Happy Labor Day

Lately, I've been hearing mumblings from people lamenting the end of summer. I love Fall in New York so much, however, that I don't share the same wistful sentiment. I look forward to apple and pumpkin picking, cooler days (lower humidity!) with a crisp deliciousness to the air, cozy sweaters and hoodies, and the warm glow that seem to emanate from trees during dusk when the leaves start changing colors.

But there is something about summers spent with children that have made me enjoy them so much more. We make a larger effort to go to the beach more often and any kind of waterplay/swimming wherever possible. Picnics, a rare occurrence before kids, is a weekly activity. We also made our first car trip in years this summer, and really the first family trip on our own that wasn't visiting family in other states. We didn't travel too much when I was a kid, but my childhood summers consist of memories of beach-side motels up and down the coast. After a few lovely days spent with friends in the Connecticut country near an amazing lake that reminded me so much of a perfect, picturesque setting for a sleepaway camp that you see in movies (and in fact, there was one across the lake from where we were), we headed out for a short stay to our own beach-side hotel. It was fine, but remind me not to sleep in the same room with both a 3 year old and a baby on vacation ever again if I can help it (now I know why renting houses is the way to go with kids). Now that everyone's home and schedules restored, I'm looking forward to some changes in the months ahead. The kid is starting preschool next week and the baby turns 1 in November...seriously, where does the time go?

Here are a few memories from my summer, how did you spend yours?