Missing Summertime

We are to enjoy every season of life.

And I know that really means "stages" of life.

But I know it also means to enjoy every day and the joys and trials that come.

I am trying really hard.

But I miss summertime.

As a mommy of three young children, and as a summer-lover,

mid-January is not my favorite time of the year.

I miss going to Snoballs. I miss bright, summer colors.

I miss puffy sleeves and summer dresses.

I miss swimsuits.

Not on me, on them!

I miss outside photo shoots.

Even when they turn out like this.

I miss being able to sit outside at Goodberry's without my teeth chattering.

I miss the boys' ugly sleeveless shirts.

I miss staying up 'late' to look for fireflies.

I miss wearing these shoes.

I miss the swimming pool.

Big time.

I miss going to the airport park.

And letting the kids go barefoot.

I miss squinting at the sun.

And of course I miss the beach.

That's what I miss the most.

I miss the smell of sunscreen.

And I miss sweaty hair that curls up.

And cute girly bubble suits.

But I don't miss lugging the infant carrier around.

I miss summer foods and fruits. Like watermelon.

We should have detected Emmaline's food obsession much earlier in her life.

I miss letting the boys go to the bathroom outside.

Tacky, I know. But so much easier.

I miss refereeing their sprinkler fights.

I miss the simple nature of summer clothes.

There's also much less laundry.

Except for the pool towels. Which smell like chlorine, and I love that smell.

I miss their sun-bleached hair.

I miss the slip n' slide.

I miss using their summer chairs.

And I miss seeing those thighs.

They're covered up all the time now.

I miss feeding the kids popsicles or italian ice for every dessert.

I miss having a backyard full of people.

I miss sweating.

If you were at Caitlin's wedding, you know we did a lot of that.

I do a lot of shivering right now.

I miss watching the boys explore outside.

And I really miss Crocs.

Tennis shoes and socks are for the birds!

Not to mention that I have some adorable Crocs for Emmaline.

Until then, I will enjoy January.

After all, they won't look the way they do in these pictures when June rolls around.

Emmaline will be moving into a big girl bed.

Hudson will be gearing up for preschool.

And Elijah will be counting down the days until Kindergarten.

So, I'll enjoy their sweet little baby faces today.