love the big clouds that come after a morning of rain

love the big brother feeding the little sister

love the train play

love the “nobody wears clothes” time

and every day brings something new.

This may be the most exciting part of the master’s program I finished in the spring

where we submitted a research paper- rewritten as an article- to a Literary Magazine

there was not much pressure to get published, as much as to experience the process of submitting written work and the encouragement to make a contribution to the field

so when they called in the summer I was shocked and today it arrived in the mail.

Cheers!

every year we walk down the street and cheer the marathon runners along

we live at the one mile left marker so we figure they need the cheering

although our signs were nothing compared to this girl who had signs like 

“Dang you look good” and “you’ve got stamina, call me.”

Henry was more excited about the up close time with the police officers

and eventually Joe gave into sharing his skateboard.

It’s inspiring to see all those folks pushing themselves.

This was a mural we saw while on our date

lunch and drinks at Congregration Ale House

thanks to Grammy for staying with little ones.

Then it was off to Issac’s Party

with hanging out at in Tina’s backyard

with a theme of Loteria

and plenty of space for little boys to play

they love pretending this part of the steps is a stage for dancing

Oh and who can forget the Tres Leches Cake..

delicious!

sometimes means taking a quick run around at the park.

Where did this curl come from? It’s the perfect depiction of a ringlet.

Olivine sleeps while we eat dinner, content to suck her thumb.

She favors her left thumb, just like me.

lately involves homework with Paul

which means Henry also jumps in saying “Me, Homework.”

We are practicing the first letter of his name.

or Joe sharing about photos from the classroom he is volunteering in for school

that has this lovely idea of painting sight words on the backs of chairs.

is my one chance to sit quietly at a dinner table, listen to the happy chatting, and remember how fortunate I truly am.

for Adrianna’s wonderful free piano lessons/music class.

for buddies that brighten his day.

for a little guy who has always had a fascination with musical instruments.

for an afternoon in the week carved out for the two of us.

are the perfect way to spend time together as a family

looking at pelicans and sharks up close

searching for lizards

crossing bridges

spying stingrays floating beneath

eventually the youngest slips into sleep

 while we guess at the story behind these bones

holding hands

cooling off with snow cones

strawberry and pineapple