Now that summer has officially arrived, there are a few things you know you just have to do, a few things you must get, and a few things you must avoid in order to properly ring in the season of relaxation... and sunburns. These 15 things just scream "summer" to me. Every time I think about anything on this list I picture a summer sun over the blue ocean water.

1. The Smell of Sunscreen

As much as it reeks, you know that the smell of sunscreen means you are doing your part to protect your skin. Without it, you would just be a lobster sizzling away in the sun, so lather up and hit the beach! Eau de SPF 75, anyone?

2. Popsicles on Popsicles

Few things are better after a long day of leisure on the beach than a nice, cold popsicle. You know the ones. Those popsicles with flavors that nearly stood for everything you believed in at some point in your childhood.

3. Endless ice cream

I did say only a few things were better than popsicles, right? Well, ice cream may be one of them. The upside of an ice cream cone over a popsicle is the edible container that the popsicle lacks. However, ice cream has a tendency to melt much faster. Choose your side wisely because either is essentially a cult when it comes to the refreshment of choice for those long, hot Dog Days of summer.

4. Outdoor showers

Come on, when else are you going to be able to justify showering off outside of your bathroom? When can you ever justify hosing down in a public space? Well, you can try to justify it but you may not get very far if you try this anywhere besides the beach or pool in the summer.

5. Hammocks

Hammocks are the perfect lounging accessory for any afternoon spent catching both some rays and some z's. With a simple swinging motion, any afternoon can be lulled into a peaceful slumber in the sun with the addition of a hammock. None are immune to its power.

6. Swimming

Again, nothing beats cooling down on a hot day. If you'd prefer to watch your diet and avoid the aforementioned sugary treats without forgoing that refreshing feeling, a splash in the pool is calling your name. Dive right in and cool right down for that nostalgic feeling of summers past!

7. Watermelon

Ah, watermelons. The healthiest of the nostalgic summer foods. Providing a fix of both sweetness and hydration, watermelon is the perfect poolside snack that just screams "summer." Enjoy a slice with your best friends, just be ready to jump in the pool when the juice gets too sticky!

8. An entire wardrobe of shorts

Depending on the day's activities, the daily uniform for the summer may change slightly. Tank tops for a day out Downtown, nice blouses for evening dinners with the family, and bikini tops for a day trip to the beach. However, shorts seem to be the one thing that remains pretty consistent throughout the summer. Busting out a stack of shorts from storage at the start of the summer is like Christmas...only hotter.

9. Constantly sweating

Some regions are much worse than others, but all North American states can claim one thing at some point over the summer: it's too hot. Too hot to go outside, too hot to walk the dog, too hot to be anywhere but inside the walk-in freezer at the local grocery store. But you wouldn't trade it for the world when the frigid temperatures of the winter have you locked away inside of your house, with only blankets and fond memories of the under-appreciated summer swelter to keep you company.

10. Sand. On everything

You know exactly what I mean here. It is nearly impossible to go to the beach for even an hour without getting sand all over everything. Somehow it manages to weasel its way into every crack and crevice of your body, your towels, and even your cooler. Some people like it more than others but everybody agrees on one thing: there are places that should never see sand.

11. The buzzing of a fan

For those of us that are determined to enjoy the beautiful sunshine but want to avoid the dampness of either humidity or sweat, personal fans are the best. When in doubt, park it in front of the fan and go about your day!

12. Extravagant pool inflatables

When else is it acceptable to lounge on a giant donut? Or a human-sized piece of pizza? Or ride a plastic dragon into a watery battle to the death? Never. That's why summertime pool parties filled with fun inflatables are the best. Any and everyone can be a child again and nobody can judge you for it.

13. Charcoal grills

A long day of swimming, tanning, and being as lazy as physically possible can really work up an appetite. Nothing gets the tummy a-rumbling like the smell of fresh hotdogs and hamburgers on a charcoal grill. The smoky scent wafting around the corner of the pool house as the children clamber up the ladders, dripping in chlorinated water and pushing one another for the first taste of summer, hot off the grill. That is summer.

14. Campfire s'mores

However, every savory bit of nostalgia has an opposite and equal bit of nostalgia. Enter: the classic S'mores. Roasting marshmallows to perfection over a campfire before squishing it between two graham crackers cushioned by a square of Hershey's chocolate brings the gooiest and sweetest memory of just about anybody's childhood memories of summer. These are worth the mess for the memories they make.

15. Being as lazy as you want

Let's face it: we all have times where we just don't want to get out of bed. Although it varies from person to person, the summer is usually the time in which most people can pull this off for an entire day, free of guilt or outside judgment. Treat yourself, right?