A Journey to a Simple Happy Life

Days of Summer :: 1

No words. Just snapshots of my favorite moments.

Knights and Pyramids

We took a day trip to my favorite place in New York yesterday: The Metropolitan Museum of Art .

We had a picnic in Central Park. I let the boys each choose one thing they wanted to see: Samy chose the "pyramids" and Tarek "the knights" so we visited the Medieval Art and the Egyptian Art exhibitions.

Tarek was in awe. He loved the knights, armors and guns especially the japanese sections with all the Samurai armor. Samy couldn't wait to get to the "Pyramid". I think he's a bit of minimalist because when I asked him what he thought about the visit he said "There's too much stuff!!".

I loved our outing, it was fun and I think someone loved even more than us: the pigeons and the birds! I think they like homemade bread.

{this moment}

Joining Soulemama's  Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Best Shot Monday: In search of summer

I promise this is the last time I will bore you to death with my vacation pictures. Why do people always feel the need to show you their vacation pictures? I guess it's a way of re-living the experience and extending ones pleasure.

I love this picture of Samy and Layla. Even though technically it's not as good as I wish it could be , I chose it to be my Best Shot Monday. For two reasons, the first one because it's a life lesson in by itself: The best moments in life don't need to be perfect. Perfection is over-rated, just enjoy your life the way it is.

Reason number 2 is that I love how Samy has blossomed lately. He seems to have opened up and taken on his "Big Brother" role rather seriously. His relationship to Tarek is very strong; the two of them are a pair. They are so close in age that Samy used to ask the other kids if they had a Tarek too. Meaning how come you don't have a brother. Layla and Samy were a different story, lots of love there but not much of an interest until lately when they've become each others advocate.

Seeing their relationship blossom and grow stronger each day is such a pleasure.

In Search of Summer: June 5th

I love watching my children learn and experience new textures and sensations!!

What are your plans for the weekend?

{this moment}

Joining Soulemama's  Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

In search of Summer: June 3

Going to the shore was such a casual thing for me growing up that I never gave it much thoughts. But by moving away from home one of the things I miss most is walking in the sand and the smell of the sea. As soon as we parked the car and opened the door, Salim said: "Can you smell it?".

I knew exactly what he meant. Yes, I could smell it. The smell of my childhood summers, running freely, the games I shared with friends, the late evenings on the beach, the outside cookouts...

Mary of the Yellow Door Paperie is hosting In Search of Summer now through June 9th. I am excited to see everyone's view of the beauty of summer. Have a wonderful day!

In search of summer

We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We stayed home, played, made bubbles and got wet, went to the pool, met with friends for dinner and the next day other friends for a BBQ. The weather was wonderful. The stars were aligned to make this weekend a wonderful memory. But there’s even more to come!!

If you’ve been reading my blog you probably notice we don’t go away much. Not that we don’t appreciate vacations or time away. We’re just very lousy planners when it comes to vacations. I always make jokes about the fact that marriage has clipped my wings literally, I used to travel a lot. But in 9 years together we took a grand total of 9 days of vacation. Well I don’t account the times we visit our parents as vacation. I’m talking more about the going away to new places…That’s all to say, YES we are taking some days off and heading to …

THE BEACH!!! As you can see Samy is already training for some underwater adventures.

After much consideration and thanks to this post by Nicole. We are heading to the beach!! The boys are so excited and to be honest, once I will be past the stress of packing I am sure I will be too!!

It’s a wonderful way to start summer and to celebrate the season to come. I will also be joining Mary In Search of Summer on her blog. I love the idea, thank you Mary!!

You have a wonderful night, I will leave you to read the newest edition of Rhythm of the Home. Awesome job Heather, Julia and Bernadette.

And while we’re on our little family vacation, make sure to check your mailbox (ok the blog) for postcards!!

Welcome to a new world!!

Today was a big day for us. Samy had his orientation day in school. I had talked to him about it for days, how he would meet his new teacher, visit his new school and ride on the bus. I was a bit concerned that it would be difficult for him to accept yet another change in school.

He woke up very excited and asked me if he was tall enough for the new school. Got dressed without me prompting him and even insisted on wearing a long sleeve shirt. His father managed to convince him that short sleeves were good enough but lost the argument for the pants (corduroy in a 90 degrees weather!).

He was happy, excited, couldn't stand still. And when a 5th grader took him on the school tour he just left us there. I was happy for him, I was proud that he felt confident enough to walk away from us towards new adventures but mostly I was sad.

Part of me ached for my baby, I was not ready to transition into this new role. I remembered vividly a similar scene thirty years ago: Me in my brand new outfit, walking into the school and leaving my mom behind me in tears. I never really understood why she cried until today.

Since his birth so much of my identity has been defined by my role as a mother. Being home with him, taking care of him 24/7. Now we are on the verge of a new adventure and I am not sure how to ease into this new role.

In three years all of my children will be in school and what becomes of me. My husband says that three years is a lifetime but 5 years have already passed in the blink of an eye. Do I go back to work? Full-time or Part-time? Do I stay home? I know what I don't want. I won't go back to my former job, I know I won't be able to work the endless hours, attend the late meetings or go away for business trips. That part of my life is over. But what other options do I have?

It took me such a long time to transition from work to stay-at-home mom. It didn't happen overnight and it sure didn't happen gracefully. My whole life I defined myself by my studies, work and achievements and suddenly I had to be someone else. I had to accept the loss of my work-self, the loss efficiency and achievement, the loss of sleep, the loss of free time, the loss of solitude...all the things you have to do without/or with so little when you're the mother of young ones. And I gained so much more: patience, love, respect,a license to be creative,a spiritual life, a life guided by values and not money or status...and above all three wonderful children. So maybe change is good after all.

As I was telling you today was a big day...for all of us!

I would love to hear about your experiences too, how did you transition from working to being home? or maybe going back to work after you had a child? How did you feel about your child going to school?

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After posting, I read this on Heather's blog. This woman must have some sixth sense!! she always manages to write about the right subject when I need it. Thanks Heather and Sheryl!

FOUR...

" Mama, I slept and when I woke up the sun made me four". Yes my love you are four and we all love you so much! Happy birthday Tarek!