that’s her latest nickname from a family of adoring boys

she is starting to look less like a baby

and is easy to please (as seen below)

she is their number one fan and squeals in delight at their songs

she is also making more silly faces

as if she understands how adorable she looks with these stickers on her cheeks.

to make this recipe of spinach and tofu in stuffed shells.

to hang up our indoor lights.

to set up our nativity scene.

to begin marking time with our advent calendar.

we headed outdoors with the rain beckoning us to bundle up for dinner.

The week and the month have ended making a double cause for celebration

and I will say this has been the most challenging week of my school year.

If it wasn’t for these little ones cheering me up when I get home, I would be lost.

I sincerely love my job and simultaneously hate having to be away from my family so much.

This gets more complicated when I start second guessing myself. 

So I decided I won’t.

I will keep trying, learn from my mistakes, listen to my heart, and trust God

just like I am trying to teach my children.

we love books around here

and now that Olivine is pointing there is one more person to add to the mix

her eyes light up at the pictures which melts my heart

happy birthday henry

there were bonus gifts from friends

excited to take his bike out we headed to El Dorado

the breeze felt cool on our cheeks

they rode side by side on their “motorcycles”

the park had such an autumn feel

we stopped for a break

which involved rock and stick throwing

until someone woke up

besides being a little disorientated, we were as happy as clams

we went out for yogurt afterwards

there is a fascination with piling the gummy bears high and then dancing around

the day ended on a high note

with a dinner to the scary monster restaurant (aka Angelo and Vinci’s Italian restaurant with the crazy decor)

for our Henry 

at Ji’chan’s House

with presents for Paul as well

more celebrating

with cake and ice cream rolled into one

after all the fun

we somehow discovered and decided to take out the wasp nests 

never a dull moment around here.

to talk for hours

hang out in the outdoor living room 

making s’mores

trading stories

falling asleep 

for all that we have

the time together

the smiles

the baby cheeks

the closeness in age

the boy who almost has a birthday

the trust to play safe

the wide open space

the Trader Joe’s tofurkey

the happy baby who joins us as the table

the “Doyle gene” that zones out in front of televisions

the hardwork of loved ones

the colorful salad

the pie pops

the season

to help repair the bike cart

or to share a story with

hanging out in diapers together

or could be the brothers who are entertaining themselves

as she curiously observes from the doorway

Paul’s writing

Paul’s counting

pumpkin seeds that are sprouting

the sunshine

water from my upstairs neighbors taking care of their window boxes

a bowl of applesauce cooling, this time it turned out chunkier