14 AUG 25

In an unexpected change of plans that hot morning... the two youngest and myself are driving south to watch the little cousins for a couple of hours... Yali and Patience immersed in Game Boys on the way... Indiana Jones and CLUE and Sonic and things...

Upon arrival... the tiny tots greet us eager to show off their playroom upstairs while Irish scoots... there are big belly laughs and Little Bear and Frog and Toad and Winnie the Pooh and yip-yip muppet aliens on my phone and starry sky nightlights and fort construction and tea parties and little A requesting the icon on her bedroom wall to be removed and put down for a nap in G's crib... before bowls of mac 'n cheese and watermelon are served down in the kitchen...

Back home Puck is busy as we discuss and prepare the logistics for canceled weekend drill and Army pay and bank loan details and concerts and mobile mechanic services before driving him to work for another shift...

Then Patience to the studio... requesting an early drop-off so she can discuss more wedding things with her teacher soon-to-be-married-next-fall...

And back home to prepare a K-drama-inspired dish for dinner... Hawaiian Loco Moco... two hours later after eating in shifts all plates are cleared... a rare 100% success for the collective and varying family palate...

Evening creeps in a little orange glow in shortening light...

Between reviewing tax documents and communications for upcoming events...

...Yali walks over for a bedtime hug with something on his mind... “Mom... when I'm grown up and have my own family... can you help me with all the finances and the money and everything?”