The boys love to help with Sunday breakfast.

They pour, mix, and carefully heed my warnings about how hot the skillet gets.

Paul is also able to flip the pancakes

and do a little cutting of our fresh from the farmer’s market strawberries.

While Henry insists on being close to the action but busied himself with quickly peeling, then devouring Satsuma Tangerines.

Spending an afternoon exploring tidepools.

There were sea slugs and anenomes to touch.

Mini pools to splash in.

Rocks to climb and squeeze through.

We had rosy cheeks and tired bodies by the end.

I survived the first week back to work after break. An always difficult transition that involves guilt, excitement, sadness, and joy. A lovely dinner of pasta and salad helped to finish off this week.

I came home most days later than I wanted and found the boys were often sleeping: sometimes in their own beds, sometimes piled in our bed, or even scattered on the couch.

But I missed crazy hair at the park.

Motorcycle riding down the street.

Or the afternoon this week where the boys found a real rainbow in their room.

They could touch it and see it and even put in on their faces!

That is magical.

I love the smell of lemongrass eucalyptus candles in my home.

I appreciate a father who can multi task.

I supress the need to clean up toys.

I pray these boys will enjoy eachother often in life, like they do tonight.

A celebration of all that awaits us in the coming year.

We have so much to look forward to: like the new addition to our family-Baby Girl.

Then there are the milestones with the boys, finishing a master’s program, road trips in our new car, and all the unexpected surprises.

Not being big fans of new year’s resolutions, we have agreed to live as simply as we can. This includes turning our recycling into an adventure and trying to save money as much as possible. We could definitely be more frugal which means we have a revised budget that demands for more homecooked meals, taking pleasure in the free outdoors, and enjoying the true gift of being together as a family.  

One of Paul’s gifts was “The Gruffalo” dvd, which we recently borrowed and read from the library.

This is the perfect excuse to have a movie night.

Which involves projecting the image onto the wall, moving furniture around, and microwaving popcorn.

Good times all around.

The last couple days…or more like the last few months…I have been pursuing the details of purchasing a car. Which let me say, has been the most intimidating purchase I have made (coming from the girl who has been blessed with being given the two previously owned cars). But I can say it is over and I have a little more peace of mind right now.

Ta da…

Meanwhile the boys have been thankfully oblivious to this stress. In part because they have cousins to jump on trampolines with.

Or the opportunity to visit amazing local parks, which haven’t changed much from when their father played at them as a kid.

Where they find “spooky trails” to explore.

Oh and let’s not forget the amazing weather: sunshine and shorts in the winter.

I have had a faithful companion who continues to remind me with subtle nudges that she will be arriving shortly.

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Visiting family and friends.

Decorating gingerbread houses.

Eating candy off of houses.

Taking walks.

Picking citrus to make fresh juice.

I have always been preferential to candlelight. The eyes sparkle and the skin glows.

Tonight the lighting took place while singing “Silent Night.”

Paul instantly recognized it, saying “momma, it is the song you sing me.”

We stopped in for a dive show.

But all of us really wanted to soak up some sunshine.

Eating outdoors while watching sailboats

makes for a smooth transition to either nap 

or dessert.

Thanks to Jich the boys had special holiday cookies.