july, july

there is a song by the decemberists called july, july. the chorus triumphantly sings "july! july! july!" and you know what? i sing that to myself nearly every july since that magical song hit my ear 10 years ago. july is the sort of month that needs to be sung about. july is my birth month! july is the dead middle of hot hot summer, and july has a holiday, and is full of festivals and events and freedom and late sunsets and so so so much to do. this july has been insane in the best way. we are tired, and the month isn't even over yet. i can't wait to tell you what we have planned this weekend, but it will have to wait.

this month, so far, in a photo recap:

james soccer team formed, is practicing, and has games. he pretty much refuses to take any part in it. 


we rode the ferris wheel and smooched at la fete de marquette


here is our view of the festival from the top of the ferris wheel

we had a little birthday celebration for nana


and met some very dear friends at the terrace (see previous post)

we had a special concerts on the square with jackie and brian

and i did some birthday swimming (and coaxing the children into the water)

i had some birthday candle help


and then we went to see the new pornographers (for FREE!) at the live on king concert. 

(interested in hearing one of their songs? how about one of my favorites. they didn't play it at the concert, but it was a really reeeeally great show. they opened with this one, also very good. and their opener? stole the whole night.)

we spectated the paddle and portage race (see those little black dots on the lake? it's a bunch of canoers, paddling frantically in the 3rd leg of their paddle/portage/paddle race. i would really like to do this race. 

we hit up the fair, complete with photo ops, fried food, animal barns, and all kinds of gross and crazy and awesome. 

the kids pet a milk snake at the fair,


and ramona came home and immediately drew a picture of herself petting the snake (which is held by a girl, drawn here in yellow).


and then? an epic night out with some of our very favorites, starting in the sun at the--you guessed it-- terrace, and ending in a surprise fashion at a paint bar. we've all got talent. who knew?