Summertime Wrap Up

August is just around the corner and we've officially entered into another liminal time where you can feel a shift in the air. Our garden is an absolute jungle of tomatoes, watermelon vines, cucumber spindles, and summer squash. The chickens spend their days rooting around in the shade of the yard - catching bugs and trying to beat the heat (which is in the upper 90's most days). The sun is FINALLY starting to set before 9pm, and most nights the crickets and cicadas can be heard even over the sound machines in my kiddos bedrooms.

I've been savoring these long days with the kids, when they aren't at camp. We've been doing lots of art projects and reading this summer because they are so worn out after running around in the heat. We've also done a healthy amount of screen time on these blistering days. The chunks have been learning to play MarioKart and my six year old has officially taken over my island in Animal Crossing which cracks me up. We also had a wonderful time at our annual beach week this year! If you are a parent of young children let me just tell you, ages 4 and 6 are a game changer at the beach! We had a blast building sandcastles, taking beach walks, scootering down to the local ice cream shop, and lounging about together.

Now, more than ever, I've been trying to practice discernment and mindfulness with my social media presence. With so much hate and injustice occurring in the world I often feel like expressing appreciation of our first world privileges can be out of place and almost inappropriate. Trying to find the balance between keeping that spark of gratitude and actively working to bring attention to the atrocities being committed in our country and others, can be daunting. But as they say, parenting is political, and in our house we make a point to discuss hard topics and practice being advocates and allies for our fellow humans. Our local library has been wonderful about providing age appropriate resources and materials for kids (and parents). And we are privileged to live in a community that embraces and celebrates diversity, free speech, and human rights.

I am painfully grateful that my children were born in this country and that we are able to provide for them and spoil them. The task of cultivating this life for them in a way that allows them to become voices for peace and equity in the world is nothing to make light of, and it is one of the biggest privileges of my life.

My gratitude jar for the month of July is overflowing...

The standard trifecta of health, happiness, and safety for my loved ones is forever at the top.

Literature, books, education, my co-hort of fellow readers both online and in person, discussions about wingspan over wine (iykyk) with my fellow bookish babes.

Being able to dabble in my garden, chasing chickens, collecting eggs at sunrise, baking zucchini bread with the kiddos, our geriatric furbabies lounging in the sun.

A neighborhood full of friends and family, our community of outspoken activists, parent friends, grandparents who live a stones throw away.

Creative outlets, constantly trying to learn and create and grow as a person, watching my eldest dance on stage with Pilobolus at the children's matinee.

The excitement of the first day of school approaching quickly on the horizon, being able to walk to school together, feeling those 'ber months just a short reach away.

Fireflies making a comeback in our yard.

Thankful doesn't begin to cover it.