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What would summer be without a dip in some cool water? Especially in muggy, humid Virginia, it is quite transformative to have a shady, close-by place where you can go for a quick dip. 
Oh yes, now I remember it: long summer afternoons spent with family and friends, food grilling, children playing, adults chatting. I remember it from my own childhood, and now I am acquainted with it on the other end of things: losing track of my children for hours at a time but knowing full well they are safely playing with friends and cousins and aunts and grandparents; bringing a change of clothes because inevitably there will be a sprinkler or mud or cupcakes to smear on one's face; children and parents sleeping oh so deeply out of sheer physical exhaustion. The past two weeks we have lived out of our home, hopping from one get-together to the next, landing softly among friends and good food. It has been wonderfully exhilarating. Summer is truly here.
Yesterday at the library, my curiosity was piqued when I saw a woman with a beautiful long linen dress and colorful headscarf slowly walking around a tree, picking at the branches. We walked closer, and noticed what the procession was all about: not one, but two mulberry trees (one with dark berries, the other white) filled with ripe plump berries. Of course, we joined in the fun.
Outdoor concert season is upon us, and we kicked it off at Wolftrap this Saturday listening to a Prairie Home Companion. My favorite parts: sharing a blanket with some strangers who generously welcomed us into their space (whew! That lawn sure does get filled up!), a delicious meal prepared by my sister including chocolate cake made out of beets, playing footsie with Ben, some amazing bluegrass music, and then arriving at my parents house to pick up the girls to discover Lily fast asleep on my mom's chest. And, of course, Garrison Keillor-- whew, that man can make me laugh. 
We took a little stroll in the country this morning-- a stunningly beautiful, magical spot in the country that Ben and I have been to, but have never actually seen (we picked up a friend there once at dusk, not realizing it was this whole arboretum). Quite the little adventure, complete with mythic structures, a treehouse, some horses, this beautiful old building, and so so many beautiful plants (oh, and some amazing barbecue sandwiches in a little town on the way home). Oh, it was wonderful, and all I could manage was turning to Ben every now and then and saying, "I'm so happy." What a gift it is to discover the freedom that we have in our family to explore the world together.
A long afternoon spent frolicking in the yard in bathing suits. The girls were sticky, sandy, and wet, so we just spent the rest of our time waiting for Ben to come home feeding crackers to Selma (ahem... I mean eating crackers) on the deck. I don't think we even noticed that it was hot and muggy out, truth be told.
A carousel ride, a picnic, and a visit to the museum (and a beloved "train ride," during which my two hands were more than full, hence the lack of pictures). I guess there's nothing new under the sun, but it certainly is magical to see the difference that a year makes for not one but two little girls. The picnic and museum, a huge hit for both girls. The carousel? The thrill of a lifetime for one, and a little scary for the baby of the family. Oh well, there's always next year.
