A perfect summer evening...

I experienced a little smidgen of paradise last night. Not the kind of paradise that involves tropical islands, palm trees or crystal clear turquoise colored water, but the paradise that is a calm summer evening without commitments or schedules. An evening where pjs are on by 7, hair is damp from showering late, and there is no makeup to remove at bedtime...

We spent the entire afternoon swimming at Chris's pool. The kids played with cousins and friends, and I got to sit in the sun and visit with my sisters and BFF, Jenn.
We finally pulled the kids out of the pool at about 6:40 and made our way home. I decided along the way that this was going to be a "perfect summer evening..." We picked up Fazoli's for dinner because there is absolutely no cooking on a perfect summer evening.




After dinner the kids suddenly disappeared. I looked out the back window and saw them playing football...all of them...together...
Scott was out on a ride and I realized--"I have the house to myself!"

I wasn't sure what to do at first, this perfect summer evening had suddenly become even better! I knew I had to remain calm, to think clearly so as to not waste one little bit of this personal paradise.
I realized it was Wednesday night...So You Think You Can Dance...!!!
I snuck an otter pop from the outside freezer, plopped down on the couch, put my feet up on the ottoman and watched Chelsea, Twitch and Co. hip hop and tango their way across my TV! That lazy, hypnotic feeling you get from lounging in the sun all day was setting in... There is no place we have to be...the kids can stay up late...my favorite show is on... I had exactly thirty minutes of tranquility before the players tumbled through the door asking for snow cones.

Although I was no longer alone, my perfect summer evening continued as my kids sank into the couch beside me drained from their afternoon of swimming and after dinner game of ball. We discussed the dance routines and made plans for the next day.
Just as things were winding down toward bedtime...the doorbell rang...NIGHT GAMES! PLEASE MOM!? They begged to join their friends on the streets of the neighborhood playing games and running from house to house--their laughter echoing from darkened doorways. I consented of course--these perfect summer evenings will soon turn into...oh I can't even say it...these perfect summer evenings will not be here forever! We have to enjoy them while we can...