Springtime in Suburbia

Mother nature certainly spoiled us this year, with a mild winter and intermittent, summer-like days, starting in March.  Spring seemed to arrive earlier, and I was not complaining. Warm weather and blooming flowers aside, I have created my own list of what signifies that springtime in Larchmont is officially here:

1. Palmer Avenue is hopping. The crowds at and are in full force.  Of course these businesses have their share of loyal customers year-round, and one of those customers would be me, but when spring arrives, the rest of the town shows up to get a cone or cup of their favorite frozen treat.  also has a bench outside, so I’ve noticed the cupcake eaters waving to their frozen yogurt friends across the street.  It’s a veritable party out there!
2. Sports, sports and more sports. I spend most of my weekend sitting on bleachers or rushing from field to field, watching my three kids play baseball, travel soccer, and even basketball.  Oh, that’s a winter sport you say?  Well,     yes, in theory it is, but in my house, it’s year-round.  My husband and I “divide and conquer” all weekend long, trying to see every game, so that when Sunday night arrives, I turn to him and ask, “So, how was your weekend?”
3. Outdoor tennis begins.  As a year-round tennis player who enjoys the consistent conditions inside the Harbor Island bubble, I have mixed feelings about playing outdoors.  When the weather is perfect, I’m thrilled to be swinging a racquet outside and adding some color to my pasty white legs.  But, on those chilly April mornings when my tennis team is practicing on the outdoor courts, I am usually bundled up in three layers, wishing I hadn’t left my scarf and hat at home.
4. My kids have emerged from the ground floor.  No, I don’t keep them down there in winter (although there are days I’d like to!), but I don’t have to bribe them—as much—to stop playing video games in the basement play room.  When they are not scheduled for a practice or a game, my kids will actually go outside and play catch, basketball, tag, and all those other games that suburban kids are supposed to do in their yards.  Now, the only problem I have is getting them to come inside when it’s pitch dark.
5. Let’s Walk!  Larchmont is already a walking town, with people who regularly walk to and from the train station, school and town.  I’ll admit our family is more of the “lets-guiltily-duck-our-heads-while-we-drive-by-all-these-walkers” variety, but our intention is sincere.  We want to walk, we really do, but we are not morning people, and thus, a school drop-off via car becomes a necessity, not an option in our household.  Except when spring arrives.  We seem to wake earlier, get dressed more quickly and actually have the time to walk and arrive at school before the bell rings.  What’s even more amazing is that when spring hits, my son frequently asks if we can walk to or from school. 

Which is what brings me back to number one on my list.  “Let’s walk to town,” I’ll routinely suggest, during a lull in our otherwise sports-driven weekend.  And before we know it, we’re back on Palmer Avenue happily eating our cups of yogurt and ice cream.  No wonder springtime in Larchmont is my favorite season.