On a Mission

Salvatore's soccer schedule had us all the way down in San Juan Capistrano for the afternoon.  With the extreme heat, a lost game, bad moods and bickering between all of us, I suggested we take a walk over to the Mission, and it was just what we all needed.

Kids got to feed the Koi.  One pebble at a time, so we were there for a good 20 minutes.  Comparing the swarming of the Koi to the swarm of ducks when you drop bread crumbs, the kids were in heaven with the attention from the fish.  Valentina was naming them based on their colors and sizes and we recorded the feeding frenzy to watch again later.

We all thought that we were pretty cool when we could toss a pellet of food directly into an open mouth!

We relaxed, reconnected, and found inspiration with every turn. 

The last time I was at this mission, I was 8 months pregnant with Valentina. 

When was your last visit?

Life in the Fast Lane

I've been so busy that blogging no longer seems like an option, or a joy.  But then I post and I do love seeing and sharing my family, thoughts and life, and I know the greatest joy is looking back on all of this, as I often do.  Like everyone else, we have been busy... 

Aunt Beth came to visit while attending a workshop and we got to have dinner with her every night for almost a week.  It was so good to see her again.  Everyone came out to watch Salvatore play soccer.  The kids asked about her the entire following week, thinking that she would come over at anytime.  

Valentina got her first haircut, at 3.4 years old.  A four inch trim straight off the bottom. Sylvia styled her hair afterward and Valentina acted and moved like a true princess the whole day.

Sal and Molly, enjoying every bit of school, together.

Family time. We have had lots of that lately and we make it a priority over anything else.  We hardly use our technology anymore and we don't like to when we are all together, and it's made a big difference in the way we interact and connect.

The jewelry business is doing well.  David loves to make these Shamballa bracelets and he can use any color bead.  The kids each wear one and both have even helped him make some for our family.

Salvatore and Molly both received awards at school for doing their personal best.  I thought that I would cry each time I saw him go up to receive an award, and I almost did...but what really got me were the strong, hard, excited claps he gave to every other name called.  

Lolo, Sita, Fred, Papá, Valentina and I got to watch the whole ceremony of awards.

Valentina is enjoying her days spend with Papá while he works.  She also keeps Lolo company while he continues to recover. Another surgery is scheduled for next week.  We've got him covered with attention, help and love.  

More Beth and Sal.  

The princess in her chair.  She even wanted to read a magazine while getting her hair cut.  She looked younger to me when it was finished.  But she also looked taller.  Anyways, it is slightly easier to brush out but it looks like it already grew a whole inch in the two weeks since getting cut.  There are moments when she looks exactly like my mom and there are other moments where she looks exactly like David's mom.  

*Also, my little brother is engaged!!!  I don't have a picture of them, but we are so so happy!!!  More to come with this new story soon....

What has been keeping YOU so busy?