Our sweet baby friend Leila recently turned oneand we were lucky enough to attend.Her party was at a place in South Pasadena (Amy’s Playground) with indoor playand plenty of space to chase and run and jump.In two hours they had worn themselves out with all the fun.Ollie found a tunnel and stockpiled all the babies around.On the way home we made sure to check out the Jackie Robinson monument for Paul’s project.A perfect sunny Sunday afternoon.

about the portrait Paul drew me and the heart he decorated.The Henry hand print flowers are super sweet:A morning spent lounging and reading my new book.After time in the aquariumwe stayed outside for a picnicwith plenty of space to play baseballor climb on rocksor hunt for treasure.What a lovely way to celebrate today: enjoying children and conversation and food and time together.Being a mom is pretty awesome.

On Mother’s Day I can’t help but remember my grandmother. Recently Olivine found a tin I hide in my nightstand (she finds everything) where I keep my Ba’chan’s glasses.Joe snapped these of her wearing them.She is a silly girl and I wish my grandmother was here to meet her.We hope you are smiling today. Your memory and spirit lives on. You are missed.

My son has not loved the performance part of the play his class has been working on.
He had moments of smiling, but mostly I could see how shy he was and I could relate.All week there were shows for the school and Friday night was the final, evening parent and family event. Grammy went to the day show and snapped this class/cast shot. Super colorful.
Maybe your eyes are drawn to the colorful background, I would like to say “high-five” to papa Joe. Yes, all those years of “outdoor artwork” paid off because he was the backdrop king. I love how it turned out.
And there was singing and dancing and choreography that was simple but exciting to see. This has been weeks of a practice, at home with a cd and script. Celebrated with a cupcake and exhausted by the end of it all. What a show!Final project before school ends: biography report. He chose Jackie Robinson so this weekend we will be reading and working on the poster. He already drew a jersey and wrote an acrostic poem. Busy, busy in first grade.

The clear marker of one HUGE feat: Joe is Done. He is all about the bragging that there is no homework, no more group projects, and he is officially able to join the working world. He already has a few sub jobs lined up for the month and some adventures planned with little ones. He is free. He came home with balloons and cake and a smile that follows so many years of hard work. Joe is done with his B.A. in liberal studies, multiple subject credential, and moderate/severe credential.

And at the same time we are getting ready to LAUNCH into the world of doctoral studies. This is a team effort. I couldn’t go to class or leave my family, if everyone wasn’t on board. So as Joe celebrates, I linger in anticipation and fear over the next three years. This is our commitment. What lies ahead?

But I will admit I am excited to have homework, group projects, and maybe even let go of one of the two jobs I hold. We see this as an investment and a preparation for the fast changes happening in education- who really knows what job I could have in the future?