These two are officially six…can you believe it?! We kept things simple this year and had a lovely French-inspired birthday picnic at a favorite local park. We got lucky with the weather and managed to avoid the crazy hot temperatures. We tend to shy away from outdoor activity when it gets to be over 80 degrees, if I’m being honest. Why did we have July babies?! I’m kidding – Cancers are the best (both my parents are that sign as well) and the fact that they were born late on the 13th means that they were technically born on le 14 juillet, aka Bastille Day to us (the French don’t call it that). It was a Francophiles dream come true to have my babies born on such a significant French holiday – it was an unplanned emergency c-section, and it was fate. You can read their birth story here, should you be interested. Back to the picnic…

Do you think we have enough picnic baskets?! One was insulated with all the modern accoutrements, and the other two were vintage. I was so thrilled to find that mini basket while antiquing in the Berkshires – it kinda sorta inspired this whole thing. The blanket is actually a throw from IKEA (off of our sofa), and we threw the food together last minute (we made sure to grab a fresh baguette). As you can see if you look closely, I made peanut butter sandwiches for the kids and didn’t get too Frenchy with the cheese, for their sake. I know, I know…if they were French children they would eat all the cheeses and not care. I packed a bottle of Ricard for the adults (we added cold water), and Elderflower Rose lemonade for them (and us – it’s so yummy). We stayed past golden hour and left once the mosquitos started to feast on us…it was simple, and yet oh so memorable. I’ll share more thoughts on their birthday soon…I’m still getting used to the idea.