little black journal

Isaac.  ISAAC.  He’s three and a half today and I’ve never felt quite so equal a measure of savor-these-sweet-days AND sweet-Jesus-when-will-this-end.  He is excitement and affection and stubbornness and ungratefulness in one single package.  Three is a ride.  This is our boy:

Current loves include his yellow scooter, which got more use in warmer months, but still gets pulled from the garage when the sun comes out.

I don’t pull out the paints and brushes as often as I’d like, but when I do, Isaac’s inner artist really lights up.

We still throw a lot of rocks…

And then we head to Starbucks for the occasional special treat.  Their steamers have upended our milk game…  I make Isaac a cup of warm milk each morning and add a couple of drops of vanilla, Isaac accepting the sippy cup and asking, 1: “Is it warm?” and 2: “Does it have a LOT of banilla?”.

We’ve cycled through obsessions with Mario Brothers, Trolls, Paw Patrol, Spiderman, and Sonic the Hedgehog, but cars and trucks are still his end-all, be-all.  He falls asleep most nights snuggled next to something with wheels.

There are days when it feels like we’re in an endless loop of coaxing, negotiation, and discipline.  Isaac, let’s see if you can get dressed before the Gummi Bear song is over!  Isaac, finish your hamburger and you can have a dessert.  Isaac, stop jumping on the couch or you’re going in time out.  ISAAC, WORK WITH ME HERE!

He had his first dentist appointment in November and I dreaded the lead-up to it, remembering how Juliette wailed through her check-ups as a toddler, but Buddy hopped right up in that chair, slipped on those sunglasses, and opened his mouth wide before the hygienist had even taken a seat next to him.  Occasionally he makes things easy on us.

Bathtime snaps…

And bedtime drama!  Goodness, we’ve been put through our nighttime paces these past couple of months.  Our routine usually starts out fine – we get through pajamas and toothbrushing without much fuss and I love the few minutes we spend snuggled up in his bed, reading books and singing songs.

But then I turn out the light and the whining and pleading begins.  “Sleep with me, Mommy?  Peeeeeeeease?”  I tell him no, that I have things to do and that I need to sleep in my own bed, and his eyes fill with tears as he cries, “But I need some peoples in my room!  It’s hard!  It’s too hard!”  I tried comforting him, closing his door (he bolts out of bed and throws it back open in seconds), reasoning with him, yelling at him…he just could not bear to be left alone.  Finally, though, bribery for the win.  I told him if he was a brave boy I would get him a brave boy car.  And, he slept.

At the end of the day, though, sleep woes and stubbornness be damned.  He’s tender and exuberant and gives the very best hugs.

Isaac Henry, Happy 3.5.

The annual roundup!  Things that brought me joy in 2024:

Favorite book:

I set a goal every year to read 24 books and eeked in by finishing my 24th book on New Years Eve.  One or two snoozers in here, but mostly four-star ratings on the Goodreads’ five-star scale.

Favorite book of all was Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.  Maybe the best book I’ve read in five years?  I loved it so much and had all the feels for Demon.  

Favorite non-fiction was Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad.  I’m so thankful for that glimpse into her journey of sickness and healing.  Bonus points for the mentions of Jon Batiste.

 

Favorite TV show:

Where have I been?  How did I not discover Shrinking until just last month?  I watched the first episode by myself on an evening when the house was quiet and proceeded to blitz through the first season over Christmas Break.  Finished season two last week.  Jason, Harrison, Jessica…I adore you.  I’m a sucker for a heart-tugging comedy.

 

Favorite movie:

Easy. I watched with We Live in Time with Nancy and La Verne while we were on our December weekend getaway and can’t tell you many times the three of us cried over the course of those two hours.  Love and loss and that birth scene.  

 

Favorite podcast:

I debated striking this category this year as I’m accepting that I’m just not that much of a podcast person, but I do find myself occasionally wanting to stream something while I’m in the car alone (rare) or have a quiet moment to myself (rarer).  I tune into select episodes as recommended by my most trusted circle and La Verne, thank you for the tip on the episode of Modern Love featuring Andrew Garfield.  Maybe I just have him on the brain as he features in my favorite movie mentioned above, but that man is gentleness and genuineness personified.  Give it a listen.

 

Favorite song:

We listened plenty to Taylor’s Tortured Poets Department last year and while I Can Do It with A Broken Heart is a genuine BOP, I’m going with Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club as my 2024 anthem.  Juliette and I have the fondest memories of belting out I’m gonna keep on dancing over and over as we drove from Charleston to Savannah.  Heck, we sing it on our 5-minute drive from home to Trader Joe’s.  It’ll get you.

 

Favorite personal pastime:

I have a standing Sunday morning walk date with some women friends and that hour each week has become such a meaningful time for me to move, breathe, and connect.  We check in and we laugh and drink coffee while getting our steps in and I alway leave there feeling restored.  Plus, these views.

 

Favorite family pastime:

Camp season 2024!  We did it!  Each of our three trips had their challenges (sleeplessness, rain, heat), but what stands out are Isaac’s shouts of glee as we erected our tent, Juliette’s eagerness to help with dinner prep at the camp stove, the moments when Isaac was occupied with his cars and I was able to scoot my camp chair right up next to Shane’s so we could sip our canned wine and listen to the wind in the trees.  I’ve got big plans for summer 2025.

 

And, favorite moments…

Suncadia was colder than cold last January, but we leaned into the cozy vibes.

 

Maui’s Makena Cove…forever our family’s most special place on earth.  

 

Saying goodbye to Denny in March was the hardest thing our family has ever done, but the evenings before his funeral spent sitting around the kitchen, reminiscing about all the joy he brought into our lives, made me thankful for the nuggets of goodness he left planted in each of us.

 

And in the thick of our grief, we found sun and water and friends.  Exceedingly grateful for these few days in paradise.

 

Sometimes Juliette greets me at the bus stop at the end of my day.  Sometimes the little things bring the biggest joy.

 

When Juliette’s soccer tournament popped up during the same weekend I had a campsite booked at Deception Pass, I almost cancelled my reservation.  But instead Isaac and I trekked out on our own, and that weekend held some of my most favorite moments with my boy.

 

Criss-crossing vacation schedules kept us from seeing these folks as much as we wanted to this summer, but when we did, it was a big ol’ family picnic.  

 

Our weekend camping at Kachess Lake was HOT, but the long afternoons on the water were GOOD.

 

Dreamy Neskowin…

 

Isaac skips naptime more often than not these days, but when he does doze, I do it with him.  These days are numbered.  

 

Buddy turned three!  And got some new wheels.

 

And Big Sis turned ELEVEN.  Sweeter and cooler with each passing year.  

 

I’m so stinking proud of Juliette’s commitment to her new soccer team.  And look at that Grandma fan club!

 

A break from soccer Saturdays to pick pumpkins and drink cider.  These family mini-adventures fill my cup.  Literally.  

 

I couldn’t pick a single pic from mine and Juliette’s southern galavant, but these are top three.  Dinner, drinks, parks.  

 

Thanksgiving was so warm and comfy this year, from the Macy’s Parade to our after-dinner pie.  Such a treat to have Shane’s mom with us.

 

Long live the Polar Express.

On with the business of 2025.

The main event!  We drove down to Portland a couple of days before Christmas to settle in with the fam and enjoy some downtime.  We unloaded our car and then got right down to business – cards and the hand slap game and lots of cousin love.

Isaac was always up early, eager to explore the house and grab some Bina snuggles.

I know, Bina – that’s how I feel, too, when Isaac wants to play before I’ve had my coffee.

We made our usual pilgrimage to Powells for books and PDX vibes.

I tell you, row upon row of beautifully-illustrated books and Isaac beelines for the carousel of Paw Patrol paperbacks.

And an intro to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

We finished our book shopping and then went back to the house to settle into the couch and watch Elf.

The BEST.

Isaac and I popped over to the playground late afternoon to get some residual wiggles out.

When the lawn decorations match your sweater…

I liked being the last one to bed while we were there, relishing the quiet and the fire and the glow of the Christmas tree.

Christmas Eve!  Isaac was up very very early and was very very loud, so I tossed him in the car, not sure exactly where we headed.  We ended up finding a cozy table by the window at Grand Central Bakery on Hawthorne.  Buddy got a cinnamon roll, I got a latte, and everyone back at the house got to grab some extra Z’s.  We all won.

A woman walked by and said, “A cinnamon roll in your pajamas on Christmas Eve?  Life doesn’t get any better than that!”  Right, Bud?

We got back to the house, threw some real clothes on Isaac, and then headed right back out with Shane and Juliette to catch the 11am showing of Moana 2.  Isaac’s first movie!

Loved it.

The afternoon was lazy and lovely.

(Can you guess who won Uno?)

Morning rain brought an afternoon rainbow.

We gathered in the living room after dinner for our annual viewing of The Polar Express.  On my list of top five holiday traditions, for sure.

We’re ready for you, Santa!

Isaac was up first on Christmas morning and I tried to stoke excitement with the missing cookies and the half-eaten carrot, but he really wasn’t grasping the concept.  “Why did Santa bring me a carrot?”

But oh, the presents.

All the kids are up!  Showtime!

The next hour was filled with the sounds of wrapping paper being ripped, delighted exclamations and effusive thank you’s.

The only thing on Juliette’s wish list was a four-pack of holiday mini Squish-mallows.  I initially didn’t take her very seriously when she said she wanted them, but then I saw the look of disappointment on her face when I told her they were sold out on Amazon.  I put a watch on them and they popped back up a week before Christmas – I’m so glad I snagged them.  How many more years of stuffy love does she really have ahead of her?

And Isaac’s main ask was for a Paw Patrol Chase stuffy.

Nailed it.

My dad sat in his usual chair and got his usual gift of beer and chocolate.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Isaac had picked out this book from Powell’s a couple of days earlier and saw us buying it, but still couldn’t believe his eyes when he unwrapped it that morning.  Three year olds are the best.

Gifts opened.  Kids thrilled.  Mission accomplished.

The rest of the morning was quiet and wonderful.  The kids played with their gifts.  I drank coffee and finished my book.  All was merry and bright.

Dinner was our usual country ham, with a side of mac and cheese a la Morgan.  Sugar cookies and apple crisp for dessert.  Thanks to Mitch and Kathryn for continuing to be the most gracious of hosts.  I know we all make for a very full house.

We headed home the day after Christmas, to tackle a couple of house projects and cozy in with the kids.

Isaac and Shane became fast fans of The Outdoor Boys, a YouTube channel filled with videos of a guy that camps in extreme weather.  Random but wholesome viewing.  Isaac’s plea all weekend was, “Watch snow camping, Daddy?  Snow camping?”

I took the kids down to the Menashee House for one last feast of holiday lights.  Shane is of the opinion that Christmas decorations should be taken down the day after Christmas – fresh start, don’t overplay the magic, yadda yadda.  I say, keep the twinkle coming.  Till New Years Day, at least, though really the full month of January is fair game.

I had something come up at work and needed to head into the office on December 30th.  Isaac was at school and Juliette asked if she could spend the day with me downtown.  I welcomed the company, as I was none too thrilled about having to give up a day with my girl.  She marched up the stairs to my building like a boss.

We cut out early and spent the afternoon roaming downtown, lunching and shopping.

It felt like one of our annual getaways – way to rekindle my love of our city, Juliette!

She makes everything new and beautiful and fun.

Shane and Juliette headed to the slopes on New Years Eve for a ski day and so Isaac and I were left to rustle up our own mini-adventure.

“Bye, sister!”  Those are heart hands he’s making…

While those two skied, Isaac and I hit up Costco and then ran circles around the Juanita Bay playground in Kirkland.

Like, literal circles.  I think he went down this slide 25 times.

The dock here is huge and amazing and perfect for tossing rocks.

And hunting for bears.

Post-playground, we warmed up at Zoka Coffee.

And then a nap by the Christmas tree, as we knew its days were numbered.  Sometimes I lament that I can’t downhill ski with Shane and Juliette, but…this might be better.

One of Isaac’s preschool buddies had a New Years Eve dance party that evening, complete with a disco ball, and we popped in for an hour to bust a move or two.

We returned home around dinnertime to get our own party started.  Games and snacks and laughs with the Rusts and Jordan.

It was a mellow evening, complete with a 9 pm New Years toast, but that’s how we roll now.  I’m not mad about it.

Cheers, Bud!

(Isaac got real into the toast thing.)

Happy 2025, friends.

December was full of all the holiday things as we fully leaned into the Schnell Family Twinkle-Fest 2024.  Early mornings were spent playing by the Christmas tree, wondering which ornament would be Isaac’s favorite du jour…

We leaned into time with our chosen family as well, gathering on Black Friday to devour a spread of Thanksgiving leftovers.  Jack’s turkey congee was so good for the soul.

We visited the Christmas market at Seattle Center while Shane’s mom was still here.  Lights and hot cocoa and a carousel (that the kids rode twice, no less) and a visit with Santa, from whom Isaac decisively requested a Paw Patrol Chase stuffy (I took notes).

Juliette says she’s too old for the carousel, but agreed to ride “just to show Isaac how to hold on”.

The Christmas Ship is another favorite ritual on our holiday calendar and since we missed the ship’s November docking at Alki Beach, we drove over to Seward Park to catch their Lake Washington show.  We perched on a log, wrapped a fleece blanket around our shoulders, and listened to the carolers’ voices ring out over the water.

Want to talk about twinkle?  The annual Menashee House display was unveiled on December 1st in all it’s brightly colored glory.

We visited our other favorite neighborhood displays, like the yard with 40 inflatables, and the house with a projection of a cookie-eating Santa in the window.  I love how this time of year turns even our run-of-the-mill drive home from daycare into a wonder-filled event, ripe with holiday magic.

Shane’s mom headed back to Minnesota in early December and we missed her the moment she left, but are so thankful that we were able to ring in the holiday season with her.

Juliette participated in her school’s annual craft fair on a Saturday, selling handmade bracelets and decorated mini-trees.  It was such a festive event, the cafeteria brimming with creativity and pride.  Juliette’s wares were a hit and she turned a good profit, though she reminded me that “it’s not about the money, Mommy”.

Juliette decorated a gingerbread house…

And Isaac ate said decorations…

There was a father-daughter pickleball game under Alki’s evening lights…

And Nancy, La Verne and I skipped town on a Friday for our annual getaway.  We hot-tubbed in Port Townsend and browsed cute bookshops and feasted at Finistere, then cozied up at La V’s Marrowstone house for movies and dessert.

We made it back to Seattle in time to watch the kids’ December piano recital.  Juliette practiced, practiced, practiced beforehand but was a ball of nerves when we walked in the church.  I sat with her onstage for a quick little rehearsal prior to showtime and watched her shoulders relax as she made it through the most challenging bars of The Beach.  She got this.

Nailed it.

My most favorite holiday tradition is our family brunch with the Chens and Rusts, where we eat and exchange gifts and be merry together.  Pickles the Bassett Hound loves it, too – don’t let those droopy eyes fool you!

Does this boy need a puppy for Christmas?!

This gang gives the most thoughtful gifts; each little surprise is emblematic of just how well we know and love each other.

(The Chens know the way to Isaac’s heart, for sure!)

Juliette and I kicked off her winter break with our Christmas tree slumber party.  I think I fell asleep well before she did, but I woke up in the wee hours of the night and found her snoozing peacefully.

Isaac joined us early the next morning…

And then I took him to our neighborhood Santa while Juliette was kicking the soccer ball around with some friends.  Isaac hopped right up onto the couch and these two had a nice little chat and then suddenly Isaac was right on Saint Nick’s lap, cheesing for a photo.

This time around, Isaac’s one Christmas request was for a candy cane.  You got it, Buddy!

Gosh, I love the Saturday before Christmas.  Most the to-do’s are done, we have two weeks of break stretching out in front of us, the house is cozy with anticipation and the sound of Elf or The Grinch playing in the background.  It’s such a good day for a blanket nest.

(Are you cozy, Juliette?)

Next stop, Portland!

A November photo blitz!  There were morning coffee shop dates…

Afternoon cruises around the neighborhood…

And evening dinners with Grandma and Grandpa.

I voted…

And then I spent election night, plus several nights after, huddled in Isaac’s bed fort under a pile of blankets, grieving and praying and finding comfort in tiny little wonders.

Our family spent a Sunday in Madison Park, meandering through the bakery and the toy store and the playground.  I forgot how lovely this corner of Seattle is.

Juliette played a lot of soccer, often in the rain.  Thank goodness for those late afternoon games where Isaac was able to nap in the stroller – this left me with one free hand for my umbrella, the other for my mug of tea.

Shane’s mom came to visit toward the end of the month and we awaited her arrival with much anticipation.  “Shhhh…  She’s almost here, Mommy!”

Made it.  Let the baking and crafting begin!

I took the day off work on Thanksgiving Eve to spend some extra time with Juliette and to finish my last-minute grocery shopping.  We made an event of dropping off Isaac at school that morning, then walking home with our latte / hot chocolate.

Preschool’s out!  Let the mini-break begin!

Thanksgiving was all I wanted it to be.  Quiet and cozy, filled with food and snuggles.  Everyone chipped in with meal prep – even Isaac pulled stool up to the kitchen counter, eager to egg-wash our breakfast croissants.

But he couldn’t wait for them to bake, so he tucked into the muffin Shane had picked up on their early-morning walk to Starbucks.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was enormously exciting.  “Bluey!  Mickey Mouse!  Minion!  PAW PATROL!!!”

Sous-chef…

And a quick bubbly break.

And then a cuddle break.  I have worked very hard to dial in low-stress holiday cooking.

Finishing touches…

And WE DID IT!

It was such a good meal, filled with gratitude and laughter and potatoes.  Those potatoes.

Isaac found the cranberry sauce to be a bit tart, but I thought it was perfect.

Bellies full, we threw the pans in the sink to soak and headed down to Alki to catch the last of the day’s rays.

A November beach day is such a treat, beanies and all.

Back home, we pulled the Christmas tree out of our storage closet, turned on the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, and poured some egg nog.  Things got real festive real fast.

Nice try, little rascal!

And to all a GOOD NIGHT…

October!  Juliette and I came back from Savannah to a couple of open-armed boys.  Isaac was asleep by the time our plane landed, but his reunion with Sister the next morning was exuberant.

The rest of the month was fairly quiet – we stayed close to home, enjoyed our Fall rituals.  Juliette rocked the school Move-A-Thon and ran 22 laps around the school parking lot in just under 20 minutes!

Shane turned another year older on the 19th and while he didn’t get the Southern fine dining birthday experience that I enjoyed with Juliette, he did get a new pair of flannel pajama pants.  We’ll call it even?

We spent our Saturdays on the soccer field, cheering on Juliette in between our own sideline shenanigans.

And we spent our Sundays at our favorite parks, soaking in the autumnal colors.  Volunteer Park is an October must – Juliette’s hair matches the leaves!

My girl is such a champ, eager every time to climb the 100+ steps to the top of the water tower.

(Her hair goes well with brick tones, too…)

Goodness, how I love a good Fall romp with these kids.

Playground pay-off for letting Mom take 200 photos under the trees…

Isaac is so fun at the playground these days, independent and just the right amount of adventurous.  Spread those wings, Buddy…

Now someone buy these kids a hot chocolate or something!

(Done.)

Juliette and I brewed a couple of cocoas and picked up Isaac a little early on a Friday for a walk through Camp Long.

This little grove is a slice of Fall magic.

“Wait, Juliette!  WAIT!”  This boy does not like to bring up the rear.

Can we talk for a minute about how good he looks in the flannel that his Auntie bought him last year?

These walls push the limits of Isaac’s climbing skills (and my nerves), but Juliette is an excellent backstop.

My parents came to town at the end of month and settled right into our day-to-day.

And oh, the Halloween festivities!  The neighborhood was decked out with pumpkins and skeletons and giant spiders.  Isaac and I relished our evening “Spooky Walks”.

Isaac would hold the flashlight from the stroller, illuminating our way, and then yell “MOOKY!” (spooky) every time he saw a skeleton or ghost.

We ate croissants and carved pumpkins with the Chens on a gray Saturday morning.

Get it, girl.

And then…the costumes!  I bring you Mario (upside-down mustache and all) and his beloved Princess Peach.

I was thrilled to find that Isaac’s blue jumpsuit came with a built-in belly.

Who’s that creeping out of our house?

Juliette cringed a little…

But Isaac had nothing but pure adoration for his buddy Luigi.  Way to be the fun dad, Shane.

We spent the Friday before Halloween at Juliette’s school for the Monster Mash, which was festive and loud and chaotic, but also a wonderful chance for me to get some sunset Peach pics.

Halloween itself was WET.  We pushed through and trick-or-treated anyway, because that’s what Seattle kids do, but the rain was relentless.

Isaac really got the hang of trick-or-treating this year and wanted to hang as late as the big kids.  I couldn’t say no.

Eventually though, we called it and headed home to turn on the fireplace, put Harry Potter on the TV, and take inventory.  Soggy bags of M&Ms were discarded, but there were still plenty of plastic-wrapped sweets to go around.  HAPPY OCTOBER.

Our Friday drive to Savannah took longer than expected due to traffic, but Juliette and I leaned into the road trip vibes, cranked up the Chappell Roan, and dug into our snack stash.  Pink Pony Club became our southern anthem as we cruised under tunnels of oaks.

We got settled at our top-floor AirBnB late afternoon and took in the view from our corner window.  Score!

We set out in the evening in search of food and drink, but I was sidetracked around each bend by the abundance of Spanish moss.  It was all I hoped it would be.

Juliette is exceedingly patient with my constant snapping of photos – this was the point in our trip when she made a game out of really amping up her strut each time I pulled out my phone.

Oh-my-gosh-I-love-her-so-much.

We walked down sidewalks lined with brick and through squares shaded by towering, twirly oaks.

We landed a comfy couple of seats at Grove’s rooftop terrace and ordered up a Spritz for mama and a Rise and Shine for kiddo.  Juliette felt so fancy with her pineapple garnish – cheers, girlfriend.

We stayed here for awhile.  No need to rush!

Once we’d eaten and drank and finished our game of Rummy, we slowly moseyed on back to our room, passing through City Market and down Broughton.  The Friday night vibes were strong in this town.

Such a happy glimmer.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and full of charm.

We grabbed coffee and bagels and then walked over to the Jepson Center for an art fix.

The museum was small but lovely.  We lingered for a bit at the interactive Impressionist exhibit and then headed back out into the sunshine.

Our entry to the Jepson was bundled with a tour of the nearby Owens-Thomas house and slave quarters, so we walked that way.  These tree-filled squares, though!  They were everywhere and they were my favorite.

Our hour-long tour through the Owens-Thomas house was packed with information, but I reminded Juliette that there would be no test on this history lesson.  Instead, I told her just to take in what she could.  The juxtaposition of master versus servant quarters was powerful.  And gosh, Juliette’s ears really perked up when she learned that the Marquis de Lafayette, her favorite character from Hamilton, had stayed at that very house.

After our house tour, we decided to book a couple of tickets on the town trolley so that we could do some seated sight-seeing.  It was a short walk to the trolley stop, but again, the moss.  Couldn’t help ourselves.

We hopped off the trolley near the river and grabbed lunch at The Pirate’s House, which was a quirky little place.  Quirky good?  Or quirky weird?  Who can say?

It was short walk to the next trolley stop, where we perched on a bench to wait for our pickup.  We watched the sweetest, happiest couple take their wedding pics.  Lotta love in the air that day.

The trolley took us down to Forsyth Park, which is basically one of those darling town squares times ten.  Stunning.

We strolled back toward our AirBnB, making a stop at Mirabel for iced tea and iced coffee.  Patio table dreams.

Back on our feet, with more delight around each bend.

THE SQUARES!

This one was the setting for the opening scene of Forrest Gump.  Southern as southern gets.

We chilled at our room for awhile and then went back out to do a little shopping.  We had seen lots of people toting bags of Byrd’s “tiny, crispy, cookies” and decided we needed to fill a small sampler box for ourselves.  Two thumbs up for their key lime coolers.

Juliette was craving sushi (which for her, means edamame and cucumber rolls), so we grabbed a table Coco and Moss.  Felt good to eat something green.

Goodnight, Savannah.  Time to get back to our room to do face masks and watch The Notebook!

We had a Sunday evening flight back home, which left us with the full morning to wander and charm-seek.  We found a sweet little patio table at Franklin’s and took our time eating our pastries and sipping our drinks.

I felt like my conversations with Juliette just got better and better as the week went on.  No shortage of things to talk about with this girl.

I wanted to walk along nearby Jones Street, which was rumored to be the loveliest street in Savannah, but I mean really, aren’t they all lovely?

Jones was awfully nice.

And when near Forsyth Park…you go back!

We found a bench and I painted Juliette’s nails and we read for awhile.

There was a musician playing kids’ tunes on his trumpet for an intrigued toddler and Juliette and I watched with a smile and a bit of longing as the little boy clapped and danced.  It was time to get home to our guys.

Final sidewalk snaps…

A signing of the guest book…

And one last square…

We loved Savannah so much.  We loved our time together SO MUCH.  Next time someone says, “picture your happy place”, I think that bench at Forsyth Park may come to mind.  Spanish moss glowing overhead.  Fountain tinkling in the distance.  Juliette at my side.  Sun on our shoulders.  I’m so thankful.

Juliette and I had such a ball galavanting around Paris last October that I wanted to make our mother-daughter getaway an annual thing.  We don’t need to jet off to Europe every year, per se, but I figured we could swing some sort of trip together to do some exploring and focus on each other without little brother interjecting himself into any and every conversation.  I’ve had the South on my to-visit list for some time now and Shane…has not, so I asked Juliette if she wanted to spend a few days romping around Charleston and Savannah and she said OF COURSE and I bought tickets and we kissed our guys goodbye and we were off!

We arrived at our little AirBnB carriage house on a Wednesday afternoon, ditched our sweaters, and set out to grab a snack before our late-evening dinner reso.

This place was going to do juuuuust fine.

We found acai bowls and tons of shopping on nearby King Street.  Plus plenty of charm and twinkle to boot.

We had a bit of time to rest and settle into our cozy quarters before dinner.  What this place lacked in square footage, it made up for with character!

I wanted to do something a little fancy, it being my birthday and all, and Husk did not disappoint.

Get a load of the porch on this place!

The roast chicken was tender, the cocktails were crisp, and the company was perfection.

Such a birthday treat.

Thursday was dedicated to roaming around Charleston.  We had a few sights on our to-see list, but found that we loved the in-between strolls as much as anything.

First stop:  Harken Cafe for coffee and scones.  Loved the cozy vibes here.

We took a spin through the Charleston City Market and Juliette picked out a pair of earrings for herself and for a friend.  We bought a toy car for Isaac, not because he needed it, but because we missed him so dang much and it felt nice to have a Hotwheels in our bag, like we were carrying around a little piece of him.

More walking, more charming street scenes…

And then we landed at the International African American Museum, where we spent a couple of hours processing the South’s black history.  There was obviously much more there than we could unpack in a single morning, but we scratched the surface of Gullah Geechee culture, sat with the region’s painful stories of oppression, and spent several minutes marveling over this hand-beaded Mardi Gras garb.

We lunched and got off our feet for awhile at Fleet Landing.  Best crab cakes I’ve had in a long, long time.

After lunch…more walking!  Through Waterfront Park, along the Battery, then through the French Quarter.  We racked up our steps, but we also took our time and chatted and laughed along the way.  UN-hurrying felt so good.

The trees in these parks!  The dappled-light tunnels they make are magical.

Back at our AirBnB, we took advantage of the well-stocked fridge and the breezy porch.

We drove over to Sullivan’s Island for dinner and sunset beach time.  The pizza and gnocchi at Obstinate Daughter hit the spot after a long day of walking.

Man, I’m funny sometimes.  I wish I could remember what had this kid laughing so hard.

We landed at the beach with about an hour till sunset and did a little walking before finding our perfect patch of sand.

We really did miss Isaac, but we also really leaned into the opportunity to kick back with our books.

Although who are we kidding?  This girl loves to run almost as much as her kid brother.

Getting closer…

We stayed till the sun fully dipped below the horizon and then I said something silly that had us both doubled over with laughter and it’s hard for me to put into words how thankful I am for how much freaking fun I have with my daughter.  Also, how thankful I am that Shane happily holds down the fort at home while we giggle on a beach clear across the country.  What a gift.

On Friday we hit the road to Savannah for Part II of our southern tour.  First, though, tea in the salon…  I could tell Juliette felt very fancy, perched on a velvet couch in a room covered in floral wallpaper.  When in Charleston…

We stopped at Church and Union before hitting the road and did our daily NY Times word puzzles over bacon and cinnamon rolls.

In the name of taking our time, we detoured to Folly Beach to read on the pier and put our feet in the surf.

Pineapple whip?  Don’t mind if we do…  Perfect road trip snack as we head to SAVANNAH.  Comin’ right up.

We’re in the thick of Autumn – it’s raining outside as I type and the kids are watching Coco in the background, snuggled under a pile of blankets.  Summer is a distant memory…  But I’m leaning into the change of seasons, finding some comfort in the way we’ve settled into our Fall schedule and thankful for the sun breaks that graced much of September and October.

We spent a September Saturday up in Duvall, running through fields of sunflowers.  We paid our entry fee to Lora Lee’s and went through the gate, expecting to see acres of gold.  Instead, we found a patch of dahlias, which were beautiful, but not quite what we’d imagined.  We followed the signs to the sunflower maze, hopes held high.

And then there they were, just past the corn.  ENTER!

I’d imagined the sunflowers would be several feet tall, but I’m so glad these were minis, given that Isaac took off like a lightning bolt and I counted on being able to keep an eye on his blond bobbing head from a distance.

Top day.

Shane’s mom was with us for nearly two weeks in September and joined us for donut runs and soccer games and morning walks to school.  And lots of evening games of Hearts, once Isaac went to bed.

She celebrated her birthday with us, with drinks at Salty’s…

And apple pie at home.

We still spend as many golden hours as possible outside, at Alki or Lincoln Park.

I spy…a couple of runners.

Isaac is enamored with the barrage of skeletons and inflatable ghosts that have popped up around the neighborhood this month.  He calls them “mookies”, which is his pronunciation of “spookies” and we love an evening spooky hunt.

We found ourselves with a wide-open Sunday a couple of weeks ago and felt very much in need of a family reconnect after a hectic month, so we shoved aside our to-do list and boarded a ferry for Vashon Island.

We found the smallest, sweetest pumpkin patch at the south end of the island and loaded up our wheelbarrow with a pumpkin for each of us.

Score, Buddy!

Smile, Isaac!

Or…don’t, you little goofball.

I know, this just keeps going, but the pumpkin patch photo ops!

Post-pumpkins, we grabbed some treats at Vashon Coffee Roasters and headed to KVI Beach to get some sun and look for shells.

The weather was so good that day.  Some of us shed our sweaters.  One of us took off our pants.

Juliette and I read our books while Isaac brewed shell soup.

Our final stop was Dragon’s Head Cider – this place is heaven on earth on a sunny afternoon.  Hammocks and orchards and Adirondack chairs and crisp, cold drinks…we made ourselves right at home.

Isaac is far from “easy” these days, but we are finding ourselves with some several-minute stretches where we can sit back and watch the kids play without having to worry that Isaac’s going to hurt himself or run away or eat something unsavory.  It feels good.

I favored the Kinsgston Black, but Isaac thought my Columbia Crabapple was particularly nice on the nose.

A dream, I tell you.  Huge shout-out to Shane for being the mini-adventure mastermind – we drove back to the ferry sun-kissed and happy and reminded of just how much we all like each other.  Island time does a family good.

Happy Autumn, friends.

ELEVEN!  It happened. And it was good.

Juliette had a soccer game in Port Angeles on her birthday and the Chens graciously offered to let us stay at their house on Marrowstone Island for an evening, to save us from a two and a half hour there-and-back drive in a single day.  Shane’s mom was with us and we enjoyed cozying in on Juliette’s birthday eve, eating takeout and watching a movie and stepping outside only briefly to enjoy the fresh air and wooded lane.

I made a run to the local market on Saturday morning for pastries and coffee.  A chocolate croissant for the birthday girl…

Isaac wanted to be in on all the birthday action – he clapped the biggest when Juliette blew out her candle and hopped right into her lap when it was time for her to open her gifts.

I see you, Buddy, trying to open that next present!  Rascal.

Juliette made out good this year, with a new pair of rain boots and an iPad to replace the one her brother dropped and cracked several months ago.

She’s nothing if not grateful.

We had a bit of time to lounge and then it was time to gear up and head to the soccer field.

Ok, one quick beach stop first…  Isaac found a little crab and when I asked him to hold it out and say cheese, he yelled, “CHEESE CRAB!” and now we say “cheese crab” whenever posing for pictures.

Sandy spins…

And then we hit the road.  We play a song called Send It before each of Juliette’s games, the beat pumping all of us up as we dance in the car, and Isaac has really leaned into the tradition.

Let’s go, blue!

It was wet during warmups, so Isaac hung in the car with Pat and me for some selfie shenanigans.  Whatever passes the time…

The girls unfortunately did not emerge from the game victorious, but my mega-tray of cupcakes lessened the pain.  A’s for effort and attitude.

We had a few hours of daylight left after the game, so we drove over to Finn River Cidery for drinks and pizza and corn hole.  One of Juliette’s buddies joined us and we had the best time chatting and drinking and running throughout the sprawling grounds.

The kids all rang the Wishing Bell…

And then summited mulch piles and raced through the orchards.

Isaac, Juliette and I tucked ourselves into the backseat and shared a cup of warm mini donuts as we jetted to the Southworth Ferry.  We were all a little sleepy and Juliette put her head on my shoulder as she listened to her audio book.  Isaac gazed out the window with that pre-nap look in his eyes and I just felt so thankful for these kids and our mini-adventures.

It was a gorgeous, golden-gray ferry ride back to Fauntleroy.  Top day.

Sunday was party day.  Juliette decided on a backyard game night, with pizza and cake and music.  She invited a handful of school friends and we opened with Pictionary.  The girls did great, but their guesses grew progressively louder as the game went on – I’m certain that neighbors a block away were wondering about the commotion.

We moved into charades, which was equally raucous, but also a major crowd-pleaser.  Juliette’s buddies each seem to relish the spotlight in their own way, and I loved watching them shine.

Charades devolved into a game of tag and Isaac was let loose and allowed to join the party.  He was in heaven, trotting behind the girls at each turn, convinced he was one of the big kids.

Cake time!

And presents.  I thought this was the point in the party when things would start to mellow, but instead the energy only amped higher as the girls yelled, “Open mine first!  Open mine last!  You’re going to LOVE this one, Juliette!”.

Juliette was spoiled with earrings and bath bombs and gel pens and slime.  Each present came with enthusiastic remarks about where it was bought or how it should be used.  Isaac generally loved being in the mix, but by the sixth or seventh gift he look over at me, his eyes wide and his mouth in a grimace as if to say, “Dude, these girls are intense!”

But they’re also the sweetest.

Happy Birthday, baby girl.  I’m so proud of your compassionate heart and your growing grit, the way you engage so thoughtfully with people and books and new places.  I was at dinner the other night with some friends and as I mentioned something about Juliette, the ladies all started gushing about what a mature kid she is, how she’s so strikingly helpful and kind.  I was inclined in the moment to take her off the pedestal, to remind them that she’s not in fact flawless, but I stopped myself and instead just gushed along with them.  I see her living more and more into exactly who she’s meant to be and it’s perfect.  Bring on eleven.