checking on the peaches

Maybe when we get back from San Diego they will be perfect and juicy. 

They have another week or so to go, so the timing might be perfect.

See you then!

summer evening...

sweet summer evenings.

watering the garden
watching the sky get all dramatic and wonderful.

Have a beautiful weekend friends.

a summer's afternoon...

Solstice Strawberries

The strawberries are in full force in the back yard right now.

The boys love to go out and check on the plants, pick the sweet red berries before the birds can and water them in the evening

I usually don't get a taste since the kids eat as they go, but I spotted this sweet little gem last night and had to take it's picture before I put it in the bowl to be washed and enjoyed.

The light was perfect and long last night as the first evening of summer set. I am looking forward to things this year.

Last summer was so sad and stressful. Even though I had half of the season off from work, it wasn't exactly a vacation- more like an emotional roller coaster.
Look back at it now it is hard to believe so much change occured.
It looks like it started off in a beautiful light (and look at how much has stayed the same, and how much has changed from then, just a year ago)

I have a feeling this year will be much more relaxing and enjoyable.
Here's to a beautiful-bountiful season!

We all have wings...

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE (four if you count the dog!)

When was the last time you jumped?!!!!

bubbles

Two weeks ago, it was bikes-bikes-bikes.

One week ago, it was all about the sidewalk chalk

This week, oh this week has been drenched in bubble juice.

Tiny and big, iridescent orbs of happy.

 

wheel barrel

I watched as he finagled the weight of the thing and

saw the smile grow huge on his face as he rolled it around the yard by himself.

82:366, Backyard Picnic

It was snowing in the morning when we woke up, but by lunch time it was sunny enough to pull the blanket out and eat our lunch.

 

 We needed our jackets, but we also needed sunglasses.

 

after lunch there was a little gardening to be done and I made a phone call that I had been meaning to make for a few weeks. It felt good to talk to my sister as I watched the kids play.

323:365, breathing light

We were relieved to hear that their house was safe. The fire only got the back fence and part of their lawn, other families weren't so lucky. It was a scary night for them and worried filled day for all of us.

Hats Off

Fif isn't a big fan of hats.

You wouldn't know it from these photos though.

I am not sure if it is because I didn't keep one on her all the time when she was an itty bitty or what, but she doesn't like them one bit.

Such mean mom for trying to keep the sun out of her eyes and off her sweet skin...

212:365, promise

There is hope in these little flowers. Ripe, sweet fruit that is much more candy like than healthy treat. I am finding glimmers of promise in everyday pieces of my life right now. Maybe it's just the simple things like seeing the garden swell with food or bigger things like watching my girl learn to walk and my boy balance on his bike. There are also the phone calls and emails I have been getting. Some from friends and family showing support and love and other calls and emails with hints of good news and new beginnings. I am keeping my fingers crossed and my hopes high for the road ahead.

 

Dinner Time!

It' gets a little wild around here lately when the dinner bell rings.

omonomnom, i heart rice and chicken....

i want more, i want more, i want more

is this a bowl or a hat?
it's both!

 

Good thing it's summer and we can make our mess outside and not worry too much about what doesn't make it into our mouth.

Upright

Ready,

Steady,

GOAL!!

artist in residence

It's like art camp over at my mom's house.

I love it.

 

Coloring in Jojo's 'Plan B" studio, aka the camp trailer.

Finger painting and mixing colors in Jojo's back yard.

afternoon acrobatics

Oh this kid,
he is either upside down,
or attempting to get himself upside down as of late.
It started out with him doing somersaults around the yard

and has morphed into O attempting to do headstand,
everywhere.

In the back yard,
in the play room and
yes, last night, I caught him in the bathtub-
Flinging his feet upward, donkey style,
and coming down with a large splash.

I watch him partly in awe and partly in horror.

I mean, it hasn't been that  long since he was able to find balance on his feet,

and now he is trying to find it on the top of his head?

sigh.

I am so worried he is going to hurt his neck as he flips over backwards.
The yoga instructor in me wants to go over all the correct positioning
and set up for such a pose.
I am not sure that my boy, who is two and three quarters
has the patience for that.

I'm not the only one worried.

Even his sister has a look of concern on her face.

What to do, what to do.
Maybe gymnastic classes are in my future???