Autumn Again

We've definitely had a little bit of everything this fall already... Lots of sweetness, also our share of strife. Jasper is in school three mornings a week which is a big transition for all of us in many ways. I miss him when he's gone. We're back in the mini-van first thing in the morning on those days which I am trying and failing to learn to love.

Jasper seems to be holding it together well at school, but then he unravels much more often at home. Lucy is so calm and steady-as-she-goes that Jasper's tempermental tantrums seem all the more bombastic and even absurd. He is a natural performer so he always has a bit of dramatic flair to add to the tantrum - loud grunting seems to be the favorite lately, along with full body back arches ( I thought those days were over, but apparently not) and body slams into various pieces of furniture. If I still smoked, I would definitely be lighting up and blowing smoke rings by the wide-open window when he starts one of his doozies... But he also can be as sweet as ever and I ache for him when he is gone, even while I cherish the one-on-one time with Lucy. Watching her take hold of more academic skills and musical skills and subtle understanding of herself in the world and dancing with her every morning as we get warmed up for the morning homeschooling program is just plain old fun. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. Here are some random pics from the first week of Autumn.