Autumn, Indoors: Puzzle-Solving, Cookie-Baking, Mess-Making Kids

I wish you could smell the chocolate-chip cookies in here.

I know that we're still hours away from the official beginning of fall, but we here at the Olson homestead have been soaking in the burnished, haunting, twirling, dancing, corn-stalked, melancholy vibes of the season that William Cullen Bryant (absolutely no relation to that vampire clan) called "the year's last, loveliest smile."  I know; my enthusiasm for autumn is a little hard to read. I'll try to kick it up a notch.

The other day, as golden rays streamed through our home's west-facing front, the kids and I enjoyed a nice afternoon. Some learning, baking, and growing took place. Learning--as P is doing by leaps and bounds--plus baking--which S lovedy-loves--plus growing--all three spurt up, but little C fastest of all--this all amidst a vivid autumnal palate of scarlet, sunshine, and cerulean. Okay, I'll cut out the overwrought prose (overwrought for a blog post, I mean). Though we were inside, we cherished the brisk wind through the open windows, the fun of matching puzzle pieces, the yummy crunchy-soft cookies, the feel of fuzzy carpet on cool bare toes. Here ya'll go!

P attacked the number puzzle and solved it all by himself. Yeah, he's reading well.

S showing off the mixer tongs he's licking. 'Cause he helped BAKE! Yeeaah!

Too cute for words! Even the ones in the books and magazines C just pulled onto the floor.

And I've got teeth and can crawl, too!