exercise, can be coaxed into running for a bit.

I am thankful for basketball--Sava's new interest and his dad's oldest love,

and I am thankful for winter hats which one child has outgrown and now the other can wear.

Last but not at all least, I am thankful for
Stuff They Say
this week dominated by Raya except for a precious quote which the mom of Sava's best friend from school shared with me.

On the night before a much-anticipated day-long playdate with Sava, Nicole:
I can't wait for the playdate with Sava. We are best friends, you know. We can play together on and on, without stopping--unless we are hungry.
I know Sava is going to love reading this one some years from now.

Raya's manic obsession with babies continues. While sitting on the potty some days ago:
Tati, I am fascinated with babies!

Raya: Mommy, this giraffe is called Lovebug! Do you know why?
Mom: Why?
Raya: Because I love him and I bug him!

don't ask why she is wearing a bib

It blows me away to hear our kids' speech echo our own. Both kids do it, but Raya's ventriloquism still impresses more because A. she just turned three and B. she picks up on things that we don't even hear ourselves saying.
Raya: I can't seem to be able to find my sleeve!
"Can't seem to be able to"? I say this stuff all the time.

Raya: I had to wrap up Emma in so many blankets because she is scorching cold.

On her way out the door to go to school: I hope you have a good day, tati! I'll be back in some minutes!

After a time-out,
Rado: Raya, do you know why you are in your crib?
Raya: 'Cause I didn't listen to you.
Rado: If I take you out, will you listen to me?
Raya: A little bit! 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.