Good morning, happy new week, and happy three-day weekend if you’re having one!  My firm doesn’t give Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day off, but I am taking it off anyway, because the kids’ school is closed and because I billed almost 60 hours last week and need the extra day.  (Not that I’m expecting a day of being outnumbered by kiddos to be any kind of relaxing.)  The weekend was wonderful.  Steve and the kids gave me a fabulous birthday celebration and I smiled the whole time.  On Saturday morning I took the kids to their swim lessons while Steve stayed home and got a little work done, then we ate a quick lunch at home and walked down to the waterfront to check out the Portside Festival.  (Went via the library, where Peanut got her very first library card!)  We had a lot of fun – hugged some friends, watched a canoe paddle being made by hand, Nugget made a little boat to sail in the bathtub, and Peanut made up a dance routine that she forced Steve to perform over and over in any non-crowded space they were able to find – but I could also see it being a fun adults-only event.  There was live music, beer and chili, and some beautiful handmade wooden boats I’d have loved to look at more closely if I wasn’t trying to soothe a tantrum because Nugget missed out on watching the “anything that floats” race.  We meandered home slowly, stopping by Old Town Books for books (naturally) and Hank’s Oyster Bar for dinner.

Sunday was my actual birthday and we were out the door early and headed for the mountains – Shenandoah River State Park, this time.  I was waffling between the state park and the bigger Shenandoah National Park (which y’all know I love) but the state park won out because we’d not been there yet.  We checked out Culler’s Overlook, explored the network of trails, then headed home – via a stop in Front Royal for lunch – to hit up Nugget’s fall class get-together.  Spent a little more than an hour standing around in the home of one of Nugget’s classmates, chatting with various moms and dads and trying not to stare too obviously at the host family’s gorgeous new kitchen.  Had to leave a little early to get home and intercept my cousin Jaime, who drove all the way from New York to pick up my crib for her expected (in April) new addition.  Now that Nugget is in a big boy bed, we’ve been needing to clear the crib out, but I really wanted to give it to a family member – I was ready to get it out of my basement, but not out of my family.  Jaime’s announcement was timed perfectly, and she happily drove off with the crib, mattress, a video monitor, and a bunch of baby bed linens.  Ended the weekend with delicious eggplant parm at Mia’s Italian Kitchen, FaceTime with my parents, and then a good hour with my book before I crashed.  It was a good day.  The kind of good you can feel in your bones.

Reading.  In addition to a good birthday weekend, it was a good reading week – four classics, all of which I enjoyed immensely.  I finished The Eagle of the Ninth on Tuesday, and loved every moment; I think it might be in my top ten for the year.  Wanting to get a library book off the stack – and tick off another Classics Club entry, I read Washington Square over the next few days.  My first Henry James, and I really enjoyed it.  Over the weekend, I decided to read something bulky that I wouldn’t want to tote to the Metro and back, so I spent two days happily engrossed in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.  (I also didn’t want my beautiful copy getting damaged in my work bag – the joke was on me there, because when I put it into my tote bag to take in the car on the way to the mountains on Sunday, Nugget’s lunch box nicked the cover anyway.  Oh, well.  Books were made to be read, so now the Edwardian Lady can claim a battle scar.)  I finished up Country Diary on Sunday night and because I can’t go to bed “between” books – I always have to be actively reading something – I started Wives and Daughters.  Another bulky one (I have a Folio Society hardcover edition) that I can’t really tote on the Metro, but we’ll cross that bridge tomorrow.

Watching.  The Nats, going up 2-0 in their series against the Arizona Cardinals before heading home to Washington for the next game.  Some exciting runs and catches in the game – and now!  Just two wins away from the World Series!  Not counting out the Cards, certainly, but as my former boss commented on Facebook, rather to be up 2-0 than down 0-2.  Steve, Nugget and I were alternating between fist-pumping and covering our eyes during the ninth inning.  Even Peanut was mildly interested.

Listening. Still working my way through The History of Medieval Britain and alternating with Decemberists.  Feels fitting somehow.

Making.  My blue seed stitch scarf, which Nugget has claimed for himself (we’ll see) – I’m going to have to start on the kids’ Christmas gifts that they want, sooner than later.  Also making: progress in the basement, thanks to my cousin taking my crib off my hands.

Blogging.  A book review coming for you on Wednesday, and those Seattle pictures I promised – for real this time – on Friday.  It’s going to be another busy week at work, but I’ve just got to get that post done.  I’ve just got to.

Loving.  Steve, for making my birthday weekend so wonderful.  Everything from the mountain hike to the yummy Italian food to the kids leaping out from under a blanket with my new rollaboard (I’ve been wanting one for years) was just what I wanted.  He said he had a great weekend too, which made me so happy.  I’m glad that the things I wanted to do were fun for more than just me!

Asking.  What are you reading this week?