It was a mild winter, which is really saying something in this often harsh climate, but still, when Memorial Day weekend rushed in, all sunshine and heady warmth, I couldn't help myself. SUMMER. Ok, unofficial summer. But still. I opened my windows and turned the music up and breathed in the summery air, and took in the summery scenes; families and friends gathered around grills, red plastic cups in their hands. I've loved making these summer goals, sharing them with you and then trying my best to achieve them. It's like a mini, way-less-committal version of a life list. I admit that last year I didn't do that well. But I'd just had a baby, and as with most things in life, hindsight regarding my situation last summer is much clearer now. The first few months with two children...I don't know. Let's just say those first few months are best categorized with a simple, whispered, "Oh...my god." I had bold ambitions, but when it came right down to it, I spent most of my time just trying to feel normal.

But honestly, I'm at a new juncture. So here are a few goals - some exceedingly ambitious and some less so - and I'm going to make them a priority. Will it cut into my lying-in-bed-reading-my-twitter-feed-time? Probably. Will it be worth it? Of course.

2012 summer goals! Help me out, people. Hold me to them.

1. run a 20K 2. get into tea 3. try cloth diapers 4. take a ride on the carousel at Lighthouse Point 5. sing Irish songs at an Irish bar 6. attend a lecture at Yale 7. plan weekly (or almost weekly!) dates with my darling husband 8. get a book deal 9. improve the home office 10. visit Essex, CT 11. take another cooking class 12. read three novels (not mysteries) 13. see a Puffin 14. take the kids to a baseball game 15. build a sandcastle 16. have a Dark and Stormy at McSeagull's 17. swim laps in a swimming pool 18. take a boat ride 19. spend lots of time in our back yard 20. have a party 21. grill some octopus 22. buy a record 23. make a photo album 24. get some sleep 25. go on a Sunday drive

Do you guys remember when my darling husband, the amateur birder, was keeping worms in our fridge? You may argue that this isn't nearly as bad, but I don't know, I think it's worse.

Chia seeds immersed in water. Chia gel, I guess. CHIA GEL. Like a Chia Pet. That's right. Except you eat it - except I don't eat it because my tummy gets a little upset just thinking about it.

J just finished listening to the audio version of the book "Born To Run," and has been talking a lot about "minimalist running," which is fine, and possibly even pretty cool, but he also got excited about some of the foods suggested in the book used to refuel and replenish after - or before - a run. Like Chia Pet seeds. Sorry, Chia seeds.

I am way into the idea of real, healthy foods in place of things like Gatorade and Power Bars and what have you (even though sometimes those things are unbelievably tempting and delicious) but little seeds you put in water to create some kind of viscous energy potion? Bring back the worms, I say. I'll take the worms instead.