School’s out and summer has definitely arrived, but summer is a sweet and sour time of year for me. (Hence, the lemon lavender cookies!) With the beginning of summer also comes high expectations of what’s ahead. I know it can’t be just me who dreams of the perfect summer break! Dreamy afternoons reading, perfect pool days with the kids who don’t complain or cry, beach vacations, and generally uninterrupted lazy days in the sun. And as any mom knows, these are complete visions of grandeur when kids are involved. For the most part, summer turns into 2 months of disappointments. Sounds harsh, I know, but I have crazy high expectations for everything in my life. And when the stakes are high to enjoy the summer, while the weather is nice, while the kids are home from school, while they’re still this young (cuz you know, they’re not going to stay this age forever!) - It all becomes overwhelming, and exhausting and well…disappointing. The worst part is that I’m conscious of these feelings and their outcomes but sometimes, I just feel powerless against them.