June 1^st – Despite the month opening with some sad news, feeling immensely grateful for my sweet girls, my thoughtful husband, and this little adventure of a life we’re building together.

June 2^nd – Salvaging a rained-out holiday with board games, friends, and—best of all—cake!

June 3^rd – Slipping away from motherhood for a glorious evening of aperitivi and grown-up conversation with girlfriends.

June 4^th – Wishing we had some fresh fruit in the house only to run into the downstairs neighbor who was holding a big platter of cherries, freshly picked from the backyard, all for us.

June 5^th – Nibbling strawberries from our little balcony garden and daydreaming about next year’s crop.

June 6^th – Ending a long, busy day with the first watermelon of the season—sweet, sticky, and even more delicious for being shared with a crowd of friends.

June 7^th – Eating the first peaches of the season with whipped cream and reaching something close to Nirvana. (Can you tell we love fruit around here?)

June 8^th – Brainstorming gift ideas, a challenge that always makes me happy.

June 9^th – Daydreaming about campgrounds in far-away lands and the Loch Ness monster we plan to meet this summer.

June 10^th – Starting to feel that thrilling pre-trip giddiness that makes writing packing lists the most enjoyable activity in the world.

June 11^th – Melting from the cuteness overload of Natalie (wearing a pink teapot) and her friends in their end-of-the-year preschool musical.

June 12^th – Seeing the girls shimmy to the sagra music blaring over our friends’ barbecue.

June 13^th – Watching Sophie run full-speed to the front of our church during the Sunday School program so she could sing next to her sister.

June 14^th – Cheering with a roomful of fans when Italy scored its first goal in the 2010 World Cup.

June 15^th – Playing Hullaballoo with the girls and getting my silly groove on.

June 16^th – Singing “You Are My Sunshine” in four-part harmony (well, in four parts, at any rate) with the rest of my sweet and goofy family before bed.

June 17^th – Glimpsing the most glorious orange and purple sunrise with a soundtrack of a thousand blissful birds—the only real upside to being awakened by a crying child at 5:10 a.m.

June 18^th – Putting together fun Father’s Day surprises for guy who makes our world go ‘round.

June 19^th – Picking out a new big-girl car seat for Sophie as a family and marveling at how well these girls of ours are growing.

June 20^th – Getting a giant so-glad-to-know-you hug from an hours’ old friend.

June 21^st – Teaching our girls the fine art of steamrolling.

June 22^nd – Finishing the world’s longest Teux Deux list in happy anticipation of our upcoming trip.

June 23^rd – Conquering my fears, taking a risk, and meeting a deadline that holds a large chunk of my current hopes at stake.

June 24^th – Driving through the wooded hills nearby glittering emerald and gold in the morning light.

June 25^th – Packing up the tent, locking the door behind us, and setting off for our next big adventure!

June 26^th – Tumbling out of the car after a looooong day of driving and introducing the girls to the hilarity that is the trampoline.

June 27^th – Taking an evening stroll around Cambridge and imagining myself at one of their impressive universities.

June 28^th – Running from an unfriendly delegation of cows along Hadrian’s Wall until our whole family was out of breath from laughing.

June 29^th – Wandering through the Scottish wilderness in the evening light and having my legs swept out from under me by the incredible beauty.

June 30^th – Winding up through the Highlands blasting the Fratellis—Scottish bliss.