Halloween, We Loved It

A Halloween country scene.



Soren on my shoulders!

Catch me if you can!


The mill in Millwood, VA.



Enjoying the old timey swing seat in Millwood, VA.



Donuts and coon caps at the Apple House!






Our Halloween babies on the Potomac.

Asher pointing at a plane.

Soren loved Sophia's sweet pink bugaboo.






Best times on Lee Street.



What a fun holiday! Jamie and I didn't have to work so we seized the day and had layers of fun. We went back to the apple house in Linden to buy dozens of apple cider donuts and two gallons of Rinker's apple cider (premium cider) to share with our neighbors for a party that evening. At the Apple House, A&S once again demonstrated their love for hats by happily wearing Davey Crocket racoon caps. Another one of those 'can't stop laughing' moments. Jamie was tortured by my pleasure.

After gorging on apple cider donuts, we headed into the countryside via scenic byways to explore Millwood, VA. The views were tranquil and breathtaking. The colors of autumn were stunning but not flashy, just perfect. Millwood was charming in it's simplicity and small scale--it has a post office, an historic mill, and a country store. We had lunch at the store--curried couscous salad, gruyere mac'n cheese, and tomato basil soup, which were tasty but all of which I feel I could have made better.

The day was a marvel of blue skies and soul satisfying weather! When we got home to Alexandria we put costumes on the baby babes and went to Old Town for Halloween festivities. Lee Street gets so decorated and into the holiday that the police block off the street and keep it safe for pedestrians. Old Town is already picture perfect but throw in Halloween decorations and it felt like a film or a storybook, almost unreal. Many families threw open their doors so trick or treaters could see the finery of their homes and they were immaculately decorated.

Asher and Soren sure made a lot of ladies happy last night. One woman stopped us to admire their cuteness and to talk about the joys of children. She then shyly asked if she could hold them and we said yes. Asher loved her jewelry and Soren reached for daddy, not feeling the love of the stranger. Later that evening another woman held them and boy was she loving on them! She snuggled them and kissed them and to be honest, gave them the same kind of affection my mom would have and strangely, it felt really beautiful to see my children receive that kind of grandmotherly attention.

After trick or treating we went to a neighbors party, which was like toy paradise for the deuce. We are like the scrappy neighbor kids with only a handful of toys and the tiniest library on the block--so going to the neighbor's house is always a super treat.

So, friends, we had a blissful day. The little road trip, the colors, the joy of the season, and having time as a family were all tremendously satisfying.

"You've Got Your Hands Full!"

I hear this nearly EVERY time I leave the house with Asher and Soren. People, I CHOSE to have children.

I wanted this life.

I welcome the demands of chasing two active and highly healthy children. Telling me I have my HANDS full is missing the subtle point that yes, I do often have my hands full, I have twins, for the love. But having my hands full of the two most beautiful, glorious people I have ever met is such a privilege and such a joy.

The day my HANDS are no longer FULL of children, is going to be a day of mourning. I don't want empty hands and even when my children don't need my hands to steady their step, to change their clothes, to tie their shoes, to help them in and our of their car seats, to guide their studies, to sign parental release forms for field trips, and to simply be held, my hands will ache to be full.

So, yes, world, my hands are full. Thank you to all the people who make this comment because they remind me of how lucky I am to be a mother, to have twins, and to have curious, wonderful children who need my hands and allow me to show affection and love through them.

Baby Gate Dance

Soren sauntered over to the baby gate (imagine Asher clinging to it from the other side) and started dancing. He casually lifted his legs and pointed them at the gate all the while clutching a plastic spoon. When else does one get to be so cute making impromptu dance movements wearing nothing but a diaper and clutching a plastic utensil?

Caped Cutes

Happily rocking the hood!


My baby babes like to wear hats and hoods, which is just one of the many little details that makes them so easy to love and so charming. Halloween costumes with hoods? Oh yeah!

Colorscape

In a matter of time, this wondrous tree will be brilliantly red. I will take photos of it every few days so you can see the changes that I see and participate in the visual merriment that is fall in Alexandria.

Shreepy Cutes

Hey man, are you ever going to wake up?





Jamie and I took the boys on a walk tonight and despite the darkness, energetic winds, and insistent cold, Asher was comfortable enough to fall asleep with the zipper in his mouth! He is just so darn cute--his lengthy lashes, his sweet lips, and his little fists.

We Are So Glad When Daddy is Home

This is how I get out the door with my deuce, Asher on my hip and Soren by the hand.





Family time, we love it.

Table Dance

When the music plays, my babies 'feel' it and really respond to it. Soren loves to dance and shows his style through bounces and squats. Today was the first time I had seen Asher dance and I was lucky enough to catch his sweet skills (and droopy, soggy diaper) on camera.

Lil' Pusher, Lil' Walker

Asher has upgraded from crawling and pushing to WALKING and pushing. Amazing. Soren prefers to sit on the truck backwards, not sure why, but I love that about him.

Sunday Stroll

Saturday's broody weather was not seen today on this bright and cheery fall day! I took A&S on a walk around the neighborhood to deliver pumpkin bread to our friends. The light and the stunning colors were both dramatically paired for a wonderful outing.

There is so much to love about this time of year--relief from the oppressive summer heat, splendid colors, bright blue skies punctuated by migrating birds, holidays, comfort foods, and the intimacy of reflection, of remembering the goodness of previous falls.

Thanks to Asher and Soren, I will always get to associate this already loved season with becoming a mother. Going on walks with them in the coolness of this season makes me nearly tremble with happiness and above all, gratitude--I am grateful for a loving God who gave me this life with my hubs, my babies, and such an extraordinary world to experience so much love.