Crepes with grape jam, peaches, and cream.

But in just this one snap shot of breakfast, I see a bowl from my grandma, a family recipe, and plates from my mother-in-law.

I remember the cold rainy day when those grapes were picked and I wonder how many seeds we’ll find in this jar.

I smell peach juice steaming on the stovetop.

I am sticky from cream that splattered from the mixer.

I see us all in our places: husband with coffee, cat in the sun, naked two-year-old and self-dressed four-year-old.

The day is unfolding just as it should.

How are you spending this last Sunday in August?

Dear Amelia,

In these pictures, you are wearing a dress given to us by dear friends who traveled to Guatemala. For nearly two years, it hung on our wall and I wondered when it might fit you. And here it is, reminding me of the people who hold you dear, and the places you will travel in your lifetime. We celebrated your birthday on the tail end of our trip, flying back to Chicago just hours before you would need your own airplane seat. We will celebrate you more in the days to come, but right now I am thinking about your first two trips around the sun.

I can say that you love to follow your sister’s feet, because you’re already wearing the shows she wore last fall. But you certainly show a mind of your own. Much of life is a game right now, as it should be. You like to flirt and be feisty, coming up with new phrases and funny jokes frequently. When you try something sneaky, you follow up by saying “I jokin!” (Which sounds scarily like “I chokin!”)  But you win us with your smile, sweet kisses, and singsong voice. You LOVE horses, dogs, and most animals. You sometimes eat a surprising amount of food and other days you only nibble. Soon you’ll want to ride a bike too, but for now, I am happy to have you right next to me.

Happy Birthday to my dear two year old.

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Confession/Apology: A number of posts could not be published while we were away. So I saved them as drafts to publish from home. Forgive the discrepancy, but for my own record, I’ll be leaving the date as the original.

Today’s challenge was to fit our gear for the next two+ weeks into these bags. Actually, I was pretty much done beforehand, since I knew the weekend would be busy. But here is our luggage!

This is the first time in years that we will be flying with a checked bag. But we want to be able to camp on our trip, and we might be minimalists, but I’m not sure we could pull off camping with carry-on only. So the bags are packed and we are officially off! Mr. big black suitcase has our tent, sleeping bags, and cookware (ever try to fly with a stove? I’ll find out how it goes…) The red backpack has another sleeping bag, diapers, and our sandals. The camera bag has all the camera and electronic gear. And the grey roller-board (that has flown all over the world!) has out clothes, books, and toiletries.

You know what that means. Expect to see us wearing the same clothes. A lot.

Oh, and don’t worry about the cat. He looks unhappy about the suitcases, but my brother will be staying in our house. We are just a few doors away from the house he is working on, so he’ll be able to work on his house and keep our cat company. Now off we go…

Dear Riana,

You will soon turn four! We celebrated your birthday early since we are about to leave on a trip. You asked for blueberry crisp (a girl after my own heart!) and though you offered to help pick the blueberries, your bucket was strangely empty. Earlier this summer, you learned to ride your bike without training wheels and you love riding for many miles at a time. You entered your first bike race and wore a helmet shaded blue (your favorite color). You tell elaborate and vivid stories about your friends Zoey and Joey and after introducing yourself as Bill for a few months, you now go by the name Jack. You love to dance, be outdoors, and help cut veggies.  Best of all, you are a great and loyal friend to your sister.  You teach me lots of things about snuggling, reading stories, and turning sticks into everything from saxophones to telescopes.  I love you my dear almost-four-year-old. Happy Birthday.

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Confession/Apology: A number of posts could not be published while we were away. So I saved them as drafts to publish from home. Forgive the discrepancy, but for my own record, I’ll be leaving the date as the original.

This sweet dress was given to Riana by her Tia and Tio. Sadly, she was already too big. But now it fits Amelia perfectly. She cried when we took it off at night. :)

Inspired by a) Emily, who is reminding me to live in the moments and take notice of the present and b) Soulemama, who weekly posts “{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”