I'm back again

Last night we had an impromptu picnic potluck with some friends. Luis was going over there to do some handyman work, so the kids and I tagged along with a casserole. Add in some pasta and salad from our friends, along with fresh picked strawberries and raspberries from their extensive garden, eat under the sky, and it was a good evening. I watched the kids while Luis worked, and John and Lisa got some stuff done without their son underfoot. Our kids are sleeping late today because it was a late night.

It's so hard to enforce the normal 8 pm bedtime with the late evening sunshine. I guess the days will be shortening now, as Summer Solstice was a few days ago, but the lightening bugs won't be out until 9ish, and how mean of a mama would I be if I don't let the kids chase the lightening bugs sometimes? :D If only Isabella wasn't such a grump when she stays up late.

Speaking of Isabella, she is getting better about not lashing out hitting when she's upset. She is finally using words most of the time. I was watching her this weekend while we were camping. She definately is like me in a new social situation, unfortunately. I'm very shy and hang back on the edges, watching others. Joining into a new situation with new people is almost impossible for me. I want to, I just can't do it for some reason. People sometimes think I'm a snob or stuck up because of it. Isabella is doing the same things. I wish I knew how to help her overcome it. I feel for her so much.

My aunt's longtime boyfriend died last night. He was mowing lawn and had a heart attack. He was only 56, a year younger than my dad. My aunt must be hurting so much. They were together 15+ years. He was so young. Go in peace, Ron.