We had a lovely Saturday here. I woke up and read to David, then, while I exercised he and daddy went to swimming class and when he got back, it was family photo time. At first, there was a little moment.

but soon it passed and the boys were looking at Daddy’s toolset.

I love how I can tell he’s squishing the boys in this photo. Just like I do all the time.

And then I got in the photo, too.

Nathaniel took the photos, of course. But you can see David eyeing the remote.

and here he is reaching for it.

but we move to tickle time instead. Trying to avoid more drama.

And there’s much laughter, of course.

Then the little boy went to bed and David played wii. After about an hour, we gave up on the little boy and went out to the Cal train to take a little ride since Nathaniel loves trains so much. David was quite happy too.

Nathaniel was scared at first.

But he loved it once we were on. We went down a few stops, got off, had some lunch, and then got back on to come home. When we got off, the boys waved goodbye to the train.

some fruit-shopping and a little more art and our day was over.

At one point, David got really sad and went over to the stairs to cry. I went to sit with him and when Nathaniel saw him, he climbed into his lap to give him a hug. And then he went away and came back with a big truck to encourage him to play and be happy. It touched all of us so much and I think David realized how very much Nathaniel loves him. It was a wonderful moment.

Now they’re sleeping and I am about to write my art journal and then hopefully put together the September newsletter, I’ve been dragging my foot for some reason. I feel tired but happy. Here’s to another full day tomorrow.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for our train ride, it was really fun.
2. I am grateful I finally bound my art pages. I’ll make sure to post it when I post the full book pages.
3. I am grateful for fresh fruit and salads in the fridge.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we went on the Cal Train * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I made my lego men play guitar hero.
3. I am grateful that I played wii.

Happy Thursday!! Since I have tomorrow off I feel like it’s a Friday here. I am happy and I am trying to get through all my todo lists that have been dragging all week so that I can start the weekend fresh. So if you have an unanswered email or comment from me, I will do my very best to get it done tonight. I am also hoping to do the September newsletter. If you don’t get my newsletters, you can subscribe on the right side. They come with free digi downloads. I don’t post them anywhere else just as a service to people who do subscribe.

Ok enough of that. I snapped a few shots of the little boy today.

this is the more common one with his thumb in his mouth.

walking to hug David when he comes downstairs (he was upstairs playing with his legos).

they play together, and there’s much drama when David takes a piece he wants or doesn’t let him take one of his.

David tries to be stoic.

but there’s much crying from the other boy.

so he tries to be nicer and Nathaniel is still unsure.

but his curiosity is piqued.

and then he goes back to playing.

and David’s smiling at him.

until the drama begins all over again. it pretty much goes in that cycle all day long with the 2-year-old.

and here’s a sweet snap of David who spilled water on himself so had to go change his shirt.

and this is life. simple. ordinary. full of little boy drama. and little boy hugs. laughter. giggles. so many giggles. I love this life. I am holding on to it hard because soon it will be gone. and now i am off to work on some art journaling, emails, comments and newsletter. oh and some TV with my hubby. back tomorrow.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for kind comments and a few more kind emails. thank you for all of your kindness and genuineness.
2. I am grateful for two more classes I signed up for. One is Nathalie’s on Pan Pastels and the other is Karen’s pathfinder. Let the learning begin!
3. I am grateful for a 3-day weekend.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played with my brother * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I had a bit of chocolate.
3. I am grateful that I played with my legos.

I’ve been cranky lately. I’d say I don’t know why but I think it’s cause I am not sleeping well and I am tired. And this boy hasn’t been napping:

Here’s David doing his math.

Nathaniel looking for birds in the backyard.

and then saying “where are they?”

David still doing math.

and a small break to give me a smile. a stunning smile.

I am going to go out and eat dinner with my family right now cause I need to get out. Back later and hopefully I will do some art.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a quieter day at work and some good progress.
2. I am grateful for the kind words at BPC about my video today.
3. I am grateful that we will take a break to go have dinner together.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we are going to dinner * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I watched some movies.
3. I am grateful for my brother.

Today I was too lazy to take more photos but we, of course, have the family ones. I snapped a good one of the boys today.

David is super-seriously focusing on taking the photo.

we spent most of today’s session laughing.

Even before the tickling.

Though the tickling was super-fun too.

and made for some awesome expressions, of course.

I was a quiet day here: my favorite kind. I did some art, some scrapbooking, watched some TV and just relaxed. Now it’s game night time and then we go out for date night. A wonderful way to end a great weekend. I hope yours has been so, too.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for more art time. I need to take some time and think about all this art i am doing but I am having too much fun doing the art.
2. I am grateful for fun TV to watch while I work.
3. I am grateful for family night and date night. Yey!

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we will play Blokus * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played soccer with Daddy.
3. I am grateful that we will also play connect four.

Here we are at the end of another work week. I am tired and could use a nap. As I was taking photos of my layouts today, the little boy came to the stairs to show me his toy.

He was quite excited about it.

and then I snapped one of David (I stood above him as he lay on the floor for this one.)

The little boy looks so much older with the haircut doesn’t he?

David told me his coldsore was hurting too much to smile.

But the little boy broke out the big guns.

And David couldn’t help but play along of course.

And then he calmed down again to write the gratitude words and we were at the end of another day.

I don’t really have big plans this weekend. We are going to have date night and go to visit some friends. Other than that, I plan to do art and read and play with my kids. The very best kind of weekend to have.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for the weekend.
2. I am grateful that I have almost no todo items this weekend.
3. I am grateful that life is starting to feel calm again.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I watched a movie with Ece. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with Daddy and Nathaniel.
3. I am grateful that I watched some Bob the Builder with Nathaniel.

David had a friend over today so Nathaniel had to play by himself downstairs and he was not happy about it.

but he gave up and just played anyway.

When I asked him for a smile I got this.

and this.

and David gave me this one.

and this one.

My jaw is a bit better today, thank you for your kind words. I must admit some of the peace of the last few weeks is gone. I do want it back and plan to slowly claim it again. I’ve still been doing sketching, art journaling, and scrapbooking daily. I am not journaling a lot but I am doing a little in my weeklong journal. I need to do that more. I also hope to work on Soul Restoration a bit more. But I am doing a lot of art and I am happy about that. I am feeling quite tired lately partly cause I am still getting up at night to take David to the bathroom and partly cause I am not sleeping well. But that’s life. It shall pass. Always does.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my sixth day in a row of making layouts!
2. I am grateful for getting ahead of schedule.
3. I am grateful for art and books, they save me again and again.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Ece came to our house. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with my brother. (khan academy!)
3. I am grateful that I read to Mommy.