Some of my favorite words lately are “me book” as Olivine discovers the enjoyment in books. She is reading aloud from the pictures, learning her colors, using expression in her speech, and watching each of my children read is a gift.
Then there is the writing. I can’t get enough of it. Paul was pretending to be a scientist making observations on some roly polies out back. This is what he recorded:Plus the play. These days there is lots of role playing. Henry likes to use one of my old purses and go shopping. Grammy painted his nails this weekend.

I don’t always realize the opportunities my children provide into seeing their inner thoughts and continuing growth that is up close and changing before my eyes.

Students have been showering Joe with gifts and as his time begins to wane at his site (next week he is done, ending with a field trip).
Meanwhile we have been navigating the appreciation of all the teacher’s who impact the lives of our children.I fell in love the personalized messages I discovered Paul had included with his drawings to his teachers at the Child Development Center.And then there is my Henry, he seriously cranked out twenty-three different drawings and he could name each one of his teachers.Taking time to say “thank you” to those who teach is incredibly important. I have committed to serving dinner at Friday night’s teacher appreciation, plus I picked up cupcakes for Olivine’s teachers, and brought in breakfast for my coworkers. The appreciation is overflowing.

We decided to visit and honor Lola’s six year anniversary (our favorite local restaurant) since opening, a little after Paul was born.I promise you would love their food.We have taken many good friends to this spot. Yum!

After waking up, Olivine immediately put on her mask and snorkel to play diver.No one else was really awake yet, so she walked around talking into the snorkel. I think she liked the echo sounds of her voice through the tube.She seemed so confused by my asking her to talk quietly. I am sure she was convinced everyone should wake up and want to play diver. Right?

Today was Makayla’s birthdayShe turned two  I loved this sign they had made.There was face painting.Olivine opted to copy her cousin and go with Hello Kitty on the cheekThe boys chose “tattoos” on their arms (easier to clean than the whole face-momma relief).
There were personalized treatsand plenty of sunshine that we tried to keep cool from.We randomly stopped at the fountains in downtown Fullerton on the way home.Henry liked putting his foot over the holeand after a couple minutes Paul surrendered to just getting completely wet in his clothes.It was a great Sundayto wrap up the week.

Our mini road trip this spring break.We stayed in a yurt at Lake Cachuma.One of those last minute vacancies where we benefit because it is difficult to make plans months in advance. I imagine as my kids get older or I become more organized, plans may come together sooner than a week before. But not yet.
Admittedly I have wanted to check these out for awhile. I honestly don’t love sleeping in a tent on the ground. A yurt feels like a compromise.
I also believe in letting the kids run wild, with little distraction, and learning how to appreciate nature.So when we woke up and Paul started sketching his point of view I was thrilled. When and where else will he see this? I want those sorts of experiences for my children as much as I want them for myself.Joe loves to let them rock throw whenever possible into water. At the lake, Henry was into the really heavy rocks that would make a big splash.
We squeezed in a trip to the local zoo. As a family, we agreed gorillas are fascinating animals. Olivine and I could watch him eat grass all day, while Henry has a pretty good impression of his face.We also weren’t going to pass up the giraffe feeding.Their tongues are amazing and surely intimidated Olivine, who at the last minute didn’t want to give her lettuce to the giraffe.On the way home, we stopped along PCH to check out waves and dolphins and surfers. One of the best ways to stretch your legs. Hello Pacific Ocean.
I am grateful again for a family that completes me. I could really be anywhere (advice I recently overheard Joe giving to friends who are moving to the Coachella Valley) and truly the company is what matters. When we are busy with the day to day I can loose sight of how happy I am to have this team. I can confidently give thanks a year after loosing my grandfather. I still miss him like crazy and wish he was around to see this growing family. Life has a strange tension when it comes to love and loss and grief and healing.

My family and I needed this spring break. Even if it was short.

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 morning I met the baby of a dear friend. He is handsome and very content.I must share a peek of her nursery that has touches of her craftiness (handmade curtains) and her mother (handmade blanket)

while Miss Olivine sat on the floor snacking and listening to all our catching up. This afternoon we invited over friends and headed to the Farmer’s Market for extended play.It was a day gathered with friends and that is one of my hopes for spring break. Time to gather together and just be present.

beginning our busy week

bunny on the door (thanks Paul)baby wearingbrothers blowing bubbles and swinging at them for random pointsbiking around the marina, but taking a break to watch fishingand one of our favorite places: the baywhere Olivine wore her new ballerina-ish bathing suitbasking in the sun, on Grammy’s lapboys brought boogies boards
baby eventually fell asleepand I had to lay her down, she gets heavy, but thankfully she didn’t budge.Boys started burying each other in the sand
busting open shells, hoping seagulls would come close enough to touch
and spending an unbelievable amount of time side by side, playing.
Because Joe has a huge project due tonight, he missed most of our day, but he drew us a comicand tomorrow he will be able to relax.

We went to Grandpa Royce’s where we had lunch and cupcakes.There was an egg hunt out backwith boys dressed like twinsshaking the eggs to guess what’s inside.This much fun is always followed by a good night’s sleep.