Taking Henry to the doctor this week, he was greeted with smiles and phrases like “You’re back so soon” or “Again it’s Henry.” This is how often my son is visiting the hospital these days.He has a part of his cheek that seems irritated for over a week and I sincerely thought it was ringworm

but yay, only dermatitis and easily treated with aveeno and vaseline.

My daughter is insanely funny and smart so that today when we were at the playground she heard Henry say “I have to go pee.”What does she do? She walks straight over to a tree and lifts up her shirt.Do you see the leaning? She has studied up on this.This girl has no idea she is any different than her brothers, in age or gender.Believe me, I needed to laugh out loud today. Thank you Olivine, you crack me up!

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. 

Olivine and her cousin Fiona coincidentally own the same swimsuitgood taste must run in the familybecause they both enjoyed an impromptu watermelon partyIt was if when they looked at each other: Olivine wondered how she could learn such a magical tongue talent while Fiona took notes on walking for her awaiting debut (maybe she is holding out for her birthday next month when she turns one?)

and a little pool time with papas

while Paul lounged on a chair asking for watermelon to be delivered to his chair (He understands summer vacation)

and our Henry was down the hill, at the plum tree, in the baby pool, on a toy, blowing bubbles, and too busy to stop for a photo.

These summer days pass quickly with so much fun and family time.

The first of many Wednesdays spent at the bay (three years in a row).Each year our children are at a different stage and this year it’s all three walking and heading in different directions.We are getting better at packing for our adventure. I have to carefully invest in key items. My newest being the plastic mat that is baby and food friendly so towels can be used for drying off. I don’t love sand everywhere.Next on my list: boogie boards. Our Henry will spend hours in the water entertaining himself or coaxing his sister into taking a ride.My favorite part is bedtime. We spent five hours outdoors today, came home to bathe and eat, by 6:30 pm my house is silent. This is beautiful.

So glad we went and meet friends for dinner last night. We stocked up on a sweet bounty of ripe, delicious fruit.This morning Olivine was signing for more as soon as she saw the bowls on the counter. How much fruit can one baby handle??No worries all seeds are removed thanks to a gift my Ji’chan gave us awhile back. He’s really never far from our lives.

As the baby  in our family, Olivine is spoiled just a little each day by yanking on Joe’s hat and then happily walking around with her prizeor climbing up next to daddy and insisting she listen to music tooat this age we aren’t saying “no” much and that might be because she is so adorable we get distracted.

this was Joe’s request for Father’s Day when the boys and I brainstormed some possible adventures after he was woken up with cards
and presents
Paul even wrote clues so he could guess what it was
and breakfast. We loaded up for a mini road trip to Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capsitrano
to set up a tentplay in the tentnap in the tent climbconstructread
relax
rest
thankful for shade
sleeping bag turned punching bagcolorful chalk postfor Olivine to explorerock climbingcuddlecampfire with tofu dogs and s’mores
a game they invented called “donut shop” where baby makes donuts they sell
wild animals
a morning hike
on the look out for mountain lions (relieved we didn’t see any)with a morning nap for baby

and an expression of pure contentment on Joe’s face.

I wish his dad and our Ji’chan were around to see this man with his three kids. He’s amazing! Happy Father’s Day!
We’re home nowand ready for more summer vacation.

to LAX to drop off Lucyto treat papa for dinnerto dedicate a whole weekend to Father’s Dayto enjoy the viewto embrace life with three kidsto take advantage of the sunlight lasting longer as we stroll after dinner
to not freak out about how short my hair is from my recent hair cut (I can’t pull it back)
to lay down and read under an open window with the ocean breeze.

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.