July - Beautiful!

Today I was looking back at the blog.  I am amazed that it has already been 7 years since I began this project for the boys.  I notice that I go in and out of writing more, writing less, and I have to admit, I like it when I write more.  If I write more, I think later on in the future it will give a better sense of what life is like now, when our family is young.  At four and seven years of age, I am finding the boys to be more and more interesting.  They have so many ideas, so many thoughts, SO many emotions. My boys are very emotionally strong.  They feel everything and especially Kuba is not afraid to let you know what that feeling is.  At this point in his development, his moods seem to flash like lightening, a clear signal as to what is going on inside of his little being.

I want to capture right here, right now, how very happy I am.  I love this family more than I can even describe with words.  It's the small, yet full moments of gratitude that I am speaking about.  Like eating supper around the dinner table; it's fun, filled with humor and silliness, and often maddening.  And, I am deeply aware of how much I love just being with this crew.  Kuba hasn't quite learned to stay in his seat throughout the whole dinner.  Anders for some reason keeps eliminating foods from his diet....we are down to cherry tomatoes for vegetables, mac and cheese, hot dogs, and rice (this is just a bit of an exaggeration - but you get the gist of what I am describing.)  And most days, conversation at the table is often just plain old fun and filled with story.  We are always working on ways to have better manners, to stay in our seat, to keep our elbows off the table, but quite honestly, I'd rather have a lot of fun than be tight and mannerly. 

It's summer, and there is something spectacular about July.  The big sun, the hot days, the swimming, the blue, blue sky, and these beautiful boys.  Honestly, I am so often completely satisfied and bursting with happiness.  This seems to happen one hundred times a day in July, much less so in the dark winter!   Today we are having a gathering of friends for a potluck Fourth of July celebration, and tonight we will watch the fireworks.  It is totally fun and mad down on the waterfront on the third.  I think we are heading straight into this again...last year we were down there as well and it felt as if the fireworks were falling, floating down on our heads.  I bought sparklers, poppers, and glow in the dark bracelets for tonight.  Usually we have a neighborhood parade (which I have posted about in previous years) where the kids get to decorate their bikes and head around the block in a big, kid, bike parade.  I have to say, I miss it this year!  Our friend - who spearheaded the event moved to a new neighborhood - and it is a true loss in this neighborhood to have them gone!  We are going to have to step it up next year if we want to continue the parade tradition. 

More summer updates later, and Happy, Happy, Fourth of July!