summer living

In the two weeks between our vacation to Michigan and our next vacation, we have been soaking up the sun, playing in the pool, enjoying a lot of great company, listening to music in the park, sailing with a friend, celebrating Jup and I's anniversary and we even welcomed a new member to the family (pictured here in utero). Jupiter's cousin came to our family pool party post-due and I kept thinking that it was possible that she would go into labor during the party( she didn't). We went yesterday to meet little Jhaden at the hospital. Both mom and baby are in good health.

One of Jupiter's friends from work has a sailboat and invited us out last week onto Long Island Sound. It was the first time I have ever been out on the water on a sailboat. It was fun and even Miranda did well (with on board entertainment, of course). Jove and Bob's son had a great time doing many pretend jobs on deck.

Some of our friends live in small town on the Hudson River and they invited us to a jazz concert and picnic in a park on the Hudson. I love summer nights- balmy breezes, fireflies and a laid back pace. All of the kids ran around, looked for sticks and feathers and made up games. When we leaving, Jove said,"I think that we were at a wedding because there were a lot of people gathered around and there was music."

Jupiter and I have been married for six years and this year's anniversary celebration was one of the best we have ever had. We had a full day of childlessness and went out to eat, hung out at home together and went into the city at night. We are still feeling elated from our day together, just us.

Jove has been really making progress with his bike riding and scootering. We have a paved schoolyard a couple of houses down from us and most days, either Jup or I takes the kids there to ride around. Just a few days ago Jove mastered riding his two-wheeler with only a push to get him going and today he learned to start himself and turn without tipping over. He is very proud of himself. Thanks to my dad for the bike that he found at a garage sale and we brought back to New York with us.

So, tomorrow morning another round of adventures begin. Jupiter leaves for a 5-day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and the next morning I am driving with the kids to Roanoke, Virginia. Our good friends just moved there a month ago and we miss them so much. They have a home in the country, close to the Appalachian Trail actually, and we plan to enjoy the great outdoors while we are there.