summertime!

 











 
There's lots going on around here, as usual. Dalia just finished zoo camp at the Portland zoo.She had an awesome time. And it was so great to just be able to drive 3 minutes each way to drop her off and pick her up. It's such a treat to be so close to so much fun. I got to take a couple of walks with Eloise and soak up the neighborhood (still adjusting, you know). 

after a few days with Mark gone

We've been enjoying summer fun. Mark was away for almost two weeks (phew). We enjoyed playing in our yard the most and getting lots of company from friends who empathized with my aloneness taking care of the girls. I'm much busier, actually, when Mark is away. But I did try to just do a bunch of hanging around with Dalia and Eloise. Since it's the last summer before Dalia starts Kindergarten, I'm trying my hardest not to schedule too much and enjoy the long and lazy days with not so much to do. That said, she's scheduled to begin a ballet class next week and we are looking forward to a vacation with some friends, and planning a short trip to the Redwoods. 

After Mark came home, we had a couple of days off with him to enjoy summer before the rain returned. Don't worry folks, it will indeed come back on July 5th.

I'm free, I'm free!

We're dealing with some minor health stuff with Eloise. She has to see a specialist in August about some low antibodies we found out she has after trying to get to the bottom of why she has such enlarged tonsils. I'm thinking it's a food sensitivity, but we'll see. In the meantime, it's got me practicing staying conscious and present, loving and patient. Funny how those little hiccups have to occur sometimes to keep me grounded and grateful. 

our deck is also good for hanging out in little bowls of freezing cold water, too

Jamison Square, Summer Solstice

Mark finally got the barbeque set up and we are loving grilling in our new space. Our deck is totally convenient to the kitchen now and boy, the view is amazing. Sure beats grilling in a driveway. 





We are still adjusting to our new environment. So excited to have gotten out in the garden to plant some tomatoes and strawberries. Dalia helped a ton while Eloise enjoyed her independence messing around in the garage and playing in the dirt. We hung a swing for her (finally) and she hung in that with her helmet on for a while. No photo so you'll just have to imagine the cuteness.

Eloise is starting to talk so much. She's as verbal as her sister was (oh lordy). Her new favorites are Yay!, Happy, Oh, Me, and just yesterday she said, "I love you". The other day I was sitting down playing "annya" which means play doh and she said, "Mama, happy. Ella, happy." I'm starting to wonder if someone is paying her. She's really great at asking, "what is this" and also puts her hands up to ask where someone is. I'll have to try for some video. It's truly difficult for me to tear away to video things now. I have a lot of dance performances piling up, but to capture those cherished moments, I'm relying on my heart for that these days. And trying to write it down. Media is getting the best of me and I'm feeling like a break is indeed necessary. 

(just some other fun summer pictures):

pool! wish it was warmer

eloise's "tar tar"

father's day with Pops

our old stompin' grounds, Sellwood park

As for me, I'm starting to teach more again. Excited for what's to come in my work life. Looking forward to making some commitments outside of my family life. 

So that's the update for now. If you don't hear from me until the end of July, I assure you it's because we're having a blast. And hopefully sleeping a little bit. Boy am I tired. 

these girls

post gelato chococrazy fun

Mark is away for a couple of weeks and while this is HARD work alone, each night they fall asleep I can hardly believe my beautiful daughters. They are starting to get to the age where I can't quite believe they came from me. They are so interesting and beautiful and funny and real. I'm thankful I get the opportunity to remember their beauty (inside and out) after a long, somewhat stressful, nonstop kind of day. Just watching them sleep is like tonic.

seriously!? even with chocolate on her face. my love.

our impromptu marching band down the street. I played the ukulele.

driving me crazy on the playroom table for the 600th time in three minutes

a trip to the forest

Well, a trip to Forest Park anyway. It's a big reason we moved over here, so we could take advantage of being close to Forest Park. We went to the Redwood grove in the Hoyt Arboretum. The girls LOVED it. I had no idea Eloise would be such a hiker. I barely had to carry her. And while Dalia was terrified it would be "dangerous" at first, it took her about two minutes to realize that "Silvermist" had been there (Tinker Bell reference). Mark and I got a good dose of much needed oxygen and a trip to the Redwoods where ever they are is medicine for us. Of course, I had my camera.

what I dreamed of

when I had kiddos. such sweetness.

rhododendron gardens

Had a fun day at the Rhododendron Gardens with our friends Matt and Owen today. It was ridiculously perfect weather and the rhodies are in full bloom. If you live in Portland, GO! It's free Tuesday and Wednesday. Owen and Dalia are in love, by the way. They embraced as soon as they got out of the cars and held hands for about a half hour. Serious cuteness.

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother Nature wanted to celebrate the weekend, too! We were so fortunate to have had such beautiful weather to enjoy outdoors and get away for a couple of days. First, to kick off the weekend I had some special time with my mom enjoying a quiet brunch and time at home on our deck without kiddos.  





I got breakfast in bed with a handmade card. So sweet!  

Then we hit the road and went to the coast for some fun in the sand and at the aquarium. It was a great trip.

 

 I'm so incredibly blessed and try so hard to be consciously grateful daily for all I have, for my health, my beautiful and healthy children and family. Even though some days are more difficult to find the flow and find the gratitude, these days it seems there's always something to remind me to slow down and enjoy it all. With Dalia starting kindergarten next year, I guess I'm starting to see now how time speeds up. I almost never get those long, lolling days I used to share with Dalia with my dear Eloise. She doesn't seem to mind, and I don't either. But I cherish those quiet moments when I can just sit down and play with her. More so, I am just loving having adventures with the two of them as they both seem equally as excited to explore, go to the park, to the zoo, to the store. It's all painfully ordinary, really, and I couldn't be happier with that.