i love the body language between these two. they are constantly touching each other. their bond is so strong. i find such comfort in the faith that they will have each other. i think it is so important to have that. i believe that they will be able to look after each other in a way that i will never be able to.

i have just begun reading this book, after spotting it on Amanda's blog. it is a subject i am very interested in. growing up, kindness was stressed above all. to everything - our planet, the bugs, plants, animals, other people (of course) and to ourselves. it is the gift that i am trying to give the girls.

i am trying to show them how. though i find it difficult at times. the plants, bugs etc. i think i have down, but others. kindness to others. beyond just the basics. to really show that "we" are here to love and help each other.

i am not a terribly social person. but, i feel that our neighbors are a very important part of our lives. we share more than a street with them. so i am starting here. we see them everyday and i think we need to do more than just smile and wave before we exit our cars into the safety of our home. (this seems to be the practice in other los angeles neighborhoods i have lived in where everyone seems to have a gardener and never sets foot in their frontyard except to depart.) we know almost everyone on our street by name. we know when someone elderly has fallen and needs a friendly visit. we know when someone is heading off on holiday and needs an extra eye kept on things. we know when there is a new baby on the way. or when much loved foster children are being returned to their mother. we all try to be there for each other.

what is tough for me seems to come naturally for the girls. they love sitting on our front walk (i mourn the demise of the front porch in modern architecture and so envy angelique.) checking out who is coming and going. our family can be frequently spotted gathering at the end of someone's driveway (more often than not our own) gathering up more neighbors as they head out for evening walks and cool breezes. kids run up and down the sidewalk. moms, dad, grammas, grandpas share stories and advice. "where did you get your new windows?" "how can i get k to sleep through the night!?"

so on saturday we invited a bunch of them over for a swim and bbq. it started with one couple and their 5 month old daughter and a brother who was visitng from san diego. then grew to another couple (who brought the girls some really cool temporary tattoos from their quickly gaining momentum business) with a really cute dog, then another with a 3 year old. it was wonderful. the girls loved it. we had all met before but hadn't sat down all together. we decided we should try and do this more regularly. we joked of putting a gate in our back fence so the neighbors across our alley wouldn't have as far to walk. we spoke of organizing a block party for the fall. closing down our street for the day. or maybe a progressive dinner down the street. i would love to try one of these ideas. will let you know.

what do you do to build community?

oh and only two more sleeps 'til we are on vacation!!