Summertime

Ahhhhh Sumertime has finally arrived!!!  Yes... I'm aware that officially "Summer" begins June 20th..... however..... we all know that summer REALLY begins the day school lets out!  And even tho Summer isn't really over til Sept 21st...... we all know Summer is over the day school starts!

Today I had to drive to Lexington to fetch my daughter Amber, whose car broke down here in Cincinnati on Sunday.... parts had to be ordered.... NOT an easy or cheap break.... any hoo.... as I was driving down I-75 with my convertible top down.... my hair flying.... the radio blaring.... and all I can see ahead of me is this BEAUTIFUL blue, blue, blue sky with these HUMONGOUS puffy whtie clouds..... it just felt like the perfect summer day and all these childhood memories came flooding back.... it was such a nice drive!

I remember getting up at dawn and playing outside all day until we were literally dragged inside the house to eat some lunch.... then back out all day playing again (usually barefoot) until we were once again literally dragged inside to eat dinner.... then back outside to catch fireflies and play hide-n-go-seek until once again we were dragged back inside to bathe and go to bed.  I remember falling asleep quickly, not moving an inch all night, but having the sweetest dreams too.  The next day.... we picked up right where we left off when we were dragged inside for baths and continued on each day like this all summer long.  Ahhhh those truly were the days!

When my girls were growing up they too would get up early, eat a bowl of cereal and then head outside as fast as they could.  They would ride bikes.... play on the swingset, swim, and/or play dolls/kitchen/family all day long..... I too had to drag them inside for meals and bath time.... and they too slept sound each night and this was how we spent our summer breaks.  The only time we went on trips was to go home to Louisville for family visits.

Now that Joe and I are empty nesters (again!)... it's soooo sweet to drive down the road and see neighborhood kids riding their bikes, playing on their swingsets, swimming in their pools.... and all the giggles and chatter that goes along with each activity reminds me of those precious memories of both my childhood and my childrens childhoods.

Summertime is such a happy time!  I am truly happiest when the sun is shining and I'm outside with the sun on my face and the breeze blowing in my hair.... and best of all.... the wonderful smell of suntan lotion!  I make it a point each year to buy a bottle of "Coppertone" suntan lotion because... it IS the smell of summer!  Even tho I have to be extra careful now when I drive through the neighborhood with all the kids out of school for the summer...... I still love hearing all the summertime voices of the kids as they giggle, whisper, shout and chatter as they are making their childhood memories.

The sun is shining, the temperature is quite HOT and the pool is luring me with the clear sparkle of the water.... I'm grabbing my Coppertone and towel and out the door I go to enjoy my summertime afternoon poolside with my daughter Amber.