My heart swells with gratefulness for the gathering of Whitney’s all-star friends and family at her sixth year parade. We know that friendships for six-year-olds are pretty simple (hey – you like Ariel, so do I? My favorite color is blue, too!) and are grateful that Whitney’s school community has made a very accepting environment for her to have so many connections to her...
We’ve logged some good family time in the past two weeks…some with friends visiting and also just the four (and almost five!) of us around home. Last week we adventured much more than usual with our friends from out of town. We picnicked in view of the Golden Gate… Walked on the beautiful bridge. And in general just took our time playing and enjoying...
Each year it is exciting to see how holidays and traditions are appreciated more and more by the kids. Whiteny (4.5yrs) and Dylan (3.5yrs) enjoyed Easter at a whole new level this year. We got the plastic eggs out a few weeks early and they were having fun making messes and hiding them. Last year their cousins made them a set of Resurrection Eggs...
Happy World Down Syndrome Day to our friends with (and without) the triple 21st Chromosome. We had an extra special day with a birthday party for good friends we’ve known since before we had Whitney, and then a BBQ with a family we met because of Whitney – through her Early Start services (they also have a daughter with Down syndrome – who’s birthday...
We’ve started a tradition of gathering some close friends and family every 5 years to reflect on our marriage, renew our vows, and be encouraged by those in our life now to keep choosing to love and honor each other. As a bonus, we’ve had a number of our guests comment that the time was really encouraging for them as well – making them...
Most years since graduating college, a collection of Princeton friends have reunited at each other’s houses for a weekend to play, reminisce, and continue to be inspired by one another. This year the gathering was in Chicago. I love these reunions, but with a family of four seat-holders now, we weren’t sure we could swing the ticket prices this year. Rather than opt out...
I’m playing a lot of catch up from my Nomadic November…the nice part about it is stopping to rethink again how special it was to have these visits with family and friends. Before meeting up with Tyler and Whitney for an early Thanksgiving with our Phoenix Family, Dylan and I went on a Midwest tour: first to Chicago (post to come) and then to...
Two Highlights from today: Dylan figured out how to make noise on the Harmonica and is now obsessed: DylanHarmonica (hint: if you want to instantly sound musically talented, try Harmonica). And then, when I picked Whitney up from school a little girl from the class next door saw us and yelled “Bye Whitney!” and ran over to give her a hug. Whitney said “bye” back. And...
I love the ocean any time of year. But, the beaches near us are often cold and windy in the summer. Even cloudy beach days are beautiful….especially with dear friends. We got to visit with our sweet friends from Minnesota who were out for a beach vacation with their family in Half Moon Bay. It was a Sunday Sabbath…beautiful, restful, heart warming. We hope...
The week in reverse…. Today we enjoyed the longest day with lots of outside. Splashing in the backyard before dinner. Morning at the beach with Auntie Jess and Lady Dog. Lovely lovely day. Mom! Put the camera down! We’ve been here all of three minutes and haven’t eaten anything yet [signing and saying Eat]. I concede with the 11am lunch….Whitney puts new meaning...
I love gatherings with loved ones! We have been lucky to have a few special visits lately… First, the amazing and wonderful Aunt Patty and Uncle Bruce (were there ever two people more kid-fun?) it was a tutu and boots day. their visit included a BBQ with other fun [local] family…cousins copying and chasing each other through the grass while adults relaxed...
Dylan has learned to repeat “Good Morning” to me. Whitney wakes up happily bouncing. Evening walks include kids playing “stop” and “go” along the sidewalk, blooming mustard, and usually some good conversation between mommy and daddy. Another Sunday Smorgasbord gathering with our friends….this time with water table and little whispers over smoothies. Earlier, at church, Whitney was laughing hysterically chasing around a...