Listicles: Ten Things I'm Looking Forward to this Summer

Like with a lot of things lately, I've let my participation in Listicles slide. I blame 'baby brain' due to pregnancy. When I saw this week's topic, I couldn't resist. Really looking forward to seeing all the rest of the entries this week!

"Papa, I want yours!" (See #7 below)

This summer is going to be full of some great milestones along with the usual fun stuff that I always love. So, without further ado, here's the Listicles listy-loo of what I'm looking forward to this summer:

1. Some fun outings & playdates with my little boy. He won't be in daycare starting this week, so we'll have lots of time for adventures on weekdays now. Now that he's reached the age where he actually plays with his friends, not just near them, it can be entertaining & sometimes even relaxing to get him together with other kids.
2. Breezy summer dresses with NO WAISTBANDS. Anything snug around my belly (read: bladder) is of utmost annoyance to me & has been for at least three months of this pregnancy already. Ten more weeks to go! 
3. Hanging out with family & friends at all the gatherings we've got coming up: barbeques, several birthdays, probably a few house parties & a baby shower.
4. Less rain--maybe even (gasp) putting away the gumboots for a while. July & August are generally the only months of the year where it doesn't rain near constantly in Vancouver.
5. Free outdoor movies in Stanley Park. Last summer we went to three films: Labyrinth, The Princess Bride & Monty Python & the Holy Grail. We'd arrive an hour or so before dusk, set up a blanket, unpack the snacks & then usually discover at least half a dozen people that we knew who were also there. You can find the schedule of outdoor movie events here on Facebook.
6. Warm evening walks. I really have to start doing some regular walks, as I've had to cut back on my cycling & I'm just not getting much exercise otherwise.
7. Ice cream cones aplenty! Okay, I'll admit, I have been eating ice cream quite a bit for several months now. This is what happens when I'm pregnant: my normally somewhat lactose intolerant body temporarily regains the ability to digest dairy & I take advantage of it! Many of the aforementioned summer evening walks will be in the direction of the gelato place & the Dairy Queen on Main Street.
8. Going to the Food Cart Fest. I know, I know, it's already started, but it'll be at least another week until we can get to it. Over 20 food trucks offering a diverse mix of internationally-inspired munchies for every set of tastebuds every Sunday until September 22.
9. The PNE. Yes, it's cheesy, usually unbearably hot & packed with people but I love it anyway.  The mini donuts & livestock are too cute to resist! I've always had a special relationship with the Pacific National Exhibition because I was the only person in my family lucky enough to be born during the two weeks in late August that it happens & I went for my birthday quite a few times. Also: we've gone every year since Sprout was born--this will be his fourth time. Maybe he'll even be tall enough to go on some little kiddie rides this year...
10. Baby! Obviously, what I'm looking forward to most this summer is seeing my daughter for the first time somewhere in early September. :)

So, leave me a comment: what are you looking forward to most this summer?

Join in the fun yourself--enter the link to your list here (click on the Listicles button to the right), or just browse the many other entries on Northwest Mommy.

Follow Spokesmama here too: