Those summer nights

There is something magical about summer nights. Maybe it's the calming humidity. Maybe it's the way it stays light extra late. Maybe it's the piece of mind knowing that tomorrow is one more day I get to be a stay-at-home mom. Maybe it's the glass of wine I pour myself after I put the kids to bed . . . whatever it is, it's fantastic, and I am soaking in every minute I can get.

Summer nights and back yard campfires go hand-in-hand. There is something mesmerizing about a fire. It jumps, it crackles. It warms, and comforts. It can make you want to party or it can make you want to cuddle up to the people you love and just relax.



We got to share our first back yard campfire with our friends, the Severson's. Gabe and Mette spent the night at our house while their parents enjoyed a concert in downtown Minneapolis. We had lots of fun that night. Some of our activities included:

1. Playing in the backyard
2. Jumping on the trampoline
3. Jocie and Gabe playing tennis at the local High School court
4. Chasing down the neighborhood ice cream truck
5. Grilling out and eating on the patio
6. Seeing Toy Story 3 in 3D (great flick)
7. Singing "Hey Soul Sister" at the top of our lungs in the car on the way home

But (I think) the best part of the night was after the kids got their jammies on and we sat around our campfire.

(Mette and Jocie)

Just as the kids started to come down off the sugar rush from the treats at the movies, Carl came running our of the back shed with a lit sparkler in his hand. Oh Boy.

Then the festivities really started!

Jocie doing the Statue of Liberty pose

Gabe swooshing the sparkler around in circles




Jocie, taking it all in

After a little sales pitch from Carl, Ella finally agreed to hold the sparkler . . . then we couldn't get her away from them!

Ella streaking across the lawn like a super hero!

Our yard looked like a battle field during the civil war era. The air was thick with smoke, which not only looked cool, but also kept all the mosquitos away! After going through 2-3 boxes of sparklers we decided to take the little girls in for books and bedtime. They were excited to be "camping out" in Ella's bedroom (2 sleeping bags rolled out on the floor). The oldest kids stayed out with Carl and I until around 11:00 and then finally called it a night.

Like I said, there is something magical about summer nights. I am sure it has something to do with not having school. I am sure it has something to do with the weather. But one thing is for sure, we do not take our summer nights for granted around here. We try to take full advantage of this beautiful gift in which we have been given.

Maybe John Travolta and Olivia Newton John sung it best in Grease . . .

"But, oh. Those su-umer NAAA-HIGHTS!!!"