I’m going to work backwards from here, going back to key events since I left off blogging a few months back, in hopes of filling in holes for my ‘scrapbook’ of memories for the kids, along with faraway family.
First up – 4th of July weekend, block party & parade!
I love our neighbors and neighborhood. There are tons of kids and families, a good mix of a slightly older generation (which I love for our kiddos), and it’s what I would consider safe. For the holiday, one of my motivated neighbors took it upon herself to organize a big shindig at the park between the two circles of houses. This was no ordinary block party either – it was complete with a taco truck, fresh horchata, bounce house, DJ, limbo, and bike parade. So fun for the kids – and us!
Good times in Montecito. If my kiddos only knew how blessed they are! (We are working on conversations about privilege…but sometimes the concepts come slow & I try a number of ways to get the point across before one just ‘sticks’).
Next up, 4th of July parade!
Jesse’s knee has been really bugging him lately (seems logical, 4 months without walking would do it to anyone – and he literally NEVER complains, so you know it’s actually hurting now!) – so I took the kids solo to the downtown Montecito celebration to represent Cold Spring School in the parade and friendly competition after between Selah’s school and Montecito Union.
They were the sweetest, all decked out. We made our way to our spot then waited a good hour riding around with friends and climbing trees before the parade started. I walked with a few other moms with a banner and the kids zoomed through the crowd in the street. I even lost Asher in the surrounding neighborhood at the end of it – innocent mistake for his first ride and my horror of not being able to run as fast he rides that bike of his! I took it as a good opportunity to remind him how to tell a fireman his mommy’s name and find the man with the microphone! 😆
And of course what 4th celebration is complete without terribly unhealthy, mediocre tasting sweets with artificial food dye and flavor?!? Isn’t that the American way?!
The kids had a great time, as did I – and although it was exhausting, it was 100% worth it to see those moments of sibling love and pure joy amidst my own personal moments of panic when losing one of them in the crowd (Selah is quite the social butterfly and since it was the school rivalry – the Montecito Cup – she was off enjoying friends while I tried to keep tabs on Asher and hoped she could find me when necessary!).
We also miraculously made it to fireworks with Daddy so he could share in the day, and set up our own cooling pool in the backyard to combat the heat. Perfect day to celebrate America!
Seeking Joy With the Wheelers 