We arrived on Island today in time to catch the last three days of one of our favorite summer happenings, Built on Stilts.

This multi night, homegrown dance festival can only be described as amazing. Each night begins with a improve drum circle while the dancers warm up. It is followed by two acts, each with five to seven different dance performances.

The performers range from little kids to senior citizens. They are short, tall, thin and heavy set. Their performances are hip hop and ballroom and modern and eclectic. The music choices are as broad as the performers themselves.

For free, just feet from us, we were able to watch these amazing dancers do what they love. We talked about dance style, music styles and the concept of performance art. The girls sat transfixed through traditional-type dances and were completely unfazed by the more conceptual pieces. They made connections with what they were seeing to other performances or shows or ideas they already had a handle on.

I love that we get to see the drumming- the random, yet intentional rhythms changing subtly over time. The mixed ages of the drummers and their varying styles of dress and instruments bringing together many different people.

I love that we can see the dancers warm up- not yet in costume, joining with other dancers, showing us the preparation and ‘work’ of performance, not just the finished product. The dancers join together in a circle and share the task of leading the warm up, one new move per person as the role moves around the room.

I love the variety of personality, dress, hairstyles, music and genre that we are exposed to. I love the questions and comments that arise and I love being part of an amazingly supportive and welcoming audience.

I wish I could share more photos, but the event is very specifically no-photos allowed. We’re asked to be present in the moment, and it couldn’t be a more awesome moment to be present in.

Four pairs of bowling shoes, just waiting for four pairs of bowling feet.

[also of note: Bowled my best game ever, a score of 114! Must be the shoes!]

Only thing that comes near the great feeling of going on vacation? Making packing lists for vacation! Woohoo! I’m making sure my varmint hunting light goes in my packing list since I want to go camping and hunting as much as possible!!

This list got texted to a friend of mine earlier today. She had just as little need to see it as anyone reading this post. I’m crazy about packing lists!

We definitely do not have a shortage of photos of Esme climbing things.

A figurehead fit for the likes of the East India Marine Hall.

Love this group of bowlers!

Today was a lovely day. The kind of day when things just all go right and the biggest argument in the backseat is about chewing gum trading. The kind of day where friends are fun and sisters are great and laughing is the perfect answer for everything. The kind of day when the sun shines, the wind blows, you get seats on the subway and the car still gets you home, despite the noises you’re hearing from under the hood.

With Papa out of the house at bedtime, the reading fell to Mama and all the shooting stars seemed to align, making tonight the night my girls met Harry Potter.

And Albus Dumbledore and Professor McGonagle (who Catherine ‘just knew’ was a woman, even before transforming from a cat), and Hagrid and the detestable Dursleys and You-Know-Who- whom they have already learned is Voldemort.

With just two chapters under their belts they have so many questions. Top of the list: What, actually, is a Muggle? Others include: Is Uncle Vernon’s face really purple? How can a Put-Outer turn the street lights back on? (It’s a Put-Outer not a back-oner!) Why is Aunt Petunia so horrible? Wait, why is Harry famous, again? How, exactly, did she turn back into a cat???

There is so much more to come for my eager little ones. I will not spoil it for them by answering their questions prematurely! “Wait and see,” I’ve told them. “The author had a reason she wrote the story this way. We need to trust her.”

They’ve gone off to bed now, dreaming of flying motorbikes (if they’re lucky), but not before one looked back at me as she was leaving the room and said, “Brazil, here I come…..Adios, Amigo.” Our first Harry Potter in-joke and I couldn’t be more proud. It was an emotional read for me, in ways I wasn’t expecting. They’ll never read Harry for the very first time again and I am so glad it happened on such a lovely day.

Early morning attack cuddle. There’s no escaping, Papa!

A Catherine original necklace.

Craft foam, pipe cleaners, yarn.

As of yet to be worn in public.