They always run into our room if we try to sleep too long. The cards and gifts are our way of showing our love.
Paul made a bowl in class.They were most excited about leaving for our camping adventure with Papa’s new camp stove.We are officially starting a new tradition around here.

I like to admit that the days are never dull around here. For instance Paul lost his first tooth.He sounded like he found a Golden Ticket, as he joyfully announced “My tooth fell out!”Of course he pushed it out (it’s been loose for over a week) as he was biting the pieces of legos in his mouth to separate the pieces (We’ve been over this before: I say legos can ruin teeth. He asks how? Now he knows. Legos help teeth fall out).For the occasion we were able to use his newly made pillow. He tucked the tooth in a pocket on the pillow. We told him after he slept we would trade him, his tooth for a dollar, but no stories of a tooth fairy have surfaced. He was thrilled to go to sleep, a little giddy even.

Only moments later, Henry fell out of the top bunk. He was leaning out of Paul’s bed to throw his pillow down into his bed. He lost his grip and made the craziest screech. Nothing was broken but he has a good mark of where he scraped his back.

The next morning, all five of us were stopped at a light and we were hit from behind. All I kept thinking was how grateful I was that none of us were hurt. An older woman hit us because she was confused when the light turned green but our arrow to turn didn’t. A little scary, the bumper saved us, and that was really just a “fender bender”

but it also reminds me that I never know what will happen in the next twenty-four hours.

My mom had two tickets to the graduation at UCI thanks to her job at the medical center on campus.We woke up early, passed tons of secret service, sat for the morning, and watched the graduates file in. The helicopter flew overhead and when he walked out on stage, chills went down my back.I am such a geek about stuff like this. It’s the coolest president we’ve ever had and I got to see him in real life. Check- crossed off the bucket list.Hours later with a mild sunburn, I was all smiles in the breeze of the open car window. Still so happy to have been at such an awesome event.

His message of hope and promise for future generations makes me excited to watch my own children grow up.

Was it worth waking up at sunrise? Yeah

Was it worth the upper 80’s temps? Yeah

These are the questions Joe asked and I resoundingly answer that this kind of moment feels priceless.

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.

This is what I tell my boys when they see me crying in a seemingly happy moment.
Today was Paul’s last day of kindergarten.
I love his teacher so much. I can’t believe it’s over and as he gets bigger and smarter and taller and funnierI am in awe.

The class performed multiple songs today. His teacher made us a cd and a handprint. I know if he is anything like me, he will go back to that print and hold his hand over it to see how big he is. It will be the reminder of all that he learned this year. The ways he has grown in such a short time.As a treat, he was given breakfast on the couch while everyone else slept in.After drop off, we picked up flowers and drinks and headed back to see the show. A row full of the younger siblings behind me.I know we will do this again and I bet I will cry at each one. It happens so fast.

But I am quick to dry my eyes at the lunch table when it hits me: The Sullivans are officially on an all family, summer fun time together. We did it!

My dear friend Angela has a new house and a new baby and it had been many years since we hung out in real life.So I finally made the plans, packed the bag (the morning I left), and brought Olivine along for the adventure. We were able to break in our matching summer sandals.

Flying Jet Blue out of Long Beach is easy. A two hour direct flight
with plenty of buttons to keep her entertained.
I have been to Portland once, on a road trip with my mom. Okay twice, but the first time was my honeymoon train trip and we only stretched our legs. But this third time (really the charm) felt like the local trip.I found a lavendar latte at the corner coffee shop.
My friends cooked dinner each night (I might need this recipe)
and we ate in their backyard
borrowed their bathtub and then lounged on their porch.These are the type of friends I get on an airplane to see. The kind where it feels welcoming and comfortable. I was thrilled to have our kids side by side

as we attempted to talk and eat food and count dinosaurs all at the same time. Very every day feeling, like I live down the street instead of in another state.Olivine found joy in Theo’s toys. She would climb into this and say it was her office. As she pushed the buttons, she called it typing.
It was incredibly mellow with a trip to the co-op for olive oil and fruit.A walk to Cafe Au Play

perfect for the little ones

with vegan treatsand a built in playgroundbordered by gardens

and a teenage barista training program all wrapped into one.

These two began to sync up just as it was time to leave and I realize that is how it is. Time goes by quickly and taking time to appreciate the moment matters.I think I could live in this town. With it’s overgrown gardens, city wide compost, folks on bikes, Tibetan prayer flags, chalk drawings, hippy plus urban plus mountain vibe. Big skies with puffy clouds but mornings that are gray and chilly.Before that happens I have to take Joe and the kids. Road trip next summer. Sounds like a must! Let’s check the maps

and until then, I don’t know if I will ever take this baby so far from her papa. She missed him like crazy. Everyday she asked for him and looked for him.Henry your turn next to go on an airplane, I promise.

Thank you to my gracious hosts. Seriously, when you are headed to Southern California-we will host!

This was our first time using the service. It couldn’t have been better. We stayed six blocks away from our friend in a tiny house.A private path invited us to come and go as we pleased.
There was a loft we did not sleep in and plenty of space for the two of us.The windows brought in plenty of natural lightand the yard was a place for Olivine to run around in.
She loved to watch the bees

and ask questions about the plants. We liked the raspberries and lavendar bestOlivine adored the mermaid who greeted us at the door
while I spied this hummingbird and knew it was a blessing.Angela let us borrow her stroller so we could walk over to her house.
We took our time. This was ten times better than staying in a hotel with a reasonable price and a friendly host.

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.