Why is this year going by at lightening speed? Honestly, I do not understand how days and weeks and months are flying by so quickly. Yes, we are a busy family but I feel like this has more to do with me getting older and watching my kids get older than it does with the amount of stuff we have going on. Those early years when the kids were all so small? Time seemed to creep by. I felt each day, each week. Now I am regularly shocked when one month ends and another begins, when the weather turns cool unexpectedly, when all of the sudden my 10 year olds are looking way older than just 10 years old. It must be a function of my own aging, my own perspective. That said, September was legitimately really busy. Each weekend was crammed with multiple activities and little side trips and the business of family life. All good things…just a lot of it. Here are a few moments to capture from September this year…

First off: RACING. September was allllllll about the cross country season really starting for our two high school varsity runners. This year is Simon’s junior year and Sophie’s sophomore year. There are more invitationals on the XC schedule and a few more travel meets. September is always a hot month to race and those hills do NOT make anything easier. The season opener was the Lagoon Valley Classic. Then we moved onto the Ed Sias Invitational (where Simon won the Large School Boys Varsity race – here is a post race interview he did) and then the Capital Cross Hoka One Invitational.

We celebrated Sophie’s 15th birthday this month. I do not know anyone more excited about celebrating birthdays than Sophie. She doesn’t just get excited about her OWN birthday, she is ecstatic about EVERYONE’S birthday and wants to celebrate to the fullest. She is the best party planner and birthday decorator ever: we really lucked out. She had a great day filled with training for a volunteer position at the local hospital, shopping for a homecoming dress (thank goodness we found one after five stores) and then a doughnut cake/outdoor movie screen night with her closest friends. I loved having all of these teenagers in our house for her party. She has a fantastic group of friends, mainly girls she has known since she was about six. They all celebrate each other to the fullest extent possible; I love that about them.

Here is Sophie and the pup post birthday extravaganzas. Bebe was looking really really shaggy; I finally took her in to get groomed shortly after this photo.

We continued to enjoy the magic that is our neighborhood Friday Nights at the Farm by Stoneroot Field and Sea. I am not exaggerating when I say that I am so happy every single day that we live where we do.

My friend Howard has become a master woodworker and made me this serving spoon he carved from scratch. It is beautiful and yes, I am aware that he has crazy eyes. This is a typical look for Howard.

In an effort to increase self care and improve my cardio I have taken up hiking when my younger two are at their travel team cross country practice. This vista makes me happy every time I haul my butt up that small mountain. The hike will get easier over time, right? Because so far it does NOT feel any easier…

I planted and hung up a planter box in the backyard filled with succulents and ivy. I should attach an updated photo of what this looks like now because the plantings have really taken off. Succulents are my favorite plant – I can’t get enough of them.

That’s just a few highlights of life around here lately. Back next month for the next installment of Small Squares!