A place to record our life as a family in photographs and words.
and feeling like one special momma
with presents
and giant pancakes
friends watching little ones so we could take in a movie
(we saw Fruitvale Station- so sad but really well made)
and happy hour
with a free dessert.
I am looking forward to being another year old. Yay for 34!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. 
After two days of play at the beach and the bay, we went to play in more water
which is the newest addition to a park we love
and we have yet to remember our bathing suits until today.
They splashed around
and we found there is plenty to entertain all three of these little ones.
Although it helps Olivine to be brave around so many big kids
because her brothers will cheer her on
or catch her on the slide.
After we changed out of wet clothes
they explored the playground.
They love the dragon slide
and wait patiently for their turn at the top of the hill
and the bridges
and the tunnels
and running around the same paths that Joe ran around as a kid
until they are ready for lunch and we head home.for a change of pace
and scenery
with friends
and waves.
There were sand crabs
and a lunch break
with a close eye on the one who couldn’t play in the waves.
She only fell down once as she learns how to stand in the moving water and sand.
We can’t wait to hang out with our friends again soon
and I did notice Henry has red marks from his dive off his boogie board
but he’s a tough cookie who has hair that is lighter and skin that is darker.
We love summer beach days.
We love this place.
Paul is fearless these days on his bicycle.
There are shady trees, a lake, and ducks
as we try to ignore that we have reached the halfway mark of our summer together.
Last night we got dressed up and two very good friends (who we owe a favor to) watched our three little ones so that we could attend a wedding.
The bride is Linda
she and the other ladies are all fellow teachers who I met in the master’s program at CSULB
all amazing and bright and hardworking.
The favors were mints in these glasses and I loved the fruit mixed into the center pieces
plus a photo booth!
A definite fun night out.
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.
on a whim
with train rides
and other adventures for little ones
a misty tent to walk through
balloon ride
and a bus ride that Paul decided he didn’t like (it went too high)
no lines to wait
and perfect weather
super fun
quinoa with veggies
she is getting better with that spoon
sometimes it means using both hands.
Afterwards the boys could not wait 
to take the bubble wrap from the package
and have a jumping party out back
with boots.
The bay threw off our sleep patterns. Olivine and Paul fell asleep without dinner, leaving a little time for Henry to eat, have stories, and go to bed on time.
Of course the other two woke up much later, had a late dinner, and quietly drew with markers and read books.
Olivine was exploring the colors and practicing taking the caps on and off.
Then she decided to smell them.
Quickly this turned into dragging the tips gently across her cheeks.
I am so intrigued with what goes on in the minds of little ones.
One more bonus to summer: Time
to sit, and watch one child for an extended period of time with nothing else on my mind. Staying up late for no reason in particular.
