I have to say that this week sort of flew by. It felt mostly like a blur. I was grouchy, busy, tired, but now that it’s over, I feel okay. Things came together, as they always seem to and I feel at peace. I took considerably fewer photos this week than usual. Maybe it’s a testament to the blur of a week it’s been. Alas we all had a good week. David started the week with a stomach bug but he recovered quickly. The kids went to school, I worked, I had an online chat, I met some friends, I did some art. Jake, too, worked, had meetings, met friends. And now it’s the weekend and we’re both ready to rest and play and just enjoy the weekend.

And, here are some highlights from last week:

Nathaniel and Daddy playing.

I love these photos with the huge eyes.

And the mischievous grin.

And the all-out laugh.

He’s just so cute.

and here’s David just grinning so we can be done with the photo.

Nathaniel and Daddy again, writing this time.

Nathaniel spent a lot of time drawing this week while I worked.

another shot of the big boy with the blue eyes.

I love this picture. Just so magical for me somehow. I love how it shows how much his little brother looks up to David and how proud of it David is. maybe you can’t see it here but I see all of it in this weird photo.

I told nathaniel to give me a smile, and I got this.

and this.

and then finally, this.

this photo, for some reason, just made me think he looks so much like me.

Friday was David’s 101st day at school and they celebrated in style.

and when he came home we took family photos.

tickle time was just right this time.

until nathaniel started punching and trying to reach over.

I still had a blast.

just love looking at these photos.

afterwards, David read his library book. I love seeing how much he loves to read.

and Nathaniel drew a bunch more.

and here we go. Another wonderful week gone. So grateful for my family. Here’s to a great week next week!

Weekly Diary is a project for 2012. You can read more about it here.

I am quite tired at the moment so I will keep this one short. It was another lovely week in the karenika household. David had no school all week so he was home playing, relaxing, and reading. Nathaniel had school only Wednesday and Friday but didn’t get to go Friday because we all left for a two-day vacation to Tiburon. The kids also went to the dentist this week and we ran errands and worked, of course. But the week ended with our vacation in Tiburon and 75degree weather. It was truly perfect and even though I feel wiped now, it was exactly what I needed to get the grouchiness out of my system. I am so thankful.

And, here are some highlights from last week:

David with his long hair.

Nathaniel watching a movie (with no sound).

The boys built a big “city” all over the living room.

The worked on it for two days straight.

It was really sweet to watch them build it.

here are the beginnings. the parking lot, construction, cars.

then there was a break to do some reading.

and then more city building. this special city has batmobiles.

and here it is finished, traffic jams and all.

here’s another point of view, also shows you the graffiti on the buildings and the helipad.

on his one school-day this week, Nathaniel made a crown and he loves it to bits.

the kids posed for some photos for me.

we took our family shots right before we left.

Nathaniel wasn’t in the mood so daddy tried new tactics.

which seemed to work.

then we left for Tibruon. It was just over the water as I’d wished and the weather was absolutely perfect.

the kids snuggled in bed as we relaxed.

as we walked and sat to overlook the wonderful water, the kids ran.

Raced and laughed.

took a little break.

then some more racing.

which the seven-year-old won of course.

we walked around a lot, watched the birds, pelicans, seals, and had delicious meals.

our hotel was right next to a toy store and a candy store. There was a lot of window shopping.

and some fun coloring.

some last minute sightseeing and we were back on our way home.

and here we go. Another wonderful week gone. So grateful for my family. Here’s to a great week next week!

Weekly Diary is a project for 2012. You can read more about it here.

This was another hectic week but I am grateful that everything went smoothly in the end. David had a trip to the San Francisco Symphony with his class which he enjoyed very much. He had no school Friday (and none Monday this coming week either) due to conferences. His report card came and he’s doing wonderfully. Reading at a third/fourth grade level in first grade. Overall everything was great and we’re so proud of him and grateful that he’s settling in ok to his new school. Nathaniel’s school did colors and shapes all week but he’s still not so great on his colors. He is however enjoying every minute of school for which I am very grateful. Jake had a fantastic week with new clients, meetings, social events, etc. I went to class on Monday and a parenting speech on Tuesday. Work and David’s school on Friday and had to do a bunch of prep for work as well as my trip to Orange County. I am at the Craft and Hobby Association Convention as you read this. If you’re coming there, make sure to visit me at the Maya Road booth.

I will say that I am grateful this week is over. And I look forward to a less hectic (but also stressful) week next week.

Anyhow, here are some highlights from last week:

Nathaniel loves this truck.

And gets in on it and pushes himself when there’s no one to do it for him.

I was trying to take a photo of David reading but each time Nathaniel sees me taking a photo of anyone but him, he runs right over and poses. So he interrupted this one, too.

but I squeezed a photo anyway.

Jake got the kids some footballs.

I love this photo because this is such a typical “I didn’t get my way” look for Nathaniel.

he’s still really into the fireman hat.

I got so few photos of David this week that I was sad.

but I did get a few of them together.

I love this one.

Nathaniel surrounds himself with his toys as he plays. He’s so much like me.

though much happier than I was as a kid.

showing me the funny faces and laughing and laughing.

love this boy.

he plays with david’s didj when david’s at school. he likes to invent his own sounds.

we just put batteries in this old train. He doesn’t like it to move but he does love the music it makes.

another one of my big boy.

showing some toys to daddy.

nathaniel loves playing peek-a-boo with my mom and dad over skype.

boy one.

and boy two.

david had to bring a teddy to school on Thursday and when he came home he wanted to sleep with it. At night I caught him reading to his teddy.

and here we go. Another wonderful week gone. So grateful for my family. Here’s to a great week next week!

Weekly Diary is a project for 2012. You can read more about it here.