A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. mochi ice cream, mango flavor

are these days with friendsat the parkenjoying the warm weather.

We are hyper aware of the no homework, no planning, no grading, no rushing rhythm of the school year ending and we have been given the unbelievable gift of time with each other

and with ourselves.There are many meals enjoyed outdoorsand naps being skipped over

so that little ones tire themselves out to the point of passing out

or share books before bed

under open windows.I will take one moment to brag about how efficient Joe and I have become with packing to go or come home from the Bay.While I bathe little ones (all one shower) and then prepare dinner, he hoses down and dries of the gear and vacuums the car. Go Team Sullivan!

We are taking full advantage of the farmer’s market seasonal producewith Paul insisting on corn because he loves the little sticks used for holding itand so we are feasting together.After dinner, this little girl turns into a strawberry monsterand makes crazy faces as soon as she sees a camera.These moments have to be recorded because they will get me through the school yearwhen these carefree days feel far away and I look back to know we spent our time well.

in Pasadenais a perfect museum for all three of my kids.They love the turtlesand the bike ridingwith a track to followand sidelines where we sit and wave

and the gardens

where there are watering cans.The highlight might be the creek where the boys could play in the waterand someone watches patiently (she stands like my ji’chan)

knowing that she will have a turn in her bathing suit catching water spouting from the ground.She will also let us know with a little sign language that she is “all done”and because we brought our own lunch when we are back in the carsome of us fall asleep before we reach the freeway.

Taking Henry to the doctor this week, he was greeted with smiles and phrases like “You’re back so soon” or “Again it’s Henry.” This is how often my son is visiting the hospital these days.He has a part of his cheek that seems irritated for over a week and I sincerely thought it was ringworm

but yay, only dermatitis and easily treated with aveeno and vaseline.

My daughter is insanely funny and smart so that today when we were at the playground she heard Henry say “I have to go pee.”What does she do? She walks straight over to a tree and lifts up her shirt.Do you see the leaning? She has studied up on this.This girl has no idea she is any different than her brothers, in age or gender.Believe me, I needed to laugh out loud today. Thank you Olivine, you crack me up!

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Olivine and her cousin Fiona coincidentally own the same swimsuitgood taste must run in the familybecause they both enjoyed an impromptu watermelon partyIt was if when they looked at each other: Olivine wondered how she could learn such a magical tongue talent while Fiona took notes on walking for her awaiting debut (maybe she is holding out for her birthday next month when she turns one?)

and a little pool time with papas

while Paul lounged on a chair asking for watermelon to be delivered to his chair (He understands summer vacation)

and our Henry was down the hill, at the plum tree, in the baby pool, on a toy, blowing bubbles, and too busy to stop for a photo.

These summer days pass quickly with so much fun and family time.

The first of many Wednesdays spent at the bay (three years in a row).Each year our children are at a different stage and this year it’s all three walking and heading in different directions.We are getting better at packing for our adventure. I have to carefully invest in key items. My newest being the plastic mat that is baby and food friendly so towels can be used for drying off. I don’t love sand everywhere.Next on my list: boogie boards. Our Henry will spend hours in the water entertaining himself or coaxing his sister into taking a ride.My favorite part is bedtime. We spent five hours outdoors today, came home to bathe and eat, by 6:30 pm my house is silent. This is beautiful.

So glad we went and meet friends for dinner last night. We stocked up on a sweet bounty of ripe, delicious fruit.This morning Olivine was signing for more as soon as she saw the bowls on the counter. How much fruit can one baby handle??No worries all seeds are removed thanks to a gift my Ji’chan gave us awhile back. He’s really never far from our lives.

As the baby  in our family, Olivine is spoiled just a little each day by yanking on Joe’s hat and then happily walking around with her prizeor climbing up next to daddy and insisting she listen to music tooat this age we aren’t saying “no” much and that might be because she is so adorable we get distracted.