-Here's to the times when the dustpan is full of feathers from a weekend of dress-up.

The times when I pick up my trash bags and cans clink together forming a time- together-tune

I smile that my refrigerator has repeated the cycle of being stocked to almost empty after having back to back meals with family and friends who have traveled hundreds of miles to get here.

- that my washing machine has run innumerable cycles for fresh towels for guests.

A sigh of joy for a nap or two.

The sound of joy from the bouncing of a basketball in the driveway

The repeated sound of "That's What Makes You Beautiful" being played on the Ipod for the seven-hundredth time.

The creak of the back door that opens to the back yard.

I give a cheer for magic- experienced on vacations.

Soaring higher than we imagined.

Hurray for black, dirt-stained feet from Colorado soil, and hair sprinkled with Pixie dust.

Grains of sand will forever be with us, in our cars, proof of  fun weekends at the beach.

Memories of holding baby gators and SNAKES are tucked away fondly in my heart.

Three cheers for a lengthening list of sno cone flavors tried and true.

For the times this summer we have spent hours traveling in the car replaying Nacho Libre until we get there, I am thankful.

We have been blessed once again by summer.