a quick clean of the boy’s art area with two bags of trash

four bags of books and magazines for donating

and a new collage for Paul’s room of his recent creations.

Everyone kept busy while I cooked

reading in the sunlight

climbing stairs

checking laundry
and then washing up.

means hang out with friends from San Francisco

make a batch of chai

watch the breakfast puppet show starring Henry and his ladybug who loves baby milk

clean this closet that needed some serious organizing

a turquoise metal cart helped inspire me

and a wonton party.

He seriously made cream cheese, tofu, veggie, goat cheese and strawberry, and pizza wontons for dinner while little ones jumped into jammies early.

We love Spring Break!

In the midst of all this celebrating I will pause to say that my family in Kentucky is mourning the loss of my cousin. She is the same age as me, with two children, and her death was sudden. My prayers are with them this morning as they bury her.

Paul loves some of the same songs I love about God and his promises. He is our comfort in these moments.

all the eggs have been found

at Grandpa Royce and Grandma Cheryl’s

even the ones that seemed impossible

at church

with friends

and the final count

is way too many.

But we had lots of fun and that’s what counts.

outdoors

rather than in our living room

wearing pajamas

and bunny ears.

It felt early at 8 am.

Enough space so that

they could run

and cheer

and play.

I was thrilled the finger puppets were a hit.

We went home for breakfast.

Painting on salt dough

and sharpie drawing on hard boiled eggs

on Easter Eve.

Paul decorated four separate eggs as Ninja Turtles.

We couldn’t resist the chance to be silly

and put her in a basket

with all those plastic eggs

and snap a few photos of our munchkin

until she was all done

and then played with the eggs in the bath.

with Ji’chan

at Ruby’s

where there was this amazingly talented balloon man

who gave Paul an octopus

Henry a dinosaur

and baby girl a mermaid

complete with a bikini and belly button.

Ji’chan spoils these little ones

especially baby girlwho was given an Easter dress

that fit just right.

Spring break is in full swing

and we are grateful that all five of us are off at the same time

it is our preview for summer.

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.