10 reasons i know summer is (nearly) here

10. strange berries appear in the underbrush behind our house

9. bubbles make their grand entrance

8. mysterious paths reveal themselves leading to "monster caves" (their words, not mine)

7. more time to learn fire starting techniques

6. sidewalk chalk comes out of the cupboard

5. rain stays away long enough for chalk messages to have their intended effect

4. delphinium buds emerge

3. kids don warm weather slip-ons (still with socks, mind you)

2. construction season begins

1. grass needs watering