Life of Larisa or LOL

In life there are many "fours". Four directions: north, east, south, west Four seasons: fall, winter, spring, summer Four elements: earth, wind, water, fire Four noble truths: Buddhist truth of suffering, truth of cause of suffering, truth of end of suffering, truth of path to end of suffering  In my life: Four years that Zachary has made us laugh to tears, run to breathlessness, bounce with joy, and tire from excitement.  This past week we wished the baby of the family "Happy Birthday" in true Z fashion---under threats of a hurricane and flash flooding! We all survived and nothing weather related hindered our fun.  Four is the beginning of pre-school, new found independence, an increasing number of fart jokes, and a unique place in the world where Zach is part "big boy" and part "mama's little baby".  He has grown leaps and bounds this year and I couldn't let another day pass, without acknowledging how wonderful we all think he is.  Four...

...or maybe I should entitle this post Driving Queen---as a little dedication to both my grandma (who drove us all 8 plus hours there and back) and ABBA. Their greatest hits CD was on perma repeat through New Mexican desert, towering trees of Flagstaff, sweeping panoramics of northern Arizona.  I have returned from my second "girls only" road trip with my grandma. Last year, this unlikely Thelma and Louise duo trekked to Pasadena from Phoenix en route to the best wedding ever. This year, Thelma and Louise part two trekked from Phoenix to Santa Fe for the best fiesta ever.  Although I have traveled to the Southwest many a time to visit my grandma (and grandpa before he passed away), I had never made it to Santa Fe. To those who have never been, go!  The FOOD---hatch green chiles on a burger! Lotaburger that is. Paella (only if my great Aunt Janice is available to make it for you). And this is cheating a bit---but my Uncle Mike's cornmeal pizza (fresh from Zelo in Arcadia, ...

Year round school presents a number of changes in your way of thinking...the biggest one, the idea of a shortened summer break. So, we crammed in as much fun as this mom could handle... With cups of coffee thrown in whenever I could... And Canadian bacon s'mores helped my cause. We are also taking the perspective of "it's only three summers". Three shortened summers while Gabe is in middle school. We will survive this hardship. 😎 And if not, there's always books to drown our sorrows in. Especially deep reads like The Cat in The Hat, and the intoxicating sequel---The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. While everyone else is enjoying beach vacations and ice cream cones and ice coffee, we have been school supply shopping, labeling said supplies, and already have two weeks of seventh grade under our belts. But not to fear, come August, when these scenarios apply to everyone else?  We will be sipping our ice coffee and juice boxes on the beach----enjoying intercession break. ...