The Young Sickies and Leaf Piles

Tess is sick today with a fever. I stayed home with her today, and I have something to confess. After I've given in to not being able to get household or career tasks accomplished, there's something really sweet and enjoyable about holding my sick sweetie until she (although beyond today Noah too) falls asleep, to look down at a small one and know I'm helping make the pain go away a bit and adding some comfort. It's one of those rare times when I can just give in to love wholeheartedly.

During a lull in the sickness (thank you, ibuprofen!) Noah, Tess and I went to the front yard and raked countless (Noah: "there must be a doodle leaves here!" Dad: "You mean a google." Noah: "right, a doodle leaves!") leaves... some of them into beds to do nature's work of mulching and fertilizing, some of them into a big pile. Tess didn't know what to do with the pile at first, but after Noah jumped right in she did her bit. Noah hopped and swam and buried himself and thrashed about, but Tess was more subdued (today's fever, not personality!) and just lay on her back in the pile, smiling, looking up at the big oak tree's bare branches and making little leaf pile angels.

I want to save these days up and come back to them. I really wish I could have today again. I love these kids.