The sunshine was good for my stuffy head, fever body.

I just couldn’t believe the boys were playing like summer time.

Barefoot and stripped down.

There were plenty of hermit crabs to see in the low tide.

This is essentially our plan:

Taking time to enjoy one another.

This has included hugs and more hugs.

Homemade food and toasting with cider.

Decorating with balloons

and teaching Henry how to make a wish

the new discovery of building with Legos

I am excited for the possiblities and nervous about the many mini parts.

The intensity between father and son to construct side by side was apparent tonight.

Spread out on the carpet while Henry is in bed.

Tonight was part three of his birthday with candles and gifts.

This second dresser is from my grandpa.

We now have a dresser for the boys and a dresser for our baby girl.

An early present for Henry and a belated present for Paul. 

It feels like a do-over night for Paul with Aeden coming to play.

Morning 

Noon

Night

This is what my mom always called those moments like tonight. Where I realize my little boy is getting older. He turns four tomorrow and time has gone by so quickly. It is easy on his birthday to think back to his birth story and the mounting anticipation as he arrived days late. It was magical to meet him and now I am four years in the future. When? How?

The time slips by faster than I keep up or even dare to admit. It is a bitter sweetness as I try to take in each moment. Maybe that is part of what I am finding in this new space. A place to record and remind myself, a type of journal. 

He has no idea how quickly these days are shifting. He is too busy playing and keeping busy.

He will awake tomorrow morning to the delight of being four!

And as he reminded me tonight- that is one more year closer to being five.

Both of them were ready to party Pirate style.

Taking time to enjoy the sunshine before going to the party.

Paul insisted on taking our photo out front.

The Farmer’s Market in Laguna satisfied some of our cravings.

The walking was what she needed.

While this might be a dangerous place to have in my neighborhood.

These stones sounded like music beneath his boots and felt like jewels in my eyes.

The laughter can be quite contagious. 

There was moaning and wimpering coming from one about the train not fitting on the track.

Then the older one left his forest to sit beside him and explain how the train moves along the track.

The earliest moments of them taking care of one another makes me proud.