Summer Start-Up

As soon as the calendar turns to May, it's like you can almost taste summer. Over the past few years, I've noticed a sequence of events that occur in our lives that signify summer is just around the corner. There is that inevitable 90+ degree day that creeps up late April and slaps you in the face like a bad memory. Or, the aisles of bathing suits and sunscreens on display at Target. Next thing you know, you have to set aside an entire day to change your sweaters section of your closet to your tank top section of your closet and, thanks to shorts and skirts, you have to shave your legs more often than you'd like. Or is that just me?

And, have you noticed EVERYTHING is scheduled in May? End of the year "this" and end of the year "that." Meeting after meeting to tie up loose ends before the mass exodus that is summer vacation. Of course, there are also the fun things that occur once the madness that is May ensues. Here are a few of our favorite things that tell us that summer's little head is peeking around the corner and about to pop out in full force.

Our neighborhood family 5K! It was a fun one this year!

Look at that perfect stride! This was the end of the 1 mile kid race and Josh pushed it until the finish!

Nothing says sticky Texas summer like a cup full of artificially flavored corn syrup drizzled (or more like smothered) over crushed ice! We went to Austin to attend Katie and Pickles' "Nacho Average Cinco de Mayo" party and imagine this... we ran into Matthewjones and Will! But of course!!!

Tricia and I told the boys about the days long, long ago that we would come get snowcones as a treat from studying for our college finals... once or twice a day. They just looked at us like, "Whatever, you didn't have a life before we got here and it certainly wasn't cool enough to entail things like snowcones." It didn't make us feel old at all.

Cayce's Snowcones were not the only treat of the weekend, mind you. Not only did we get to spend the day at Casa de Jones playing in the gorgeous Austin sun, but Josh even got to spend the night at his house!!

Spending the night at a friend's house= biggest deal EVER to my 4 year old son.

Josh's end of the year choir performance at church was a great success. Lookie there- our son, front and center!!! Obviously, his new choir teachers have never seen the video from his first choir performance in which he basically took his top off for the audience. Luckily, all clothing remained in place during this two song performance.

You know, when I was pregnant with Josh, everyone talked about their greatest moments with their child; when they took their first step, or said their first word. I never heard anyone say how amazing it is when you watch your child get on stage and scan the audience feverishly to find Mommy and Daddy and then the pure delight that results once they finally meet your gaze. Ugh. Melt. My. Heart.

Lest I forget, there also was that moment that Josh turned his rhythm sticks into "shooting sticks." Better or worse than taking the clothes off? Can't decide, but either way, he looked cute doing it.

We spent a beautiful Saturday at the zoo with Chris and the other wild animals (heehee). Josh and I usually go to the zoo during the week with our friends, so it was a treat to take Chris with us and show him all of Josh's favorite animals. He loved seeing the elephants eating breakfast.

He also really, really, really loved this sign outside the restroom.

Boys.

Chris loved watching the intimidating Cheetah glide around his habitat.

I loved seeing the lions enjoy a nice Saturday afternoon snooze in the sunshine. Look at the one on the right- he is sleeping on his paw, just like Murphy. So cute!!!

Yes. This is Josh surrounded by about 10 little girls in bathing suits. Someday, he will really cherish this photo. Our first water activity of the summer, and Josh is hooked. Our sweet friend had us over for a delightful afternoon in the sun. To set the summery mood, she had water balloons, watermelon, sangria, and of course, all the water play activities you can think of.

With the feel of the warm sun, the smell of the sunscreen, the sound of the kids squealing in the sprinklers, and the taste of summery treats, I think we are all ready for some Summer Fun!!!