My sweet, sweet boy.

How on this night you sat so patiently while I made dinner.

Your head in your hands, your big mop of hair.

And now, you are so peaceful in your bed, fighting off yet another fever.

I love you so much little Henry.

Mom loves you so much.

Meet Sally.

Sally is the newest member of our family. She is a beautiful girl that is full of playful energy. A few months ago we adopted Striper, a duck tolling retriever that was a stray found in Mississippi. We quickly learned that she needed a buddy, and that the boys were thriving with their new "dog owner" responsibilities.


Striper and Sally are very different - Striper is cautious and Sally is gregarious. Striper walks around the mud, Sally rolls in it. Together they make a perfect pair. I am sure that is poop Sally is rolling in below.




They have taken us on many adventures - often through the rows and rows of Christmas trees that surround our house. This will probably be the only time in my life when chasing a dog through trees is a good thing - because I also have two boys to exhaust! And hearing Henry yell, in his little voice, "Striper! Where are you? Saddy? Are you hiding?" is just too sweet.



Although on a recent excursion Henry became distracted by a huge mud puddle that he too thought he should roll in - thank goodness his older brother pulled him out and carried him the whole way home, saying to Henry, "Don't worry, I got you Bubbie!" Henry has proven to be as mischievous as Sally - He now has a partner in crime! There's that little devil below.

A Creative Burst.

Suddenly our days have become colder and much, much shorter. The boys and I are shifting from playing outside for hours after school to barely having a half an hour of light and warmth before the sun sets. With this shift we have rediscovered the power of music. In hopes of keeping the television off we have come to rely on music to keep us happy (and sane!) during the long winter months. There is a universal joy when the music is loud and Henry and Jack are strumming their guitars or practicing their break dancing moves. It has been amazing to hear Henry say during a song, "Mama, I hear piano." Or, "Mama, there's the guitar." Their Rizzo genes are full of musical talent and this is something I am grateful for every day!

Let there be a Day...

...Where the boys play happily and quietly while I make a lovely dinner and all is well with everything in the whole entire world. How could it not be? Smells of roasting garlic would permeate my home as I toss a salad and sip some wine. I look on at my children gleefully content to play trucks and build skyscrapers of blocks, with the only communication between them being, "I love you Jack." "I love you too Bubby!" Oh, heaven on earth! Could you imagine? I, of course, would be wearing something beautiful and elegant, yet casual and comfortable, my hair perfectly messy. Henry and Jack would blow me kisses that I would gracefully jump up and catch while waving and smiling back at them... okay! Stop! How easily I slip away. You realize that chasing, screaming and tackling is more the norm in my house. Nothing in the above would even remotely resemble something I can relate too. Albeit good or bad, it is just very far from the world I know of boys ages 2 and 6. That was until yesterday.



So, as the winds of change started to blow after school I actually felt a bit out of sorts. Why was Henry not at my feet? Why was Jack not yelling football plays across the kitchen while trying to tackle Henry? – While still attached to my feet. For whatever reason, the boys treated me to a wonderful late afternoon. They both decided to play, happily, by themselves for over an hour. I won’t take too much time wondering why – that would ruin it. Now really, my household typically operates at such high octane that it is hard to have a fluid thought, let alone try to make a meal that is even worth eating. Granted it is usually the happy kind of volume and energy that comes with boys - guttural truck noises, football calls, just plain old yelling coupled with the occasional ball thrown by my head, things bouncing off chandeliers, and every now and then a very loud "GOAL!!!!!!" SO, the fact that last night, while I made dinner, my house was so peaceful that all I could hear were the quiet sounds of Henry humming and Jack counting out loud to figure out his math work. He was doing math homework on his own. With no prodding from Mom and Dad - this was strange. I couldn't help but think what have I done to deserve this?? Whatever it was, I will do it day and night, again and again, just to have that peace permeate our home once more.



Now I am sure none of you wonder why Matt has taken it upon himself to finish the basement, single-handedly - by Thanksgiving. Boys need room to run – which is what the basement will provide when it is 20 below outside.

So, I thank my boys for a wonderful night. I am sure that I am in for it tonight – wildness is sure to return. But I will take them either way - in chaos and peace I am very happy they are my boys. Did I mention, Henry even helped do the dishes.

So I took advantage of this and made the most delicious dinner, Italian crepes. Perfect for a cold fall evening, and a quiet house full of happy boys - and the happiest Mom.