So Long, Summer...

If I could bottle up summer and taste it everyday on a long lunch break I would. Summer is a unique pace... one that we all need out of the year. It's a great combination mixed just right to relax. I don't know what I like best: laying out poolside in the toasty sun or not being awoken by the alarm clock. It might be right up there with not doing homework and shuffling around like the crazy soccer mom I am at times. What I do know is that this summer rocked! It was filled with lots of love, friends, family, and some great trips.

Aaron and I took the boys to California and spent some time in Del Mar with my family. We stayed at a beachfront hotel... which is the way to go with kids I soon found out. It made hauling all the food, chairs, toys and umbrella pretty darn easy. Benny and Stink discovered "skim boards" this trip. They are thin pieces of wood similar to a skateboard without wheels that you throw down as the oncoming beach waves go back... skimming across the thin water on the sand. Uncle J-man was a great teacher. Oceanside dinner, sunset watching, and an early morning run along the coast were just icing on this trip. We spent a day at Legoland and checked out the newly added water park. My Arizona boys weren't that excited about it being the water park pro's they are, but they sure enjoyed it... We all did, all about 8 hours of it. Aaron drove us home after our long Legoland day... he earned the daddy-ready stamp, I don't know what else does. I think he was a better trooper than the experienced I at this! I do have a souvenir I would have liked to leave CA without. The wreaking stench of old cooler water that leaked out in the back of the car... smells like something died, which is what I thought. Nothing the good ol' carpet cleaner can't take care of but you better bet this will remind me to cap that water spout at the bottom of the cooler next time!

The boys were spoiled with the beach and all of California's goodies this summer. They deserved it. They went for another week in CA with their Dad after we returned home. So I took advantage of the time I had to myself, which is scarce. Hello Banner PTO! Aaron and I took a trip together to his hometown and then to Table Rock Lake with his family... Beautiful. Warm. Romantic. A great time I would have not wanted to spend with anyone else but my love. It was hard to leave that, but easy to return to my much missed little blondies and our home sweet home we have together.

Our summer was also filled with a trip to the zoo, water parks, pool days, play dates, lazy days, and snuggle moments.

Benny Button also had a birthday! My baby turned 6... so we celebrated it 6 times... Well is what it felt like anyway. Once in Arizona with all of Benny's little friends... in California with family... and the day at Legoland. Happy Birthday again baby boy!!

Dear Summer:

Thank you for your warm days, warmer moments, and free spirit. Can't wait to visit you again next year!

xoxo