Today

I commented to Darren the other day that this is the best summer of my life, probably an exaggeration but I am enjoying the kids so much. And I wonder if it will be my best watching them because they love and smooch each other so much. Jesse has recently gotten into saying "Oooohhh" when Luci cries and bringing her a parade of toys. Luci likes to make Jesse her baby, covering him with a blanket and patting his head--Jesse loves being mothered.

I was laughing to myself today, when at 1:15 today Luci, Jesse, Peanut, and I took a walk around the block. Jesse brought the dirty broom from the front steps, sweeping the bits of trash he found into the street and Luci carried her pink piece of chalk so we could draw spontaneous hearts and circles. We were one part city clean-up crew and one part graffitti artists.

A double pleasure occured today when we were enroute to gelato with our friend Fish and we bumped into our recently old neighbors Brent and his mom Ephralynn. I did not know where they had moved to nearby and was able to find out. (I knew it was somewhere around the corner but walking around recently with Jesse and calling "Brent" had not worked.) It was a joy to have our gelato time followed by a visit to Brent's new house where the boys rough housed on Brent's top bunk. Watching Jesse play with boys is one of my greatest joys because it is so rare, outside of school.

Had dinner at Naan 'n' Curry, ran over Bernal with Pea, and read a couple chapters of Anne Lamott's new "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith" and am finding it so great to hear someone speak so truthfully and insightfully. I especially enjoy the stories about her dog and the trials of parenting. Her perspective is validating and encouraging. And now I'm off to take a hugely anticipated shower with hopes that I will not hear the Luci who apparently should not take any more naps starting tomorrow.