I’m sorry to be boring but lately the days here seem to be pretty uneventful and I am just chugging along and so are the kids. I guess that’s playing catch up after two weeks of playtime.
Here’s David with his new Lego Alien spaceship. He loves loves loves it.
and on the computer.
with the little boy at his heels of course. telling him to play choo choo movies.
my little boy.
giving me a smile.
I love the funny, quirky smile that will soon disappear. I need to scrap this story.
All is ok here. Uneventful and the days are passing too quickly. I am barely keeping up but too tired to step back and assess. Working on it, though. Hope your week is going well.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a quick lunch trip to work.
2. I am grateful that I don’t have any deadlines or deliverables for another week or two. Just trying to get everything done ahead of time so I don’t stress during crunch time.
3. I am grateful for my mom and sister who gave me a call on Skype this morning and it was so wonderful to “see” them and chat with them. I miss and love them so.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I watched some Pokemon episodes * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played a game I like on the computer.
3. I am grateful that I played with my alien lego set.
Another mostly-work-focused day here. So the little boy played.
the big boy did his math work.
I love these photos of him focusing.
I’m trying to encourage him to look at me.
He doesn’t but I do get a sideways smile.
I love that smile.
David went around measuring everything.
It wasn’t a good day for David-photos. Somehow everything I took of him was blurry.
I finally put all the photos in my gratitude album (and the ones for this year.) and Nathaniel loved looking at them.
Another terrible photo of David but he’s super excited about the legos he got today.
I had meetings. The kids worked, played, and now Daddy’s home so I get a short break. Tonight, possibly some art. Hopefully some rest.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for another productive work day. Whoop!
2. I am grateful that my kids know when and how to play by themselves so I can get work done. I know this is a luxury and I don’t take it for granted one bit.
3. I am grateful for my giggly, sweet boys and all the time I get to spend with them. Even when I have a lot of work, we get a lot of snuggle and laugh time and I love love love that.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got an alien lego (thanks Amore and opapa!) * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that mommy put the photos in “reading with David” book.
3. I am grateful that I played on the phone.
Today was mostly a play day for the kids since I had a lot of work to do. They made puzzles.
the toolset (though not really tools as much as putting fingers in the holes).
Even though this is to throw canonballs, Nathaniel likes to call it choo choo.
David made some happy faces for me.
Nathaniel stuck some puzzle pieces in the train book (not entirely sure what he was thinking there.)
Then David shot the balls into the floor as Nathaniel watched.
and they both loved it.
Nathaniel pulled a chair, got his blankie and a balloon and then continued to watch his brother.
Then Daddy came home and took David around the block in his bike and now they are eating. I am working and my plans tonight include catching up to email, preparing the next catalyst, and possibly some art journaling. Happy Monday everyone!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful it was a productive day at work. I love getting a long list of things done.
2. I am grateful that my kids like to play together.
3. I am grateful I don’t have any commitments this week. Even though I had a bunch of downtime last week, I am getting back into my schedule this week and I need some structure for a week or two.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played with my brother * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I rode my bike.
3. I am grateful that the author of the book we just finished left us a comment! (Thank you Tom Llewellyn!)
Another super-relaxed day here in the karenika household. We took some more family photos.
Nathaniel was in charge as always.
Until I told him he couldn’t have his truck.
then it was tickle time.
Then the kids played together which is my favorite thing to watch ever.
I just cannot get enough of it.
Then we had the naps, reading, art, scrapping, etc. And David and Jake left for a birthday so I made sure to snap a photo right before he left.
And now the little one is sleeping and the other two are on their way back. I have just my sketching to do and I plan to relax as much as possible as tomorrow starts a new week of work.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I scrapped today.
2. I am grateful that I got some 1-1 time with Nathaniel when David and Jake went to the birthday and that they had some 1-1 time, too.
3. I am grateful I spent some time reading today, It’s definitely my favorite thing to do.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I went to Nico’s birthday * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got stickers.
3. I am grateful that I got a puzzle and some balloons at the birthday.
We slept in late this morning. Both of us. Which means we both really needed it. It also meant we started our day slowly and took our time. After my exercise and shower, we took family photos. I snapped a few of just the boys as I set things up.
After I sat down I realized I’d left Thomas on, on the TV. Hence the kids not looking at the camera.
Apparently even Jake found it more interesting than the camera.
the other two looked bad but I liked us here so I cropped it out.
After seeing that the kids would just not take their eyes of the TV, I should have gotten up and turned it off.
But instead we did tickle time.
Which did the trick, of course.
Then the kids played and I relaxed on the couch a bunch. Snapped a few more photos.
During Nathaniel’s nap, Jake went running, David played wii and I made more pages on my weeklong journal. Then the little boy woke up so we went for a walk and when he came back, David had prepared a gift of silly bands for him. Which thrilled him to no end.
After some food and some play time, he decided he wanted to read a bit. Took his time and slowly read the whole book.
It was a quiet, wonderful, relaxing day. Tonight I will relax more and just veg on the couch. That’s the plan.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I made some pages on my weeklong journal, I had been meaning to for a while now.
2. I am grateful that Jake took care of our Smog check.
3. I am grateful that I have some great TV saved up for tonight.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played pirate game on the wii * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I finished my lego sticker book.
3. I am grateful that I played wii.
Today started well with my friend Leslie who came over for coffee but then I was really really tired and not feeling well so I spent most of the rest of the day just sitting and trying to feel better but I am still not feeling so great. Here’s to hoping it passes.
David drew some beautiful pictures this morning.
And here’s Nathaniel telling him to play the cars movies or games.
he wouldn’t let me take photos today.
but his brother did.
now the kids are going to bed and we have visitors coming tonight though I am still not feeling great. Here’s to hoping it passes.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had today off, it helped me not feel any pressure for being sick.
2. I am grateful for my husband who picks up a lot of my slack.
3. I am grateful that it’s the weekend and I will have some time to recover.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played soccer * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I drew some pirates on the computer.
3. I am grateful that I did coloring this morning (used my shiny chalks).
Today was the last of the family days we had planned. I wanted to take it easier so we woke up and I exercised and had some breakfast and then we got on the road for Berkeley. We first went to a friend of Jake’s and as soon as we left I snapped some photos of David.
He accommodated me.
because he’s the sweetest kid (when he wants to be.)
Then we went to University of California – Berkeley’s campus and just walked around.
We had a tasty lunch and I snapped a photo of the little one.
We walked around a bunch more then we drove to the scrapbook store and I bought some tiny and big alphabets since I can never have enough alphas. I didn’t buy anything else though. When we got home, I snapped a shot of Nathaniel saying choo choo but this time my shutter was very closed and I’d forgotten so the photo is very grainy as the camera raised the ISO to get enough light.
Nathaniel skipped his nap so he’s sound asleep. David had swim class so he went and came and is about to sleep, too. Jake and I are wiped from a lovely but full day but he’s in a meeting now and I am just relaxing. I hope to do a little art journaling if I can tonight but otherwise I plan to just relax. Read my book and watch TV. Tomorrow promises to be another lovely day.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am deeply grateful for my family. I love them so very much.
2. I am grateful for my husband who does all the heavy lifting during these family days.
3. I am grateful that I get to scrapbook tomorrow and watch a movie with my kids.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we went to Berkeley* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I watched some Pink Panther.
3. I am grateful that I had swimming class.
A quiet day here today. Except for the short trip to my jaw doctor (with both kids mind you) we didn’t do much. I worked, the kids played, we did our typical daily stuff and that was it.
Nathaniel found a choochoo from David’s stash. (he’s saying choo choo here)
And here’s the choo choo.
David just gave me a sweet smile.
My friend Holly is coming tonight and I am excited to see her. I have another friend coming Friday morning. This is a lot of activity for a loner like me. 🙂 And tomorrow we get to have one more family day. My heart is full. I have been art journaling a bit, too. Not as much as before but still trying to make a few pieces a week. I will show them as soon as the ones with the old book are all posted.
I will also try to videotape my book so you can see it a bit better and I know there’ve been a few requests for videos, I am not so great at that but I promise I will try. I appreciate all your kind words and wanted to thank you for even coming to visit, let alone taking the time to comment. I am grateful for it deeply.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful we take another trip tomorrow.
2. I am grateful for my art journal page from last night. I really enjoyed making it.
3. I am grateful that I have a long weekend starting tomorrow.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got a new book. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I will spend a little time with Daddy.
3. I am grateful that we will watch Stuart Little on Friday.
Today was back to work and it actually felt good to be getting some work done. I ‘ve been slacking a bit in some of my other todo lists but I just need to sit and make a plan. My little art journal that I was working on daily is finished and I need to make a plan for a new art journal. My weeklong one has some new pages painted, too. Alas, I’ve been resting. Or maybe procrastinating a bit…
Nathaniel’s been enjoying the big trucks.
He couldn’t figure out why this one won’t hold the cars up. (we have a dump truck too and that one does so he got confused.)
David loves it, too.
They filled it all up with cars.
Then as David and I read his book, Nathaniel read by himself, too.
I wanted to get one more shot of David but couldn’t get anything good and I was feeling too lazy to move him to good light. So this is what I got.
Then everyone got to do their work. We took our walk of course and made a schedule for David’s rest-of-summer so he doesn’t have to keep asking me what to do next and so he can’t spend too much time with the computer or TV. Play is most of his day but he also has to work a bit and do some reading, writing, and math each day. Just a little to keep the brain cells alive.
I need to spend some time making my own plans tonight. And a little time playing catch up. Then tomorrow I get to work again which I am actually looking forward to again.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful I get to start a new art journal and explore some new ideas.
2. I am grateful for my parents and our frequent Skype chats. Some of my favorite moments of my day.
3. I am grateful that we made a schedule for David, it will help me, as well.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played with my train set. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with Woody’s Roundup Lego.
3. I am grateful that we ordered an alien lego set.
Today was scheduled to be another family day but we decided to take it easy in the morning and spend the afternoon with activities. I got my last package for CHA and sat to do my layouts immediately while the kids played and Jake took Nathaniel to music class. Once I was done and Nathaniel was up, we went out to a very late lunch/early dinner.
I took the opportunity to snap some photos.
After we were done, David wanted to checkout the ceramics place right next door and we decided to sit and paint one. He picked a race car and we all painted.
He picked his own colors.
Even though he wasn’t allowed to touch anything, Nathaniel was very patient.
But eventually he got really bored so we let him play with the toy in the store and he was happy.
Daddy and David worked patiently and covered 3 layers as they were told.
When we were done, we went to a local playground and the boys played while I shot photos.
They were quite happy.
Nathaniel loves going down the slide with Daddy.
And then we were all wiped so we came home. Jake played will with David for a short while and now the kids are sleeping and I still have to do my sketching since I skipped it this morning. Tomorrow is back to work for a few days and then another family day this week. I love these days. They’re like mini-vacations but we get to come home and sleep in our own bed.
I hope your day was wonderful, too.
Oh, and in case you didn’t see it, I have a long article on how I do my weeklong art journaling on write.click.scrapbook today.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful I am done with all my CHA work and checked off another big item on my todo list.
2. I am grateful for a wonderful lunch and fun time with my whole family, love them so so so much.
3. I am grateful that I have even more downtime coming up. It’s been great to take some time off, apparently I needed it more than I thought I did. I am even looking forward to working tomorrow.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we painted a ceramic racecar. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played wii with daddy.
3. I am grateful that we went out to lunch.
After yesterday’s long day today was considerably quieter. We started our day with some family photos.
I am so thankful for my family.
And our laughter.
And these moments are so precious and I will cherish them so deeply.
Then the kids played with the dump truck.
Nathaniel loves the big truck.
He didn’t want to play with anything else.
After a little rest, we took a long walk around the neighborhood and then came back to rest some more. The kids ate lunch and Nathaniel went down. Since we were out yesterday, David had his wii day today and I did two sketches and finished two art journal pages. and my weeklong page for this week. I have a few other todo list items that I’ve been ignoring but I did get a lot done today.
Then it was time for some journaling and some more food.
Look at this wonderful, beautiful boy. It makes my heart skip a beat.
And so does this little cutie patootie who eats his banana like a corn on the cob.
They are finally down for the night and I’ve made a bit more progress on my Soul Restoration journal. Some painting. My plans for tonight are to rest. There’s one nagging task I should work on and maybe I can finally focus on it but I am so not feeling the will. Let’s see if inspiration finally strikes.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful it was a quiet day full of art.
2. I am grateful I have tomorrow off.
3. I am grateful that I will hopefully receive my last box of goodies for CHA tomorrow.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we’re going to go swimming tomorrow. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i played with the dump truck and with Nathaniel.
3. I am grateful that I spent a little time on the computer.
We decided to have a few family days this week and today was the first one. We got up and after breakfast/exercise we got right on the road to Muir Woods. This time we brought a backpack to carry Nathaniel.
He loved it.
We walked along the winding paths and enjoyed the fresh air. I love love love Muir Woods. Though I can never seem to get high quality photos there..
And others do even worse with my camera.
but that doesn’t stop me from trying.
I just want something to remember the magical day by.
especially moments like this when all three of my boys are inspecting a beetle.
after a long hike, we sat to rest and eat a wonderful lunch. Then we drove down to Stintson Beach but by then Nathaniel had fallen asleep so David went out with Jake for a bit and then I went out with him so Nathaniel could sleep.
He played a little bit with the sand but we were both pretty wiped.
When we came home, we snapped out family shots (yes, mom, i know I need to get my hair dyed.)
and some tickle time of course.
Now they are in bed and Jake and I are exhausted. I was expecting a very time-sensitive CHA package today but alas UPS messed up (again!) so now I have to wait until Monday for it. I will rest and relax in the meantime since I can’t do anything else about it. (This calm is only here after a LOT of ranting.)
I hope your day was as wonderful as ours.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful we went to Muir Woods and the beach.
2. I am grateful I have a few more family days coming up.
3. I am grateful that I have a few more days of vacation so I can rest. It’s doing me a lot of good.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we went to Muir woods and the beach. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i played with the dump truck and with Nathaniel.
3. I am grateful that I get to play with my legos.
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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