summer solstice celebration

we celebrate each turn of the season in our home. the night before the solstice or equinox i change out our seasonal table. our children awake to a couple of gifts to enhance their seasonal play wrapped and waiting at the breakfast table. typically, they get a seasonal book and a handmade toy (either made by me or an etsy artist).

we incorporate activities to celebrate the changing season into our daily rhythm and prepare for our celebratory dinner throughout the day. today the children chose burgers on the grill and corn on the cob, both summer favorites, for our special meal. i made another pavlova and did my best to capture the essence of the sun in this scrumptious dessert.
seasonal celebrations, or any festival for that matter, need not need be elaborate. simply laying the table with a fresh cloth and adorning it with fresh flowers helps to set the mood for a special meal. including children in the preparations is just as important as the celebration itself! we sing songs and often i tell a special story to mark the occasion. today, we found ourselves singing about our friends the bees all day.

festive drinks are a favorite treat. here a glass of sparkling apple cider sits with a jar of clover picked enthusiastically by sienna for our table.

we intended to end our evening with a backyard fire and some firefly chasing. however, during dinner there came a sudden and intense thunderstorm that poured down solid sheets of rain. this mama loves a good thunderstorm so i was not complaining! the children were disappointed though so we scheduled a rain date with the fireflies.
hope you all enjoyed your day, however you celebrated and even if you didn't! happy summer to you all!