Summer Begins

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Life for Team Phenix begins over again.

For the next 11 1/2 weeks we won't be getting up when the clock says 5.  We won't be packing lunches or signing permission slips.  Instead we'll be applying sunscreen, searching for dry beach towels, and whining about the humidity. (I cover that ground for the family - a California girl never adjusts to humidity.)

We are excited. However, we have one last tradition to properly wrap up the year: The Annual Neighborhood Water Fight

It begins with a mischievous cast of characters, water balloons, and squirt guns.Everyone brings their A Game!And even the wee ones get in the mix.The kids get off the bus (usually with a water-themed gift from their AWESOME bus driver, Mr. Bobby) knowing what they face and ready to run.One of the dads finds a strategic spot for using squirt bottles. Gets 'em every time!The kids remaining on the bus cheer on the festivities and generally contribute to the noise and the chaos of the chase.It doesn't take long for some of the kids to find the stash of water and go on offense. This is when things start to turn for the parents.

I ask all of the kids to pose for a group photo. This is bait for round two, but they fall for it every time. Every. Time. It's a push whether the kids or the parents have more fun, but this look sums up everyone's feelings.  The process is repeated for the Middle School and High School drops as well, proving a water fight is appropriate for any age. Do you have any year-end traditions you love? Do tell!!

Until then, so long school. See you in August!!