Summer. For real!!

This is the first day I can remember when it's been hot for real. It's currently 75 and sunny, with 33% humidity and a light wind. Very, VERY pleasant! I took the youngest two in to the library to return a bunch of stuff and also to cash in our reading points in the library program. There's still another month and apparently I'm 7/8 of the way through... :X We got, among other things, an ice cream coupon and also coupons for the local merry-go-round at the park, so after the kids were done riding bikes and playing with the neighbor kids, we went over there. PMB didn't want to go on the carousel until after he saw in it action. Then he did, and was thrilled. Little kids just need to go on carousels. It reminded me forcibly of when I was small and we used to go to an amusement park called Bertrand Island (in New Jersey). I think I must have ridden the merry-go-round every single time, because standing next to my son on the horse, it was one of those weird moments where the past and the present sort of merge in your mind and it's like you're present at both events at once.

Nearby there was also a spray park, which we used to have in another town in Illinois, and that's always a great thing in the summer. It has a water slide, too, which makes it good for older kids as well as little ones. And, it's just what your kids want to do with the hose at home, only it's not YOUR water bill they're playing on. (Welcome to the West, where water is NOT everywhere.)

One child is still dissatisfied, though. He wants to go swimming. Our city pool (which could be cheaper, IMO) hasn't opened yet, and I'm not sure what the community swim opportunities are at the place we did swim lessons at. Hopefully it will stay hot, as the city pool is outside.

Happy Summer, everyone! I hope you have a great day!