OK, that title sounds so depressing but I actually mean it literally. Daylight Saving ended last weekend which means that, here in the Pacific Northwest, darkness arrives early. So early in fact that it is already almost dark when I pick Thomas up from school. I have lived here for about 6 winters now and I will never get used to it.

This first week after the end of daylight saving has been particularly difficult. 5:00 feels like 6:00 because…well…it is. And by the time we get home it feels like time for bed. Add to that a busy work schedule and it leaves little time to focus on anything else except the busyness and the darkness. And it’s only just November…

A couple of short weeks ago, though, we were enjoying the beautiful colours of autumn, including a trip to the pumpkin patch.

A fun day filled with Hot Chocolate, farm animals and, of course, pumpkins. It proved a little too much for some…

Now I am looking ahead to Christmas. I know it’s crazy, but my 2008 photo book recently arrived and the photos from December last year have me longing for coloured lights and hot chocolate and family adventures. This year I have big plans and of course they will include lots of photos.

In the meantime, any advice on gifts for an 18 month old who has everything and a four year old who WANTS everything, are welcome.