here and now.

I'm loving all these summer days.

Our mornings are calm and peaceful, Lila is usually the first to wake and once that happens there's really no sleeping in for the rest of us. We slip out of bed, comfortable in our summer jammies, and make our way downstairs to the kitchen where a fresh pot of coffee is begging to be brewed. Breakfast requests are soon yelled from the living room, "scrambled eggs and pancakes, with or without a side of bacon".  (Sigh) Followed by my it's to early to be out of bed mom response, "cereal or toast, pick one!"

Our days have been full and plenty. Late night ball games, scouting adventures, recital fun, and weekend getaways.

This bear of mine, lately he's all about serious smiles.

She was of course goofing around the entire time.  School cannot come soon enough for this one. 

Baseball is in full swing. And what's not to love about a night at the ball field.

In her element. For Lila, dance is about things that sparkle, and lip gloss, it's like one big dress up party.

And her personality shines right on through.

Lila and Phoenix. They're a perfect match.

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Traveling this time of year is easy and therefore we take full advantage. Our sweet niece arrived late spring and well, we like to love on her as much as we can.

Sweet Rose at 2 weeks (she is now 2 months old).

She's such a doll, and, we may have snuck in a few extra trips to snuggle with her.

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All baby lovin and activities aside, summer around here has also looked like this,

trips to the lake walk on warm sunny days,

park meetings with friends, who pile on a tire swing,

a midweek birthday, painting pottery with friends,

and mini bouquets of wild flowers. I'm frequently gifted with these.

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On most days the kids live outside, engaging in whatever activity the neighborhood crew has decided on, all while eagerly awaiting the music of the ice cream truck. That damn truck! Every year we see it more and more. Each and every neighborhood kid can hear that truck from miles away. They run in, yelling and screaming, jumping up and down, totally loosing it. It's as if they've never been treated to ice cream before. There's something about that truck, I think it has magic powers that suck kids in by the handful, leaving the poor soul parent racing against the clock, scrambling to dig up the right amount of change. But, that truck is a little slice of heaven, making that particular summer day a thousand times better for each one of them.

As our summer days turn to night the excited screams and laughter fade and instead they beg and plead to stay up late. We give in on most nights because, well, I remember begging and pleading at their age too, and I remember how exciting it was when they said yes, it was the best. So instead of bed we make chalk art in the driveway,

which is then destroyed by him, totally guilty with his green stache.

And on some nights we'll even give in and allow a late night movie.

But when bedtime finally does come it's never smooth. That extra hour or thirty minutes is never enough. Instead of "Gee thanks SO much mom for letting us stay up late" I hear,

"Ugh, now, already?! But the sun is still out."

Or,

"So mom, when you said have a snack and go right to bed, did you mean, just get in bed without brushing our teeth, or do you mean brush your teeth and then get in bed?"

Is she for real?! I didn't even know what to say, she said it with such seriousness and a straight face. I just kind of looked at her, head tilt and all, apparently taking to long to respond as I then heard, "so.........................................................................................................................................?"

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Until the next bedtime, we'll enjoy the sun, take a late night stroll, and enjoy some ice cream.

And hopefully tomorrow will bring us even more summer.