Good moments

Time together as a family - it's one of the simple joys that make life worth living.

On Sunday Stace and I experienced quality time at its best.

For the first time in a couple of years, or, the first time since we had Violet, Stace hitched up the bike trailer and we loaded up the cutest cargo in town.

We rode to Starbucks, where Stace and I got a coffee, and Violet and Cora shared a vanilla milk. It was Violet's first vanilla milk, and she really liked it.

Then, we rode back to the park. Such fun! Swinging, sliding, bouncing on the bridge, holding hands, giggling, smiling ... and wide-eyed wonderment that, sometimes, we really can have things this good.

Our girls are at a great stage, both individually and in their relationship with each other. They are a pure joy to watch, and Stace and I agreed that this is a stage that we wish could continue on, forever.

Cora is in a really good place. Our strong-willed, smart and imaginative first-born has become a generally well-behaved, pleasant and happy young lady who loves to learn and help.

Violet continues to amaze me with her happy disposition, eagerness to please and fearless nature when it comes to new, fun activities. She loves making us laugh and trying new things. Sunday, she had a ball sliding all by herself, even on the bigger slide.

Not that they're perfect, by any means. On Monday afternoon Cora's screams over having to stay in her bedroom as a brief punishment could be heard by the neighbors. Later, a shrieking Violet was chasing Cora to whack her, when Cora was drinking juice that wasn't for the toddler.

But normal little incidents notwithstanding, I would love to stop time and stay here.

Going through my mind, over and over, is the Jack Johnson song Breakdown.

My paraphrase - I need this train I'm on to break down, so I can take a walk around, and stay here, in this moment...