......every season I declare, this is my favorite season.....but today I made the decision that summer is really my absolute favorite....it's so free, so spontaneous, so happy-go-lucky.....
.....a season that always urges us to venture out to new neighborhoods.....a time to find hidden pockets of our island that can take us away for the day, leaving us worn from an escape that never fails to please.....
....and I love that summer is always jump started with a weekend to celebrate Dad.....a day to be reminded of the special times I've had with my own father and a day to recognize the man I love.....
.....and call it my Florida roots, but I love a man who loves the beach.....
....not to mention, a man who adores his children.....
.....and although the beaches up here are not comparable to Florida beaches in the least, they serve their purpose.....the salty air, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing along the shoreline and the seagulls coasting in the breeze......it's the same ambiance no matter where your beach is or what the coastline looks like......we take what we can during our summers and this beach graciously allowed us an entire afternoon of family togetherness......so much so that when we loaded up the car to head back to the city, we realized we had spent five hours on the sand playing with the girls......time flies when you are having fun.....
....we dug for baby crabs and squealed with glee upon chasing them as they would burrow themselves back into the safe harbor of the wet sand......we caught a few, passed them around, watched their hairy legs wiggle and then released them back to their shelter......we could have done this for days.....
.....and not to leave anyone out, Daddy dug out our own little moses basket in the sand for our little man and filled it with soft towels and shelter from the sun and wind.....
.....and before I knew it, my two favorite boys were both sleeping like babies.....
.....and it didn't surprise me that Stefan wanted his Father's Day to be spent with our family enjoying one another outside at the shore.....he is at his happiest and has his most peaceful moments in the midst of the beautifully crazed chaos of having three small children......he is completely devoted to all of us and that is a gift we cherish......
......there are many hot and balmy times ahead......
.....more birthdays in the park to celebrate......
......more opportunities for Elsie to take the group shot during outings with friends......
.....more lazy days of not wearing a watch and forgetting the cell phone so we are clueless it's bedtime while we are still relishing in the long days of summer.....
....and it's all just beginning.....
....we plan to savor it all.....