Joe’s brother came to town (for the sudden death of a family friend) and we haven’t seen him in years. Leading up to his arrival, our house was full of questions about “daddy’s big brother.”
He was greeted warmly. I love how quickly my children embrace family and friends. They have big hearts.

I looked up and noticed these pairs of brothers.

I loved listening to Bruce tell stories about Joe’s parents. I tried to imagine their lives. There are many funny stories. I only wish I had known them both better. I know at some point we will head across state lines and visit Nebraska. Until then, our doors are always open.

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.

Every time I am the recipient of a random note on my desk. Today it was a math problem created just for me to solve and I gush.
Or when I notice he is back to practicing those ninja turtles. This time it is because he is excited about his friend’s costume. So he wants to practice and eventually draw him a picture.

And then it is all his sports images where he illustrates these elaborate moments in a game complete with circles for an audience. He has just recently added captions so everyone knows what part of the game we are viewing. This time it was a hockey game.
These moments of watching over his shoulder or across the room open the strangest memories of my own childhood. Like the teddy bear club I started in third grade. I would make these drawings and bracelets and folders to give to friends letting them know I thought they were special. Those tiny tokens of friendship at a young age are a sweet innocence I have long forgotten. This is one more amazing part of children. They remind me and even give me a chance to be younger. They remind me of how easy it is to make someone else smile. They remind me of the need to make space and to take time to be creative. Look at all these teams this guy came up with last night. I am particularly fond of the college team called “honey” where the mascot was a hive with tiny bees flying around it.Then there is the younger bear. Who is all about watching and imitating and as my mother said to me. I quote her exactly when speaking to the older bear “copying is a form of flattery.”He drew the Angels and Dodgers with some serious detail. Other times, he gets out a paper while I am doing homework with Paul. He sits quietly practicing letters and mixing in parts of his name. Can I even begin to express how much I love this? These are those clues I get into the minds of my two favorite little boys. I am beyond fascinated and intrigued.

Today when I picked Henry up, I just happened to have my camera in my bag. After a morning at t/k he gets to spend three afternoons with friends at the child development center. He was engaged in an activity making shapes with tape and then paint. Some were painting inside and others were painting around the tape. Then they would peel the tape off to reveal different designs. Henry was going for a rainbow effect. I loved that when he finished, his four year old spirit had to put both hands and rub the paint everywhere.

I woke up to little ones crafting up a storm.

They were putting the finishing touches on gifts for Grammy. These little ones are full of love and generosity.

We created a small stash of treats for her birthday.

She came over to go to the pumpkin patch down the street

and there had been mounting excitement about this adventure

with train rides

and a little bit of waiting.

Pony rides under a circus tent

(yes, I mentally fight back thoughts of depression and animal cruelty).

old metal cars, but my kids opt for motorcycles

and pink elephants that fly over the ground.

I thought maybe they would freak on the spinny ride.

Their expressions looked intense.. a mixture of fear and fun.

They were all smiles, maybe a little dizzy, but happy.

Big bowls with tofu and veggies

and Miss Olivine wanted to hold baby Layla

A stop off to watch the karate class had all kids staring

and a little fountain play

in the dark with all the colors changing.

But the highlight was pie

It was trendy, and busy, and delicious. We will be back here for sure.

This was a Thursday night treat. Dinner with friends, followed by pumpkin carving.

First they drew out their designs

and made the size just right with pencils followed by sharpies.

Then we carved off the tops

and opened them to clean them out.

Messy fun with friends to chat and laugh with.

Henry was a carving machine.

George’s look almost like a self-portrait:The whole gang turned out super fun:

The carving ended right as the ninth inning of the Giants game was going on. Somehow, we caught the very last inning and cheered at the home run hit.

Looks like we will be cheering for the Giants in the World Series.

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.

Months ago we started noticing these random animals in our neighborhood

made from pieces of trees and plants. Sometimes a little paint is added.

We have slowly been able to gather more information about this local art being made just for fun,

to make people smile.

This one is an angel:

We like to debate about our favorites and see where they pop up around here.

It’s like a scavenger hunt. We are fans!