Caution: Bathing Suit Season Just Ahead!

Wow, May is just zippety-zipping along, which can only mean one thing: the "Official Start of Summer" is right around the corner. Let me confess, though, that I never got that "Memorial Day = Summer" thing. I know, I know, it's the first weekend when people start flocking to the beach, lined up on the Bay Bridge like lemmings...but I've got a little secret for you: here in Maryland, the ocean is still COLD. Our pool opens this Saturday as well, but you can bet my sensitive tootsies (and other parts) won't be entering that chilly water anytime soon. (Actually, for me it's more like July 4th before it's temperate enough for me to get in. Until then, my Swim Time involves lounging in a chaise, flipping through a magazine, chatting with other parents, and watching the kids turn blue.) Also, for us here in the mid-East-coast region, school is still very much in session. Yes, my boys will remain under lock and key until June 16th. So...Summer? Not quite feeling it yet.

There are a few hints, however, that the much-anticipated warm weather (that finally graced us with its presence) is going to re-energize our anemic Social Calendar. After an oh-so-long, frigid Winter, and a chilly, rainy Spring, it seems that everyone we know is now venturing out into the sunshine and catching up on what happened to each other in the past six months of semi-hibernation. (Why, just this past week at Soccer Games, we sideline-parents noted that for the first time, we were NOT layered in multiple fleeces to watch our sons play!) Suddenly the Picnic Invitations are pouring in (and with them, other sure signs of impending Summer: ladies rushing to get pre-sandal pedicures, and men refilling their grills' propane tanks). And not just for the family--Riley has a few birthday parties to attend himself, and Derek has all of the above, plus End-of-School Shindigs, and 5th-Grade Graduation activities on his own packed schedule.

Then there's the upswing in Sporting Events. Besides the soccer practices and games--Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights, and Saturday mornings--it's Baseball Season (yes, technically it's been baseball season since the beginning of April, but we tend to ignore the Boys of Summer until the temperature climbs above 50 degrees, and the sun is strong enough to eliminate the need for a turtleneck/sweater/jeans/gloves/boots ensemble while watching a contest. Frozen tushie on plastic seats? So not my favorite American Pastime!) Anyway, we can now enjoy calling balls and strikes from the stands, while noshing on ballpark hotdogs (or french fries, in my case) and sipping a tall, icy soda. Aahhh. And in other sports news, Derek asked yesterday, "Hey, Mom, can we play tennis?" What? My favorite game ever? You betcha, son! This time Riley wanted to join us, so they played Doubles against me...sort of. There was quite a bit of comical "that was yours!" as the ball whizzed between them, or near-catastrophes as each of them swung, narrowly missing whacking each other in the head. At this point Riley hasn't developed a smooth swing yet, so there's a lot of hacking at the ball, as if he's trying to cleave it in half (and he obstinately refuses to take suggestions or advice--stubborn much? Oh wait, he's my son. Sigh.) Derek on the other hand plays pretty well...until he gets frustrated that he's not returning every shot with Rafael Nadal-style speed and accuracy, and starts to spiral downward into a huffy fit of pique. You've heard the saying: "In tennis, Love means nothing?" Well, my version goes something like this: "In tennis, Love means refraining from smacking balls at my children on purpose." (Too long for a bumper sticker, but maybe a t-shirt?)

So, as we head toward the Long Weekend, let's put the rackets down, take a deep breath, and start cultivating our calm, light-hearted Summer Attitudes. Repeat after me: iced tea...watermelon...grilled (veggie) burgers...rematch with Team Derek and Riley...