{The Joy}

"What do you guys want to do today?

Disneyland or the park at the beach?"

"The PARK!!" was the unanimous chant I got from the back seats of the Expedition today.

Off to Seal Beach we went.

We're slowly making our way through the summertime and little by little,

I can feel the yearning and tingling-butterfly feeling of excitement in my heart for Autumn.

I have never been able to fully express how much I love the Fall.

Oh, but I do. I love all of it.

How the air starts smelling like apple cinnamon all of a sudden.

How the trees start turning colors and the air turns crisper.

How the traditions start being played out in this new year.

The apples, the pumpkins, back to school, Thanksgiving, Halloween...

That's a whole other post, my lovely Autumn. 

But for now, I'll gladly take the joys of their childhood and this beautiful summer we're having.

The joy of being able to lay on the wall and watch the ocean.

 

The joy of swinging in the wind, barefoot and smiling.

 The joy of being pushed on the swings by big sister.

The joy of cupcakes and cookies at the local bakery.

 

The joy of jumping really, really high 
and being so proud of yourself.

The joy of Ella's first pickle at a beach dive, called Woody's Diner.

The joy of sitting by the fire snuggled into the crook

of your daddy's arm, safe and happy.

The joy of jumping with your cousins surrounded 
by the sounds of crickets chirping

while the mommies and daddies have coffee.

and finally the joy of falling asleep after a full day of living this beautiful life before
momma can even give you your bath. Oh well, the baths can wait til morning...

Sweet dreams, little ones.

I love  you more than all of the stars in the sky

and more than all of the fish in the sea...