Swelter

While Liliana has been at an all-day tennis camp this week, the boys and I have taken a special new tack on starting our first days of summer.

This is our "What shall we do today?" jar.  

These little Popsicle-stick posies determine the course of our day's events. Each morning Calvin chooses a flower and it tells us what special (pre-approved by Mama) activity we will tackle. Think of it as a summer-themed Magic 8 Ball, or a fortune cookie, or something.

I don't mind telling you, we've been having some great fun just the three of us. Just look at what's written on these sticks.

Today, Calvin happened to snag: "Ride the Trolley." That's what we did.

We are suckers for public transportation.

Hence the joy on these mosquito-bitten faces.

Alas, it was a hot, hot day -- nearly 100 degrees -- and while we set out on our journey before noontime and stopped for cold drinks in the shade after about 7 minutes on the trolley, we could not beat the heat.

So we hopped back on the trolley and happily stumbled upon a park with a veritable geyser for its irrigation system on the way back to the car.

And, well, two boys can only do what comes naturally when they see such a wellspring.

We were a soggy, slightly more refreshed crew on the way home than we had been on our way up the trolley route on King Street.

And our air-conditioned oasis in the suburbs was a welcome sight, too.

 A cool fort with friends is a seasonless pass-time and one we certainly embraced today.