I almost cried when I dropped the kids off on their last day of school. Oh, it wasn’t because I was sad. School ending felt like personal affront to me.
Visions filled my mind of Carson and Ella, zombie-like and drooling in front of the TV, surrounded by spent fruit roll up wrappers (organic, OF COURSE). I imagined myself unshowered and muttering nonsense. So the first night of summer vacation I made a schedule of our daily activities, from writing practice and reading, to scheduled rest times and craft times, with a designated ONE HOUR ONLY of TV time each day. (Stop laughing at me.)
But you know what? It’s all been okay. The schedule lasted for about two days and then the pool opened. Summer went from being something I’d dreaded to breathing in my kids sunshine and sunscreened, sidewalk chalk, and popsicle scented little bodies. I think I kind of love summer.
Well, maybe it could be a little better if they’d sleep past 6:30 and if I didn’t have to hear, “Mom! Mom! Watch me!” over and over at the pool.
See, I can’t even enjoy the pool because I’m too worried my kids might drown. Plus, it’s hot. Like, really hot.
C @ Kid Things´s last [type] ..Picasso
I totally understand! This is the first summer where I’m less worried about them drowning. They are both better swimmers, and my daughter LOVES her life jacket THANK GOODNESS.
I vowed to stop being so scared of summer with the kids and the results have been amazing! We’re having so much fun! Glad you’re there too!!!
A summer at the pool with my kids sounds like heaven.
ENJOY!
xoxo
Jealous here.
Dude has swimming lessons all this week and through Wednesday of next week. It’s a parent-child class. Which means I have to put my 5 month pregnant gut in a suit with the parents of 9 other non-swimming preschoolers and argue with my miniature reincarnation of Johnny Cochran that he is indeed not there to learn to WALK but to SWIM which means he must actually put his face IN THE WATER and his butt up and KICK HIS EVERLOVING FEET – EVERYTIME.
I realized today that I think I’d rather volunteer to test mammogram clamps for an hour than go back to another stupid swim lesson.
Stubborn little $hi+.
I have been struggling with allowing myself to relax into summer mode. I can’t stand the open freedom of it all, I need my structure. I sort of let it all go today and it actually did feel sort of nice. I was just writing a post about finding that balance, which is really difficult for me.
So happy you are enjoying summer. There is nothing like days filled with popsicles and swimming. Have fun!
The Mommy Therapy´s last [type] ..I Might Make Really Good Pancakes- Its a Recipe-Ish People
Mine have been going to bed later and STILL they wake up too early. What’s up with that? Summer excitement I guess… Glad yours has gotten off to a great start!
Elaine´s last [type] ..So here we are at 20 months and 5 days
This is the first year I was actually looking forward to the end of school, and my kids just finished 1st and 3rd grades. We’ve got some plans, but I was ready for the loosey-goosieness of it all.
Have a great summer!
the smell of sunshiny kids sounds blissful (great description!) i hope the rest of the summer fares as well.
mpotter´s last [type] ..cobwebs & crickets
I’m jealous… we are barley hitting 70 degrees (I am typing in my jacket right now!) and haven’t seen the sun for more than an hour on any given day.
Yet here in your pictures I see your little girl sporting a nice golden glow!
I think I need to move out of California…
Oh…your post gives me hope.
hope that the summer will end with no one in a body bag or me in a padded room.
There IS hope, right??
also…I fell in LOVE with your description of their summer smell.
We’ve been going to the beach since February and the pool since early April. Love it!! The sunscreen scent is heavenly to me. My kids are 7 and 5 and swim really well so it’s nice not having to worry so much and be in the water ALL the time.
On a side note. I read all the comments and I guess I’m the only freak here but doesn’t it look like her butterfly has boobies? Maybe I’m reading too many Rep. Weiner news stories.I guess they’re supposed to be arms but come on. Sideways boobies all day.
YES! Alison, I’ve been waiting for someone to notice. Every time I see that picture I crack up!
Well now we know there are at least TWO crazy people in these parts LOL. I keep thinking that’s probably what I would look like on a roller coaster.
Good for you..hpe kids had a great day!
sounds great! so glad to hear summer is off to a good start
MommyNamedApril´s last [type] ..We Started Swim Lessons Because Someone Told Me Thats What Responsible Parents Are Supposed to Do It Kind of Sucks
I’m right there with you. Although our school just ended on Tuesday and I haven’t figured out what to do
Well, except lots and lots of CRAFTS!
Brenda @ Piggy Giggles – Crafts for Kids´s last [type] ..How to Make Tie Dye Shirts for Fathers Day
Summer is definitely a fun time! I can relate though, to having to put in a little bit more work than usual since the kids are ALWAYS around. Thanks for the suggestions on activities though, I’ll definitely do them all!
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http://www.growingupchildren.com
Summer is definitely a fun time! I can relate though, to having to put in a little bit more work than usual since the kids are ALWAYS around. Thanks for the suggestions on activities though, I’ll definitely do them all!
I felt the same way when Sacha finished his last day of preschool. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH HIM?! And now, Kees has decided that he no longer needs to nap. WHAT?!
But then, on a hot day, I realized that I can put Ivy-Bean in the stroller and the boys can play at the splash park for 3 hours while she sleeps, eats, and dips her tiny feet in the water.
Summer is good.
Summer really is the time for kids to have fun under the sun. Eating those yummy ice creams, oh I love summer too. Have fun with your kids
Charmine´s last [type] ..Humane Society
Hey Jennifer, you have wonderful kids. I like the way she(hope she is Ella) is sitting beside the pool. Isn’t she looking beautiful? I think so. And the third one, wow, nice drawing. You are so lucky dear.
tiffany´s last [type] ..How do i win the lottery?