An organic local farm that we visited yesterday, the kids are standing at the fence talking to the chickens.The farm stand is open on Fridays & Saturdays. Stop by and support local farmers.

We are grateful for the routine of these lessons

he is learning the keysand is generally having fun.

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.

We went swimmingand enjoyed guacamole and salad,
while Olivine is experiencing some congestion.
She was better at sitting poolside and watchingsoaking in the sunshine.I noticed this baby detail from Joe changing her into her bathing suit:Once we came home I dressed her up and snapped theseof her exploring out frontuntil eventually she had enough.

Now everyone is napping in anticipation of the fireworks.

With all the free time that comes with summer, I am finding ways to mentally escape and relax. Starting with a childhood past time of reading before bed. I have allowed myself time to get lost in books, so that in the last three weeks I have read these titles (all of which I recommend):My second form of escape is cutting, gluing, and crafting at a scrapbook date. I missed last week but was in full presence today.

I find myself getting lost in the memories as I work on Olivine’s baby book. I worked for 6 hours with a small break for lunch, in the company of four other friends working on their projects.My last ingredient for a healthy mind has been running. I am waking at 5:30 am (Crazy!) and running 2 to 3 miles. I hope to build the stamina to run 5 miles by the end of the summer.

of course this didn’t slow us down from heading to the baybut we did go a day early this week (we usually go on Wed.)and took our boogie boards (thank you Julie) to play with.Paul is looking forward to when he can take his board to the buoy.Olivine is getting better at keeping her hat on.I am practicing staying present so I did not bring a book and kept my eyes wide open with little ones.Henry may need some European style, fitted swim trunksand we are all grateful to live so close to the ocean,despite the sand that manages to get everywhere.

Lately I have been falling asleep exhausted just like the kids.Saturday was the rummage sale and pirate take over on the pier
of course the boys dressed up and never really were able to determine if they had seen ‘real pirates’ or not.There have been random photo snapping
trying to capture their summer time faces.Sunday was a long walk

over in Bolsa Chica
with a little bird watching.
Paul got too hot, he did a lot of running ahead.By the evening we made our way over to the Bay to watch friends get baptized.
I forgot bathing suits so the boys jumped in with underwear after the ceremonies.Monday was baking cake balls
this time we borrowed a babycakes machine (thanks Tina)and dropping by the Goodwill for the perfect find: $5 badmitton set, which we used washi tape to rewrap the handle.I even snuck out for an early birthday dinner with some lady friends. I have had a crush on these blue jars forever but hadn’t bought them, but a friend with the identical taste gave them to me as a gift. Perfect.
During this time, we noticed a new month on our calendar and are wishing you a happy start of your July.

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. mochi ice cream, mango flavor

are these days with friendsat the parkenjoying the warm weather.

We are hyper aware of the no homework, no planning, no grading, no rushing rhythm of the school year ending and we have been given the unbelievable gift of time with each other

and with ourselves.There are many meals enjoyed outdoorsand naps being skipped over

so that little ones tire themselves out to the point of passing out

or share books before bed

under open windows.I will take one moment to brag about how efficient Joe and I have become with packing to go or come home from the Bay.While I bathe little ones (all one shower) and then prepare dinner, he hoses down and dries of the gear and vacuums the car. Go Team Sullivan!

We are taking full advantage of the farmer’s market seasonal producewith Paul insisting on corn because he loves the little sticks used for holding itand so we are feasting together.After dinner, this little girl turns into a strawberry monsterand makes crazy faces as soon as she sees a camera.These moments have to be recorded because they will get me through the school yearwhen these carefree days feel far away and I look back to know we spent our time well.

in Pasadenais a perfect museum for all three of my kids.They love the turtlesand the bike ridingwith a track to followand sidelines where we sit and wave

and the gardens

where there are watering cans.The highlight might be the creek where the boys could play in the waterand someone watches patiently (she stands like my ji’chan)

knowing that she will have a turn in her bathing suit catching water spouting from the ground.She will also let us know with a little sign language that she is “all done”and because we brought our own lunch when we are back in the carsome of us fall asleep before we reach the freeway.