"The coldest winter I ever spent...

was summer in San Francisco."  No joke. I live 58.5 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. It was an odd 105 degrees here today and 62 degrees and foggy there.  This odd summer weather is difficult for an East-Coast-born-and raised-girl to deal with. We'll make plans to go into the city or to a park in Berkeley only to be taken aback by the cold, wind, and fog.  It's JULY and we're alternating between fleeces and tank tops, depending on which micro-climate we're in.  Oh, and that quote up there? It may be true, but no one know who said it first.  Most will say Mark Twain, however my extensive Internet research has discovered it wasn't him.

But...he did say "If you don't like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes." Very true, but people in Oklahoma say that too. I'm pretty sure they think they made it up (no offense, Okies...okay, maybe a little. Your weather is terrible: ice, tornadoes, heat. Repeat. You are a strong bunch to live there!). 

Let's get to the point. Summer in New England is perfect. Granted, it's also the summer that I enjoyed for 21 years of my life, so nostalgia is a factor.  Warm to hot days (generally...and I'm not getting into a discussion of weather pattern changes, El/La Nino/a, or global warming-- I know its been hot and humid East Coasters...hang in there), cool mornings, relatively harmless thunderstorms, and swimming and water activities, and proximity to the beach (I'm speaking mostly of Connecticut). You know it begins in June, but you also know summer will end Labor Day weekend and I think that's why it's loved even more: it's fleeting. And that's the summer I remember fondly,  the summer I always imagined for my kids: playing in the sand, going to the pool, running through sprinklers, eating popsicles.

However, we've hit a SNAFU (which for you non-WWII historians is: Situation Normal All "Fouled" Up).  June was freezing with gale force winds. Aaron is afraid of getting wet via sprinkler (it can be scary when you are three feet tall just minding your own business and the automatic sprinklers turn on at the park). And the wading pool is closed for repairs and aforementioned child is terrified of the big pool...and who can blame him? I am too. Big miltary guys doing cannon balls next to him set us back a few weeks and we've finally worked back up to touching the water with one finger.  This is hard for swim coach mom to handle. We do, however, have popsicles. Phew.

watching the sprinklers from a safe distance

As a student and then a teacher for 10 years, summer has always represented a change of pace and a welcome break, but I'm finding with very small children, not too much has changed from spring. So, I've found the courage to get on an airplane with my two tiny tots and will be flying back to the summer (and wonderful family and friends!) I remember in August. And I think it'll be worth it. Wish me luck...travel tips greatly appreciated.