This month we celebrated NLW's preK graduation and flew to Minnesota for a family reunion. Both momentous events were special and fun! Otherwise, June offered summery excursions with a side of familial sickness. Hoping the bugs are out of our system and we can keep enjoying backyard BBQs, wading pools, spray parks, and opportunities to 'buzz the beach'.
Recent Joys:
- Father's Day ferry outing to Vashon Island
- Low tide on repeat (4 different beaches pictured below: Constellation, Vashon, Lincoln, Lowman)
- Marco Polo-ing with friends
- Trampoline bouncing
- EDW's 'June Gloom' fashion, complete with her "arctic jacket" and mermaid rainboots
- EDW's generosity and kindness in helping her brothers with laundry
- CCW's enthusiasm for helping in the kitchen i.e. washing dishes and cutting fruit
- Telling CCW "I love you. I love you. I love you" from each of his stuffed animals as they snuggle and surround his head before bed
- Watching EDW and CCW be "babysitters" to my friend's 8 month old daughter
- Daily tours of a kid-designed zoo in our basement complete with 30+ stuffed animals
- Playing "Guess the Animal" game as a family
NLW: An explorer!
Our trip to Minnesota was a wonderfully worthwhile whirlwind. 17 adults. 7 children. The "echo room" half-court basketball court in our Airbnb. Handprint shirts. Good conversation and catching up. Playing cards. And a TON of food :) I loved seeing my parents and reconnecting with aunts, uncles, and cousins. I left the weekend feeling so grateful to be part of a large and loving family. It was a good warm-up trip before Hawaii this month.
Watching | Bridgerton Season 3
Scenes with Eloise and Francesca were my favorite, but as long as there are fancy hairstyles, elaborate gowns, and quippy dialogue, I'll be a devoted viewer.
Eating & Drinking | Little Donkey & Shug's Soda Fountain & Ice Cream
This month was rather boring in the food and beverage department. Hoping to turn that around and try out two local spots in our neighborhood. Envisioning walking to Little Donkey for a girl's night or date with Mr. Fleece, and meeting up at Shug's to treat the children just for fun!
Reading | Lark at Night by Blaze Bratcher
Recommended by the author's sister-in-law, this was our book club pick for summer, a whimsical middle grade novel short enough that I started and finished on our Minnesota trip. I'm looking forward to discussing the story along with these subtopics: debut novels, creative writing and self-publishing, middle grade literature, books with illustrations (these in particular are lovely), and more. Crossing my fingers for a bonus author talk as well!
Listening | Daniel Tiger Songs
Kid music can be silly, clever, and energizing -- Lately we've been listening to Daniel Tiger, which is chock full of positive language for my children to emulate. "Find a Way to Play Together" or "You Can Take a Turn, and Then I'll get it Back" or "Take a Step Back and Ask for Help" or "Grownups Come Back" or "Use Your Words" or "Saying I'm Sorry is the First Step."
Who knew something so straightforward as "It's Okay to Feel Sad Sometimes"could be just what I needed to hear on a rough day? That Fred Rogers was on to something and it's heartwarming to see his legacy continue.
It's okay to feel sad sometimes
Little by little
You'll feel better again
It's okay to feel sad sometimes
When you are feeling down
It's okay to feel sad
But little by little
You'll see if won't always be bad!
"Thank you for Everything you do" for our family, Daniel Tiger!
-SJW
