I hope you’re not already sick of dahlia pictures because there are many many many more.

Today began with exercise and family photos. Me taking one of the boys.

Nathaniel thrilled to have the remote.

“Traumatized” when it’s taken away.

Completely distracted looking out the window and playing with the curtains.

Thoroughly bored and getting fidgety.

suddenly realizing David has the remote.

about to break down again which is what finally prompted us to get right into tickle time.

And finally laughter.

Which ended in tears cause We tickled David too much. But alas, another family shoot. And then it was quiet time, art time, still-won’t-take-a-nap time. So we finally gave up and went to the San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum where the kids had an absolute blast. As the day came to a close, I started feeling overwhelmed and tired so the ride home and dinner was not so great.

But now they are sleeping peacefully and I am trying to quiet my mind and soul and find peace, too. It was quite a wonderful sight seeing them explore, laugh, and just be so happy. I am so thankful.

It was a productive and wonderful weekend. We get one more before school starts and fall is officially here.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for the museum. It’s such an excellent place for kids.
2. I am grateful I made a minibook which has been on my todo list and wrote my newsletter, too.
3. I am grateful some peaceful time before tomorrow’s stressful day begins.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we went to the museum * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played legos with daddy.
3. I am grateful that I played wii. (he got to play a little bit today.)

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 was mostly about work work work. The kids played on their own while I just did a lot of work.

Nathaniel decided to skip his nap so he was unpredictably happy and cranky all day. He’s eating nuts here while tears are still in his eyes.

David decided to take a nap and Nathaniel lay right next to him.

it was seconds before they started laughing like mad.

Nathaniel laughed long after David was done.

and kept going.

I am feeling tired and a bit overwhelmed today. Mostly cause I have so much work. It’ll all work out, of course. I am sorry I’m behind on comment responses, I’ll get on it asap.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a sweet interview at artsee blogs.
2. I am grateful for some art time tonight. I need it.
3. I am grateful that my kids are kind enough to play on their own when I need to really focus at work.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I watched an episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates* {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with my legos.
3. I am grateful that I laughed with Nathaniel.