Random Things I Love

• Giving Aidan a bath - love how excited he gets, splashing in the water and the way he smells, all clean and fresh. Afterwards, rubbing him down with shea butter and giving him a little baby massage to help his circulation and flexibility....
• Reading time with the kids at the end of the day - the last thing we do each day, after baths and teeth brushing and jammies on, is to make our reading spot on my bed and read a few books. It's become a ritual and the kids really look forward to it. They each pick a book or two (depending on how late it is), prop the pillows against my headboard and sit on either side of me (with Aidan on my lap). Lately, they've been into the "I Spy" books and the "Magic School Bus" books. It's been fun watching them get excited about reading. We are in the Second-Grader's Reader's Club at the school. We go once a month to a meeting in the library after school. Liam is allowed to participate, too, because he is a sibling. They get to take home a bunch of books. We keep them in a special basket at home under the china cabinet with a notebook where we list each book we bring home (so we don't lose track of them).
  
• Taking Josiah to or from school or practice - it's nice to catch up with him on his day without the other kids competing for attention. I like when it's just him and me in the car going somewhere because we get to talk. Too soon, that time will be gone and I want to take advantage of every minute of it I have now.
• Relaxing on the swing on the back porch (patio) - especially when calming Aidan (I call it his "happy spot"), he likes to lay there on a blanket and gently swing back and forth, looking around, chilling. It's also nice to read to the kids or just drink my coffee and look at nature.