this was Joe’s request for Father’s Day when the boys and I brainstormed some possible adventures after he was woken up with cards
and presents
Paul even wrote clues so he could guess what it was
and breakfast. We loaded up for a mini road trip to Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capsitrano
to set up a tentplay in the tentnap in the tent climbconstructread
relax
rest
thankful for shade
sleeping bag turned punching bagcolorful chalk postfor Olivine to explorerock climbingcuddlecampfire with tofu dogs and s’mores
a game they invented called “donut shop” where baby makes donuts they sell
wild animals
a morning hike
on the look out for mountain lions (relieved we didn’t see any)with a morning nap for baby

and an expression of pure contentment on Joe’s face.

I wish his dad and our Ji’chan were around to see this man with his three kids. He’s amazing! Happy Father’s Day!
We’re home nowand ready for more summer vacation.

to LAX to drop off Lucyto treat papa for dinnerto dedicate a whole weekend to Father’s Dayto enjoy the viewto embrace life with three kidsto take advantage of the sunlight lasting longer as we stroll after dinner
to not freak out about how short my hair is from my recent hair cut (I can’t pull it back)
to lay down and read under an open window with the ocean breeze.

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. 

an entire school year is now officially under Paul’s beltwhich means the mixture of sadness and happiness sets insad to hug Mrs. Wilson one last time
sad for Henry to say goodbye to his friend that comes to pick up her brother everyday (before bed Henry has gotten in the habit of telling me with a giddy expression how he has decided he will marry McKenna and not Olivine) Her grandma and I are intrigued by how similar they look. I think it’s the hapa-ness.sad to leave the routine of climbing on the playground each morning
and afternoon for drop off and pick upsad to leave Tincher, a school we have loved so muchAt the same time we are happy for summer
happy to have had such an experienced and loving teacher
happy to have a baby who loves the idea of schoolhappy to have a low key pancake party for celebrating “La Fin” at the request of Paul (so much easier and cheaper than eating out-good choice!)C’est Tout.

Joe chaperoned this field trip that was within walking distancelooks like they had a blast being able to climb into the truck and have the door shut.

So with three little ones I brag that I get to watch the birth order effect unfold before my eyes (I grew up as the oldest of one sister, soooo different) and I am genuinely fascinated.But I won’t lie about the momma guilt that I suffer from in all forms which includes feeling like I am inadequate at dividing my time and attention fairly with each child.
Yesterday while Olivine napped in the morning and Joe chaperoned Paul’s field trip I found myself thrilled for even an hour with my Henry.
nicknamed by grammy -“Happy Henry”

my Ji’chan called him “Putter” because he never sits down

around here we like to call him “Hen Hen” but recently he has referred to himself as “Hankie”
He is the most adoring big brother and thoughtful little brother. Thank you God for this amazing middle child who holds a special place in my heart.

non intentional but just what you expect two friends would give one another after a few years of catching up to do.

Lucy is a friend from Canada, teaching in Sudan, who I met on the streets of San Francisco at a Food not Bombs serving. She is awesome in her willingness to travel far and wide.

She visited me about twelve years ago in France, while on a trip to the U.K. Also she has taught in Japan and Qatar. A girl who has seriously taken advantage of her passport and gave me some samples of German cookies (airport lay over) that had marzipan and mint covered in chocolate.

at a local pondup close for watching
squatting like Joe doesand practicing walking
while the other is full of sentences about baby turtles, swans with big feet, a school group approaching, and ducks needing haircuts.
We are together while Paul enjoys his last week of school.

This was the look on Henry’s face after Joe cleaned the firetruck.
Such pleasure that you would never guess came from our side of the road, faded, and used toy find. The added bonus, realizing Paul’s boots could fit Henry. When Paul outgrew them I shoved them high into the closet hoping I would remember to find them at a later date.
He busied himself with using the hose as a gas pump  and of course giving rides to Olivine who seems to love her big brother as a fireman.

Every year I get sentimental at the end of the school year
I treasure the handwritten cards and notes from families reflecting on a year of second grade that is complete. This year I was also given a homemade peach pie, some gift cards, and tea.
While at home I go through the a few days where it doesn’t quite feel like vacation. For instance, we all visited the dentist this morning (Olivine for the first time) and can high five over the continued streak of “no cavities” but we also instituted the doctor’s order of trying to break Paul of his thumb sucking now that he is five. Although we used a mitten, while Dr. Dole suggested a boxing glove for wearing to sleep.
Then while little ones slept I tackled one of many items on my “to-do” list: clean the blinds. We have a total of  12 and I cleaned half today. Pulling each one down to hang on the back fence with a sequence of hosing, scrubbing, rinsing, and drying. Strangely satisfying.
Sometime around dinner we had a brother battle of Paul’s new toy that he bought with his “Tincher Tokens” at school. Joe wanted to throw it out but I promised to stitch it up tonight.When Joe comes home from the store, we are also going to create a summer calendar of activities for the boys. We forced them to put away legos tonight and they quickly found other forms of entertainment: Henry and Olivine played with the rainstick (thank you Isabel) and Paul started drawing after he found some student projects in my bag.
I am thrilled to be done with work and am looking forward to ten weeks of family time.