Rachel

  A mysterious box from a galaxy far far away arrived at our door, and the boys opened it with giggles of excitement. Our friends Mitchel, KJ, Shannon and Pucky had lovingly put together a care package of Star Wars toys for Max and Otto. We had so much fun trying to figure out how all these unusual pieces worked and marveled that we had never seen the likes of them before. The boys are having so much fun playing with them all. It makes me think of our friends each time I see these toys, and that helps us feel connected to them, even when they are far away from us.

Shannon

I remember when he was just one year old, a parent at the playground stood beside me and said, "Your son is scaring me." He was climbing on the outside of playground equipment. With each step he would stop and steady himself. He was in his body. He knew his boundaries. He taught me not to be afraid of his abilities. So now, nearing 8 years later, when he finds a tree and climbs as high as the branches will allow him, I trust him.

 

 

Tabitha

It's easier to be brave when there is someone there to catch you.  

And it's easier to be brave when you know that you don't have to jump
until you are ready (which wasn't today).

 

 

Kelly

This girl has a particular and peculiar diet. Always has. She eats in jags; like the year she basically lived on Cheerios  and apples, the bagel phase, the grapes and strawberries days. There are really only about a dozen things she eats and she is not interested in trying new things, not ever. So imagine my surprise when she ordered blue bubblegum ice cream and not the usual vanilla. And then 2 days later, at a family dinner party, put chicken satay, peanut sauce and rice salad on her plate and tried it all! Next day, she requested to try eggs. WTF?
Yet another example of my girl's approach to everything in life... with caution and in her own good time.
 

 

 

Helen

Still. Loving. Summer.

And being reminded of the transience of it all.

Let's try and make it all count, you and me.