8/7/2012 - Neighborhood Night Out

From Drop Box

Oakland hosts an annual neighborhood night out, where you get to know the people in your neighborhood. Our complex pretty much has a neighborhood night out at least once a week during the summertime. The kids pretty much require it at least once a week when the weather is so nice in the evening. Tonight they all descended upon Kiyomi's Sesame Street toy. Liam was having fun hoarding as many Sesame Street characters as he could manage to hold in his chubby little hands. Poor Kiyomi, little did she know how much time she would need to spend fending off the toy poaching neighbor boys.

8/6/2012 - My shadow

From Drop Box

My little Liam has become a rather jealous little man. He doesn't like me to be near any other children. When Liam notices Finny sitting on my lap, he rushes over and pushes and hits Finn until we relent and give him at least one knee to sit on. Even then, he continues to hit Finn until he is completely off my lap. Though we always discipline him, it never seems to get through his head. I am hoping it is just an age thing, but sometimes I worry that this child is so tenacious that even punishment will not deter him from the things that he wants. He shadows me wherever I go and will tantrum until I return. I swear, sometimes I bring him into the bathroom with me, just so I don't have to hear him sob behind the closed door. Please let this just be a phase. Sometimes I want to tell my little boyfriend that I need space.

8/5/2012 - Navigating the weekend

From Drop Box

Though this weekend did not turned out at planned, I have to say I feel proud to have navigated through all the challenges that were thrown our way. All is well that ends well is defined by the smiley boys in the photo. It started with the two sick kids. We have seemingly nursed our feverish one (Finn) back to health and Liam seems to be feeling a little bit better. Flat tire fixed for free. Thank you Costco! Leaky faucet no longer leaky. Thank you Jesse! Birthday weekend spent with the three boys that I love most in life. Thank you Jesse, Finn and Liam for bringing me smiles to my face everyday. Oh and Dylan, you bring smiles to me as well!

8/4/2012 - Writing his alphabet

From Drop Box

Tonight I learned that our little Finn is writing. While, papa and Liam were on an evening walk, Finny and I stayed in and did some drawing. Finny showed me how he can write an F! What a big boy! I think that I will keep this drawing forever! Such a smartie, not even in Kindergarten yet!!

8/3/2012 - 35 Plus reasons that I feel loved today

From Drop Box

Oh my goodness, what a lovely day. I was spoiled with 5 bouquets of flowers, gift cards, wine, fancy new organic bedding! I feel like a celebrity with a swag bag from the Oscars!! If this is any indication of how my 35th year will be, I am super pumped!

8/2/2012 - Hand Made Love

From Drop Box

In my almost 35 years on this earth, the one thing that I have learned is that Hand Made Gifts are always the best. Loving the card made by Finn with Baachan's help!!

8/1/2012 - Dance Party Damuth

From Drop Box

We had an impromptu party in the back with our neighbors from all around hanging out with us. Corndogs, house music and some school night drinking (not too much). Summer in Oakland has been filled with fun despite the weirdly cold weather. Liam and Dylan got into a dance party with DJ Ryan's house music bumping in the back. Fun was had by all.