I do so love summer, don't you? Admittedly, I am not currently enjoying the skin-searing-blistering-heat-that-saps-your-breath-when-you-walk-out-the-door temperatures we are having right now, nor do I enjoy the lack of rain that causes my daughter to tell me, "Momma, your garden plants look really sad. They are hanging down." But I digress.

I'll admit it: I love the slower pace of summertime. No schoolwork, no homework, no strict bedtimes- these are just a few reasons. Yes, we still have a daily "routine," but it is loose. If we want to hop in the van and "pop in" on another mom and kids, well, we just do! And as far as routine goes, I find it much easier to keep up with my housework and laundry in the summer when I am not trying to make sure we have completed our school assignments for the day!

LOVE: Round sleeping bottoms sticking up out of the covers; extra time for snuggling; early morning exercise walks; leisurely breakfasts; late-night "dates"; watching my husband and children play Ultimate Frisbee with other people from our church fellowship; watering my garden; more visits to Grandpa and Grandma's house; neighborhood bike riding; swimming; my "coppertone ad" children running around.

HATE: Mosquitoes; fire ants; aphids; no rain, which in turn causes my grass to become like little brown knives sticking up from the ground; skinned knees and elbows; infected mosquito bites; infected ant bites; sunburn (me); humidity.

How about your likes and dislikes?