08.19

These days have seemed so long, lovely, full of light.

08.18

It could have been so much worse. It's nice to have people to call.

08.17

The two of us still have a bit of adjusting to do. Finding that balance between what we want to do and what needs to happen.

08.16

The sun shone on us today. Literally and figuratively.

08.15

He is the Lone Ranger.

08.14

We were giddy with the temperatures. A day game in August and we weren't soaked with sweat. A victory, even if the Reds didn't get one.

08.13

The cowboy said maybe we could follow the rainbow to a pot of gold at the end of this Reds season. I'm sure hoping.

08.12

Everything about today felt good: reunions, spontaneity, restraint, promise, laughter, understanding, and patience. One of those that doesn't always come around.

08.11

I never expect to see those squares of moonlight. I never get tired of their surprise.

08.10

There is a reason we don't shop at Sam's Club.

08.09

He gets pretty grouchy when things don't go his way. Glad he didn't pick that one up from me.

08.08

Today, it was our gateway back east.

08.07

We couldn't seem to find that happy medium. All we found were extremes.

08.06

Science experiments with dry ice. What a great vacation.

08.05

We have big kids. Kids who can ride for five hours without crying or whining. Kids who enjoy going to an art museum. Big kids all of a sudden.

08.04

A lizard with a bright blue tail scurried across our balcony today. And we weren't too busy to stop and watch it.

08.03

Someone wanted some attention.

08.02

Sometimes I think the catalogs provide more hours of enjoyment than the actual toys.

08.01

As I high-stepped over "The Web of the World," Brian told me I was a good mom. If all it takes to be a good mom is the ability to allow and then overlook a mess, I think my kids will be OK.

07.31

I wonder how to absorb more each day. How to change.

07.30

The day was a sweaty one. It was nice to spend some time on a blanket, in the grass, in the shade.

07.29

It's hard to remember mine this small.

07.28

They are lucky boys. And they have completely flooded the backyard.

07.27

He's such a good dad.

07.26

Coffee on the porch, shade of the trees, breezes blowing. Suburbia is a nice vacation destination.

07.25

Our new hobby...squatting. We picked a great place to start!

07.24

Happy Birthday, Brian. And Reds...great win!

07.23

Cowardice will get me nowhere.

07.22

Sometimes I get caught in unfamiliar surroundings and it paralyzes me, too.

07.21

We were there so many days in a row, we could predict which part of the spray park would turn on next. It was a nice routine while it lasted.

07.20

I wonder, sometimes, how it's happened that I'm surrounded by so much and so many.

07.19

Some nights, things just don't get picked up.

07.18

I love it when things turn out better than I expect. But no matter how much I like something, it's still a scary experience to share it.

07.17

So many people in this city. So many lives crossing but not alway intersecting. But I feel connected and known.

07.16

Next time, we'll just share the nachos and skip the fajitas.

07.15

An early morning bike ride, a cool, shady breeze, and a chat with a friend. A lovely beginning to a summer day.

07.14

Even if the rest of my house is in shambles (and it is), just having these on the counter makes me feel relaxed.

07.13

I had imagined myself lounging beside the pool, in the shade, reading a book, while they learned to swim. This is nice, too.

07.12

Motivation returned in spurts. I got some things accomplished, and then we all went swimming.

07.11

I'm struggling to be nice. And productive. And to contribute. I hope I snap out of it soon.

07.10

Home. If only some one would clean it for me.

07.09

We stayed longer than we'd expected. Kids were falling asleep in the water. But they still had energy for the evening explorations.

07.08

Bone Path. Wand Path. Mossy Rock. Gorge Path. Dirt, grime, sweat, mud. Happy kids.

07.07

Everything started off wrong. But it ended up working out beautifully.

07.06

It's ridiculous of me to focus on the emptiness when there really is fullness all around.

07.05

They were so entranced with making this world for their queen frog. I just couldn't break it to them that the queen was dead. And I couldn't look either.

07.04

I asked him if this was the worst day of his life. He said it was the best. And that nearly every day was the best day of his life. How quickly he changes his tune.

07.03

If I just sat very still, I could pretend I wasn't that hot.

07.02

So many things went other than planned. I got a bit flustered but I didn't cry. That was one of my biggest triumphs in a while.

07.01

Summer is so much more bearable in lush grass and a steady breeze.