the beginning of summer

i was sad to notice today that it's been over a month since i've last written. i guess may really crept up on me, sped by, and now i find myself already in june. don't get me wrong, i am super excited for the arrival of june, because it means the much-anticipated arrival of summer. i love summer for many reasons, firstly because school is out. i am not a student any more, no, but i am so happy to have ben coming home for most of the summer. i know that living on a teacher's salary can be stressful at times, but for me, all the extra quality time with him is worth it. i need quality time. it's my number one love language, and i love spending time with my family, all together.

ok, so confession. i now do understand why parents sometimes dread summer vacation. i know, that sounds horrible. i told ben i think i used to judge mom's for saying that. it's not that i don't want nolan to be home for summer, but his pre-school being over made me realize how much i truly appreciate that twice a week, three hour break. don't get me wrong, he is a great kid, but never did i need a break more than when he hit three. he wears me out! i am excited to do all of the cherished summer things with nolan - swimming, movies, baseball, ice cream, barbeque, the 4th of july. i love summer!

on a quality time note, ben and i were able to spend the day together on our anniversary this saturday, and that was wonderful. we so rarely have a day alone any more, that we found ourselves being so thrilled by an hour at starbucks (sans kids whining for chocolate milk or a baked good), or an hour at a book store (looking for as long or as little as we liked at any section or title). mostly, we loved having two meals and conversation together. it reminds us of our pre-kids dating days, and really, talking and eating is pretty much our favorite thing to do together :) it's not that i have given up these activities. i refuse to be one of those moms who just stops doing anything not child related, but the way i do them is different. i am so blessed to have had five years with ben. he really is my best friend, my favorite person, and the person that i am still excited to see every day.