Week in the Life | Sunday

I found a hotspot on the deck.  Nice.

Sunday began early.  Operation Secret Squirrel was to pack up the van for four days in Eastern Washington .... with cousins, with pool, with sun.  They had no idea.  We got in the car and drove for 2.5 hours east.  They were excited but not patient.  Trying to figure out direction, potential places, people we might see.  The chant in the van "GWTF...go with the flow".  Relax, just sit back and wait.

When we pulled up to the house, there was no sign of my brother and family, even their car was hid.  When we pulled up to the back, walked on the deck, looked at the quiet pool, "SURPRISE" they jumped, hidden under all the blow-up water toys.  They were surprised!  Alex quickly jumped in, clothes and all.

Some pictures from Sunday.

I am grateful to my brother and his family for inviting us to share a fun few days ... summertime, summertime, summertime.

Week in the Life | Saturday

168 pictures taken.  90 kept.

Today was a beautiful day in the PNW.  I was up early but wasn't very productive.  Maybe you could even say I was lazy.  Not much happened in the CK house other than music, reading, eating and cleaning the kitchen.  Some occasional outdoor action with children coming in and out. Other than that, the couch was toasty warm.  Matched the outdoor heat of close to 80 today.  That's okay.  I'll make up for it tomorrow.

We did venture out about 5pm to Menchie's, a local yogurt shop.  Then some shopping for groceries for the week.  Lilia and JH decided to wipe out their Mama Bucks on some new scooters.  Then home, late dinner and watched Beauty and the Beast.

Some pictures from today.

Overheard:  Lilia, "when I grow up I want to be first a zoo keeper, second a vet and third a hairdresser."

Observed:  Alex and Sofia plotting out the big JH birthday purchase.

Gratitude:  I appreciate the friendship I have with Romie, my neighbor.  It's great to have someone to talk with as we both venture into being a parent of a thirteen year old girl.

Week in the Life | Friday

Friday was a busy day.  Work.  Wedding shower.  I didn't get home until late so my post is this morning.  Not as many pictures were taken as I had hoped.  107 taken.  27 okay.  I took a ton of pictures at the wedding shower, but with Tiff's camera.  I'll have to work with what I have.

Some pictures from Friday.

Observations:  I need to be in more pictures. I'm the one behind the camera most the time.  The boys take WWF very, very seriously.

Gratitude:  For family and friends.  And nearly ever CK kid said they were grateful for the sun today.  It hit 75 degrees.  Nice.

Words:  Lilia, "I love you more than a pickle on a stick."

Week in the Life | Thursday

I wish I was a better writer.

I wish I was a better photographer.  I love to take pictures, but I don't have that "eye" some people naturally have.  And I still struggle with understanding my camera.  Sometimes I take 20 pictures of one thing because I can't get the exposure right.  I click, view picture, zoom in, retake, repeat.  I'll keep taking pictures, knowing Rolling Stone won't be calling me for a photo shoot any time soon.

Some pictures from today.

I took today off because my parents were out of town.  Up with a phone call from my uncle Henry at 7:45 am.  Walked around the house taking pictures of sleeping babes.  I enjoyed the quiet.  I though today we could take a spontaneous trip.  We had breakfast and headed to Saltwater Park with our friends the Afeworks.  Sand, water, scavenger hunt and great conversation.  Back home, dinner, watering the yard, soccer practice, grocery shopping and a drop off for a sleepover.

Week in the Life | Wednesday

Sit down.  Yes, it's been three days of blogging.  Don't faint.  It will be okay.

Today I left a camera with the kids along with some worksheets to document what was going on while they were home and I was at work.

Some random pictures from today.

The kids had chores today.

JH:  clean out Pinkee's cage

Sofia:  put away clean clothes, water the backyard

Lilia:  clean her room

Alex:  mow the yard

OBSERVATIONS :  Somehow my front porch, garage and yard seem to be the gathering spot for every kid on the block.  There is enough kids on the block to play kickball in the field.  A month ago the sun was out until nearly 10:30, now it's 9.  The kids are still out talking on the street until past dark.  Then a quick snack, teeth brushed and bed.

GRATITUDE :  I'm grateful for YouTube.  I was able to nest a 2 variable vlookup in an Excel formula, using the formulas Index and Match. Very cool.

Week in the Life | Tuesday

Do you ever wonder what day-to-day life looked like back when you were 10?  What a day might look like....around the house, activities, clothes, observations.  I do.  My parents weren't big on picture taking, documenting or story telling in a manner that I can "see" today.  I hope this week in the life project will be a glimpse of the lives of the CK family, to cherish in years to come.

I was more thoughtful today with the camera.  I should be taking at least 100 pictures a day to choose from when I assemble my actual album.  I'll focus this week on documenting the pictures and words (on separate paper) and then work on assembly next week.

Some pictures from today.

The weekday ritual is very familiar.  Up at 7am, to work, home, repeat.  Sofia has soccer tonight and Lilia nearly had a breakdown because she had to leave the house with me to go pick up Sofia at soccer.  Play time for the kids until dark.  Plants watered.  A quick visit from B.  A good night.

I am grateful for my parents, who do so much for me and my family.  Love.