corner view~small things

It's the small things that matter.  It's the time we take to pay attention to details -- a handmade card, a compliment, a note, a smile.  Don't underestimate the importance of the small things.  In many ways, they are actually big things.

a little trip

We took the kids away for a few days over their spring break.  It was really relaxing.  We stayed in a B&B in a small town outside of a big city.  We made the venture to the big city for dinner and to visit a college.  Other than that we were happy to explore the town with its beaches, shops and hikes.

This year since school started I have taken four trips.  This was the last one.  It really made a difference to leave home that many times.  It feels like the year flew by and we are already gearing up for our summer travels.  

shawn is 11

Happy birthday to the sweetest boy who keeps us laughing, who is feisty, fun, full of energy, and gives us so much joy.  We love you.  We are proud of you. Thank you for coming into our lives eleven years ago!

prom

 

Here she is, all grown up and looking fancy.

Wow.

Time flies.

annabel

Annabel's album is bringing the family together musically like never before. They had another day of success in the studio yesterday, this time, with Shawn on the drums!! He blew everyone away. They're all having such a big time, it's thrilling to see.  And daddy is the producer.  In many ways, life is as good as it gets.

corner view~something(s) to celebrate

Lately we are celebrating a few things.

Little Miss Skylar is now a licensed driver!  Last week she passed her road test on her first try.  Most kids here take several attempts at the test before they pass, so this was an overnight change that we didn't expect to happen so quickly. Sky is now beginning to take the car and go off on her own - shopping, to tennis class, to the grocery store for starters.  I am celebrating my willingness to trust that she will be okay every time she drives away.  There is a natural letting go that happens with kids, each step of the way. This part is not easy for me, but it is important for us to let them do these things so our kids develop independence, experience and trust in themselves. Luckily Sky is a careful, thoughtful, level headed girl, and a good driver.

Miss Annabel is continuing to record her album!  She goes into the studio this weekend with Shawn, who is doing the drum parts.  Pretty exciting!  They have been practicing a whole lot.  Just yesterday Annabel wrote a new song.  She has many great songs.  I can't wait to see how they sound.  She is our little rock star, eagerly awaiting band camp this summer where she will get to play music with kids her age.  

And Mr. Shawn.  Well, what do you get when you combine Shawn, his favorite toy, and a ripe bunch of bananas?  The Amma Kendama Project, as Shawn calls it.   This is Shawn's attempt to raise money for charity.  With my help he is selling baked goods to friends and neighbors.  Then we are going to buy a bunch of kendamas, wholesale. Then we will pack them up and bring them on our summer trip. Our first stop will be a retreat with Amma.  Shawn is going to donate the kendamas to Amma's bookstore. All profits will benefit Amma's various worldwide charities.  And these toys are fun, and occupy kids for long periods of time, which is good when parents are on retreat. I'd much rather have my kid playing with one of these than playing a video game.  We were joking about how maybe all the swamis will play with them. So we may have to get some orange ones.

So far we have fifteen orders and have gotten over $200.  We have made granola and baked blueberry muffins, oatmeal cookies, and banana bread.  Lots of banana bread. More to come.  Meanwhile, would you like a blueberry muffin?  They are divine.      

more from my trip

The first night I arrived a young woman named Gopi picked me up from the airport to deliver me to the house where I was staying.  To Julia's house.  It was pitch black outside and the air was cold, but so fresh, smelling of oak and eucalyptus when I got dropped at her house up on top of a mountain.  Julia was so excited to show me her neighborhood that we all went for a walk, right then, in the dark night air.  There were no streetlights, and we made our way, allowing our eyes to adjust and using the moonlight as a guide.

I saw many things on that trip.  Sights and colors and images to inspire the budding photographer that I am.  I wished I had a lens on my camera that would zoom closer. Still I captured the images I captured.

One night we went to her local farmer's market on the way into town.  As we were leaving a group of teens sang "Singing in the Rain" flash mob style.  Then we made our way down the mountain to join her husband for dinner -- turkey burgers at a Stanford cafe.  I got a blueberry milkshake to go with mine, splitting my burger with their daughter.

One day Julia took me on a walk in her neighborhood to introduce me to a 300 year old oak tree, which in an earlier photo you will see, got a hug from me.

One of my favorite memories from the trip was attending a talk at Stanford with Julia's husband while she put their young daughter to bed.  Just being on the campus was good for me.  I miss the stimulation of young interested minds. We get set in our ways as we age, and seeing all those college kids made me remember what it was like to be young, inspired, on fire with conviction and ambition.  Maybe one day I will go back to school.  You never know.    

corner view~rejuvenation

What is it about being with trees that gives me so much rejuvenation?

Or working in a garden all day long?

Or pulling out my paints for a few hours with nothing I have to do, but play and have fun with color?

I go somewhere when I do these things.  I go somewhere else.  I am transformed into a newer, fresher me.  

today

Annabel is going into the studio to begin recording her first album!!!!!  Happy girl. Excited girl. Enough said.