Finally, the water is warming in Florida. This last week was in the upper 80s and in a matter of days the water had warmed. The last time we swam in the ocean or an unheated pool near our house was in November. After a long wait, we can finally swim again.

After it had been hot for a few consecutive days, I knew the water had to be warmer, so on the weekend we went to the beach. The sun was high, and the air was hot and humid; it felt like the Florida I know and love. Everyone else was enjoying the warmth too. Parking lots along the beach were full. The intercoastal waterway had more boat traffic than I had seen all year.

We are finally returning to our summertime routine of going to the beach every few days, lathering sunscreen on, and enjoying the warm water. When we got to the water, it wasn't numbing as it had been for so long. It didn't feel cold. It felt amazing. We walked right in without having to warm up.

The seaweed must have liked the warmer waters too because there was a lot of it. But we didn't mind too much because the water felt too good. It felt so good we didn't want to leave and stayed in the water for nearly an hour.

My favorite thing about any place I have lived is when the weather warms up in spring or summer, and I can enjoy the outdoors, the warmth, the sunshine, and the warm water again. I think the birds, the plants, and the animals all love the warmth too. It all comes alive again.

The following day we went to the water park, Adventure Island, in Tampa for the first time. The water was so warm and refreshing. We enjoyed ourselves floating around the lazy river. It reminded me of my childhood going to water parks with my friends and family.

It may only be April but in Florida it is summer, and I'm loving every minute of it. I look forward to swimming in the pool and going to the beach regularly again. I'm not the only one enjoying it. At the park this week we saw a mother mallard duck and her 10 young ducklings. They've already grown a lot in the last week. When I first saw them, they were all huddled close together in a bunch next to their mom. A week later they still follower her but each run about nibbling on the grass. They too came at just the right time, as the air and water warms. It's the perfect time for growing and having fun for animals and humans alike.

As the weather warms, I too am growing; I'm weeks away from graduating with my bachelor's degree. I can't believe it is here, that I'm almost done after all the hard work. I am so excited. I look forward to the many more days of growing and living in the next few months while I enjoy the warmth and the water, my favorite part about Florida.