Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall.

All winter long, I long for spring and summer.

Then, as soon as they arrive, it seems like they start to leave.

For weeks now, I've felt and smelled Fall in the air. The first few hundred, of what will eventually be millions, of leaves have begun to fall in our yard. There's virtually no humidity in the air. And I can watch the girls play for hours in the sunshine, without sweating and panting.

And so it was a few weeks ago.

We broke our usual summer routine and drove a little way across town to a different park, in Westerville. The girls were delighted. The ran and squealed and climbed on all the different equipment....like they were at Disney World.

I marveled at how well coordinated they have become. How independent. Ella quickly made a new friend, who told me no fewer than six times that she was 'four and a half and three quarters' old. Ella, usually 'the boss of Kate,' was running, chasing the older girl, following her instructions for the most part...enamoured by her.

Kate was happy to frollick all on her own, climbing the rock wall...rocking out, eyes closed tight, bum shaking, to the funny techno-like music that plays in the music area of the park.

Our little trip to the 'far away' park just a few weeks ago signaled the beginning of the end of summer. And since then, we've been trying to squeeze all we can out of the last days of summer.

My friend Heidi's annual swim party. We LOVE it and look forward to it all summer. Check.









Summer visit from Grammy + Gramps. Check.



Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on picnic blankets in the backyard. Complete with fairy wings and princess dress.



Standing on the front porch, mesmerized by the summer rain...which thankfully chased away the awful end-of-summer humidity. Check.



Playing Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood in the backyard. (Here, Kate, cast as the Big Bad Wolf, is jumping out from behind a tree to accost Little Red Riding Hood, a.k.a. Ella.) Check.



Sidewalk chalk. Check.



Finger painting in the backyard, al fresco.







A trip to Youngstown, the Canfield Fair, and Mill Creek Park...with cousins. Check.






Breaking out new 'skinny jeans' and long sleeved shirts. Because one of the best parts of the season change is getting to wear fun new clothes. Check.



Followed by one of our last end-of-summer trips to the good ol' DQ. Check.



We officially said Adios to summer and hello to Fall, with Ella's first day of pre-school and the girls' first day of ballet class...but alas...those special events require posts all their own.

Goodbye Summer.
Hello Fall.