Spring's my new favorite

I have a new favorite season, although it's not necessarily the entirety of the season itself, but rather the transition from one to another that makes me sing.

Florida seasonal transitions were different, yet special enough in itself to celebrate. Football games and the presence of Pumpkin Spice lattes at Starbucks announced, "Fall is here, even if for the rest of the country it means cooler weather and you're still having beach parties!" Winter meant the temperatures dropped and I could wear sweaters, albeit if I was still in flip flops. Spring? Well, spring was really only a bright onslaught of lime-green leaves that suddenly appear on the massive oak trees and the two weeks that the oleanders and azaleas were in bloom. Plus, it was warm enough to jump back into the ocean. You blink, then it's sweet Florida summer.

But OH! how the rest of the world enjoys spring! I'm finding myself absolutely enthralled-- the burst of colors that appeared out of nowhere, how every day you can find a slight change with your surroundings that are leading us on a path towards summer. In Frankfurt, summer means festivals every weekend, ice cream in your coffee on a daily basis. Lake trips, biergartens, and the promise of travel to adventurous places.

Spring in Frankfurt means we have the chance to tentatively be outside... to start back up with barbecues and bocce, even if we have to be snuggled up in the picnic blankets that we brought.

... and some days we can bravely wear the dress that's been hiding in the back of the closet, order an eis kaffee and bare our legs to the sunshine.

..or attempt an outdoor birthday party (how simply perfect! The girls received crowns and squealed while kicking around a ball. Eat your heart out, Pinterest.

and of course, spring means baby animals. Done.