thank you

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leafs a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

~ Robert Frost

Thankful for all that was, is right now, and all that could be ~ always. May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with much love, family, and play!

xoxo,

Zarlacht, Aaron, Ava & Noah

thankful wreaths

After a walk in the neighborhood collecting leaves and acorns, A & N made thankful wreaths in the art room. We are thankful every day - and attempt to share these at the dinner table - but this is one way to capture them into an activity, and for the scrapbooks.

Ava is practicing her writing, so she wrote this herself: What Ava is Thankful for: Mom, Family, Dad, The World, Disney Princess, Noah, Friends, Hana & Niko.

{Drats - the "Disney Princesses" made it onto this list!}

What Noah is Thankful for: My whole Family, ice cream, Dad, Trains & Trucks, Zoe, Bike, Ava, Mom, Cars.

Such a sweet snapshot of what the kids are thinking about isn't it? It made me realize that the wreath was too small for this type of project. Next fall... we're going to work on making a tree to fill with "thankful" leaves, so the kids could add to it through out the season. Or better yet, now that I'm thinking about it out loud - we should start on the first day of Spring - when life returns back into nature. We could keep adding to it throughout the year, and come next Thanksgiving, reflect on everything the kids are thankful for... Oh yes - I'm liking this idea much better. Now hold me to it!

For this quick activity - all you need is colorful construction paper, a paper plate, some glue, and markers. This is perfect for the kids to do while you're preparing your Thanksgiving spreads, or afterwards as a family. Enjoy!

taking time to pause... and dance

Thursday?? Hello there. This has been an exceptional week - between the weather cooling down, work to tie up - and sleep to make up from an all-nighter.... I have been doing a lot of this and that...

At home, when I stop and look around, how did everything get so misplaced? Where did all this laundry come from? And why is the sink full of pots and pans? From Sunday?? Really?? Sunday, when I spent more than 5 hours cleaning. Every day - the inside scape of our home takes on a new look. And to me, it means we've created new things. Played with different toys. And jumped on the beds a few too many times. When Ava rummaged through her closet, I took a deep breath and started to put things away. In the midst of hanging up clothes, putting back her toys and books on her shelf, she found her Afghan dress and asked to put it on. You're suppose to help me Ava, I'd say. But her jittery twirls won me over, and I pulled the dress over her, thinking I bought myself some time to organize the rest of her closet.

But then she wanted her CD that we play in the car. That's in the garage. On the other side of the house. With her clothes still in my hands, I sighed trekking to the garage, grabbed the CD, and tuned it to her favorite song so that she could dance. Once the music started playing, and the kids threw themselves a party - in the space I was trying to re-organize, I knew the invitation included me...

And that's how so much of our time is spent isn't it? Riddled with so much to do - like a balloon that's ready to pop - the air inside it should be accounted for. Our days have to be accounted for. The kids are growing up soo fast. And although it may take me a few days to get the laundry put away, or a client's project finished - I'm content knowing that the reason why is because of time spent together. Sometimes we prompt these kind of moments - but most of the time, Ava & Noah remind us, tug at us, and invite us... to dance...



and for that - my balloon will always float.

when time runs

the other night, i forced myself to sit next to aaron while he watched a baseball game on tv. a completely rare thing for me to do. but it was his birthday after all. the things we do for love.

before the game started, a flash of baseball stats appeared on the screen, and i commented on what was to me, an obvious typo - while gushing into a bite of my almond croissant...

"that can't be right. he couldn't have hit those runs. it's not even june 16, 2010 yet."

and aaron, in his "i'm afraid to have to tell you" tone of voice - broke the news to me. it's actually july 10.

so is it possible to have time lapses between the calendar - or simply just lapses? life seems to be a continuous ball of motion - running into each other - doesn't it? i like to think of this as a good thing. the wonderful days strung together into absolutely grand weeks. but on the same token, when there are low points - the feelings of sadness, stress, and all that "blahness" lingers well beyond human exhaustion - and that's not a good thing.

Blogging has fallen into this time lapse {thus the reason for the last 2 sudden posts and pics.} i didn't want to forget them. and i wanted so much to share them with you - the absolute loveliness of celebrating family - that has strung May and June so beautifully together. but aside from these writing spasms, many other stories - lovely and not so much so - will go untold.

I often hear people say in passing - "who has time to read blogs, let alone write about anything and everything?" but the truth is, it's so much more than that.

it's a process. just like the understanding of time passing. and what and where we are in it. sharing this process {if even a fraction of it} through writing - is what connects us - at different times and spaces in our lives, whether we are searching, or happen to click through to a site one too many times. whatever the course, it's always purposeful.

like this lovely piece i just read tonight - expressing so beautifully how i'm feeling at the moment... or this photo of ava dancing - genuinely portraying what the string of days have felt like recently.

so while i continue to figure out where this process will take me - or what i will write about next and when - i wanted to say thanks for hanging in there... i loved reading the recent flow of emails in my inbox. and that i'm as anxious to read and learn about the art of family today... or maybe tomorrow... too.

xo

making memories... with sand in my toes

Sometimes you just have to go for it. Abandon the fear, anxiety and "what if" scenarios that spiral into the abyss of our minds. As adults, our thoughts are capsuled by these very things - especially as parents. Worrying about anything and everything. But if we simply watch - our children are the very ones that teach us how to be fully free and present among ourselves...




Watching Ava run out into the water upon arrival of our annual trip to the beach - was a refreshing reminder that everyday should feel like that. Without her floaties... without us hovering over - we watched her run over the sugary white sands and welcome the cold water. We watched in envy of their fearless spirits and were deeply humbled with gratitude for the week ahead... to be together, rejuvenate and let go - at the edge of the earth...




For the past 2 years, Dad's travels back and forth to Afghanistan prevented him from sharing these summer jaunts to the white sands of Seacrest Beach with us. But this year - the timing worked out just right - and instead of walking the dusty streets of Kabul, he is walking and holding his grandchildren beneath a forgiving sunset...








So much of what I love about traveling with family is how magnified the routine of days become with loved ones around. Mornings are sublime - waking up to different cuddles and laughs...




One of the things I often dream about is raising my children near the beach. But seeing as how I'm not much of a swimmer, nor a fan of seafood or swim suits - makes this a much prettier idea in my head. Still - it's nice to live on the beach - if even for awhile - and take in this scenery every moment of the day. Ava and Noah sit on the back porch here - on our second day - and talk about how they will divvy up their animal crackers before they spend a morning at the beach...







By the time the sun peaked at high-noon, we were ready to enjoy the beach - from inside our cottage - where the views and comforts of home still took our breaths away -




This is probably one of my favorite photos - or moments rather - for anyone who knows my father will know that he has a serious distaste for photos. In fact, I believe he has an allergy with cameras. I don't blame him - I take a lot of photos. When I turned to snap one of him, he frowned. I put my camera down, sighing at the routine of him running away from my lens - but was surprised when he went behind the counter and grabbed his son-in-laws and said, "now I'm ready" with a big smile on his face (thank you Dad!).




Although most people don't like to cook while on vacation - it was something we all got to do together (like in my case, where I accompanied the chefs on the other side of the counter). The variety, freshness, and gathering around plates of home cooking was like our palettes were on vacation too...




That evening, as Mom and I watched the sun set, the wind picked up - and so did our spirits for some adventure to fly our kites!








By nightfall, Roshana and I joined Wagma and Dad laying on the hammock - watching the stars turn on their lights one by one. Mom joined us, and before we knew it, my entire family was swinging on this one hammock - laughing hysterically, and watching shooting stars. We listened to Dad tell stories of places so distant... of when he was governor and touring one of his provinces on horseback alongside a mountain and then separated from his guardsmen. Before losing hope, there was a sliver of flickering light at the bottom of the mountain - which turned out to be a small tribal village. Not identifying himself, he was nonetheless welcomed, and given hot tea... Or the time my father didn't stop at a border patrol and turned to look back and see an Afghan holding a machete behind his back... or about the time when he and Mom drove to the countryside and were robbed by gypsies...


The stories fluttered one right after the other - completely capturing our attention as we tried to imagine and piece together these stories with our eyes. This was the kind of experience where memories are made out of memories - where on this perfect evening - my family came together like never before. I was lost in my humility and love - for the family I was born into and for the family I have created - and the chance to blend these two are true blessings. This memory - and this one night - will live much longer than I will...




On our second day - unfortunately the AC gave up on us. After 3 technicians, we decided to part our ways. In less than 2 hours, a new beach vacation was underway... and Masaud booked us a five-star condo with gulf views 30-min east, in Destin. And as a bonus to this extra bit of luxury, the children's slumber parties officially kicked off...





Roshana flew back home to start her summer session in college, while the rest of us resumed full beach bumming mode...















Including participation in a hermit crab race... and treasure dig -







Using a bamboo place mat (I mean pirate's map) of course... arrgggh...





Spending time alone with Grandma is a treasured past-time for Ava. Holding hands - and bridging the past with the future - both generations walk fulfilled with so much more than just seashells today...





Although none of us is a real huge fan of excursions, we ventured out to Harborwalk Village and took a boat ride out on the gulf...









And sure enough - a dozen or so dolphins put on a good show. Afterwards, Ava safely steered the boat back into the harbor - whew....





After dinner one night, we went out for ice cream to Sandestin Village of Baytowne Wharf - a picturesque community with something for everyone. While I tried to entice Ava and Noah to ride the carousel, they both had their eyes up in the air. So, I bit my lip and asked if their was an age minimum. To all of our surprises - especially Ava and Noah - there wasn't. And so up they went.... And it was every bit worth the wait in line on this very hot and humid night...





On this particular sunny afternoon, we managed to steal some wonderful candids with the girls musing over the beauty all around...






On our last day - we attempted to take a family portrait on the beach. There were sheer moments of laughter - as well as pure torture - as the kids wriggled this way and that while the camera snapped away...















The end to such a beautiful week wasn't easy. From the moment we returned from Seacrest last year, we began dreaming up of plans to go back. The impact of the oil spill, the uncertainties of illnesses, the stretches of long work hours... they were all forgiving for this one amazing week - allowing us to let go - and just be...







Each day unfolded a different story - and each one of us gave a little - and took a little - one from the other. And we are all better because of it.

Noah's 3rd Birthday

On May 22nd, we celebrated Noah's 3rd birthday. He officially turned 3 yesterday, but after some internal debate, we decided he would much more enjoy the entire day if his best buddies were with him.. and so that's what we did - cousins, Aunts and Uncles and Grandma's gathered in the front yard for some old fashioned racing fun...

... Like sack races. It really is harder than it looks - and that's what was so great about it. Ava won the toddler round, and Uncle Masaud left smoke behind - taking a giant leap right into first place....





Continuing with the race theme, we filled race car "eggs" and hid them in the yard - then watched the kids zoom in search of sweet treats... and our littlest driver parked her coupe to inspect the treasures more carefully.





And then it was pinata time... there's always a pinata at our parties! After swatting and sweating - the kids grew restless at the thought of this red paper mache holding their candy hostage...



We had to take matters into serious hands...



But before the kids could stomach too much candy, it was lunch time. While I'm a fan of home-cooked meals - occasions as special as this one calls for back up - i.e. catering from the local Italian restaurant. We set up a separate table for the children - with personalized chalk boards and games (a fun way to keep the kids "zooming" while the adults refueled too)...





"Goody-bags" - One of Noah's 3 things he requested for his birthday party - was filled with all things cars (die-cast cars from Disney/Pixar, Hot Wheels, car keys), candy and thank you trophies. Our littlest guest Sophia, got a dalmatian dog- to carry while wearing her fireman hat! Adults received racing bags too - with car cleaning necessities, tire pressure gauges, car fresheners and chocolates...



Aaron and I baked Noah's birthday cake this year. And while we have yet to master the skill of this fine art - we were just as pleased with its outcome - after seeing the look on Noah's face when his candles lit up and we sang Happy Birthday to him...

This was a very special moment for us all. He made it to 3. And while that may sound ridiculous to say - it actually is the honest truth. Never would I have ever given a second-thought to that phrase... but two and half weeks ago, Noah nearly drowned in our pool. I don't think I'll ever forget that day. Seeing him here - in this moment - is one that I did not think I would have - after pulling him out of the pool. But we did... and we do... continue to have precious moments - just being and embracing all that life has to teach us... and how fleeting time with our loved ones are...







With more sugar, it was time to head outdoors again. But this time, to cool off...

You made it to 3, my sweet boy. Life continues to zoom - and you are enjoying all of it - while we are blessed to enjoy you. Your laugh and the twinkling thoughts that race through your body - questioning everything... You and Ava are all that I have hoped for, and so much more. And I pray, that everyday, you smile as big - as you did today. I love you.