Evening Sweetness

We have lots of stressful times around here. We really do. But lately, I'm appreciating that we have lots of sweet, sweet times, too, and I feel wistful about them already, even though they are still here. If you know what I mean :)

Tonight, I raced out after dinner to mow the lawn and was just sweeping the clippings off the walk when the kids came downstairs, bathed and pajama-ed, thanks to Daddy, who graciously gives me the lawn mowing chore on gorgeous September evenings. The kiddos were ready for their bedtime snack of dry cereal or banana, so tonight they brought their little bowls and their sippy cups of milk and sat on the front step while I weeded the overgrown front bed.

We chatted about the fall weather, discussing how this cool night air makes us eager for the state fair and Halloween, our two favorite fall events. We watched planes fly overhead as they descended toward the nearby airport and reminisced about our last trip to Poppa-Choo-Choo and Grandma's-- and we eagerly anticipated our next trip. We agreed that we should plant some mums soon, and laughed that mum is short for "Chrysanthemum," which is also the name of the heroine of our current favorite story.

Sweet conversation, earnest faces and shining eyes, a gorgeous evening, clean and cozy children, a warm house to enter as the darkness fell and the last of the cereal was eaten. What a rich life I share with this little family.