Henry is far-sighted and the longer he is in school the more he is straining his eyes. He picked them out and they were ready yesterday.

At the eye exam he was reading the numbers fine until he started to say “zero, zero, zero.” These will help in school as he looks at the board and then back down at his work. He is so far being careful with them.

They definitely make him look older. He looks even more like his father, who had glasses at this age.

The last few days have been extremely low key and wonderful.
We decorated cookies and played with a new puppy at Grandma Cheryl’s.We explored El Dorado Park in the crisp air
and ran into friends who had the same idea.Joe loaded up the Christmas Tree to take over to the park and we packed up our decorations.
Last night, after the kids went to sleep, Joe made us dinner.
 I am aware that break is winding down, so I am going extra slow and cautious. The luxury of such a season has kept my heart full of thanks.

I am hopeful about so many changes in this upcoming year. Joe will finish school and look for a job. We will most likely move in the summer because our apartment building has been sold. These are the bigger changes we are preparing ourselves for, and we know there will be plenty we can’t even imagine.

I have chosen a word to focus on that is a daily challenge with my family, my job, and my heart. “Listen” without interruption or defense or a preoccupation. I want to make eye contact, speak less, and be quick to forgive. These aren’t really resolutions because I have never been good at those. But just a word to focus on seems manageable for the upcoming year.

This is also a time of reflection on the year gone by. We have a little girl talking so much more, potty trained, and with ears pierced. A boy who started school, joined a soccer team, and learned how to swim. A big brother who is growing in independence, lost two teeth, and has built more lego creations than I can count. Joe earned his B.A. this past spring (Whoo-whoo!) and is well on his way to being done. I traveled to Portland (miss you Hedstrom Household), started my tenth year in Compton, and have continued to find joy in teaching at the community college. As a family we went camping, swimming, hiking, exploring, and traveled all the way to SF together. It’s been a jam packed year when I genuinely reflect. We have also had sadness. Moments of missing my Jich and saying goodbye to my grandmother. Gaining new friends but knowing we have lost touch with others.

I can only wonder what will be in store for 2015. Happy New Year!

The other day we woke up and decided, after a long morning, we wanted to “go on an adventure.” So we packed snacks and loaded bikes in the car with helmets.

We crossed bridges spanning the port and parked at Cabrillo Beach

with perfect weather and a vacant playground

the boys rode around until we agreed it was time to go into the aquarium.

After touching the sea stars and waving at lobsters, we piled back in the car and drove some more.

I love a rocky, clear coast. Luckily my kids agree. It takes our breath away. We just stared and then drove north more until we found a crepe place for a late afternoon snack.

On our way back, we realized we could time it just right to see a sunset.

Gorgeous! The little ones were tired by the time we got home from our adventure.

I love to wander and drive along the coast.

Whenever Olivine gets sick we cross our fingers in hopes it doesn’t move into her chest. We haven’t forgotten two years ago, at this same time, being in the hospital.
She had a flu shot a month ago and has been using a preventive inhaler. When we ran out and then she started wheezing, we took her back to the doctor. Her sleep hasn’t been the best, but we have the humidifier on and she takes the treatments like a champ.

waking up every morning and not being rushed, enough time for coffee and sitting with Joereading stories to little ones who like booksa baby being adored by many (and Mike being home from Italy)Christmas lights- everywhere
and handmade crafts decorating the house, along with framed Christmas postcardsJoe making play dough with Olivine in pajamaswatching the boys open their presentsand then later play like they are the “Wild Kratts” in their veststree climbing
picnics in the park
drawing and playing board gameshaving Paul cook dinner (with my supervision), a vegan stew with dumplings
 and realizing we have another week of this time together.

Wishing you a happy holiday.

We had some fun yesterday afternoon with party props from Cara.

This morning is slow going and we are grateful.

Celebrate the birth of the Lord and rejoice.

We were at the mall with my mom who took the kids to “Build a Bear.” They all bought bears. Paul dressed his in a football jersey while Henry chose a Batman costume. Olivine has a sparkly bear with the frozen song inside.

We saw a Claire’s and went in…..seemed perfect with her middle name being Clare. This was not the type of decision I wanted to over analyze. I knew it would happen but I am never at the mall. I asked our pediatrician when she was an infant, but she doesn’t pierce ears. Joe and I had talked about it but never in any serious way.

She was nervous and excited and her brothers were sure she would cry. But with a lollipop as a decoy, she only frowned. No kicking, yanking, screaming, or even one tear. The girls in the shop were shocked.

She described it as a “shot in my ears.” The ladies pierced her ears in tandem with her birthstone. Two minutes later she was looking in the mirror with wide eyes and a big smile.

She even had a bag to carry with bragging rights. She has been showing them off. We are cleaning them three times a day and so far, she is not having any issues.

We can stay up with friends in pajamas and watch “Home Alone”

or make s’mores over the fireplace.

We can pile into bed and slowly read chapters of The Long Winter. Cozy and cuddled close.

We can walk around Naples

to admire the lights

and hang out with friends from out of town.

We are out late and that is because we can sleep in. Tonight was foggy and especially fun for being outside.

We met up with friends at the L.A. zoo on Saturday.

Henry insisted on a picture with him near the reindeer so he could show his teacher.

While Paul wanted to check the map at each exhibit.

When all of our kids are together and we round them up for a group photo, my heart sparks with a mini explosion. I am awestruck at how much our lives have expanded from when we first met as couples in SF. Two weddings and a bunch of kids later- we have created families. That feels amazing.

The youngest of the crew makes me most curious. She has balanced out the gender ratio and she will have an older brother, older sister, and awesome parents. What will she be like?

I always leave the zoo with mixed feelings. I don’t know what I think. But sitting in front of this momma orangutan as she picked at the snacks in her pinecone, I kept looking in her eyes so curious about what she saw or thought or felt. I’ll never know.

We did see a baby hippo, baby giraffe, and a jaguar up close. My kids love it. Once a year might be all I can handle.