I’ve never had a summer like this one. It’s been happy, crazy, busy, fun, sunny, sticky, full. And it isn’t even over. I just can’t let myself forget this.

Specifically Reese double fisting spoons, using the wrong ends to eat our ice cream at the splash pad. 

See, I never had a *real* job that ruined the magic of summer for me. Like most people graduate college and then get a job that is year round, including summers. Suddenly days at the pool, eating popsicles for lunch, tan lines, and blasting music with the windows down driving aimlessly about town… they’re only for weekends and holidays. But not me. I went from student to teacher, so my summers have been blissfully preserved for my entire life. Still, I now that I’ve experienced this summer I feel like I’ve let them all go to waste before this one.

I made a goal that we go swimming every week, and I’m so glad I did. There have been crazy busy weeks where I thought there was NO WAY I’d have time to head to the splash pad or pool for a few hours, but I make myself do it. I schedule it into my weekly plan and do what I need to make it happen. I hope we do this every summer of our lives.

We’ve spent plenty of time in parks – swinging, going down slides, chasing to-tohs. And I can’t believe it but I actually have Pokemon Go to thank for this.

I’ve done a ton of cooking and baking this summer too, which was actually unexpected. We’ve done our family meal prep several times. I’ve done a few rounds of freezer meals. What’s been fun is that I’ve tried to make treats or food to take to events and parties every week – whether it’s Bach Night, Mom Swim Club, family parties, book club, or dinner with friends. I’ve tried things I never would have attempted otherwise, and for the most part it has been successful.

We’ve gone to Disneyland, St. George, and Park City. We’ve tried new restaurants. Gotten a million drive through treats after hours. Watched movies and TV and baseball games. Read books. Cheered at Ryan’s softball games. Played with friends and cousins. Stayed up late. Slept in late. Snuggled and chased and loved and enjoyed.

Summer 2016 you have just been glorious. So imagine my surprise when I found myself longing for fall! How could I be so excited for fall when we’re barely halfway through the best summer of my life? Well in my defense – fall is my favorite season and it’s kind of the best. And I actually think it’s BECAUSE this summer has been so amazing that I’m looking ahead. If the temperature dropped tomorrow and the leaves started changing by the weekend I would be so content and happy with the summer that we’ve had.

But I don’t want to autopilot through the rest of this summer! We still have 6-8 weeks of warmth and sunshine and perfect days. I don’t want to fast forward through them. I don’t want to miss out on any second of it.

Second Half of Summer Bucket List

• Owlz Game
• Get snocones – we haven’t even done this yet, which really contests my claim that this has been the best summer ever.
• Go to a reservoir or lake
• Storytime at the library
• Make smores
• $5 Tuesday movie
• Picnic lunch with Dad
• Keep swimming every week
• Go on our best Disneyland trip yet
• School supply shopping even if I don’t need any (I always need some)