sun bread

On the summer solstice, the summer books came onto our bookshelves, and the spring books went in the book bin (where they will sleep cozily until next year). I find that rotating books by season is a good way to anticipate the "new" books to come. Also, the shelves are not so crowded and overwhelming which makes choosing books to read, a joy. These are some of our favorites so far this summer:

Teddy Bears' Picnic

The Raft

The Hello, Goodbye Window

The Sun Egg

Sun Bread

Sun Bread being our best of the best. We love the village of animals, especially the dog baker with her sweet apron. The name of her shop makes it even better, and at the end of the book she shares her recipe for sun bread. We made some up and offered leftovers to the birds, and to the sun of course!

Going...going...

...almost gone. Like June, the Lupine will be departing soon. Up next, to grace our summer season: Fireweed (in beautiful shades of pink).

glacier fun

We had not visited in almost three years, and found some changes.

a big wave coming in caused by calving
view from the bridge

rocks: past, present, future

Looking at glaciers makes me nostalgic, and rock hunting on old glacier beds is one of my favorite things. I could comb old glacier beds for hours and not even be aware of how much time has elapsed (no joke). I like to imagine that the rocks I walk on have seen generation after generation of people going on about their lives, not to mention generation after generation of plants and animals. I find myself envying these rocks, because long after I am gone they will continue to be and to see. In this moment in time however, I will hold the past and the future in my hand and appreciate life as it is now (something no rock could ever do).

06/18

I don't want to believe that he is now two...

06/18/07

06/18/08

06/18/09

a birthday or two

Eoghan's 8th birthday was at the end of March, but life was not right at the time for a party. And so we said, that we would have a shared party mid June after Jonas' 2nd birthday. On Saturday we rented a cabin by a lake close to home. There was a treasure hunt, many sticklebacks were caught, a balloon game, sweet drawings by chubby fingers, heavy rain, sunshine, and to end the day: a rainbow was spread across the sky.

the birthday boys

funny face

hot and spicy

Mal harvested his first spicy Thai peppers last night. The plant was purchased last summer, but it did not produce any chilies. I actually did not think it would make it to this summer (even though it was kept inside).

I survived (He had a blast!)

Eoghan had a great (on his own) camp out experience. In fact the whole week was wonderful. On the day before the camp out he said, "Tomorrow's the last day. It went by so fast." It was very satisfying to hear that.

Throughout the day I would get tidbits of info on the camp out expedition. They saw many birds, moose, and even a bear was spotted. They went for a hike, played games, and even cooked their own soup for supper (he cut up the potatoes). He said it was one of the best suppers he has ever had. Also, being very thankful not to have eaten what the Alaska pioneers would have. I hear also that he and some of the other boys got the shenanigans out of their system, by fooling the girls in their tent (wild animal noises and shaking were involved).

The camp was called, "From the Forest to the Sea". Each day had its own theme and activities to correspond. Monday: Rainforest Day, Tuesday: Ocean Day, Wednesday: Wetland Day, Thursday: Geology Day, Friday: It's all connected.

We were so very fortunate that Eoghan was able to have this experience. We will be signing up next year for sure. He will be off to a different camp next week, and in July: Music Camp, for a packed week full of fun. Fun and growing, YES!

Even the mosquitoes had a great time.

on his own

camping inside (over a year ago)

Thinking a lot of my boy today, as he is bound for his first overnight camp without family. I am like the weather today, very dreary. He on the other hand I am sure, is having a blast.

out of the fog

It was nice to feel sun on our faces (and toes) again, after having spent a couple of days in fog.

growing side by side

Like plants, little boys seem to do their best growing in the wild.

hot cross buns

Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!

One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns!

If you haven't any daughters,

Give them to your sons.

One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns!

Jonas had so much fun making his own little roll.

Craft Hope

This little man was sent out today to join other sweet babes, who will soon be en route to Casa Bernabe Orphanage in Nicaragua.

This is Craft Hope's Project #2, and everyone participating has created a handmade doll, so as to spread a little love to the children living at the orphanage.

The organizers sent a message saying, "that they were amazed at the willingness of all who have taken time to spread some hope to these children". I could not be happier than to just hope that whichever child receives this doll (made with much love and lovied up substantially by Jonas before he was boxed up) knows that someone very far away is thinking of them, and hoping that as they hold their baby, they may absorb all the love that was sent with it. I only wish that I could hold that child myself.

Craft Hope's button is on my sidebar, take a peek.