.Sum sum summer.

We are feeling our way through what a summer is "supposed" to look like and be like. Remember, my hubby and I have spent six out of our (going on) eight married summers at a summer camp where he was the program director. So the long sunny days that lazily loom ahead of us without any schedules or bells or people is rather....different.

And dare I say lovely? I am embracing this new phase of life with both arms.

I really desire for summers to be a special part of my childrens childhood. We have very special memories of our camp summers together. Why does being home during the summer have to be any different? I want our summer days to look very unique when next to our "rest of the year" days. I have been mulling this over in my mind trying to figure out how to do summer.


Our breakfast has taken on a summer look - yogurt and granola. I am thinking of even adding a few green smoothies once in awhile.

Our dinners have taken on a wardrobe change as well, as I learn to implement summer recipes.


Stuffed green peppers. One of my favorite recipes growing up. The dinner is simple when prepped ahead of time. I cooked my meat and scooped out my peppers a few days ahead.

Of course there are things that still have to be done - like housework and laundry and cooking, but I am going to loosen up a bit on those during the summer. Some nights we may even have ice cream - as our main course. And some days I may skip the laundry and the floors.

Our mornings will be spent lounging in our jammies just a bit longer.



And of course we will read tons of books. I can remember being a child and spending a large amount of my summers getting and reading new books from the library. We went together as a family yesterday. I indulged in a large stack of books for ME! I plan to enjoy every last one of them - guilt free. Cadi and I spent a long time this morning in the sun reading. {bliss} A mountain of books, the warm sun beating on our backs = summer.



I gave Cadi a summer trim today as well. I keep trying to talk her into an inverted bob - to no avail. So we did away with five inches instead. It's not too noticeable, but it is healthier now.



I hope this summer affords me opportunities to continue to get to know Roxie - my sweet camera. I worked on aperture and sunlight this morning and spent time with my daughter in the process. When I focus my lens on her I find my heart tuning into hers as well.





Scotty got in on the action a bit when he awoke from nap. Boy is he hard to capture lately! He is so lively and fun and active!



We were goofy for a bit on our porch swing. Growing up I had a huge pink mirror in my bedroom. We tried to sell it at our yard sale with no luck. It sits on our porch right now. (I think I may end up putting it in Cadi's room after all.)



I love the little hand print smears on the glass.

I love the little children that belong to those hand print smears.

I look forward to what's ahead this summer.

Little toes peeking out of sandals.

Long summer mornings spent with a good book and some iced tea.

Adventures at some nearby parks.

Afternoon walks around our small neighborhood.

Homemade popsicles.

Ice cream for dinner.

Dirty little bodies from a hard day's play.

The smell of sunshine in my childrens hair.

Tucking freshly bathed children into crisp, clean sheets.

Spending time together on Mondays with Daddy.

Flip-flops,

sun block scented skin,

water balloons,

and bubbles.

Now that's what summer is made of.
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