officially summertime

This week started out a bit dreary but Wednesday and Thursday were full on summer. And I realized that technically I can call the change of season whenever I want since we aren't on a school calendar yet. So as of Wednesday I decided it's summertime! That day we met with our ecfe friends for our first weekly park play date and I put sunblock on Elsie for the first time of many to come. Today I took the kids to Dairy Queen after we went to my midwife appointment for our first twist cones of the season. We spent most of the afternoon playing in the rock box and tonight we had dinner outside complete with sweet corn! (And it was good! From Aldi!)

Here's the other thing that really-truly felt like summer vacation: I devoured a book. My sister-in-law Sara recommended All the Light we Cannot See and I plowed through all 500-some pages like it was my job. Oh to be lost in a book! It is such a great feeling! And the second I finished that one, I picked up The Yearling, a book that has been on my shelf for a year or so. And now it is time.

Just a quick note on All the Light we Cannot See. I really liked it. And I will not give one single thing away here because I (fun fact) am one who does not like to read jacket covers or watch movie previews. I love to go into a story completely unaware of a single thing that is about to happen (if it has been recommended to me by a trusted source!). But before you pick this one up as a quick read, know that it is about WWII and it includes much of the horrors. But also know that the writer paints the story so vividly that 1) I had dreams about the book multiple nights and 2) I often tried to remember, "what was that great movie I just saw..." only to realize it was the book I was reading. The writing was that descriptive and the story was that captivating.

But even with that, it will be a while before I read a heavy-load-to-carry book. I needed something less intense, but just as good. Rory has been wanting me to read The Yearling and so that is my next read. Now don't you dare say one word about this book that will give a single thing away. Not a word! But do yourself a favor and go find a good book to kick off your summer. Is there anything better than reading outside in a camping chair? Add a lemonade ice-tea and you're living the dream.