Taste of Summer

I've been counting down the days 'til summer for a long time.

I can taste it now even though it hasn't technically arrived yet.

I'm proclaiming this summer to be the summer of enjoyment. It will be the first summer in five years where I won't be sick and pregnant or have a nursing baby to schedule around. Not that I don't love those things (at least the newborn baby aspect), but I can hardly wait to bask in the luxury of freedom with our little guys.  

I have summer bucket lists swimming around in my head and heaps of activities I'd like to fill our mornings with.

But what I'm looking forward to the most are days like we had over the weekend. Spending hours outside in our yard with bare feet. Catching the sparkles in Blake's eyes when his dad teaches him how to catch and hit and ride his bike. Performing roundoffs and headstands in our grass to invoke adorable baby giggles. Taking strolls around the block and joining up with other neighbor kids who are playing in their yards.

It's official. This weekend's taste of warmth confirmed to me how much I'm going to love this summer.

Blake insists on studying his Disneyland (technically California Adventure) park guide every time he rides in the stroller. The guide has been zipped in the stroller pocket ever since our visit, and has been given a lot of love (and wear and tear).

The neighborhood kids enjoyed pointing out their favorite rides on the map as well, although Blake was hesitant to let it out of his hands.

Another summer event I'm looking forward to is Blake being able to release some of his energy outside. He had no problem initiating a three block run back to our house. Maybe, just maybe, all of that exertion will produce some good naps.

Welcome, impending summer. So far, I love you.