Summertime

Summer is coming. I can feel it. Spring has definitely been here for awhile, but summer.... I can feel your warmth already! It is so amazing to wake up to the birds chirping, the fresh morning air smelling of bluebells and the cool sunlight streaming in my window. Its definitely motivation for this lazy lie-abed to get her butt out of bed.

We had our first boat trip of the season on Sunday, Mother's Day. It doesn't really count as Squirrel's first trip, but it's the first he can remember. Last year he was still an infant as we putted through the Gorge to the inner Harbour. This time he was really freaked out at first, but after a few minutes he was babbling at pointing to "twees", and comfortably scooting to the back and front (or is it bow and stern?) of the Zodiac.

The one thing that I couldn't believe as we motored along was how we are so blessed to live in this beautiful city. Really, who can launch a boat at the end of their street and go downtown for ice-cream? It's amazing to walk along the Harbour, cone in hand, doling out change to buskers like Dave Harris, or Bear's beloved Plaster Man.

There is a park that we stop at along the way. It's on the beach. The beach! For someone who grew up in Surrey, a park on the beach is truly wondrous. You can swing on the swings and see patches of water through the trees. A welcome contrast to a busy street and unkempt houses, I tell you!

I haven't been this excited about summer in a long time. Beaches, even when half the beach come home with you in your car. Parks, water parks, picnics and the smell of coconut sunscreen smeared all over your body. Living barefoot in my flipflops. Dinner on the patio at Milestones on the rare date that we get. Barbecuing every night - burgers, hotdogs, chicken, ribs. Sweet potato salad. Beers or ciders on the back porch after the kids have gone to bed. Makes one want to crack a beer, listening to Janis Joplin's rendition of Summertime, and relax the night away.