I’ve been averting my eyes and trying to shut out the truth, but I don’t think I can do it anymore.  The leaves are already starting to change.  The temperatures have dropped, meaning that pants are worn instead of shorts.  I’ve even had to get out my (*gasp*) jacket.  And, as the final nail in the coffin, it will soon be time to switch the calendar from September to October.  It’s time to face the facts: Summer is over and Fall is here.

While the pool-time fun might be over for the next eight or nine months, and while I can’t sit outside anymore in shorts and a T-shirt, basking in the sun’s rays – at least without shivering in the chilly breeze, autumn fun is just around the corner.

Soon the leaves will fall off the trees making for fun walks.  (I’m not sure why, but I’ve always loves the crunching sound of fall leaves under my feet.)  Halloween is coming up as well.  (NHL might go as Harry Potter this year.)  Best of all, though, is the fact that the Oven Ban has been lifted.

During the summer months, when we’re fighting to keep the temperature in the house under 80, the last thing we want is a 400 degree oven pumping heat into our rooms.  So from about mid-May through September, the oven goes mostly unused.  We will bake occasionally, but that’s the exception, not the rule.

During the fall (and winter) months, though, I get free reign to use the oven.  When it is 70 (or less) in the house, pumping in more heat isn’t as big of a deal.  In fact, on some days, it’s downright desirable.  (Everyone knows the adage "A watched pot never boils", but few know "An oven that is constantly opened to ‘check the temperature’ when the person is really trying to warm up won’t preheat quickly."  I guess it doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily even if it is true.)

With the oven ready to use, I’m chomping at the bit to use it to it’s fullest.  Here come the homemade pizzas, the roasted veggies, the baked lasagnas, and more.

What do you like cooking in your oven?

NOTE: The leaf image above is "Fall Leaves" from Gerald_G.  It is available via OpenClipArt.org.

Today is the first day of school.  This means that summer is over (unofficially, at least).  My kids once again need to worry about getting ready in the morning, homework, and other "fun" school-related chores.  Before the sun set on summer fun for the last time, though, we had one more fun moment.  We went to Aunt S’s house by the lake.  There, they enjoyed many fun activities with their cousins and other members of B’s family.

Mountain Climbing

Ok, this is just a steep hill and not a mountain.  Still, the boys had a blast climbing the mountain and running down it.  I, meanwhile, liked climbing it for the view it afforded me.

Boat Trip

What good is a house on the lake without a boat?  Though NHL opted out in favor of the pool (more on that later), JSL and I went out with Nana, Papa, Cousin A and Uncle M.  The trip began in an eventful manner with the engine dying.  We were just far enough from the dock to see it slowly drift away with no way to get back.  We did have a good view, though.

Luckily, Cousin A found a loose fuel injector line, fixed it, and we were good to go.  JSL loved driving the boat and watching Cousin A water skiing.

The boat ride ended with a bang.  Or rather a splash.  JSL was standing at the front with Papa when a big wave hit the boat soaking both of them.  (Sadly, my camera was pointed elsewhere at that moment, so I didn’t capture it.)  JSL was first upset by the sudden face full of water but he quickly decided that it was funny instead.

Pool Time Fun

As mentioned before, NHL opted to go in the pool.  As I understand it, he and Cousin S did some diving into the water.  The next day, JSL, NHL, B, and I went to the pool together.  B didn’t have her swimsuit, so the boys and I went into the water together.  JSL was apprehensive, especially once he felt the cold water, but he soon got in the pool spirit and was laughing along with NHL and me.

Sand and Surf

Our last visit was to the beach right near the pool.  There, NHL and JSL broke out some sand toys and had fun digging in the sand.  We also walked all the way out to the buoys that mark the end of the "safe to walk/swim" area.  Having grown up on Long Island, the beach brings back some great memories for me.  I still find it very relaxing to just sit chest-deep in the water and let the waves rock me back and forth.  I showed this to NHL and he agreed that it felt nice and calming.

Of course, calm isn’t as much fun and getting down and dirty in the sand.

Yes, school might be starting now.  Their freedom to do whatever they want will be curtailed as things they WANT to do take a backseat to things they HAVE to do.  Still, it’s nice that they had one last summer weekend milked for every ounce of fun it contained.

The past couple of days have been slightly warm.  If you call over 90 degrees "slightly warm."  Personally, I’d call it "holy cow it’s boiling outside!"  With a heat wave in progress, we’ll be looking for ways to stay cool this weekend.  Trips to the playground are likely out.  Instead, we’ll find some indoor activities to keep everyone cool and happy.  If we do go outside, perhaps we’ll break out the pool and swimsuits.  There’s nothing like splashing in the water to help you cool off.

My Aloha Friday question for today is: How do you stay cool when it’s hot outside?

P.S. If you haven’t already, try out my Twitter applications: FollowerHQ and Rout.

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #144