What Summer Is

Everything is so much more fun with a toddler. My current mantra to new and soon-to-be parents is "parenting a toddler is the reward for parenting an infant." It's true. Toddlers are great, man. Infants are tough. Of course, toddlers bring with them their own set of challenging days and times but, 95% of the time, they are just so fun. So much language and learning and curiosity. And what better time to be parenting a toddler than summer, eh?

Our days are full. We end our days smelling of wet dirt, sunblock, sweat, bubbles, paint, fresh fruit, and wind. We cannot remember the days too cold to play outside. We try, see, and do new things. Swing on swings, Go down slides. Collect - gently - roly poly bugs. Dig and dig and dig and dig in the dirt. Run through the sprinkler. Eat berries and veggies right off the plant. Have picnic dinners outside. Run. And laugh and laugh and laugh. These are the days I hope to always remember.