We’ve been in New Hampshire since Wednesday, staying at my parents’ house—the house I grew up in. It’s been a fun time so far: my mom and I went shopping in downtown Concord (highlights include a fantastic local bookstore, an extensive and happening health food co-op, and copious cute boutiques), my brother and his wife drove up from Boston for dinner, and yesterday my parents hosted about twenty family friends—many of whom were at our wedding, and several of whom brought little kids of their own-- for a Meet-the-Kaspar cocktail hour. Kaspar, equipped with new toys (y’all did NOT need to bring gifts! Thank you!), cool air and ample space to run, is in heaven. And my parents… wow. They’re having a rockin’ good time. Aaron and I are enjoying the opportunity to put our feet up a bit as my mom and dad get their grandparent kicks. And this afternoon will mark our departure for Squam Lake (of On Golden Pond fame), where we’ll stay in a waterfront house for a week… Also with my parents.

Oh Internet. Can you believe there was a time when I was worried, like Anxiously Doctor-Prescribed Worried about whether or not this kid was going to speak? I was told he should be saying X number of words by 15 months, and he was saying something like -X number of words. I tried not to Go There, you know, where you start worrying about Diagnoses and Therapies and all that, but what's a first time parent to do when the doctor says, "and if he's not saying X number of words by 15 months, bring him in and we'll talk." Panic! 

Well, like most things, it seems, there was no need to worry. Talking, like everything else, came in its own due time and we had a really beautiful Talking Honeymoon. My kid said the sweetest, funniest, most charming things. And sometimes he still does. But now these little quips and anecdotes are coming at the speed of light, people. My ears! They bleed!

Considering I grew up on Long Island playing in the waves of the Atlantic, it should go without saying that I am a salt-water girl. And I am, through and through. I love rough, unpredictable seas and the change of tides and the taste of salt on my lips and the beautiful shells and sea glass that roll in. And, not for nothing, my hair looks amazing—all tousled and voluminous—after a day at the beach. I also love the feeling of being near an ocean and honestly can’t imagine living far from the coast. It gives me a sense of stability and freedom and an escape (because, you know, I could always swim to England if things got bad here…). That said, I do have a lot of love for lakes. And after spending our summer vacation up on Lake Michigan, I have rekindled that romance and am so happy my kids will get to know both kinds of H2O….

Texas' marathon of 100+ degree days has rolled right on into August (when will it rain? WHEN?), but the end of this endless summer, my friends, is in sight. We’re heading off for a 10-day New England lakeside vacation later this week, and when we get back—whether the weather’s cooled or not—we’ll start a new season, riding in on the winds of change: We’re moving into a new house this fall, Kaspar will be starting a part-time Montessori program nearby, and my work/life/massage-school schedules are slated to rev up like whoa (Aaron’s also got a full plate this coming season). All of these changes are good changes, but... well, now that they’re just around the corner, I feel myself appreciating the summer a bit more, in all of its slow and sweaty glory. I’ve been shading, hydrating and entertaining a toddler all through this long season, so I’m hereby designating myself a summertime expert, and sharing—here and now—my top five tips for savoring summer’s sweetness to the last drop. Ready? Go!