It's the little things...

that make us happy. Things like ...

...spending time with a friend (in pajamas) baking Christmas cookies

...listening to mommy's iPod

...and playing on a mattress!

Choo Choo

Reese has recently developed a love of all things transportation...

check him out playing with his "choo choos"

Festive Fun Part I

We continued the excitement from last night by driving to cute Lebanon, Ohio for the Lebanon Christmas Celebration. The parade is the highlight of the Celebration because it features the most horses of any parade in the country...from Clydesdales down to miniature horses. As a big (and random) fan of the "minis" as I call them, I couldn't resist. So, I dragged our little family out into the frigid, crowded town to meet the Larabees for some festive fun. Despite (many) snags along the way, we thoroughly enjoyed the parade itself. And, of course, "horsie" is now a fixture in Reese's vocabulary!

A few of the "Minis"

Huge clydesdales! Reese and Daddy snuggle by the fire

Santa Tantrum

Reese's visit with Santa this year didn't go too smoothly! Granted he was tired and dying to get down and run around, but I think he terrorized Santa. Immediately upon being sat on Santa's lap, he proceeded to arch his back, scream, and pull Santa's beard. At one point, Santa nearly dropped him. Oh well, maybe next year ;)

Simply and Slowly

As Advent begins...
As Reese grows and changes more and more quickly...
As I further develop as a therapist...
As I work to become the person, the wife, the mom God made me to be...

I become increasingly aware of the ridiculous pace and standards of my life. I love efficiency. I love (looking like I) having it all together. I love feeling like I'm accomplishing a lot. And yet, at the end of the day, I'm not sure those are the right things to love...

Many things have led me to this place...wanting to be a less pressure-driven, society-driven person, wanting to be a model of balance for my family, wanting to ensure that Reese simultaneously enjoys the freedom of childhood and knows his capabilities, and so on. I'm at a point where I want to live more in the moment, missing out on less of truly beautiful moments of life.

I'm excited to be entering this somewhat foreign territory, focusing anew on living more simply, and more slowly. And I'm anxious to hear how others are doing the same. On my journey thus far, I'm finding a few resources in particular to be helpful:

• "In Praise of Slowness" - Carl Honore
• "Free Range Kids" - Lenore Skenazy
• http://zenhabits.net/
• http://www.simplemom.com/

Now, with slowness and simplicity in mind, it's time to spend some time doing a fun artistic project in front of the fire :).

Dancing with Monkey

It doesn't get much cuter than this!

Super-boy!

Here's our little Halloween boy...after many costume options, he ended up quite pleased with his Superman (Super-boy!) costume. He loved being out in the evening and following his buddy Jaden around. So maybe he didn't get the part where you say "trick or treat" or pick candy, but he sure did enjoy the rest!

A Halloween Hug between Witch and Superhero

What a cute witch Jaden was!

Superman!