With everyone else occupied during the day on their own adventures, I've found my days this week full of the fun and play of (just!) a five year old and a seven year old. It's reminiscent for me of earlier parenting days when the boys were little and it was just the three of us adventuring in the daytime hours while Papa working. This week, just like in those days, there have been lots of trips to the beach and impromptu visits with friends and all those flexible things that are just a little bit more doable with a smaller crew, and the interests of a much smaller age range to please. I may not be getting a lot of work done, but we sure are having a lot of fun. And if sitting at the beach for hours, wading in the water, exploring in the tide pools and ending it all with ice cream weren't enough to bring all that nostalgia my way, I have to add a little bit of wool. Because nothing says summer beach like a little bit of knitting with wool. No? Well, call me crazy, but it's the best. I've made a few rounds of handwarmers (Camp Out Fingerless Mitts) this week - something small and easy to toss in a bag, something that doesn't require a pattern, but still is fun to knit (mostly thanks to the changing colors of the Noro I'm using for yarn). And while they may not be suitable for wearing on a beach day (Oh, Ani...silly ham), I'm certain that around the corner is a season in which they'll be most appreciated.