Olivine has a these wiggly little feet all through dinner. She goes from resting them together
and then pressing them against the tray as she leans back to stretch.
If she leans to one side she can
almost reach the little foot rest
and this momma notices these details (the third time around) because it is one more tug on my heart that this little baby is quickly becoming a kid right before my eyes.

means farmer’s market for dinner
means short sleeves
and sweaty foreheads
means agua fresca
means face painting while wearing flip flops

They woke me up with breakfast in bed

and homemade gifts.

They were in their bathing suits and a gift bucket filled with treats was hinting that we would be spending some time seaside.

At the table Olivine played peek a boo

with added enthusiasm just for momma.

My boys are fearless in the water

and someone was trying to copy them

in the water and on shore.

It felt like summer in the “endless time for relaxing” sort of way (which was exactly what Joe was aiming at).Although there was a small burst of fog, most of the day was gorgeous.

A really amazing, low-key, all about the family sort of day.

And we are hoping that a little salt water and sunshine is helping speed recovery from pink eye.

a van from friendsso we could take our car in for serviceand run our errandsdone

We stamped up envelopes
 and filled them with homemade goodiesto show some love to the folks who watch and teach our children.
I helped Henry with addressing his: he has two teachers named Eric. He loves them both.
Plus I love some of my coworkers, so spending time saying “thank you” has been a good focus for this week (I have still cried every single day, truthfully). Students brought in cards, flowers, candy, and teacher appreciation was in full force, headed in all directions this week.
Then there were conferences. I love that the focus is quotes by our kids and photographs to show their social, cognitive, and physical growth.There is the upcoming meeting for Paul starting kindergarten, so Joe took him to get a physical and a TB test as part of his registration packet.And last night, we were exhausted yet Joe went to urgent care with Mr. Henry as his eyes are messy, the opthamologist didn’t want to wait.Once again we are thankful for insurance and doctor recommendations because he has pink eye, along with baby. Medicated eye drops and warm wash cloths are the remedy at hand.

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.

The boys woke up early on the weekend and quietly snuck a game from the closet. They took turns and laughed about the characters, a reminder of what fun my sister and I had as children.Their friendship is a gift and I pray it grows stronger with time.

Tonight was the first time she picked up a toy guitar.

So it now seems official that we should have band with all this talent.

This is a jam session in jammies with singing and dancing.

I am in awe of how quickly they grow.

of lettuce from a friend’s garden:

Each Sunday we have been meeting up for conversation and prayer. Thanks to her garden I can skip buying it at the store when it is fresh from (almost) next door.

My relationship with my Ji’chan was often like a father and daughter. He offered advice, expressed concerns (like asking how long I could live in a two bedroom apartment as a family of five), gave practical gifts (bike cart for Joe, label machine for me, new winter coats for the boys), cooked enough food so that there we always left overs, and would openly cry when talking about my Ba’chan.

So when people in my family say things like “I miss your father” or “tell your dad I say hello” it reminds me that others saw me in the same way. This doesn’t happen a lot, but when it does, it warms my heart.

Today my Uncle Yo (Ba’chan’s older brother from Chicago) started talking to me about “my father.” He had hoped to see Jich on this visit and shared kind words.
Even at 90 years old, he knew I was not my mother. He knew I was Kamisha and referred to me as my Jich’s daughter.