This is my second week back at work after two back-to-back maternity breaks. It feels good to be back, but it's been a lot of change for our little family. We're slowly settling into a new routine and we're all adjusting to what it means for mummy to be back to her work. Transition times are hard, even if the change is welcome and positive. It takes our minds a while to adjust and accept what has gone before and what is now.

We have these gorgeous trees outside our flat that line the road. They are black locust trees for any botanist's out there. In the summer, they provide much-needed shade and shelter. The sun shines through the leaves and brings glorious, dappled dancing shadows into our living room. They refract the bright sunshine so that we have a lovely warm glow rather than glare in the summer months.

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However, when the autumn comes, as early as September, the leaves very quickly turn a golden yellow and fall onto the path, the road, and into the entryway of our flat. Now, this doesn't sound like a big deal, but over the next few months, these leaves will somehow end up all over our flat. As we walk from the car park back home, we will tread them throughout our whole home.  There will not be a room that escapes the leaves. Last year was our first autumn in this house and we quickly realised how annoying this was. Every day we had to sweep and hoover little golden crumbs up. So, when my husband and I noticed that this had started again this year, we remarked on it and said how annoying it was going to be!

This morning, whilst walking to the car with my two boys to drop them off at nursery, my eldest walked out the door and said, "Wow mummy, leaves!" Sheer delight over his little face. I, however, was in a rush. "Come on baby, we've got to get to the car." In classic toddler fashion, he decided not to listen, and he danced in the golden treasure. He picked them up, poured them out of his hands in wonder.  I stood there holding the bags and the little baby, my arms slowly going numb. I remembered that this is what life is about - taking delight in the changes, the transitions. I was reminded that this transition our family is going through is like the leaves falling. It might seem a nuisance at times; it might seem messy and like we're constantly sweeping and hoovering up. But there is also so much beauty, fun, and treasure to find in this season too.

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Perhaps I need to find some leaves to dance in now?