in the park

spread out on a blanket

with the wind and leaves all around

mixed in with kite flying

napping

eating

all due to the carpets not being dry enough to nap indoors.

We should do both more often.

being too cool.

reading my latest Oprah magazine (yes, it is a subscription).

playing with scissors- which are not a toy.

pirate baby.

They played momma bear, papa bear, and baby bear.

She was also Red Riding Hood.

He was the diver in the tank feeding fish. 

Their imaginations inspire me.

Olivine missed most of our visit to the aquarium.

But we did squeeze in a little funny face time

spread out on the shady grass.

Mornings like this force me to say “It won’t always be like this.”

Where it feels like everyone is crying at once

I know I don’t have enough arms to comfort everyone at once.

There is pouting 

and ignoring

Until one falls asleep

and the others go back to playing together.

Thankfully although the storms feel intense they pass quickly.

These flowers were a gift from one of this year’s favorite families. They are gorgeous!

Plenty of tears as I watch another group of fifth graders say good-bye in their fancy clothes, when it felt like yesterday they were in second grade.

Plus an ending to another school year (this one might have been one of the toughest years of teaching so far).

Summer vacation has officially begun in our household.

We celebrated with strawberry popsicles

Then a little jamming with a local street musician. 

Who doesn’t love a one man band?

Meanwhile Olivine laughs and talks,

takes a nap from tiring herself out,

and then wakes up to eat a little and laugh.

This baby has a good life,

which I can’t wait to capture up close for the next ten weeks

while I am free from work and school.

After dinner, the beach breeze beckoned us outdoors for a stroll.

When the baby faces outwards I notice how much she turns towards sounds and shadows.

Also, she looks like a ninja.

“What about a tree?” “Or this pole?”

They soon started noticing the magnets like metal and would cheer at its ability to stick to objects.

But then we turned a corner and you would have thought the heavens opened up.

It was only an old balloon sticking halfway out of the trash can forcing us to dumpster dive like our Food Not Bombs days. 

The boys took turns holding it, punching it, and singing about how we are the “Number one party!” (the balloon featured a “look who’s one” message).

Their love and joy felt a bit reminiscent of the French, fifties film “The Red Balloon.”

to the predictable parts of Ji’chan’s personality.

He’s always organizing, simplifying, and keeping busy.

He tickles the babies just like I remember being tickled.

He always has snacks available

He has a few decorations I love. 

Reminders of my Ba’chan and their perfect marriage.

Everyone relaxes at his house, maybe that has to do with the whole Seal Beach vibe.

He stocks his refrigerators with drinks of all flavors for the boys.

He likes to have cocktails on his porch.

And of course has more than one television- meaning baby Paul is unavailable for photos.

funny, cracking up, almost crying hair.

twin, ponytail hair.

braid with polka dots and my favorite kitty.

baby fine, turning reddish in the sunlight hair.

in a half dozen cupcakes that were delivered by a parent

(Sanai told her mom my favoirte colors were black and red, and that I love cupcakes).

in watching my blind student Gilberto walk in ocean water for the first time

(the practice before going off to camp- thank you to friends who donated- you are AMAZING).

in Paul practicing (with eyes closed at times) using Gilberto’s cane and trying to best understand living without seeing.

in the small, sandy toes of my Henry who is growing bigger each day.

in the week ending.

Whew- it felt long!

This is a book we love around here.

These photos remind me of the story:

We’ re going on a bear hunt.

We’ re going to catch a big one.

What a beautiful day! 

We’re not scared.

Oh-Oh! Grass!

Long, wavy grass.

We can’t go over it.

We can’t go under it.

Oh no!

We’ve got to go through it!

Swishy Swashy!