We drive up the hill and Joe jumps out to hide eggs, while I take a quick detour helping to build the suspense.

Not having a yard has forced us to become creative. We love this view and there is the perfect sized garden perched on the corner.

They searched high and lowfar and wide
up and down over and underHenry was the big brother who helped Olivine.She willingly reached behind flowers, so excited at each colorful egg her eyes could find.
I do like to day dream about other places, as they get older, that would be fun for an egg hunt. For now, this is more than we could ask for.

We were lucky enough to spend time with these dear friends.We went to Pasadena last weekendand enjoyed perfect weather.They are the type of friends that feel like family.These two are so similar.India turned seven
so of course we had cakeand the kids had a blast.
Then yesterday they swung by our place.At the end of this month their third is due. These are friends from SF that migrated south before us. Fellow teachers and parents and vegetarians who we can chat all day long with. We had burritos in the park,
flew kites,
and looked at the sunset.
The next time we gather we will be a ten person posse.

has finally arrived. I bought this bottle two weeks ago and it has been sitting in the back of the fridge, waiting for this celebration. A ten day vacation with family. What a treat.I picked the little ones up early so we could eat lunch and take a nap together.
Paul was on a field trip (a fellow momma took this picture- thank you Mimi) visiting a farm and holding a chick.Later on they played divers together
and I found that all day I was smiling. Good Friday, indeed!

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.

Joe is taking a science course that has mandated field trips as homework. Luckily, they are local and free. This morning it was a trip to our local lagoon.They had binoculars to borrowwhich little ones love.A close up look at the animals and plants, plus plenty of mud.A morning under big, puffy clouds. Home in time for lunch and naps.

We love cards, especially when they include money for an ice cream treat.The timing couldn’t have been better when temperatures reached into the nineties
so after dinner at the Farmer’s Market, it was quick walk over to Rite Aidwith all those flavorswho can decide?I always suggest chocolateYum!

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.

Across the bridge, there is a smaller aquariumperfect to visit on a weekend when Long Beach is hosting the Grand Prix near our local aquarium.We are fans of the water and shells and rocks, but we don’t love the sand.
When it is a low tide the tide pools are the best:
making for lots of exploring,
climbing,and discovering.Henry found a “snow” rockand there was a seal being moved off the rocks, escorted back to the ocean. Close enough to hear the sounds she made and watch her make a safe return.
These three are such ocean babies, soaking up sunshine together.
They are all healthy and that is something we aren’t taking for granted these days.

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.

Slightly confusing that I had Cesar Chavez day off, but not Joe and Paul. This meant I had a morning with two little ones. We walked over to the park and Henry entertained us with tricks on his scooter.
He loves the attention. All eyes on him.
Then in the afternoon (Joe currently has a ton of homework-on top of student teaching) we evacuated the premises to leave him in peace and headed over to a fiesta.These are friends from school.Luckily there are younger siblings so we can all have fun.Lots to explore  with the toys of friends. She was mesmerized with the princess dolls and doll house.
So much play that we came home and crashed hard.