This is Olivine today: being patient while Paul is assessed for transitional kindergarten.

She was a little worried that he went in a room without her for so long.

With a little cutting, their pajamas last a little longer.

The edges remind me of the pants of the Hulk.

They love that now they have “slippers” to take on and off.

Or even to trade with one another.

Voila! like a magic trick. Easy.

We are keeping grandpa Royce’s car clean since he is kind enough to let us borrow it.

Baby girl is riding face forward to smell the flowers.

I am trying to take deep breaths (another terrible, really rough Monday at work).

The boys are fascinated with cactus- the plant that can hurt you. Why?

Noticing the baby is cute even in a shadow or silhouette form.

Henry has the face of a dumpling that I want to smooch.

Another day has drawn to a close.

Tonight I attended my last class in my master’s program- it’s over!

as Paul learns to throw the GIANT frisbee.

as Olivine plays the role of “baby monkey.”

as the boys imitate the diver show at the aquarium.

as Paul writes the names of his teachers (Eric, Marvin, and Lynette).

as Henry draws on cards for his teachers.

as I imagine the school year coming to a close.

On the menu today: plenty of rice and tofu and veggies.

When my Ji’chan isn’t catering to the every request of my children, he is “surfing the web” or checking email.

He really spoils them.

We all agree it is one of the most mellow places we can think of to spend an afternoon.

I don’t think I can ever say enough about the place.

It’s the one place I have always been welcomed with open arms.

With all the transition around here: maternity leave, new baby, and back to work-our potty training has suffered.

This week Henry is back at it. Sitting longer, using more words, and having success!

I am still taking baby steps because it has been a slow start.

But then again, he sure does look like a Big Boy sitting there.

Plus, the sooner he is out of diapers the more money we save.

The negative viewpoint would be the complaining of seemingly endless laundry.

On the other side is the resourceful husband finding ways to make use of the many more hands we have to teach working together.

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All for one and one for all is the Team Sullivan motto of the day.

The added benefit- at this age they think laundry is fun and exciting.

 And Paul is dong better than Trixie (a character in the book Knuffle Bunny) who throws laundry all around when she should be helping her daddy.

This is our latest attempt to change some of the not so wonderful behaviors of a little boy who is asserting his independence.

We are finding it is equally useful to help assess our parenting by insuring we are taking the time to give praise with a specific reason (rather than say “good job”).

He earns stickers for being kind, polite, helpful, honest, and patient.

Tonight when he earned his last sticker he was so enthsuiastic to open up his “diver equipment” and invited me to attend a “snorkel show” in his bedroom.

He didn’t think the mask and flippers would fit but I am so relieved they do.He is ready for the beach and summer.

These are just couple of my favorites

that Joe managed to capture while out today.

I am starting to wonder if this kid will end up in theater classes with these faces.

The cliches are all right about “time flying by” and “enjoy them while they are young”

because I can hardly believe it’s May 1st.

The latest development is the series of reactions she has, that change so rapidly.

She is talking away

but then she will get quiet and look almost worried.

The thinking then becomes a smile

and my heart melts.