I'm a big fan of Washington and all that it has to offer. I consider Bellingham to be one of the most beautiful places to live in the world. There are a thousand places I'd love to visit, but just a few that I'd love to call home. Bellingham is amongst the top of my list (maybe second to Italy. Who wouldn't want to live in Tuscany?). So when people start to talk down about the different aspects of being a Washingtonian or a Bellinghamster, I'm the first to defend. Rainy winter? Love it. Makes you appreciate the snow days a little more. A quick fall? Not half bad. The gorgeous leaves make it all worth it. Springtime dreariness? No way. Our flowers need that rain! And a so-so summer? The summers are great! Where have you been during July and August?!

 Until this year. We have had two separate nights where I was setting up the fans in LB's room and fretting about the temperature. I'm a little bitter about that. I should have had countless nights like those. I should be an old pro at setting up the fans throughout our house. Instead, our fans have sat forlorn in the corners of rooms waiting to be used more than twice. July usually gets off to a slow start, but the hot August days actually make me look forward to fall. I feel like fall came this week. My maple leaves have turned red, the woodchips under the playset are soggy, and my plants don't need to rely on me to water them lately.

 So I've joined them. All the naysayers and pessimists talking about the horrible weather. It is horrible. And it becomes ten times more horrible with a cooped up toddler. But, I'm quick to forgive. Give me the rest of August and early September with summer sunshine and a couple of nights where I can still wear my shorts outside at night.

ps. LB picked out his own outfit this morning. It consisted of two striped t-shirts, a diaper, his rainboots and his raincoat. Pretty funny. Especially when he insisted on putting it all on before he ate breakfast in his highchair. I talked him into pants just before playgroup started. :)