You’ve heard that song from The Sound of Music sung by Julie Andrews about her favorite things, in which she sings to make her feel better when she is afraid.  Well, I have a list of favorite things that remind me why I love the summer time.  I’m sure most of you have favorite things too, or maybe you live somewhere that has a disgusting summer which you hate.  If that is the case, I am so sorry.  I live in Southern California and despite the massive amounts of people, the traffic and overall selfcenteredness that surrounds it, the weather is perfect and gorgeous.  So, I have reasons to love the sunny summer months.  Do you?

My 5 favorite things about Summer:

1. Being able to go to the beach – When the sun is shining brightly, the beach is an awesome place to be.  It’s hard to go to the beach in the fall, winter or even sometimes the spring unless you live in southern California where the sun is always shining.  The summer beach has warm sand, a hot sun shining on you to make you hot and tan.  Once you’re warm, you can just run down to the cool water and go for a swim.  I also love the beach because you can play with your kids in the sand or throw a ball around with your friends, all while getting your skin a little more brown!  Having just come back from Hawaii, the beach is my new favorite place to be.  I just sat and read my book all day and then cooled off in the nice luke-warm water.  The beach is pure paradise!
2. Barbecuing - The barbeque is one of the most signature summer tools.  The smell and taste just scream summer to me.  My husband loves to put meat and vegetables on the grill and cook ‘em up for me the family.  He is always experimenting with rubs and sauces which makes for exciting dinners and weekend lunches!  Not only can you use different spices and sauces, but the meat options are endless.  The grill is not just a place for ribs, steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers, but also a place for turkey, chicken, pulled pork, tri-tip, sausages and more.  Yum, yum!
3. Swimming in the Pool – If I can’t get to the beach, then my next favorite place to be is a pool.  When it’s warm out, you can lay by the pool and soak up the sun as well as jump into the cold, clean water for a nice dip.  It’s also a great place for summer parties and games with the kids.
4. Baseball – I grew up in a big baseball loving family and we went to as many games as we could.  Though I know the Major League Baseball season starts in the spring, the majority if the season is played in the summer and the summer is the best time to go to a game.  The warm nights make for comfortable entertainment and nothing beats a summer day game.  Plus, you get to eat hot dogs and nachos without feeling bad!
5. My friends and family in school, are out! – The summer means the end of school which is awesome for those in school as well as those of us who are not in school.  I don’t have many friends who are still in college except for my younger siblings, but my older sister is a teacher and when the summer starts I know she and I will be spending a lot of time together.  We get to scrapbook, go to the beach, head out to outdoor shopping malls and lay out by the pool.  I love knowing that my family is free everyday and we can make a ton of fun summer plans.

What’s your favorite thing about the Summer?