My children took it easy on me this year. Not intentionally, of course, that's just the way it goes sometimes. I didn't do one thing for Arden's costume (she decorated her shirt and crocheted her hat) and all I did for Perry's was print out and sew on a Gryffindor crest. It made for a much less stressed October. Which was helpful, seeing as I'm never fully prepared for the flurries of birthdays, holidays, and activities that begin on Halloween and last through the middle of January in our family.
Of course, Alicia and Andy we'll be adding another little birthday to this time and family and I can't think of anything more welcomed. It's hard that they are in Chicago and that I won't be there for those very early, precious few days. Really hard. But I know they are taken care of there, in so many ways by so many people, and I can't think of anyone more deserving of all that love. That's all I'll say for now as it's not my story to tell and I tend to over share. But I will say that I am positively, absolutely, monumentally, most especially thrilled to be a new auntie and shower Alicia's baby with the love and care she's showered my two over the years. I really can't wait for that.
