cool down 

after dinner

and dishes

so clean

this raspberry face

and these first foods.

After work, feeding this baby fills my heart and her tummy.

Thank you God, for the gift of children.

I have read and loved so many of his books, so when Angela told me he was coming to town I had to go and I am so glad I did.

He has a new book and tonight he talked about so many relevant issues: standardized testing, poor children, inequality, racism, public schools, and Mister Rogers. By the end I was in tears and I am once again reminded about the important, valualbe position I hold as an educator.

Thank you Mr. Kozol.

to see Olivine wearing hand-me downs of her brothers,

like this hat-that fits perfectly for keeping her helmet on.

to take a break on the shady steps out front, after playing at the park.

that Michelle hosted my family at her house for swimming while I went to happy hour after work

(it was a rough second week!)

that this pumpkin has learned to reach her arms out signaling to me that she wants to be held.

new recipe (thank you Charlynn) for homemade polenta that included an eggplant topping.

that Joe will put his God given talent in art to good use by helping make a soccer team banner.

that the weather is cooling down in the evening and the baby is sleeping for a longer stretch of time.

we are devouring multiple chapters in the Magic Treehouse Series.

Olivine is happily holding her own bottle as we give her the recommended daily dose of iron mixed in to her milk.

the baby girl squeals as she hears her brothers in the other room.

the boys are huddled under the blue light from the plug-in aquarium.

is Paul’s first day at Transitional Kindergarten (T/K).

He wears a uniform and carries a backpack these days.

We met his teacher yesterday and she is a sweet, older woman who I think he will love.

Meanwhile Olivine is busy learning how to feed herself and sit with her friends at lunch.

My eyes can hardly believe the overnight change in these children.

I continue to ask myself “where has the time gone?”

Thankfully this space reminds me that time has been well spent.

newly re-opened

and less than a mile from our house.

We can relax in the shade, 

eat snacks,

drink water,

and debate about whether a creature could be living in the lagoon, which sounds like the setting for an episode of Scooby Doo.

that while playing Legos Paul is retelling the book “Caps for Sale” by stacking caps on his guy. 

exactly how the tub fills with water.

that someone likes to flirt.

and that same someone sure gets a lot of attention from a Henry brother.

some of us like posing for pictures 

more than others.

that this expression means he is embarassed.

all five of us are small enough

to still squeeze into one section of the train at the zoo.

getting lost can be fun when driving in unexpected neighborhoods

and stumbling upon homes with mini fruit stands set up in their yards (I love local and handmade).

that peeking in during naptime, Olivine looks particularly long these days.

that I would rather be on Jich’s porch with the breeze than at my own house where the air is still.