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.

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.

Unfortunately, try as I might, between papa (Joe) and Grammy this youngest one of ours seems to be spoiled. She had a second celebration this past Monday. With homemade hello kitty cupcakesand yes even a baby doll.Look closely, do you see the gift? My mom bought her the Asian looking, baby cabbage patch. Either you love it or you hate it, right?

According to Olivine- This doll is fantastic! Especially because the perfect sized hole in her mouth can hold her bottle when shoved hard enough. The baby eats hands free and that makes Olivine crack up.

She likes to take this new baby and squeeze her through the bars of her crib to lay her down. She will say “shhh..baby sleep” and then in two seconds baby is awake and she comes out saying “baby hungry.” So much role playing.

Paul is wearing his General Hat in honor of George Washington. Even though I asked him to smile he insisted generals don’t and so he wouldn’t.Joe and I cranked a class set of these shirts for a fundraiser at Paul’s school. Each class was assigned a country and my hapa baby lucked out. It might also be that his teacher is Japanese, but who knows?
Olivine is learning to identify the number Two!
Found while out on her first bike ride.
Henry likes the affection. He likes spinning, jumping, hugging, and hanging up side down.
We love three day weekends.

A dear friend was more than willing to step in and watch all three of our little ones so we could have a date. These days dates are few and far between, but this had been in the planning. My heart had been looking forward to just some “grown-up” time.

We went to our favorite vegan sushi place- Shojinand shared a delightful raspberry heart treat.We held hands, leisurely strolled, window shopped, and even stopped for a mid-afternoon caffeine treat.We drove around until we decided the last stop should be a bookstore where we wander the aisles self absorbed and stop to point out books one of us finds for the other.

I promise I don’t get tired of this guy’s company. He’s a keeper. I am one lucky girl.

A typical moment these days is I look over or walk into a room and see these two together. Sometimes it is a guilty look or maybe mischief. A “stopped in their tracks” and if they could whistle, they would attitude.I always ask if everything is okay and then in less than three seconds they resume wrestling
which is strange sounds mixed with gigglinguntil one of them gets hurtbut I know in general this is part of their love. So as long as it includes tickling, I am okay.

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.

We definitely have a little holiday cheer going around, following our little girl’s birthday. Last night Henry & Paul helped load the bags of candy (Olivine & Henry will give them with love to their teachers).I didn’t order Minted cards this time (Judy- I know you don’t want my money going to that company that you worked for) so I ordered from Pear Tree Greeting (thanks Jenny-a fellow passionate paper lover) and I am more than pleased with how they turned out. The bags were just from the dollar bin at Target.Paul has a class set. He stamped them. Picked out his own stamp at Michael’s and ink pad.I am looking closely at the design choice. I think he loves the store Target. But also he has been staring in his class and telling me about the “Learning Target” where his teacher writes the new science topic. He has learned about wind this week and he can’t wait to find out what will go in the “target” next.
He then tucked his photo (so handsome!)and treat into the library pockets (left over from that rockin’ book  themed baby shower a few months back)
And so yes. We love passing out treats, taking photos, and this is a holiday that I am okay with choosing to be less about romance and more about being crafty and telling folks we love them.

Happy Valentine’s Day (tomorrow)

We wanted to make your birthday special (even if celebrated one day in advance)Whenever we asked what you wanted for your birthday (leading up to today) you would say “cake.”
We gave you your own mini cake with candlesand it wasn’t longbefore you were a mess.These kids know how to make a toast: “Cheers to our Party!”and look at the similar mannerisms (I am fascinated).Then there was the balance bike (of course)
to keep up with the boysand some art supplies

along with balloons to play with.It was a party all for you!

Dear Olivine,
You have been such a surprise. From the moment we found out we were pregnant to the time we first saw you. The yoga class I was taking encouraged choosing a word for each pregnancy. With Paul I meditated on “peace”(he turned out so mellow) and with Henry I meditated on “joy” (the smiley face in our team). For you, the word I chose was “love.”
And with your birthday so close to Valentine’s it seems like hearts and love will be a theme. You show affection easily to those you love, teaching us all the time that our hearts are big.Long gone are the days of your scooting across the rug. You are clearly a toddler. You are talking up a storm. Even counting to three. You love to sing, dance, and hold baby dolls. My favorite is when I catch you closing your eyes, serenading “rock a by baby”, while rocking your baby.
Sometimes the influences are clearly your big brothers. Like when we let you pick out shoes for your birthday and you insisted on Ninja Turtle shoes. Of course you would want those slip ons.You have convinced your father that you can hold your own, as we watch you wrestle with your brothers. You have already mastered “no” in an assertive, listen up, tone.
I have said it before but we are like a glove, this family of five, which wouldn’t have been possible without you. I didn’t know I would need a baby girl as much as I do, now that I have one. I love you. Happy Birthday Olivine-y.

Love, this lucky Momma