I. Declan chowing down on some crackers at the cottage. His eyes are just lovely.  II. Sara on the beach at Woodlawn State Park in Hamburg, New York. In previous summers we drove all the way down to Bennett Beach, which is nicer, but discovering Woodlawn has been great because it’s a 15-minute drive from our house. III. Sara and Kevin have been nicknamed Parks & Rec because they are always organizing games, sing-a-longs, and contests. Doesn’t matter if it’s at the beach, at a bar, or in the car. IV. Corn on the cob, chicken on the grill. Bridget and Michael at the cottage last weekend. V. Despite his water-logged diaper, Sam ran around the beach for hours. He finally had to be scooped up and wrapped in a towel.

Finally–it’s officially summer! I wish you lots of banana splits, warm nights under starry skies, bike rides to the beach, tan skin warm to the touch, blankets on grass, sidewalk patios, and iced coffee.

My summer wishlist includes the following fun stuff:

• Ride bikes to Crystal Beach on a Saturday morning and bring picnic lunch in a backpack.
• Sun-filled photo shoots with old and new friends.
• Sing-a-long around the campfire at the cottage.
• An afternoon in the boat at Kershaw Park, swimming and reading.
• Caprese salad with my homegrown tomatoes and basil.
• Camping with Sean or family or friends.

What’s on your list?

• Drive to Bennett Beach after work and swim until the sun goes down.
• Get up early on a Saturday or Sunday, pack a picnic lunch, ride bikes over the Peace Bridge and to Crystal Beach, Ontario. Spend the rest of the day lounging on the beach, swimming, and feasting on the picnic food. Ride back and take pictures of the Buffalo skyline atdusk.
• Eat ice cream from the Porter Avenue ice cream place. Hatch plans for the 2nd Annual DIY Triathalon.
• Sit around the fire pit in my dad and Terrie’s backyard after eating a delicious dinner with them. Admire the plants they’re growing.
• Take Crashers swimming in the lake at Sean’s family’s cottage.
• Also Canandaigua related: drive the boat over to Kershaw beach, throw the anchor overboard, and hang out in the water all day while listening to soft rock on the boat radio.
• Enjoy my mother’s backyard with her beautiful patio, twinkle lights, and pool.
• Slow, lazy nights out with friends, preferably on the patios/porches of Left Bank, Fat Bob’s, or fish-fry dives.
• Photo adventures along the Bird Island Pier with my brother. Also at Amherst State Park.
• Visit Brynn in Long Lake and swim in the mountain lake.
• Grill, lay around, play basketball, entertain, drink beers, and relax in our courtyard/backyard/whatever it is.
• Fall asleep around the campfire at the cottage after singing folk songs.