in celebration

I firmly believe in celebrating life's smaller events along with the major milestones, and although graduating from elementary school may not be a huge life event, Paulie is the first of our children to foray into middle school which makes the perfect reason to celebrate at our house.

We spent most of our weekend building fires, roasting marshmallows, playing in sprinklers, and just generally enjoying each other's company.

Even the blackberries cooperated and the first few sparkled from burgundy to black, marking the true beginning of summer and joining our celebration.

Paul hatched a plan to hang the sprinkler from the top of the play structure.

Everyone in the house was thoroughly drenched,

even mama and daddy who couldn't resist the fun.

As much as I enjoy all the various seasons, there is something about the freedom of outdoors, the hushed conspiring in various parts of the yard, blackbery-stained faces, late evening fires, and fireflies that flicker through the twilight that makes me so grateful for the hastening of summer.

And did I mention the wet little bodies slipping and sliding all over the yard? I just want to pinch them and squeeze them and drink the syrupy sweetness of them.

After exhausting ourselves with waterplay, we had our final celebratory dinner of grilled veggies, homemade croissants (Paulie's choice) and homemade strawberry ice cream.

I can't think of many sweeter things than little summery bodies draped over the table eating fresh seasonal veggies.

Happy end-of-elementary-school, Paulie! We are so proud of the great job you've done!