Sambok (삼복) the Dog Days of Summer are here:)

The humidity in Korea for the six years that I lived there was sticky, gross and unending (it seemed). I have to remind myself of that when temps. here in Boston are climbing into the hundreds. There are a few "dog days" in the Republic of Korea that literally serve dog days as more of a dish than a metaphor. The humidity and heat in Seoul at this time of year is so thick and so pervasive that when I arrived in mid July as a newbie, I was a literal down pouring of sweat wherever I went. It was a little embarrassing standing next to Koreans in business attire whose beautiful, smooth complexions did not have one drop of perspiration! I did acclimate eventually, but it took some time. Thank the sweet Shejus above that we have air conditioning and fans, I don't know how I did it as a child in a loft bed without air conditioning, phew.

On this dog day my boys are sweaty and grumpy after a mere two hours outside at the park ever so early this morning. The plan was to beat the heat and get there before 9:00, it seemed to work well except for the sizzle on the way back. Thank goodness we met up with other early risers (why do all these early riser parents seem to have boys?) and played nicely in a windy, shady spot.

I am beginning to get so excited as July winds down, my EMT training starts and it will be a wonderful way to transition into something new and exciting. I finally made it in on time and in good form. I feel like I am moving forward. Although the night classes will be tiring, I have a feeling they will be tiring in a good way.

Eliot and the early intervention people have been ticking along. His Occupational Therapist has been showing us more deep pressure techniques and we have been trying to get him to like his therapeutic brushing, hmmmm, still working on that one. He did remarkable well on our trip to Little Compton in RI. New place, new routine, tons of people and kids and although there were moments when he became very agitated (echoing, getting stuck on words, needing DP) he liked a lot of what was going on. He loved the "moon" and the "fire" which admittedly were my favourite parts as well.

We had the biggest, fullest pie in the sky set against a gorgeous backdrop of ocean and rocky shore, and right in the middle a lovely beachside roaring fire. What else do you want for a summer good time? What was even better was the adult time post-kid bedtime. It was so freeing to hang out late with the cool people that were there. It felt like breathing for the first time in a long time. I don't think anybody wanted to leave.

When Henry was saying goodbye to his cousin Zola he said, "Now I love you too much, I miss you too."

Matt is working at his ESL place and wondering what the state of his continuing will bring, I have faith they will love him and beg him to stay on:) Other than that we are putting one foot in front of the other, we are moving forward.

Eliot and Henry are growing up right in front of our eyes, it is STILL a miracle to me.