We love packages and so today when we came home after a long Wed.

(I leave at 5:30 am and Joe goes to class until 7 pm)

we found this handmade gift awaiting us from Jessica.

Why do we love it???

octupus, pirate, the colors red & black, & personalized….That sums it up!

we made belts

to go with their capes and masks

for easy play time while Olivine and I recovered from feeling under the weather 

Husband taking over from here on out:

She’s at that beautiful stage where she sleeps well 

on the go (thank you Peanut Shell)

or on an old Rainbow Brite sheet,

under the shade of trees in a bike cart,

or near an open window indoors.

Thanks to Janet we are capturing these moments

She does an awesome job of getting the right shot.

Plus, it’s an excuse to get dressed up.

These are at the Huntington Beach Library

and there was plenty of space to climb trees

or sit around a read books together.

The dress Olivine is wearing is extra special.

When we found out we were having a girl I went out and bought this one item

with tights and tucked it away

secretly imagining life with a daughter.

We are blessed

daily by the love we receive.

After two hours we headed out to dinner.

The sunset was perfect!

means the weather should be cooling down

so we eagerly left home to a place we all love

only to return home exhausted

from the humidity

and the playing

needing water

and naps.

Happy Autumn!

Any day now I am hopeful for a change in weather.

I suddenly have the flu and so this Friday felt extra long.

It is probably due to stress at work, and I realize I have been too busy to post some days (bummer).

Here is a recap of our week:

consistenly insisting on feeding herself.

the messiest boy we know.

how papa sometimes manages a minor amount of daytime homework (at the park, mid-morning).

all five of us listening at Back to School Night (they had foodtrucks too!!)

a photo of Paul and his buddy in class.

The room is themed in OWLS for Outstanding Wise LIttle Students.

Papa and baby were at the doctor’s office, while I was in class, and so we both missed the shuttle Endeavor flying over (I ran outside twice and only saw the back of it).

When given wikki sticks he makes cool guy glasses and then asks “Why does everyone keep saying they love my glasses?”

to see what is transpiring with Paul’s experience at school.

to get a phone call from Henry while teaching to say “miss you momma.”

to find a kitchen bustling with the sights

and sounds of a pizzeria.

to hear Michelle at my window, delivering a bag and box of well loved clothes for Miss Olive.

to taste the new “Punkin” flavor of beer Joe picked out for me,

the name reminding me that Halloween is around the corner.

the chance to eat a Paul sandwich with cheese

the five year journal where I can record these days

the opportunity to pray for the week ahead

the cooler temperatures (right now it’s 30 degrees cooler than yesterday)

is a quality much more alive in children

they aren’t as self-aware as adults

maybe that’s why I am insisting we record these days so fervently

because like the sunset, this too fades to dark.

A typical day includes dropping Paul off at T/K

then finding fun and free places like Story Time at the public library

to entertain our younger ones

or a visit to the Nature Center.

The three of them find plenty to occupy their time until picking up Paul.

Then it’s lunch and naps, while he does homework.

When I get home, we cook and clean together.

Give baths and read stories until now, when the house is quiet and kids are in bed.

And just for measurement, he tallied his bike trips this week and is averaging 70 miles.

Oh, and today’s high was in the late 90’s.

Plus, people drive crazy while he tows a bike cart.

Yet he is smilling and grateful for his life and that is why I am renaming Joe- Super Papa!