A quick update to record the latest happenings, mostly in pictures. Blogging consistently has always been a challenge, for the lack of time or motivation. But here goes:
The spring and the end of the school year were packed and we are all happy it’s summer break and we can catch our breath a bit.
All in all, the school year ended with good results, through a lot of hard work and not a small amount of drama. That, and work related and personal issues – some old, some new (to me) that I had a hard time dealing with and am still figuring them out. The last part will never change, as there are always curveballs to dodge, but it’s getting harder to bounce back and get going.
The hard things do not make it to the blog. Maybe one day.. For now it’s all the good things I am thankful for and want to capture.
Mother’s day flowers were absolutely stunning, from a flower delivery service The Bouqs. I did my best to keep them alive for about two weeks.
We don’t do gifts for Mother’s Day, a nice bouget is all I need to feel special. This year we also had a family picnic,
and a dinner at home, followed by the best Tres Leches cake (one of my my favorite cakes) the kids made. The recipe is here.
In other exciting news, Ethan got a car and is close to getting his driver’s license.
A big project that Sonia and Ethan tackled almost entirely by themselves – Sonia’s room update. New paint, some new furniture, and, so far, no clutter. It’s beautiful and relaxing. Bye-bye green walls!
Phoebe is for moral support
I am happy with how they handled the project, it was a great learning experience. We generally encourage the kids to be independent and learn by doing. There is always a temptation to jump in and take care of it for them, but the sooner they learn life skills, the better for them and for my peace of mind.
Summer activities so far: on-line camps (we like Outschool). This was a 2-day camp on Pokémons, she loved it.
A trip to a local Home & Garden center to browse. They have this really nice koi fish pond with colorful lilies:
Cooking and baking is always happening, as a form of therapy, and family time.
Weekend mornings are for a special breakfast, like these 45-minute cinnamon rolls (pre-glaze):
Recipe here, took a bit over an hour – so much better than a traditional recipe. My go-to from now on.
Omelets are also usually for weekends – the French style, a bit more involved but so worth it. Here is Jacques Pépin showing the technique. I use different bits and bobs usually – whatever we have in the fridge. It’s fun to come up with different filling/ topping ideas. Here is today’s salmon, sour cream, and scallions:
Reading is my escape and a must-have. It’s been a combination of physical and digital books from the local library’s website. I don’t do audio books. Currently reading this biography of Queen Victoria By Julia Baird. I am enjoying it.
That’s all I have the time for now. I hope you are able to slow down and relax a little now that the summer is here, and that there is something good in every day for you.
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