June: The one with the recital and the funeral

At the beginning of June, Lily got to participate in her first ever piano recital with her new music studio here in Camas. She was so excited, and did a great job performing "How Far I'll Go" from Moana. We were all a little surprised and intimidated by the size of the stage and production when we arrived, but Lily handled her nerves well. I think Henry and I ended up feeling more vicariously nervous for her then she actually was! My parents flew out for a few days to see her recital, and we showed them the local trails and explored downtown Camas together.

I also took them to Portland one day while the kids were in school, and we visited the beautiful rose garden and arboretum at Washington Park. We also stopped by Slow Fox Chili in downtown Vancouver on the way home for some delicious lunch.

In the world of everyday life, Henry and I developed a tradition of going to Squeeze and Grind for smoothies to pass the time while Lily had gymnastics, and we stopped by the Camas Library each Wednesday to pick up new books.

I flew back to Hawaii to attend my grandmother's funeral, and Drew stayed back with the kids so they could finish their last week of school. It was strange to be in her house without her there. For years she could be found sitting behind her desk or readying herself in her bathroom, and it felt odd and empty without her. We strung together hundreds of plumerias from her favorite tree out front to place on her casket, and held a beautiful funeral and burial right at the base of Diamond Head. She was born and raised in nearby Waikiki, and lived her whole life on this island that she loved. It was a beautiful life.

 

 

Back home again, I threw myself into creating-- both in the garden and the pottery studio. Both felt healing.

The kids finished their school year, and we transitioned into summer. Henry had a soccer camp his first week out of school, and absolutely loved it.

Lissa and Liana came over to visit one night, and the kids were obsessed with Liana's dog, Kaia. They have been begging for their own dog, and we heard about nothing else for days. :)

We also met up at the Vancouver waterfront for lunch one day.

In the other times, the kids mostly played at home, and when I could convince them to leave the house we hiked, and bowled, and did other summer things. While it sometimes felt strange to not be working, it was also really nice to be at home with them. 

They are seeming so grown up these days, and it feels like they will be gone before I know it. Motherhood is beautiful, but also sort of tragic. When they are born they need us so much, and then they slowly need us less and less, while we inversely need them more and more. 

It's the cruelest most exquisite joy.