November November

November already? How can this be?
So cliche, I realize, and I don't even want to go count how many blog entries (mine or others), begin with such a sentiment. But alas, this is how it feels, that time is rolling along.
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Our fall has been nice. We were ready to be done traveling, after an amazing summer in the NW and approached our time back eagerly. I am at the end of first quarter, school-wise, as far as the Board of Education is concerned. While our homeschooling has definitely gained an element of the chaotic, now that Simon is into everything, we seem to be accomplishing most of what we hoped to. All of a sudden Maya can write--the pieces have fallen into place and her narrations and summaries are concise, relevant, and contain all the important points. Jonah's big accomplishment of the term so far is that he is actually putting his face in the water. I saw him diving for rings on Monday. Well, OK, diving is a stretch, it was more like squatting and groping wildly, but still! His hair was completely submerged. Maya's other noteworthy accomplishment is that all of a sudden her violin playing is beautiful and she plays with confidence and joy. She is nearing the end of the first Suzuki book and she seems to really enjoy it. Jonah's other big gain seems to be in art and writing--he writes lots of letters this fall, and it isn't the chore it was last year to crank out lines of writing. His fine motor skills are much steadier and more fun for him to play around with. He has a funny sense of humor too.
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Simon is a little wild thing. Busy, curious, sweet and such a mimic, he wants to do everything we do! He lies on his tummy, holding a pencil correctly and scribbling in coloring books, he begs to shower with whoever is in, fearlessly plunging his face in the bath to blow bubbles or standing under the stream. He sings the entire Twinkle Twinkle song and builds block towers to knock down. He plays with cars and dolls and puzzles and stackers. He fills our recycling with all sorts of things all the time, same with the diswasher and washing machine. He loves to point out airplanes and trains, and notices sirens. He goes on slides by himself and likes the swings and sandboxes. Now that he has discovered candy, he begs for it, pointing to where it is stored and grunting and gesturing wildly.
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We are taking more time for ourselves--we have had 2 dates this fall already, another one planned for next weekend. Happily, we have 2 new babysitters we like a lot. One of them has a grumpy old super cute pomeranian named Yogi. I started a book club for my mom friends that meets once a month and I get to go see Jude Law in Hamlet with a friend tomorrow. Brett is getting ready to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail. I am serving on the board of our homeschooling group as Secretary. I have been busy setting up field trips to the Jewish Museum, the library with the stone lions, The Guggenheim, the National Museum of the American Indian and Fraunces Tavern.
Life is full and wonderful and these kids are such a joy. I love being with them, watching them grow and learn and marveling in their sweetness. Even when they wear me out--like recently, Simon has been waking at night--ugh! Nothing a little coffee can't remedy, and I have been indulging more frequently than usual.
New York has been a joy--more comfortable and familiar--we discover new shops and restaraunts all the time and have stumbled upon filming crews for new movies multiple times. The nice weather has meant we have spent lots of time in the parks, and Brett is still biking to work almost daily. The neighborhoods I have known as separate places are starting to merge as I fill in the spaces in between.
Happy Fall to you all.