Summer Countdown

For the past week, we've been counting down the days until summer vacation on our sliding glass door.  As of now, that number now reads 1 1/2!  The boys are bouncing off the walls in anticipation, and I must admit that I too am ready to be done.  Done with the morning rush, the lunch packing, the seemingly umpteen trips to Blue Point every day.  I am ready for slower days and looser schedules, and day trips and stay-at-home days, and most of all, more time with my boys.  As always, the brink of summer also brings with it a bit of trepidation - will they be bored? will they kill each other? will I kill them? when will I get stuff done?!?!?!...but for the most part, I am ready and excited. 

Since this year's Memorial Day was spent in Burlington for my marathon, we missed the usual summer kickoff at the lake.  So after Ethan's exiting ceremony from Blue Point on Friday and our first trip to the lake on Saturday, it really feels like summer has begun.  The weather certainly helped convince our bodies that the summer days we've been longing for have finally arrived.

First, Ethan's exiting ceremony:

Waiting for big brother to "exit" Blue Point School.  And to become a first grader!  EEK.

Wait...we aren't done with kindergarten antics quite yet.

Here he comes!  Looking so ready for third grade as he marches in.

Every soon-to-be-third grader deserves a scoop of ice cream!  And this year's ice cream social was particularly special.  Ethan's wonderful teacher is retiring, so he and his classmates designed a new flavor in her honor.

too.much.sugar.

So proud.  Both of us.

I guess finishing second grade means you finally learn how to pose for a family photo.

Ethan and his classmates have spent a lot of time this spring researching ocean life - this is Ethan and a friend's poster about lobsters.

And switching gears...our first weekend at the lake, 2015:

I found Adam peacefully gazing at the lake, and just had to capture the moment.  When I got closer, I realized he was humming and practicing his piano fingering on his lap.

Then Dad joined in the fun and things got silly.

Grandpa, ready for a tubing adventure.

Cutie cousins.

Brian and Auntie Gwen keep an eye on the tubers.

Adorable nephew #1

Adorable nephew #2

Waiting patiently for a turn.

Wow...there isn't any family resemblance here or anything...

I have a feeling this is going to be one helluva summer.  Bring it.