Fireflies

We've been having quite the busy summer so far- its been so much fun, & now that it's finally stopped raining (it rained every day almost for the past month), its absolutely beautiful out!

We're heading up to New York to see some friends this weekend & going on a "Booze cruise" which I expect will be ridiculous & fun. They live in Harlem and love it and I'm really excited to check out the neighborhood with its rich cultural history.

Next week, our niece and nephew (Samuel & Isabella), Sie's mom, dad and grandma are all coming to see us. We've both been feeling so excited to see them; we do the I-chat with them whenever we can (video) but it's just not the same as getting to be with them in person.

So in preparing for their trip here, we've thought alot about both kids. What will they like, what should we have for them to eat, things they will love (e.g. we bought a Popsicle maker to make fresh pops with them!). I have to say we treasure those little boogers! :) They are such fantastic kids.

So lately when we're walking around our neighborhood, it's been a lot of "oh, we have to take the kids there for ice cream" and "oh, they would love this place".

One really special part of the trip will be July 4th in our Nation's capitol. To celebrate the 4th, there is an enormous parade and festival down on the Mall/Monument/Capitol area. Tons of people come out to celebrate. And the night ends with the marine band performs as well as famous musicians, rounded out by an AMAZING fireworks display.

I'm so pumped! I know the kids are going to love it- we're probably going to hang around the area for most of the day and bring a picnic and ball/frisbee. Sie actually went to the celebration on the mall when he was about 5 (and saw the Beach Boys!) so it will be neat to continue the tradition. Hopefully the infamous fit he threw (with pouty pictures in front of the Monument to boot) will NOT be a celebration we continue. HAHA, we love to give him a hard time about that one :)!

If anyone has any other suggestions for great things to do with kids in DC, I'd love advice.

The title of this blog is inspired by a recent discovery on our evening walks with the dogs - DC is absolutely bursting with fireflies. They're everywhere and so bright. I remembered how when i was little, we used to always have jars with holes at the top on hand to collect fireflies/worms/etc. I immediately made a mental note- save the salsa jar for next week with the kids.

Fireflies also got me thinking about my Dad (Dean) and how at Lake Limestone he would always say we could catch the fireflies and make them into earrings! ;) this sounded like a great idea to me and the mental image of walking around with lit bugs on my ears has definitely stuck with me. (Love you Dad!) and don't you know I'm going to copy that line with Isabella! haha!

needless to say, even though we are truly loving it here- there are times I really miss my family and friends and get so excited when they are able to visit! Just wanted to give you guys a shout out :) (I'm getting all vaclempt, talk amongst yourselves!)

;)

I have tons of things to post- but i'm trying to tone down the picture posts b/c I think I was turning this into a photo album blog ;)

here's a pic i love with the kiddos & Helen (Sie's grandmother). love ya - kate