july / 22 months!

Keeping cool this July with these cool kids!

July has been an absolute blast--which is appropriate, given that it's the month for fireworks.  The thermometer has been on the rise, with temperatures hovering in the 90s, but we haven't let that slow us down!

Last month, we were slacking on the crafting, and so we have been making up for lost time with some fun projects for the Fourth of July.  We made a fun wreath for our front door using wire and clothes pins, and it was one of those Pin-spirations that turned out exactly the way we hoped.  The best part was that Harper was able to the majority of the project by herself, over a number of days: painting the clothes pins red, white, and blue; and then clipping them on to the wire frame.  The only part that I helped with was drawing on the stars and helping her organize the clothes pins.  Now our front door is as patriotic as can be, and all thanks to our little h.

When I was a little girl, I went through a phase where I wanted my face painted every day.  I was lucky because my parents totally nurtured and encouraged my quirky little spirit--and complied with this request (I honestly don't know if I could do the same haha).  So in preparation for a 4th of July party with our friends this month, I ordered the same set of pastels that my parents used as face paint; technically they aren't "face paint," but they are water based and nontoxic and work better than anything else out there!  Harper was a willing test subject--and just in time for the July carnival.

We once again attended the July carnival in nearby Lexington, which we went to last year as well--except we were relieved that the temperature didn't reach record highs this year (last year it was a scorcher).  We met two other families there and had fun with them on the carousel and some other carnival games.  The moms even went on a super scary ride called FREAK OUT, which made us do precisely that.  It was such a fun way to kick off the 4th of July weekend.

For the Fourth of July, we attended a party at our friends' house in the afternoon.  The weather was iffy, and we were sad as a few rain drops began to fall on our way over there.  Fortunately, the sun popped out again, and we had the best time.  The kids made crowns, did face paint, and even put on patriotic temporary tattoos.  We grilled and snacked and hung out until everyone was tired out.  We didn't make it to the fireworks that night since they begin long past the time that the Hs need to be in bed, but it was the perfect celebration anyway.  Eventually we will get these kiddos to actual fireworks on the 4th!

With all the hot days we have had recently, a lot of times we don't make it as far as the pool or even Walden Pond; thank goodness for our little pool in the back yard!  We have the perfect little back yard oasis, where we happily cool down at the end of a long day.  Even for me, dipping my feet into the water is enough to lower my body temperature.  This year, we also have a fun water table that the kids enjoy splashing around with, a hand me down from our friends, the Loux family, that we have happily incorporated into our summer water play routine.  Sometimes, we really don't need much to have the best time.  It is quiet and peaceful in our back yard, and then we are just a few steps away from the bath when all is said and done.  Summer magic.

Other times, we lounge poolside with friends, sometimes at their house, sometimes at ours.  Kiddie pools really just make it so much easier for the moms to keep track of kids than a trip to the beach, pond, or town pool.  We get to chat together while the kids are right there next to us, splashing around.  We are lucky to have such fun little friends right in our own town.

Hunter and our little twin friends, splashing poolside

Recently though, we were happy to attend our little cousin's 6th birthday pool party.  Harper had assured us that she would not be going swimming, but sure enough, as soon as she saw the other kids splashing around, she wanted in.  Hunter did too.  We hadn't planned on swimming and didn't come prepared, but Auntie Vivi came to the rescue and took both kiddos into the pool for a dip.

Not all of our adventures lately have involved water though.  We recently saw this fun and unusual installation art exhibit at this neat interactive outdoor space near Boston's Seaport district.   They had placed these giant, inflated bunnies that lit up at night all across the lawn.  We met some friends there in the evening once the dads had finished up at work and had a picnic dinner from one of the food trucks there.  Once the sun went down, not only did the bunnies become illuminated, but these crazy swings started to glow also.  It was so fun exploring a new part of our city with friends, and I'm glad we made the trek at the end of a long, busy day.

But just because we visited a fancy new city park doesn't mean we have grown tired of our neighborhood parks--far from it!  We have been incorporating park play dates into our weekly regime as much as possible, especially when those parks have water features for the kids to enjoy.  With the weather as hot as it's been, it's just a must.  Hunter isn't always super psyched about the water features, preferring to stay on the periphery while his big sister gets into the spray.  Eventually he will follow her though, maybe after he gets bored of the sandbox.  It's hard to tear him away from his trucks though--such a boy.

The other day, we did venture back downtown to meet up with the dads after work.  Before we did, we took a trip to the Boston Gardens to ride the Swan Boats and visit the Make Way for Ducklings statues with our friends.  After that, we made a few shopping stops along Newbury Street, before meeting up with the dads in the Prudential Center for dinner.  We even got to take our stroller in an outdoor elevator lift at one of the shops, which was infinitely fascinating for my little Hs; after all, it's the little things.  

I have nothing but love for our amazing city and all the little adventures we have here. In the summer in Boston, they show movies outside at the Hatch Shell on Friday nights after dark. Last summer, Harper especially loved watching Frozen there with all of our friends, and so we took a return trip this month to see the showing of Paddington. We brought a picnic dinner and cozied up on our blanket, only ducking out slightly before the end to beat the foot traffic back to the car. We love Boston in the summer! Actually, all the time--but there is something especially enchanting about summer nights in the city.

We have also been trying to get to the farmer's market as much as possible this summer. There is nothing better than fresh fruits and veggies at dinner in the summer. For some reason, Hunter is always way more adventurous when we are at the farmer's market; he will eat all sorts of fruits and vegetables while we are strolling around that he would absolutely spit out or straight up refuse to eat if I offered them to him at home. So I totally let the kids snack on whatever while we are there; anything to get some nutritious produce into that little boy! Harper, of course, loves sampling the goods too, and I can't say I mind myself. We have become completely obsessed with the fresh pasta at one of the stands.

This month, Hunter turned 22 months old!  He has really come alive this summer, thriving on playing in the great outdoors, running, playing, and splashing.  He is a little adventurer, through and through.  It's been special to take him to swimming lessons on Saturday morning, to have a little bit of quality time with him.  I think one-on-one time with each of my children is super important, but it's not always easy to come by so I treasure those rare moments when I get them.  

The other day, after swimming, instead of going straight to the car, we ran around in this little field behind the athletic club.  Watching Hunter's wild spirit set free is so magical.  His smile lights up his whole face, and it makes my heart so happy it could burst.  

 

Another favorite recent memory of Hunter is from a trip we made to Walden Pond.  After we finished swimming and were headed back to the car, we fell victim to the ice cream truck that's always parked there in the parking lot.  I thought, "Why not?!" So the Hs each got a popsicle.  Note to self: never let your toddlers eat popsicles in the car on the highway.  I looked back at one point to see Hunter absolutely COVERED in popsicle.  Fortunately, he was wearing only a diaper after swimming so I pretty much popped him directly into the bath as soon as we got home.  The look on his face was pure happiness though.  With a smile like that, I'm not sure I learned my lesson.  That boy's little smile can move mountains.  I can't believe this little wild thing is going to be 2 before we know it! 

It's been an important month for Harper too; she started taking gymnastics class! She was really loving learning different gymnastics moves from her big girl friend, Taylor, and so I thought we should try it out. We had done the parent/child class together at a gym near us right after Hunter was born, back when I was still on maternity leave. This time, we enrolled in the same gym where Taylor takes lessons, and Harper was SO excited for her first class. She has really been loving it, and Hunter and I have fun watching her. This gym is the real deal--they have even trained Olympians there! I love that they do real activities with the kids, even the preschool group that Harper is in; they spend time on the rings, the balance beam, the trampoline--everything, really! She is loving it! I think it's so wonderful that Harper is getting the opportunity to use her body in a positive way and to build confidence.

Gymnastics with Tay!

Little h is ready for her first gymnastics class!

It's been so impressive to watch her grow.  Even watching her in gymnastics, I am amazed at her independence.  She is such a sweet, spunky, loving little girl.  This summer, her first question is always who we are going to play with, wherever we go.  She loves her friends so much, and she thrives on her social interactions.  I think that preschool in the fall is really going to be a great experience for her.  At home, she continues to love her dolls--always the little mama.  I feel lucky to be this little girl's mom; sometimes I feel like I learn more from her than she does from me.

Little Mama

This month has just been flying by, particularly since we have been counting down to Harper and Hunter's Aunt Annie's wedding. The big day is just a couple of days away now! Harper is thrilled to be the flower girl again, and I think we are all looking forward to the special wedding weekend.  August, here we come!