There are many things that excite me.  Perhaps too many – especially in the school girly, giddy with exhilaration, kind of way.  Not quite becoming for a 30-something-grey-hairs-appearing-often-frazzled mom!  But, it is how it is, and if I can’t restrain it, I may as well embrace it!

One of these simple pleasures that ignites ripples of bubbling anticipation in my stomach is the promise of Spring.

I’m not a winter girl.  Lately, I’ve been very grateful that our winters are actually quite mild, compared to the rest of the world, and I’ve even embraced some of winter’s special treats like stories by the fireplace and a toasty bed, warmed by our 12-year old electric blanket.  But, even then, I don’t like waking up at 7am and finding that it is still dark outside.  I don’t like having the kids run their bath at 5:30 to see the sun disappearing behind the mountain and minutes later throwing a dark blanket across our skies.  I don’t like hopping from one foot to the other in a desperate attempt to warm up after a shower.  Layers of clothing?  Closed shoes all day? Winter weight? Endless days of rain, rain, rain?  Urgh.  Not my thing.

I’m more a summer girl.  Despite the sweat-dripping hot days we can have.  Despite the lethargy that sometimes accompanies those days.  Despite the body-image-crisis that seems to coincide with the necessity of wearing fewer clothes.  Despite these things, I love summer.  And the first hint of summer is …

Spring…

I think, after 18 years of knowing me, Craig has earned the right to roll his eyes when I suddenly gasp, "Honey! Look! It’s 6:30pm and the sun is still up!"  But, despite the predictability of my behaviour, I still enjoy that excitement as if it were brand new. 

So, this month holds loads of little spots of joy for me, as creation starts to show buds of new life and brighter colours in celebration of warmer, and longer, days ahead.  And this year, it started in August, as we were driving to a Lunch Bunch outing in Kommetjie, we noticed the first Spring flowers carpeting the verges of our route.  Even the kids were subjected to mommy’s exclamations of joy!  On arriving at our destination we were greeted with more beautiful glimmers of spring flowers.  And the kids loved the fresh air and bright skies.  Even the nip in the air did not dampen my little-girl-thrill for summer ahead!  Walking along the Slangkop walkway with flowers blossoming on either side of us, was a treat indeed.

And now I look forward to more glimmers of Spring, and promises of Summer … the sun going down later and getting up earlier; the first buds on our back garden tree swelling and then exploding into vivid green splashes of fresh Spring leaves; the blossoms peaking over our neighbour’s fence; the warmer weather; the smell of freshly cut lawn … even the 5 minutes less it will take to dress a wriggly toddler in the mornings! 

Ah!  The anticipation of something so close is invigorating indeed!

What is your favourite thing about Spring or Summer?  Or, if you’re a Winter baby – tell us why!  Maybe you can convert me to the dark side!