Today was scheduled to be another family day but we decided to take it easy in the morning and spend the afternoon with activities. I got my last package for CHA and sat to do my layouts immediately while the kids played and Jake took Nathaniel to music class. Once I was done and Nathaniel was up, we went out to a very late lunch/early dinner.

I took the opportunity to snap some photos.

After we were done, David wanted to checkout the ceramics place right next door and we decided to sit and paint one. He picked a race car and we all painted.

He picked his own colors.

Even though he wasn’t allowed to touch anything, Nathaniel was very patient.

But eventually he got really bored so we let him play with the toy in the store and he was happy.

Daddy and David worked patiently and covered 3 layers as they were told.

When we were done, we went to a local playground and the boys played while I shot photos.

They were quite happy.

Nathaniel loves going down the slide with Daddy.

And then we were all wiped so we came home. Jake played will with David for a short while and now the kids are sleeping and I still have to do my sketching since I skipped it this morning. Tomorrow is back to work for a few days and then another family day this week. I love these days. They’re like mini-vacations but we get to come home and sleep in our own bed.

I hope your day was wonderful, too.

Oh, and in case you didn’t see it, I have a long article on how I do my weeklong art journaling on write.click.scrapbook today.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful I am done with all my CHA work and checked off another big item on my todo list.
2. I am grateful for a wonderful lunch and fun time with my whole family, love them so so so much.
3. I am grateful that I have even more downtime coming up. It’s been great to take some time off, apparently I needed it more than I thought I did. I am even looking forward to working tomorrow.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we painted a ceramic racecar. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played wii with daddy.
3. I am grateful that we went out to lunch.

We decided to have a few family days this week and today was the first one. We got up and after breakfast/exercise we got right on the road to Muir Woods. This time we brought a backpack to carry Nathaniel.

He loved it.

We walked along the winding paths and enjoyed the fresh air. I love love love Muir Woods. Though I can never seem to get high quality photos there..

And others do even worse with my camera.

but that doesn’t stop me from trying.

I just want something to remember the magical day by.

especially moments like this when all three of my boys are inspecting a beetle.

after a long hike, we sat to rest and eat a wonderful lunch. Then we drove down to Stintson Beach but by then Nathaniel had fallen asleep so David went out with Jake for a bit and then I went out with him so Nathaniel could sleep.

He played a little bit with the sand but we were both pretty wiped.

When we came home, we snapped out family shots (yes, mom, i know I need to get my hair dyed.)

and some tickle time of course.

Now they are in bed and Jake and I are exhausted. I was expecting a very time-sensitive CHA package today but alas UPS messed up (again!) so now I have to wait until Monday for it. I will rest and relax in the meantime since I can’t do anything else about it. (This calm is only here after a LOT of ranting.)

I hope your day was as wonderful as ours.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful we went to Muir Woods and the beach.
2. I am grateful I have a few more family days coming up.
3. I am grateful that I have a few more days of vacation so I can rest. It’s doing me a lot of good.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we went to Muir woods and the beach. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i played with the dump truck and with Nathaniel.
3. I am grateful that I get to play with my legos.

I decided to take today and tomorrow off work just to relax a bit and spend time with the kids. This morning as I relaxed, I saw David feeding Nathaniel. It made me so deeply happy.

We did all of our morning stuff like sketching, reading, etc but everything at a slower and calmer pace. It was lovely. I had promised David that we would play with stamps today so when Nathaniel’s nap was finished and we took our walk, I got out a bunch of stamps and coloring pencils and the kids just went for it.

I got some self-inking ones for the little boy.

and they were both very happy.

especially Nathaniel.

he kept watching me and David stamp and asking us to do things.

and then colored.

so did David. He tried to match the stamp’s colors perfectly.

He liked the self-inker too.

I just watched them.

And snapped photos in an attempt to get some good ones.

and just enjoyed seeing them happy.

and focused.

we played for quite some time and then david played on the phone for a few minutes and Nathaniel was right by his side of course!

in just a little bit he leaves for swim class and then we’re going to go to Target to get his uniform. I am trying to be organized and prepared for the new school. Let’s see….

My plans for tonight involve journaling, reading, and working on Soul Restoration. I really really want to make sure I slow down and take it all one step at a time.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful I was on paperclipping roundtable earlier this week. It was such a joy but I was so super-duper nervous.
2. I am grateful i took some time off and feel like I am already relaxing.
3. I am grateful that I spent some time playing with the kids today, it was so so wonderful and we will be doing more of it.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we played with stamps {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i have swimming class.
3. I am grateful that we’re going to go to Target.

I am grouchy. I’d like to say why but I have no idea. All I know is I am grouchy grouchy grouchy. Alas, it shall pass.

The little boys are a lot of fun, though. They have been playing together and with cars a lot. Here’s the little one walking on his tippie toes.

And David watching him.

playing with his cars.

making noises and funny faces.

the big boy bummed that Nathaniel has some of the cars he wants.

but smiling at me anyway.

and now so is the little one. always imitates big brother of course.

and in an attempt to improve my mood, I put some music on as I worked and the kids decided to dance.

and here we are. i am about to go upstairs to start the night routine. and then i might get to art journal. i haven’t done it so far today. or i might just lie on the couch and be lazy. let’s see…

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful I sent my first batch of CHA layouts.
2. I am grateful i might be taking some more time off this week. I got a ton of work done today in preparation for it.
3. I am grateful that I spent some time working on my Soul Restoration homework tonight. I like doing that work so much.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played cars with my brother {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i got to play on the phone.
3. I am grateful that I can quit gymnastics (yesterday didn’t go so well).

Late last night I found out that I didn’t have work today. I honestly had no idea, is that not weird? Anyhow, it made me feel so much better as I had a commitment in the middle of the day today. So I woke up and got my personal projects done and then played with the kids. Since I knew I was going to have to be completely alone, I told David we could download some free games for the iphone for him to play with during my meeting.

Then I put Nathaniel down and David went to his room to play so I could do my meeting. Then they came back down and it was time for lunch which Nathaniel likes to play with more often than eat.

And wear on his head. He’s recently learned the work HAT!! and likes to say it often.

And here he is saying choo choo. And Truck Fell! which he likes to say often, too.

A split second of attention.

And these are the shots David’s giving me. I take what I can get.

As I worked on some of my Soul Restoration homework the kids picked through their toys and discovered new ones.

And played with cars and trains at the table.

You can’t see it but David’s actually being kind to Nathaniel here and building some cars with him.

I feel like today went by too quickly. I didn’t fill it to the brim or relax enough. I often feel that way lately. Not enough. I am going to work on this because it’s not the most productive or positive way to spend my days. I get a lot done and yet I feel a bit empty so I want to work on what would help me with that so I can enjoy each day in its own way. Some days more relaxing and other days more productive.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for an unexpected day off.
2. I am grateful for a fun opportunity today. More on this later this week.
3. I am grateful that there was a Soul Restoration class today. I love each of them.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I have gymnastics class {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i got some games on the phone.
3. I am grateful that I took lego photos on the phone.

Today has a lot of photos, mostly because I wanted to demonstrate how I like to take photos that tell stories and also give you a little glimpse of the craziness here. I know it’s fourth of July but we didn’t really do anything special for the holiday except hang out. While I sketched in the morning, David played on the phone and Nathaniel was watching him as he often does.

Then they sat at the couch and David drew Nathaniel a picture.

Nathaniel was quite excited.

Here’s the masterpiece.

Then David wanted to add more but Nathaniel wanted to have the toy back, and so is complaining.

And when that doesn’t work, he’s “crying”. I love David’s look here.

So David kindly gives it to him.

Nathaniel is still not 100% sure about the whole thing.

But is taking a closer look.

Then David takes then pen to add a bit more.

Which sends Nathaniel back to his meltdown.

So he gets the pen back and is finally happy.

Then they roughhouse a bit.

Finally Nathaniel is drawing.

Focusing hard with David watching.

And then he’s bored and walks away so now David gets to play with it peacefully.

A typical few minutes in our house. Happens many times over many different toys. Having two is so much more than having two individual kids. The interaction takes it all to another level. (often good and sometimes draining)

And I wanted to include this shot only because Nathaniel looks so very very much like me in it.

There you go. Our day was relatively quiet and typical here. We did go to a local path to take a little hike together but it’s been really really hot here so staying indoors is actually considerably more fun. Happy Fourth of July to those who celebrate it. I was grateful for the little extra time off and time to relax a bit more than usual.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a nice short hike with my family.
2. I am grateful for my simple but truly wonderful life.
3. I am grateful that this will be a short and relatively light week at work.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I drew a picture for my brother {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that we went on a walk.
3. I am grateful that I had chocolate milk.