Summer has the same feel as it did when I was younger, only now I get to see it through the eyes of my boys. And I think I love it even more, because I get to see them living freedoms that they often don't get as they move from school to an activity only to have to get home and do homework before bed and then do the same routine over again the next day. I never had the structure they have when I was growing up, but it's hard to avoid it during the school year now.
It's summer! These months are for us all to just decompress, step away from those routines and remember what it's like to just live each day as we want. Those long days extending out give us time to be creative and think about more than just lists of to do's. It's all about getting outside as much as possible. My kids are easily pulled from the "screens" as the chance to play with the neighbors knocks, hit the local park or make some waves in the pool or local body of water.
Even food becomes simpler. It's about what we have on hand or making the most of the grill and enjoying the late evening sun. Oh, the neighbor children are out "come on over, I know I have something that everyone can eat". Just having whipped up some smoothies for all the kids, a very easy snack; they're raving about the yumminess and I'm smiling about the goodness their bodies are getting.
For the past few years, since my eldest first started really participating in life, I've made a point of spending several weeks on the East Coast to visit my parents and the property where I grew up. It's on the water and each day the boys fill up on fishing, boating, swimming, crabbing, biking, exploring or just lazing however they'd like. It's the perfect arrangement. I get to catch up with my parents and see my kids enjoying something that they otherwise don't get to do. My brother even brings my niece over several times during our visit, so that the cousins get a chance to be play together while he and I catch each other up with our own lives.
Feet are padding into the kitchen. Guess it's time to check the pantry and get mine and the neighbors something to nibble.
Until next, which I won't make as long...
