Summer Memories

I can't believe it is Fall already!  Where does the time go?  We had a good summer; although a little more low key than usual with having a new baby in the house.  The other night I was reflecting on some of the fun things we did over the summer and made a list of things I would like to be sure to do next summer.  While I was reflecting, I started thinking about some of my favorite childhood summer memories.  Soon my mind became flooded with memories of good times with family and friends, and I decided to write a blog about it to list them out.  Here are my top twenty most favorite childhood summer memories, in no particular order!

1. Trips to the Dairy Queen: Of course this would be listed first;)  I always loved going to the DQ with my family.  Sometimes we enjoyed a full meal with ice cream for dessert, and other times we would just go for an evening snack.  My favorite meal was the footlong hot dog and onion rings.  Well, really just the batter on the onion rings considering I pulled the onions out and threw those away.  My absolute favorite Dairy Queen treat was a Double Delight.  When I got older I also enjoyed the Blizzards, with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough being my favorite.  My brother's favorite was an Oreo Blizzard.

2. Our Dance Recitals: I LOVED dancing and was always so excited and proud when recital time came around.  It's funny how certain sounds and smells can evoke certain emotions within you, because to this day I still feel butterflies in my stomach when I hear Kenny G songs (this music would play prior to the start of the recital).

3. Playing Spotlight: I always enjoyed playing Spotlight at night with my brother and sometimes our neighbor friend.  I am still very proud of my best hiding spots under the neighbor's tree and lying on top of the monkey bars.

4. Idlewild: I remember being very little and getting so excited to go to Idelwild park with the family.  It was kind of like a small reunion and we always started with a picnic/BBQ.  My favorite ride at Idlewild was called The Spider or something like that!  I hope to be able to take my children to Idlewild one summer.

5. Summer Thunderstorms: I always enjoyed the nice breeze that blew before the start of a storm and the sounds and sights of evening/nighttime storms.  Unless, of course, this storm occurred anytime after bedtime, in which case my brother and I could be found sleeping on the floor of my parents room:)

6. Beach Vacations: I have always loved the beach and enjoyed our family trips to the ocean.  Some of my favorite trips involved a car ride to North Carolina where we rented a condo for the week.  Once we went with extended family and another time it was the 4 of us.  Both were great times!

7. My Birthday: My birthday is in July and I always looked forward to celebrating with family.  My favorite party was the year my parents held a swimming party for me at the Holiday Inn!  My mom always made whatever dinner I wanted for my birthday, and I almost always requested Chicken Divan!

8. Catching Lightning Bugs: It was always lots of fun catching lighting bugs on those warm summer nights.  I can remember my mom not being too happy with me because I kissed one of my lightning bugs once before releasing it!

9. Trips to Library: I have always loved to read, and I really enjoyed taking trips to the library with my dad to stock up on some good reads.  I remember borrowing lots of Sweet Valley books.

10. Summer Food: I still think BBQ food is delicious.  I especially loved my mom's BBQ chicken and the way she made iced tea.

11. Holiday Inn: One of my favorite things to do was go with my dad and brother to the Holdiay Inn for swimming.  After we swam we would always play the mini golf course or play in the arcade.  And many times we would get food from McDonalds to enjoy there or afterwards.  Sometimes before or after we would also take a trip to my grandparents house.

12.Community Pool:  Every summer I looked forward to swimming at the local pool just up the road from our house.  After fun in the pool, it was always great to grab a snack from the vending machines and drink a "Yellow Mellow" as my brother called it!

13. 4th of July: Independence Day was always a time of fun and I loved getting to go and watch the fireworks.  One year we rented a hotel and watched the fireworks from our room which was very special!

14. Trips to Maryland: We took many trips to Maryland when I was younger and I always enjoyed getting to stay with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins.  My brother and I loved swimming in their pool and playing in their treehouse.  I still can remember riding in the back of my Uncle's Truck and going to get Sno-Cones very often:)

15. County Fair: I loved going to the county fair and always had a blast.  I will never forget my poor brother throwing up on the Bumblebee ride.

16. Riverfest: I also enjoyed the Riverfest activities, including attending the pageant and going to the festival itself.  Our dance school performed there on several occasions and that was fun.

17. Summer Cheerleading: I absolutely loved being a cheerleader and enjoyed every minute of practices, games and performances.  Our cheerleading camp was held locally in the summer, and this was when we would learn our competition routine and the new cheers we would use for the year.

18. Coal Show: One of my fondest childhood memories still includes Coal Show Week.  The Coal Queen pageant was always entertaining and exciting, and I loved reconnecting with friends who I hadn't seen all summer,  The cheerleading competition was also awesome, especially when I was a part of it.  When we were younger, it was a blast to go to the Coal Show carnival and ride the rides and play  games.  I also enjoyed watching and participating in the bike parade and especially the pet parade.  I will never forget one of the years we entered our Cocker Spaniel Brandy and she was too nervous to walk in it so I had to carry her the whole time, and by the time I got home that night I could barely even straighten my arm out from holding her for so long!  Finally, I loved the Coal Show Parade.  Whether participating in the parade itself or just watching as a spectator, it was always great fun.  I still remember how proud I was when I was in the parade for the first time with my dance group.  I would have had to have been 4 or 5 years old.  And in high school. I enjoyed marching with our band and riding on the fire trucks with our cheerleading squad.

19. Flips in the yard: I remember spending hours and hours out in our back yard practicing flips, jumps, and many dances.  I was so proud and excited when I got my back tuck and loved throwing it

20. Family Gram: My last favorite memory from summer is getting the Family Gram.  This was the booklet that announced which Teacher/homeroom teacher we would have and who was in our class.  I remember wanting Mrs. Brioli in 6th grade so bad that I chanted her name over and over in my mind for days before, and especially on my walk down the driveway to get the mail the day I knew it was in there.  I practically screamed with excitement when I scanned though and saw that indeed Mrs. Brioli would be my teacher and was thrilled because all my friends got her too!

I hope you've enjoyed this walk down memory lane!  Feel free to share some of your favorite summer memories too!!!