June was a very full month. Here was my Must Capture list:

• Family reunion #1
• Preparations for L’s arrival
• L’s arrival!!!
• Time with cousins

Family Reunion #1

This was a lot of fun and I think I did a fair job documenting it.

Lots of memories made there.

Preparations for L’s Arrival

Yes, I did a lot of this, and I think I did a fair job documenting it. Sharing about her room and the 67 things I want her to know.

L’s arrival!!!

I wish I had a few more pictures of this, but in the awkwardness of a first meeting, it’s really hard to document it well. My mom took this one with her phone, and it’s one of my favorites.

Time with cousins

This has been pretty well documented, I think. They’re having a blast together!

Another month crossed off of my list for the 365. Here’s what I’m hoping to capture in July.

July’s Must Capture List

• 4th of July fun
• More Summer Fun
• Family Reunion #2/Family Traditions
• Traveling Back Home

We had so much fun today that I’m going to have to break it up into two blog posts! But, I’ll start with the more festive part… fireworks!

Okay, this has little to do with fireworks. I just spotted it while we were walking over to the fireworks and really liked it.

We got there a bit early, with some glowsticks and a deck of Uno cards.

Then, the fireworks started.

When the fireworks started, Gus started freaking out. My mom had brought some heavy-duty ear protection, but even that did not get him to calm down. He just kept yelling “I WANT TO GO HOME!!!!” Screaming and screaming and clutching me like his life was surely in danger. Last year, he enjoyed the fireworks, so this was surprise.

So, home we went. Just me and him. I hadn’t intended to carry him, as my sister had brought her stroller. But, I carried the 30+lbs of toddler and camera gear the 3/4 mile back, while he screamed and I sang a song about the moon, trying to calm him. Occasionally, he’d catch a glimpse of the fireworks and I’d ask him if he’d like to stop and watch them. “NO, I WANT TO GO HOME!” Poor kid was terrified. We made it. He calmed down. Still wasn’t quite sure that everyone else would survive, as he asked my nephew “Are you okay?” the second he walked in the door.

Then, it was time for sparklers and other little firework things.

And, my favorite picture. This was not planned, but it sums up her first fourth of July experience. Sparkler in hand and flag in the background.

Happy birthday, America.

One of my goals was to give Big L a boring summer. A summer filled with ordinary days. Lightening bugs, and bike riding. Swimming and camping and food right off the grill. No big adventures needed, just family time. This is what we are sinking into.

She catches fireflies for Gus.

Unfortunately, he’s a bit of an accidental firefly squisher, so instead we’ve started giving him little bits of grass. At first he didn’t notice the difference, but now he laughs and says “no!”.

Hanging out on the patio.

The mail has started pouring in. It is so fun.

Her first one that she got was a message in a bottle, complete with an umbrella and sand. It was adorable! It came from CA, from Jenny. Jenny blogs at Insane for Ukraine. Thank you, Jenny!

And her second was from a super sweet new friend, Amanda, a cousin of someone who adopted from Gus’s orphanage. Inside were two bracelets– one from Big L and one for her to share with Lena. Thank you, Amanda!

She is excited and baffled by these people she doesn’t know sending her mail. She asked me today if it was my mom. Nope! I explained to her that they are friends of mine who just want her to know how special she is.

We pulled our bikes today. Big L told me that she knew how to ride, but I wasn’t sure. But, she does. Turns out she’s rather confident on a bike.

Don’t worry, Gus supervised.

That’s life here. Sometimes boring, pretty ordinary, but shaping up to be a pretty fun summer, too.