After all these years

Every year, these two chicas and I have a weekend of fun together 

while their parents take a weekend away. 

We began this year--our 5th anniversary--by inhaling burritos.

It was great.

Then, we returned home for homework,

which you would think would be relatively low-key, but:

With this one,

after dinner and before bed is not a low-key hour...

But the next morning we were sleepy and cold

as we walked quietly to school,

our sides bumping and our thoughts sharing.

Since my job is so transportable,

I walked back to this house that feels as comfortable as my own

and set up shop in this cozy corner.

School over, we made our way to apples,

because the temperatures reminded us that Fall is really upon us.

We treated ourselves to fall treats,

and enjoyed them in front of a roaring fire.

Kate and I ran errands then, 

while Sarah got some introvert time at home,

and then we went to The Greek,

our favorite place since last year 

[when we had to force Kate to give it a shot...]

We returned home to be nostalgic,

having an Emperor's New Groove marathon

cuddled in the cozy of the basement.

The next morning was a rainy Saturday,

and this little low-key-in-the-morning one joined me in the quiet.

Then, she cooked us up some breakfast

in what is for sure a talent of her heart.

We feasted, in pajamas.

Then, we had to make monkey bread,

because it's one of the things that we do.

And then we drove out into Amish country,

to see the colors of changing seasons,

on our way to our favorite Amish store.

We got our list of Amish-necessities,

then went book browsing

and fabric shopping

in order to return home to crafts,

monkey bread,

and quiet work 

while dinner was prepared 

[in my new-thanks-to-the-Amish cast-iron skillet!]

We enjoyed our brussel sprouts 

(I didn't feed them only donuts and monkey bread, I swear!)

and crashed for an evening of quiet togetherness.

Sunday brought sad acknowledgment that we were soon to part,

church, and a visit to the Chinese Buffet [which we have subsequently decided no longer needs to be part of our lives...]

And then I packed my bags,

and Heather & Ash returned,

and we said 'see you later!'

and I went on with my day.

Reflecting on how, after all these years,

we are so embedded in each other's hearts and minds, 

on how much they know me,

and how much I know them.

Reflecting on: 

After all these years,

this is such a gift.