well this summer's been good from the start

Over the weekend temperatures crept steadily well above 100 degrees, topping off around 106, unseasonable for June (but we're back to our 70-80 degree days already.) Meanwhile Saturday's only goal was to stay cool so we headed up to the lake with a big group of friends. It was full but we parked across the way and walked in for free to this shady spot, spread out blankets and snacks, and played with babies for hours.

sylvan adores lucy. he asked if he could hold her and they sat and shared some strawberries.

i got to see my good friend mary, who owns mama earth farm with her husband ben. i haven't seen her since the birth of her second son, alder, who is now six months old! crazy how time flies and how newborns turn into plump bouncy smiley curious big bundles with so much personality all their own.

it is oddly satisfying to hold two babies at once. rebecca played with alder and aesop, two bouncing giggly bundles of PURE BABY HEAVEN.

although a few of our friends do have daughters, lucy is often the only girl in the group. she doesn't mind.

mary's four year old Yarrow is a fearless adventurer! He loves the water and knows all about the local plants.

mamas and their babes: mary with yarrow and alder, rebecca with sylvan, me with lucinda, and elsie with zillion and aesop.

and a photo with doniella! the token non-mama friend who is so nice to have around to help keep your head on straight and hold a baby for a while. and just be normal ;)

being in and around the water and friends all day makes for a very happy little girl. 

we capped off the summer day with an evening at marcos cafe in lotus. i have written about my favorite riverside venue before; it always feels like pure summer to hang out there.

 

i was worried that lucy might have a rough time since her nap got cut short, but she was in rare form. give her live music, an outdoor venue, and a bunch of friends and she is guaranteed to shine. the girl is a social butterfly indeed! 

we came to see our friends play music and we were truly entertained. justin's crazy jangly hip hop in bling wraith, then daniel's loopy electro pop in pregnant  ... lucy was groovin.

playing with jorden.

we made a tiny friend.

 all in all, a perfect day.

the only way to end a day like that: sleep naked with a fan on. 

well summer's off with a bang. long lingering sunlight, water and cherries and fans and picnics and popsicles. i'm in heaven.