It’s finally that time of the year. My favorite season. When the air is sticky but sweet, the days seem eternal and my hands constantly smell of sunscreen.

Last night while hanging out with friends in our backyard, that some call Wingra Park, the barefoot kids were busy chasing fire flies through the thick grass. I looked at my friend and just smiled. “Is there a better sound on earth that that?” I asked as the kids screamed and laughed while the lightening bug escaped it’s captor.

This morning I took Ben to the bus stop for camp. The first day of camp. Granted I work all summer but through Ben I get to live vicariously. Reason 2,342 I love being a mom. A part of me is on that school bus with him, headed off to good ol Camp Shalom.
This morning the sidewalk was filled with wiggly, excited campers and their parents struggling to get them to hold still long enough for their morning sunscreen and bug spray applications.
An elderly man walked by all the chaos, looked at me and asked, “What is this all about?” I replied “Oh, we are waiting for the bus to take them all to camp.”
“To the Heart camp?” he asked? I looked at him confused so he continued, “To the Sacred Heart camp…” I chucked as I always find the irony funny that our bus stop for Camp Shalom is in front of Blessed Sacrament church and school.  I finally replied, “Nope. This is for Camp Shalom!” The look on his face was priceless.

After work I greeted my very tired, very hot, mildly cranky camper with open arms. And then proceeded to nuzzle my nose into his neck. He is the smell of summer. Chlorine, Coppertone and Off. A heavenly combination.

Sigh… summer.

Sunday evening Ben and I headed out for a BBQ at my parent’s house.  We were both donned in our usual summer gear; t-shirt, shorts and flip flops.  As I was locking the door Ben stopped and said, “You know, if we were wearing better shoes we could just walk to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.”  To which I replied, “Well, let’s change our shoes!  That’s a great idea.”

We went back inside, changed our shoes and grabbed a plastic bag?  Why a bag?  So we could pick up trash!  ON. OUR. WALK!   (As I type this, the tree outside my window, is winking and giving me the thumbs up.)

I must admit that collecting litter on the way there and back was all Ben’s idea.  I think the John Lennon/Rabbi/Peter Paul and Mary camp (otherwise known as Camp Shalom) is wearing off on him.  Now if we could just get his Hebrew down a little better…  

I was in charge of the left side of the sidewalk while Ben was in charge of the right.   The child was relentless.  Everytime I would space out and god forbid LOOK AT A CUTE HOUSE FOR SALE, he was all, “Are you even looking Mother?!  YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR TRASH!”   Al Gore has nothing on this kid.  His new Indian name is ”Lover Of The Earth”.  Or LOTE for short. 

The original idea was to collect trash on the walk to my parents house, throw it out there and get a new bag for the way back.  But since we had gone this earthy crunchy, I decided, why not seal the Tree Hugger deal and USE THE SAME BAG ON THE WAY BACK.  Why waste TWO plastic bags?!   Therefore the bag was left on my parent’s front steps and after dinner picked up to collect trash on the way home.   Oh yeah.  We are THAT good.

So, to all of you Earth Sinners out there, that tossed your cigarette butts out the car window or drove two blocks to the store this weekend, Ben and I got your back. 

This time. 

And yes, you’re welcome.