oh, these last few day, they have been intense.
on tuesday night our travelling man returned, much to the delight of two small children and one tired mama. his trip to china and hong kong was successful and inspiring. and he returned with suitcases filled with gifts for all.
there were the dress up clothes and the paint brushes and the chinese doll, the tea and the painting paper and paints, there were the bits of fabric, the maps, even the pocket change was received as treasure. we were, all of us, thrilled to be reunited - just in time for halloween.
the purple pumpkin costume was finished over the weekend, and i'm happy to say that it met with the approval of the pumpkin herself. i was so proud of her - for imagining this creative idea, for sticking to her choice when her friends were dressing up as princesses and fairies and angels (oh, i do hope this four-year-old self-assurance lasts her whole life long). and i was just as proud of myself for executing her design. i wasn't able to get her to stand still for a proper photo shoot - what with candy calling, and all - but you can catch a glimpse of her here. [i just re-read this post and realized that it sounds as though i object to fairies and princesses and angels. not one bit! it's just i was glad that she stuck with her original choice and was not swayed by peer pressure. that's all. really.]
and her brother, the fierce chinese warrior (wearing a costume brought home in a carry-on bag, just in case the luggage was lost - what a good daddy!), he came down with a fever and had to come home from school after lunch on wednesday - missing a neighborhood halloween party and trick-or-treating. a major disappointment. luckily, the sad little warrior was not deprived of candy. the purple pumpkin, she's generous and shared with abandon; and the parents, they made an extra trip to the store for a bag of chocolate bars and peanut butter cups just to be safe. (of course, i ate the majority of the peanut butter cups and now feel ill!)
in the midst, there's been a bit of drawing and painting, and even sewing, too. all of which i'm eager to share next week, along with some deep thoughts swirling around in the back of my head.
but for now, on to the weekend. i'm hoping to do some yard work, preparing the garden for the winter. and some raking, big piles of leaves for jumping. and also some simmering, hot cider on the stove.
a wonderful weekend to all of you.
