We’re in the home stretch, here, for the end of the school year. I know all of you are saying, “What? It’s been summer already, like – forever!” But our last official day is not until July 5th. (Although we’re playing hooky to go to Bretagne on the 4th).
But all this busyness is making me really, really grumpy. I’m registering the kids for all their next-year activities (and I’m already dreading what Wednesdays will hold for us – for me). I’m going to end-of-the-year dance and music recitals, I’m having end-of-the-year English class parties, I’m baking and baking for end-of-the-year school parties. I’m accompanying classes to the swimming pool and registering for Centre and trying to get our US taxes done (we get more leeway over here as to when, but they still have to be filed).
What am I not doing? Cleaning my house and weeding my garden. And that makes me really, really grumpy because I want someone else to do it.
But there is some color to the end-of-the-year activities – a whole rainbow of color.
There is RED.
The raspberries are out! (And being plucked and eaten).
Young Lady was a Russian dancer for the mini Nutcracker production at the Conservatory.
There is ORANGE.
The play center was divided into teams for all sorts of fun activities at the park.
They were officially sponsored by the olympics.
You're supposed to smile when you're on stage, kid.
I am smiling.
There is YELLOW.
My students showered me with roses and I showered them with blueberry muffins with lemon cream cheese frosting.
There is GREEN.
If you've ever drunk tilleul menthe tea in France, you might be interested to know that this is what tilleul blossoms look like. It's the tree outside of our living room window.
I'm still waiting for the vines to discover the expansive blank wall around the corner.
Pesto cheese from Holland.
There is BLUE.
Stop playing with the water.
How much longer will you be my sweet-cheeked baby? Not long enough.
There is INDIGO.
The Nutcracker's Chinese Dancers, none of which are mine. Cute though, huh?
There is VIOLET.
Okay this is technically pink, but our blue-indigo-violet hydrangeas turn pink because of the acidity in the soil (or lack thereof?)
It's hard to imagine just how big and loud that black bug was. BIG! And LOUD!
The pale lavender is finally blooming next to its darker cousin.
Here's another purple flower I couldn't resist including. Yet again.
There is even WHITE!
Snowflakes!
These little heart melts are not mine either.
Oh yes, and there is BLACK.
Cool! (Shudder)!
You can only get an idea of how big this scarab is by looking at the picture below showing the giant bug next to the intrepid hand holding it, (which would not be mine by the way).
Why are all the creepy thing flocking to me? I did not sign up for a course in entomology, thank you very much.
We were at a late-night theatre production, and what I thought was a bat flitting around the bright lights outdoors was not a bat, but a scarab.
I hope he flies away and takes my BLACK mood with him.
Lemon cream cheese frosting??? Yes, please.
Hugs to you as you finish up the school year. xoxo
Hugs back, and see ya soon (squee).
Ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh, AHHHHHH! I was lost in happy yellow thoughts of lemon cream cheese frosting until you threw the scarab at us. I did not even know a creature like that existed in the world, and I was a tad happier in those naive thoughts!! Ewwwwww!!! (but the other colors all make me so happy, my friend!)
I’ve just poured a cup of hot coffee, and intend on spending as long as it takes catching up on your life, my love. Apologies for the absence, but I am feeling much better these days. I think of you often and am so grateful for you, hugs.
Lemon cream cheese frosting sounds like a little piece of heaven. And you already read about my fondness for The Nutcracker. I hope you have more “snowflake” moments than “battle scene” moments as this year draws to a close for you and your family 🙂
More snowflake moments than battle scenes – what a great quote!
Yellow makes me happy.
Happy Summer!
Me too. Such a cheerful color. Have a great summer with your sweet bout d’ chou, as they’d say in French – pieces of cabbage. Meaning your kids. I think something is lost in the translation.
Love the rainbow of colors! I recall a month ago the stress of finishing up school. I’m sure your next week will pass by quickly and you’ll be smiling in the sun!
Thanks Caren (with a “C” – almost typed Karen). I do so need that.
Seeing those joyful faces on your children makes me smile even more now….
I think you know why.
Thanks for sharing your rainbow, beautiful friend.
I do, dear friend.
Scarabs? What are you, Indiana Jones? EEEEEK. I second the request for lemon cream-cheese frosting, please & thank you; and share your pain about July 5th end-of-school dates. The boys are in school here until the 5th, but the expats (and the Emiratis) are leaving in droves – exams were over more than 2 weeks ago, and people jumped ship almost immediately. It’s a bit like being in a ghost town here…and HOT. A hot ghost town. There are no cupcakes or beautiful green vines, either….but happy almost-summer to you anyway!
I know! It’s like Indiana Jones, right?
Love the beautifully colorful view of the world even amidst too much to do and ugly bugs.
And lemon cream cheese frosting! Oh my, yes, please!
xo
I made that frosting again yesterday when I served carrot cake. It’s so good!
Oh I love your rainbow! (Well, except maybe not black. I don’t do bugs very well.)
Yes the bugs (shudder).
Love the rainbow of colours! I’m sure indulgng in some of that lemon cream cheese frosting will help with any dark moods. (either that or just getting thru those dreaded last days of school! They are just too busy!)
For you Americans, tilleul is linden in English.
Great colorful pictures.
Do they have linden tea in the States? I had also read lime blossom as a translation, but that’s probably misleading.
I loved all of the rainbow of colors that make up your world.
Interesting that they put on the Nutcracker performance in June. I always think of it solely around the holidays.
Enjoy your visit to Bretagne.
I’m with you on that one Jackie. It IS a Christmas performance, but oh well.
I am so captivated by your pictures…well minus that bug creature thing that looks like it could rip a finger off…well maybe the whole hand.
Since I probably won’t be able to catch up on all the comments that I’m so behind on, let me just say here that I thought of you when posting the Celestial Dew pictures – this is right up her alley. 😉
Very cool! I love all the colors. Specially those in your garden!!! And your daughter is just gorgeous!
Thanks Ana! 🙂
That scarab is cool/scary! i had no idea they fly?! gee, you learn something every day around here: like yummy new tea and scrumptious icing topped muffins!!! I did not learn that your children are gorgeous today- I already knew that ;).
I just didn’t know scarabs existed outside of places really far away from me!
I would much rather have a scarab beetle bracelet than a real one. Have fun on your vacation.
I love how you turned your busy life into a rainbow. Mmm I’ll take a muffin and the pesto cheese, please.
Gorgeous idea for a post. I was so riveted by the calm serenity. Until that damn beast at the end!! Happy beginning of summer.