Thursday, June 27, 2013

Summer Begins

I am alive.  My muscles are gently reminding me I changed up my workout routine.

School has been out for two weeks today, and my daily routine has vanished, replaced by the chaos of summer.

That last day of school also marked our wedding anniversary--where we paused for a moment and enjoyed a late lunch with the kids.  Kiahra proclaimed I had been married half my life, and she was right.  I was more worried about the sewing details for the tutus and other costumes for the evening ballet rehearsal.



Father's Day was filled with a ballet performance.

A gift?   Not even on the radar...until Kade insisted that dad needed a fire pit.  A couple stores later we found a cool one, and then as I was driving home, I realized that it came in a box (not my dear husband's favorite...), so I decided Kade and I would tackle the assembly.  I would like to note here that even my son doubted me, but soon we had it set up in the backyard, and we were building our first fire.  The evening was capped with laughter and roasting marshmallows in the glow of firelight.  It was the perfect impromptu gift.

The following week found us snuggled around the fire again with an auntie from Alaska.

Today Kade is enjoying day 4 of the Sharks hockey camp.  Luckily our loooonnnng trip through Silicon Valley during rush hour keeps him entertained as he searches for "cool" cars.  His current favorite is the Tesla, but the Lamborghini or Bentley always catch his eye too!

Meanwhile, another child is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains working as a camp counselor this week.

Despite the chaos, I have noticed she is gone, and I miss her...yes I am counting the days until she returns.

It is what mothers do.






Saturday, June 15, 2013

Jelly Beans

The bundles of love are wrapped up cutely for auntie! 


That cuteness buys ice-cream for lunch--in my defense, she ate "real" lunch afterwards.

Little k ate her first potato oles with me.

She loves playing in the sandbox creating "sandy"animals...

and sharing jelly beans...as long as you eat quickly!  



This baby sweetness absolutely charmed me.  Jaxon "talks" all the time...unless he is hungry...and well there is no second guessing his displeasure then.

He loves to snuggle, and guess who loves to snuggle too?  Tough job, I know.



Then a couple days later more jelly beans arrived!  Though only the fireworks slowed them down for a few minutes so I could capture the evidence.


Auntie loves her little jelly beans--each one exploding with unique personality!

Grateful for the precious moments I shared with my sisters, but my heart wishes they weren't so few and far between! 



Friday, June 7, 2013

Arrivals

4:24 AM I woke up--six minutes before my alarm was set to start incessantly beeping.

Shortly after 5 AM I was en route to the airport.  It was a typical foggy San Francisco early morning with minimal eye contact as everyone sought out their destination.

Once in the air, I dozed.  Yesterday my sister-in-law and brother-in-law surprised us with a visit, so we were up late enjoying our brief time together.  I needed a nap, so I can keep up with my littlest niece!

I stepped off the plane in Dallas/Fort Worth to sunshine and warmth...and a slower pace...and friendly eyes and smiles.

Then one of my favorite places--Qdoba greeted me for lunch!  It really is the little things that delight me!  Oh, and I found candy for the little jelly bean!

An unexpected gate change kept me on my toes, but I am now waiting patiently because soon I will meet my new little nephew who arrived a mere 6 weeks ago.

Did I mention that I am visiting my sister too??

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Moonlight


High school is out for the summer.  

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities.

Nikela directed her play for musical theater, The Baker's Wife.  Not only did she select and manage the cast, but she had to modify the script to fit into an hour.  She accomplished it all...smoothly :)  

Her set was darling.  It captured the essence of a French cafe.  Her creativity started in the driveway, so it was fun to see it on stage!

Even the moon glows over head...well, actually the clock.

That pesky clock that keeps quietly ticking on the stage of life.

Nikela is a senior.

Kiahra is a sophomore.

Time to hold my family close.

Time to gather around the campfire.

Cherish the time.