My favs

Without any hesitation summer is the best time of year in the Pacific Northwest in my opinion. Waiting for summer is kind of like a kid waiting for Christmas, at least for me. Waiting all year through fall, winter, and spring and rain and cold and rain and sometimes snow and more rain for all that to pay off in the summer when you get to enjoy the heat of sunshine amidst a beautiful backdrop of greenery. I don't think that I would appreciate summer nearly as much if I lived in a place where it was like summer all year long. But this year I have come to realize that I have a favorite month. Other months just can not compare to September. There is still the summer heat and beautiful sunsets AND you can enjoy peace and tranquility at the park while all other children have gone back to school. It is like the best of all worlds. We have been going to the beach almost every day since it has been warm enough and as soon as school ends in June, the beaches around here are swarming with children and boys and girls clubs...busses full of boys and girls club with matching colored t-shirts. And then September rolled around and it was just Liam and River and I and practically an entire beach to ourselves. Those are the days. And then you blink and September is gone. I miss you sweet September.

Every year when Liam and I go to the beach, our experience has changed. During his first summer, he would just sleep in his stroller. Then he would maybe wake up and we would take him in the lake and then he would sleep more. Last year he was afraid to walk on the sand without shoes and he was terrified of the water. The only water I could get him in was mudpuddles that I made for him. And this year, he has grown to be so independent. He walks barefoot on the sand. He is not afraid of the water. And he can dig his own hole and fill it with water all on his own. And he has been such a good friend to all the kids he has met on the beach. He makes up all sorts of fun little games to play at the beach to. Most of his games involve either cars racing or burying cars and finding them or driving them in the mudpuddles. It was a fun summer at the beach.River liked the beach too. She thought it was fun to be outside and she just stares at the trees. She's not to fond of the water, but by the end of the summer she liked to wiggle her feet and splash in it. And she took some awesome naps in the great outdoors.

So I used to complain a lot about fall and winter and all the darkness and wet dreariness and get all sad and depressed and tell Jeb how much I miss summer about this time of year, but now that I'm supposed to be a grown-up I'm trying super hard to appreciate all seasons for what they are. My favorite thing about fall is to go out for a walk and step on the crunchy leaves and pinecones. I just like the sound that it makes when they crinkle under your feet. And I love it right before the leaves fall. It's just a few weeks away and all the trees outside our window are going to be a flaming red and orange colors. Yay for fall...it might not be as great as summer, but it's going to be here soon so I might as well greet it with open arms. Happy Fall people.