You know how nearly every parent says it: “How big is baby?” And the enthusiastic answer is “So big!” You usually raise your baby’s arms in the air when you say it, and eventually they learn to do the same without your prompt. How big is baby? So big!
How big is this summer? So big!
You probably know by now that I love summer. With a fiery passion. With the intensity of a dozen heat waves.
If I measured out my life moments, both good and bad in terms of seasons, some of the biggest moments would fall into the summer category – the sudden death of my father, meeting my husband at JFK Airport, and the birth of my firstborn, Scarlet:
(I love this picture. Lipstick! With a new-newborn! Lipstick!)
(Honorable mention here for cuteness factor)
Not just in terms of good or bad, there is big or small. Hundreds of summer nights, listening to crickets and watching the stars. The smell of BBQ and freshly cut grass. Amusement parks and fairs and the synthetic smell of sunscreen. It’s still a smell I love. At times I even love the faint smell of cigarettes – not because I don’t recognize the horror and cancer and disgust of them. I do, considering I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. It’s just that the smell sometimes reminds me of a high school boyfriend.
The smell as far away as he became to me. And still I like the smell in deep moderation.
I have some all-time best summers of my life, and these are after all of the blurs of childhood and summer vacations and days spent out by the pool, and summer parties and staying up late and shrieking when my dad casually asked us, “So..anyone want to go to Cliff’s?” (ice cream) I’m talking after that. I’m talking early adulthood days and whatever now is – early parenthood days?
The summers in which I made my own life choices, no matter how foolish and deviant some of them were!
There was the summer I delivered pizza with my sister at a local place. No uniforms, tank tops and shorts, tips. Crushes on short-order cooks. Yes, it’s true and I don’t know whatever happened to you but if you’re reading this, well, it was probably obvious.
Then there was the following summer in which I fell for a guy friend and the whole summer felt delicious and sneaky, even though our only real crime was never sleeping.
Perhaps the best or tied for it was falling in love with Cassidy in the spring, and meeting him in the summer of 2004.
Then we reunited in the summer of 2006, after two years of near radio silence. This is Yosemite, actually in the fall:
And now we have the summer of 2013. I always knew it would be big, and I’m not entirely sure why. I think it’s partly because it was our first summer after Scarlet started any kind of formal schooling, so it was our first summer measured in time.
It was knowing it would end, but knowing how big it would be before that happened. And know what? It didn’t feel fast or short.
It started the week of Scarlet’s last day of school, when this guy here turned one:
I went to visit the hospital of his birth and the hospital of his NICU and I learned some things about myself here.
Then I had my first day away from both kids all day, while we went to a good friend’s wedding.
Only a week or two later, was another beautiful wedding. This time with the kids.
Later that weekend I took Scarlet to see her first fireworks, and she melted in my arms for the whole show as we oohed and ahhhed. I carried her inside when we got home, for she had been long asleep since we had left the show.
In early July, Cassidy painted our shed to look like a Tardis:
Just in time for Scarlet’s “Alice in Wonderland” fourth birthday party.
Two days after her fourth birthday, I had my SITS Day, where I “met” even more of my many favorite bloggers/people.
And then a whirlwind trip to Cape Cod!
In the middle of July, my mom and I took the kids to Dartmouth College to relive some memories of my grandfather.
At the end of July, I had my birthday and on the same day, I posted about our WeMontage experience.
Scarlet had her first summer camp experience, which started out poorly, and ended reluctantly but fabulously.
Not long after that, we took in a Tanglewood show:
Then in a heart-pounding and quick turn of events, I met Ilene, Michelle and Stephanie and we made our own blogging meet-up.
I also made the switch to self-hosted WordPress since I have been taking blogging VERY seriously this summer, and that will continue. Thank you, J9 Designs! You really do make blogging easier.
And that brings us to now, late August. I have a few last hurrahs up my sleeve, and I’ll surely write about them here.
That’s what’s the best part of all of this. That it ain’t over ’til it’s over. Stay tuned, my friends.
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom says
August 23, 2013 at 2:36 amIt has been a big summer for you! (Love that: "So big!" So true.)
A summer winding down with memories made, with more to look forward to on the horizon? That sounds awesome to me.
The Dose of Reality says
August 23, 2013 at 2:41 amI'm glad this summer didn't let you down and was as memorable and big as summers past. There is something different about summer once you have a school age child. You put it so beautifully-you measure it in time. So true.
I loved seeing some of my favorite pictures of yours and get to relive those moments with you! Hope you enjoy this last little bit of summer. I know you will!!! –Lisa
Amber Day Hicks says
August 23, 2013 at 2:50 amIt was a HUGE summer for you & for your family. You all made it through, woohoo!!!! Congrats!!! Enjoy the last few days of summer left, look forward to hearing stories & seeing beautiful photographs!!! 🙂
Bev says
August 23, 2013 at 2:50 amIt's amazing how much can happen in such a short span of time. My summer doesn't feel quite as momentous, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it as I usually do. Next summer will be so different as it will be my first one as a mom. It's both exhilarating and terrifying!
(And although I mostly despise it, I sometimes enjoy the smell of cigarettes as well because it reminds me of my semester abroad in Spain.)
Blond Duck says
August 23, 2013 at 2:52 amThe worst part of summer is when it ends!
Fashion and love by says
August 23, 2013 at 2:55 amvery beautiful <3 Happy week-end to you all!!!
Dara says
August 23, 2013 at 3:43 amI clicked on your link to meeting Cassidy at JFK – you lived in New Brunswick NJ! I went to Rutgers and before I left NJ I lived in Highland Park. How cool.
tammigirl says
August 23, 2013 at 3:46 amWow! Now that's a summer! I always retreat in the summers. I can't take the heat or the bright light of the sun.
I sure have enjoyed it through you this year.
Now tell me… what are you going to do for Scarlet's birthday next year?
Dana says
August 23, 2013 at 6:27 amOh, how I miss playing the "So Bi" game with my kids! Our summer was relatively quiet, but we needed that respite from the hectic frenzy of the school year. Glad you have had such a great summer so far!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 11:41 amAt least you had that great California trip that I coveted very much!
Janine Huldie says
August 23, 2013 at 7:43 amYou already know I too love the summer time and really loved the look back on this summer for you guys. And the best part, you are right it ain’t over until it is over. We still technically have 2 more weeks here before school starts and I am going to try to enjoy every last moment. And again my pleasure in helping you make this move, too. Seriously, I just loved getting the chance to work with you on this. One more thing, we always have pumpkin lattes at DD to look forward to 🙂
Ida says
August 23, 2013 at 9:06 amWow! Super busy summer. Of ocurse you have amazing pictures to remember all the memories. I’m so glad I “met” you this summer. You have become such a great blogging buddy. Can’t wait to see what other adventures you post about!
JDaniel4's Mom says
August 23, 2013 at 8:07 amIt was such fun to see how your summer unfolded. What wonderful memories you captured of it!
Allie says
August 23, 2013 at 8:31 amI will certainly "stay tuned" for more from you – writing and photography! Great homage to summer!!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:42 amThank you! I feel the same about you and your crazy fun stories.
Rabia @TheLiebers says
August 23, 2013 at 9:04 amThat *is* a big summer!! Looks like you've had lots of fun. I love that Alice in Wonderland birthday party. It looks amazing!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:42 amThanks! It was. I can't believe it was nearly two months ago.
Stevie says
August 23, 2013 at 9:35 amI love summer too. I fell in like with my husband one summer, and then a few years later fell in love. We got married in May. I always tell him, he will always be summer to me. I love that you had a big beautiful overflowing kind of summer.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:43 amI love that. He will always be summer. My husband too. We met in the summer, broke up in the fall, re-met two summers later…and then I moved to SF. We never really did winter together until we moved here. And we feel pretty much the same way about it..
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lad says
August 23, 2013 at 9:44 amI have thoroughly enjoyed following along all summer! You have had quite an interesting one and of course your pictures make your summer look so much more fabulous than the rest of ours. I LOOOVVVEEE that throwback picture of you and Cassidy. I promise your love story is so amazing to me. Keep sharing Tamara! It fills my heart with joy every time!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:44 amhaha! I don't think it was more fabulous – maybe that's just the photos talking. You were all over the place too! I'm going to miss summer.
Growing Up Madison says
August 23, 2013 at 1:04 pmJust got home from work and you're the first blog I had to read! This summer has been amazing. It's when I first met you as well. Summer holds so much memorable memories for you and I'm happy this one was extra special. You've sure done a lot this summer and I can't wait for next summer. I know that even greater memories are around the corner. Happy Friday my friend!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 7:15 amYes, and I still don't remember how and when we "met" because the best things are like that for me. It's like you've been here since I started blogging three years ago!
Kristen says
August 23, 2013 at 4:27 pmI loved reading this SOOOO much! And I absolutely loved reliving all those memories with you! It really has been a fantastic summer. I don't want it to end!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 7:16 amI know! I'm clinging with every last inch of my being. Thank you!
Tamara says
August 23, 2013 at 5:17 pmThank you. One more awesome memory was made today at a sunflower maze. There are one or two (or five) more special things coming..
Akaleistar says
August 23, 2013 at 5:41 pmWhat a beautiful celebration of life and summer!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 12:16 pmThank you! I do feel like celebrating the end, even though I’m not ever going to be ready for it.
Kristi Campbell says
August 23, 2013 at 8:21 pmAh, you. What a magical amazing summer. So true are your words that the measuring part isn't the same until the schooling part and the keeping track of time part. Summer. Summer, summer.
I'm not ready. And PLEASE can you already come take some photos of us that make us look 1/4 as good as you guys do? Please?
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 7:18 amOnly 1/4? I can do that, and more.
I'm not ready for the end. I wasn't ready for the keeping track part. Someone just let me live in anarchy!
Carla says
August 24, 2013 at 2:32 amWhat a great walk fown memory lane. What is fun is that I remembered many of them because you shared them. It was as if some of those experiences became part of my experiences. I can't wait to hear what the rest of summer brings for you.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 7:19 amIt's been fun for me to remember you all experiencing them with me…some even in real life!
Leah says
August 24, 2013 at 2:47 amI loved seeing your summer review – and I especially loved that I hadn't missed any of those things! It has been such a pleasure getting to *know* you this summer, Tamara! Can't wait to see the fun Fall has in store for you – but don't hurry away summer!! Enjoy the last two weeks!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 7:21 amThe pleasure is mine too. As I was telling Carla above, I love that you all went on this summer journey with me, and I with all of you.
Nellie @ Brooklyn Ac says
August 24, 2013 at 5:24 amTamara, I just LOVE this recap. You did sucha great job highlighting all of the great parts with all of the awesome pictures of the summer. 🙂 My favorite though is the ones of you cassidy and scarlet when she was a baby? Just priceless.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 12:21 pmThanks! It’s priceless for me to be in a photo with her! I loved this summer. It was my first one “knowing” all of you.
Sheila at Longings E says
August 24, 2013 at 5:30 amThat it ain’t over ’til it’s over.
LOVED your summer recap as I am a bona fide girl of summer myself…And I wrote about a summer day at the lake and remembering summer's past recently with great fondness and gratitude. Rewind: Empty Nest Reflections at Longings End. Visiting you from SITS. Thanks for sharing. PS I loved the Alice in Wonderland party in your backyard. I always enjoyed going all out for my son's bday parties at home and being very creative. ENJOY
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 7:23 amLOVED your post too. I'm thinking about it all today. The sweetness of these babies. The sweetness that will follow raising them into adults and still finding such wonder in the world. You have gotten me by the heart – so glad I "met" you today.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 5:55 amThank you, Lisa! I never really felt an expiration date before school age. I just felt like all summers and all seasons rolled together a bit. Now I'm a bit panicked but we will have that last hurrah or seven before school. Yikes, we don't have much time anymore.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 5:56 amOh yes. Pumpkin lattes are the best. I used to only get them at Starbucks but the price and the strange orange color eventually got to me. Now I get one or two there a season, and about a zillion at DD.
Love working with you! We need a new project so that I can write to you 17 times a day.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 5:56 amThanks, Amber! What a summer. I hope for a good fall too. How can it not be? Pumpkin everything and I love in New England – the birthplace of fall. (just kidding)
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 5:57 amYes, next summer will be so interesting for you! My daughter was born in the summer but then her second was very momentous because she learned to walk and talk during that one.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:22 amI feel the same way. I almost can't handle it..
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:23 amThank you, and happy weekend to you!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:24 amVery cool! I went to Rutgers and then after I spent a year in New Brunswick, a year in Highland Park and then two years in North Brunswick! Then SF and New England called.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:25 amI have enjoyed it even more because of you. Maybe we need to visit SF for a summer. It's actually pretty cold there in July and August!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:25 amGlad I "met" you too!
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 6:41 amThank you! It was so memorable. I hope for a similar fall.
Kate says
August 24, 2013 at 7:23 amTamara, I love the way you write. I felt like I was living your summer with you. So many wonderful things happened for you and I love experiencing it with you. As always your photos tell a story themselves. Loved your recap.
Tamara says
August 24, 2013 at 7:24 amHi Kate! Ditto to you. Thanks for becoming a blogging friend this summer. It's been such an experience.
Michelle says
August 24, 2013 at 9:35 amWhat a wonderful summer you've had! I've loved looking back through all your pictures and I loved being a part of the last one!
Tamara says
August 25, 2013 at 5:54 amI loved that too!
Lanaya | Raising Rea says
August 24, 2013 at 4:31 pmSuch a beautiful Summer. Thinking about you my friend 🙂
¤´¨)
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(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
Raising-Reagan.com
Tamara says
August 25, 2013 at 5:54 amThinking of you too!
Britton says
August 25, 2013 at 7:20 amI remember reading every single one of these posts! I love that you have all these memories to look back on with great pictures and I can totally relate to you saying that you will miss summer! I won't miss the heat, but I will definitely miss the good times I had and feelings of laziness (even though it wasn't much of a break for me!)
Tamara says
August 25, 2013 at 3:15 pmI'm so happy that you read all of my posts! It's been quite a summer for SITS and I will always remember that. To a memorable fall!
Kim says
August 25, 2013 at 12:04 pmSounds like summer 2013 was definitely a good summer!!!
I’m happy that somehow (SITS or bloggers we know in common?) we have become blog friends!! I look forward to “sharing” fall 2013, winter 2013-2014……
Tamara says
August 25, 2013 at 3:14 pmI know, Kim! I can't remember how I "met" all of my favorites. Maybe it was my SITS Day or one of our many in common friends. Actually your name came up when we all met for our blogging convention because we like you and your writing so much. Looking forward to much more.
Dude Mom says
August 25, 2013 at 1:19 pmYou have had quite the summer. Sad to say mine is basically over now. We saved our big vacation for late September though so I feel less sad when I look towards that!
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 2:48 amWhat a great idea! I love big September vacations.
another jennifer says
August 25, 2013 at 9:56 pmWhat a great summer it’s been! I’m almost a little sad about school starting next week. But then I start thinking about apple picking and warm sweaters.
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 2:48 amI love warm sweaters too..mostly for the kids! For me, I only like sundresses!
Alison says
August 25, 2013 at 10:42 pmYou had such a tremendous summer!
Congratulations on the move to WP – isn't it awesome?
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 2:48 amSo awesome! Thank you!
Blond Duck says
August 26, 2013 at 2:13 amI never want summer to end!
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 3:14 amI feel the exact same way..
Heather says
August 26, 2013 at 2:51 amWhat a wonderful summer!
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 3:15 amYes, it really has been.
Honeybee @ Her Weight Loss Diary says
August 26, 2013 at 7:41 amVery cute pictures. I like the #2 picture. You have a very fabulous summer. I enjoyed reading about that.
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 8:15 amThanks, Honeybee!
Brittnei Washington says
August 26, 2013 at 2:17 pmSummer is awesome! You seem to have such great ones! I love what you said about smells. It's amazing how you can be sitting somewhere one day enjoying a moment and the smell of something passes your nose and it takes you back to something in your life for a few seconds just with the smell alone. The awesome things about life!
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 10:35 pmTrue! I know someone who doesn’t have a sense of smell. Can you imagine losing that??
Leslie says
August 26, 2013 at 5:26 pmWhat an incredible summer! So many sweet memories from this year and years past. It’s clear you’ve lived summer well! (BTW that picture of you & Cassidy at Yosemite is amazing)
Tamara says
August 26, 2013 at 5:36 pmThank you! I honestly think his car took it because we were definitely the only two humans for miles where we stayed. So he must have used his car as a tripod and set the timer.
Jessica says
August 26, 2013 at 10:09 pmLoved going through the photos of your summer! And I loved hearing about your previous, kid-free summers, you took me back to my younger years. I know exactly what you mean about smells. I also love the faint smell of cigarette smoke just from the memories, even though I'm not a smoker. Love that pic of you and Cassidy, you're so beautiful!
Tamara says
August 27, 2013 at 2:39 amAw, that made my day! Thank you! It was four years ago but I'd like to think I haven't changed so much in four years. Ten years, maybe.
Mo @ The Baby Is Fine says
August 27, 2013 at 4:15 pmgreat recap! love all the pics. your lipstick looks flawless in the one w/ baby S 🙂
the one of you and C on the bench in yosemite is truly a classic. so much is expressed in your postures and faces!