Sure signs that summertime has arrived

Memorial Day weekend typically marks the unofficial start to summer. The pool opens, the lemonade flows and the sunscreen is plentifully applied. The beach towels are brought out from winter hibernation, as are the buckets and shovels, swimsuits and sandals. Although there are still a few weeks left of school, summer is in the air – especially this week as the heat and humidity provided temperatures well into the nineties. With Memorial Day now a memory, the spirit of summer is here to stay and and I for one couldn't be happier about it.

For starters, the sun is up long before I am. This is such a welcome change from the dark days of winter when my morning runs occurred in darkness and the kids had to be dragged out of bed.

Bedtime slides by a few minutes or a few hours, depending on the day. We might read a book on the front porch as the sun sets or hang out in the backyard as the moon rises. Either way, we’re more lax about the bedtime routine and grateful for those extra moments with our little ones.

Dinner is simpler. In fact, breakfast and lunch are too. I probably shouldn't admit this but some days, we even skip lunch, instead snacking on hearty helpings of watermelon, blueberries and granola bars in between meals. Dinner itself is quickly prepared on the grill or on some evenings, a simple grilled cheese might suffice. And my, isn’t that nice!

Morning prep time is dramatically reduced. It’s amazing how easy it is get out of the house when you don’t need to wrestle and cajole five kids into gloves, hats, coats and boots! It’s just shorts, shirts and crocs and away we go… with time to spare!

Of course, as great as summertime is, it’s not without it’s own unique challenges… like for instance slathering sunblock on five slippery kids or publicy bearing my bod in broad daylight; the stark whiteness of my legs has been known to blind even the mightiest of souls but even so, I’ll take summertime and it’s carefree attitude and relaxed routines for just as long as it lasts… which, based on the current outlook, will be a long time indeed.