Buzz of Summer

When it hits 4th of July weekend, there's always that point in my mind where I remember it feels like the mid-point of summer.  It's hot.  The air is thick.  Our skin is sticky and coated with layers of sunscreen and bug spray.  Hair sticks to the back of my neck.  Bathing suits and towels always feel damp.  We sit on the ground and eat popsicles and water mellon and crave root beer floats. And this is when I feel alive. Energized and busy like the bees in my garden.  Buzzing.  Following rituals. Constantly in motion. 

This holiday weekend was no disappointment.  We had the treat of staying home and parading and running through farmland and swimming in the intense splendor of summer.  I kept thinking all weekend about the power of rituals around seasons and holidays.  The importance of rituals.  And how what we do shapes ourselves and our children. There is a place and a rhythm where they exist or are created.  

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Sunday we found ourselves on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, landing at Jenny & George's house, playing with our extended family, the Wheatley's.  Jenny and George are surrounded by farmland, so their house was nestled among haystacks and corn fields.  

Alex ran into the corn field with Jack and within 6 rows, she was undetectable. 

They were just short enough to run through the rows without feeling the sharp edges of the corn husks.  I cannot say the same about my experience in the field.

Alex was in love with Jenny's 4 year old daughter Katie.  They ran in the fields, held hands, swung together, and loved picking flowers from Wayne's garden.

I enjoyed roaming through Wayne's plot.

 It was my first time seeing the massive scale of broccoli, cantaloupe, and zucchini.  Remember I am a virgin harvester this year.

Wayne explained to me how he designed the beds with irrigation and which bugs are affecting his harvest.  Still, he has a bounty.  And I am energized from seeing his harvest just like I am from studying other gardeners' perennial beds.

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We stayed on the boat over the weekend - call it a "boatcation" if you will.  It's 50 paces from home, but you feel hundreds of miles away from daily life.

Alex finally discovered the cool little nook/cave under the V-berth pillow.  It can't be any bigger than a few square feet, but it's perfect for her. She sat under there with a flashlight and her doll Sallie and belted out "Somewhere over the Rainbow."

We made some sugary sweet treats for friends.

 RC Treats are the one treat that fits every holiday.  Just add a shape and sprinkles and voila!

Yes, they disappeared quickly. Thank God.  We ate peaches so juicy that Alex stripped down to her skivvies.

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And then we paraded on the 4th.  Oh how we paraded.  Two times to be exact.

The first one was in Eastport at the first annual children's parade.  Children were encouraged to decorate and ride their bikes, but seeing that someone doesn't like to her Skuut, I opted to make a Statue of Liberty costume from 1 yard of white material and 1/2 yard of 1/2" foam.  Thank God Mom taught me to be resourceful.

More than 50 families attended, and we got to see fellow friends Nathan & Brock. The bonus: it was lead by Police escort and a fire truck!

It ended at the local playground and every child won an award.

I commend the mom's for getting a list together of each child's costume/entry, and for making sure that there were lollipops, water, and snacks for the kids.  What a treat. I can't wait to make this a tradition.


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The second parade was a bit more of an old-fashionned, Anytown USA, American Pie parade in Galesville, MD.  Ben drove the Faces of Valor car, which led the event this year.

It's what you think of a patriotic parade - old cars, ponies, marching bands, large wagons pulling local families, and candy being tossed at kids. Alex loved sitting in the car waving her flag at people as we drove down the route.  She had a grin ear-to-ear.

Here's Alex at the end of the Parade.  Exhausted, but still waiving strong.

I loved watching kids sitting on the side of the road, hot and sweaty but armed with buckets - just waiting for the moment to pounce on the treats being tossed from the parade vehicles.


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We ended the holiday surrounding ourselves with friends on the back lawn of the marina.  Splayed out on blankets, eating s'mores, playing corn hole, and holding littles who were waiting for fireworks.  

And when I closed my eyes I could hear the buzz of children, of excitement, of summer.  And I knew rituals were there and it was simple but oh so good.  It makes me excited for next year, but then again, I don't want to wish one day of my current summer away. Simply rejoicing and being content.

~this moment~

{this moment} - A 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. via SouleMama

Hip Hop April

I will admit that I love Spring.  And the buzz.  And the prep for Easter. Warning: sleep deprivation will occur as a result.

Because regardless if your child is 2 or 47, you know that they swell on your wave of love when they receive an extra special gift.  And that appreciation outweighs every minute of lost sleep.  

Hey, if you can survive a newborn, a few hours of lost sleep is nothing! 

Ah, sewing for Baby Naia late into the night.

April seemed like such a wonderful long month.  Maybe because Easter was so late or because Spring temperatures refused to appear. Regardless, it gave us extra time to play.  April Showers bring May Flowers and the most enormous puddles.

Maddie and Jude are growing leaps and bounds.  They are such a team.

And just look at this mug.

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I love the return of extended evenings filled with delayed dinners, moon bouncing (thanks Missy and Pete!), and warm light.

And the sound of one little girl running away with Daddy chasing close behind.

She cracks me up.

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I am amazed that Alex can be terrified of the Easter Bunny in the mall-based setting (she prefers to admire him from 30' away). But when she gets to the church event, Alex's defenses dissolve and she conversing with her new BFF.  Yes, she was asked to move along so that others could sit on BR's lap.

Anyone notice the recurring Dorothy outfit?

I appreciate how she can take a moment of washing her hands at the sink and turn it into an adventure. The progression is entertaining, seeing that my child is currently opposed to bath time.

One afternoon I caught her asleep on the couch, appearing to be reading Peter Pan.

But from the other side, she looked more like this.

And Buddy also likes to nap, but sometimes that's dangerous with an alert child.

Don't the potty stickers look nice?

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Finally Easter arrived. It was a stunning (dry & sunny) day spent with family and close friends.

The girl loves the dog.  And the dog loves the girl.  And the girl was and is happy. 

On Monday morning, Ben found Buddy belly up with Alex draped across his entire body, giving him an enormous bear hug.  I think Buddy finally trusts her.

After an amazing meal at Mark & Shannon's, Shannon was thoughtful enough to give the children one last egg hunt.

For Nate, it was a virgin experience and ultimately less about the thrill of the hunt.

He's darn cute. But then again, so is she.

I. Heart. This.

Oh Valentines Day. It comes and goes like blood rushing through a heart. It's one of those holidays that I grappled to understand for years: a singular day to express one's appreciation and affection. Seriously? Why not make everyday an opportunity to show one's admiration instead of one stinking day? Ben & I used to joke about February 14th being the ultimate Hallmark Holiday, and coined it "Volunteer's Day" - you need a volunteer to have a Valentine. Right? Right.

But when you have a child and that little soul makes you fall in love even deeper with the one you originally loved, well...I get it. I changed. I am changing. And as love gushes in and out again and again, so does the glitter and the colored paper and the cookie dough and the red hots.

The crafting has been constant for the past few weeks, but it's a good distraction from the saturating grey of winter.

Alex spent hours fiddling with (kid) scissors, glue, glitter, and glitter glue pens.

And I was inspired by my dear friend Cindy to create crayon hearts for our friends. What a terrific project for kids under 10 years old. Alex and I enjoyed both the process of destroying crayons and watching new ones evolve. 

And I took an evening to revamp a hooded towel for a Salty Dog who has a healthy-sized noggin.

And speaking of that D-O-double G, he is so cute at 13 months and signing his little head off. Warning to all, when Nate asks for more food, give it to him! Don't question the ingested volume; just hand it over and step aside.

What I enjoyed not doing this holiday? Making breakfast. I love watching Alex and her Dad make pancakes together. They make a great team. And oh, how he loves her.

What I did enjoy? Cooking. And my seasonal favorite is roasted Brussel Sprouts. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Clean. Cut in half. Toss sprouts in olive and season with kosher salt & pepper. Roast on a sheet for 35-40 minutes. Eat. Ben swears they are as good as candy.

I also enjoyed bouquets beaming with tones of chartreuse & white. Flowers give me inspiration and force me to think about spring and designing garden beds and educating myself about vegetable gardening.

Here's wishing all of you happiness and inspiration this week from the small details of your life. - J