Summer.
That lazy, sweltering time of chasing butterflies, digging in sandboxes, spraying your brother with the hose, and nearly dying from boredom. That was the summer of my youth, but now it’s a hectic shuffling of kids to classes and activities, having little friends drop by, and making excursions to the pool, all while trying to decide whether hot dogs for dinner again is a violation of the Mom Code of Conduct and keeping the children from resorting to fisticuffs.
And having a list of chores at the ready when they decide to spring that first I’m bored on me. Shortest time: about 3 hours after school lets out.
Let me just go on the record: God Bless Teachers.
And writing? When was I supposed to do that again?
The boys put together Summer Wish Lists this weekend, which is an annual rite that I take much less seriously than they do. If we actually did all the things they wanted, we’d be well into October. My favorite this year (and nearly every year) comes from Worm Burner’s list: Go to the pool 100 times. I love the specificity and the ambition. Considering we only have about 80 days of summer, we better get started! Dark Omen wants to play golf, but not on a blistering hot day (again, love the stage direction!), and Mighty Mite is cool with whatever we do, as long as there’s camping involved.
I’ve armed them with stacks of books to kick off their summer reading, and have a summer journal for them to write in each day, and the older two are taking a math camp. But most of their time will be spent on blissfully non-academic activities. As it should be.
Let the Summer Fun begin!
p.s. In bowing to the nature of summer, Ink Spells will be going to a Monday-Wednesday-Friday posting format, with a return to every-day posting in the fall, when the munchkins are safely returned to school.
Do they like writing in their journal? I find it hard to picture boys getting stuck into journal writing. Hmmm, if I were a boy, and was made to write in my journal during the summer, this would be the extent of my entry: "Mum is making me write in my journal – again." 🙂
No "Guest posts at Ink Spells" on the lists? 🙂
Aw, we'll miss you on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but it sounds like you have a very full plate so I guess I'll allow it 😉
Happy Monday!
I can't imagine being able to write at all in the summer with kids home. I never could, except snatches here and there. Same with blogging– I expect to see and do a lot less of it the next few months!
Have a fantastic summer with your kids. Enjoy every minute of it!
@Buffy We are well on our way! Thanks. 🙂
I know what you mean about writing and summer vacation. The two don't mix. 🙁
But that's not a bad thing. I'm hoping to come back from the LA conference smarter and inspired, like I did last summer. 🙂
@Stina I'm so excited about SCBWI-LA, I'm kinda jittery about it. I'm sure it will be awesome, and hopefully I'll settle in once I'm there and not spaz out while I'm trying to pitch. Eek! 🙂
I think you and your posts are delightful! How do I forget to come over here and read? I'm fixing that tonight! Follow button here I come 🙂
Charity, love! Hello! How did I miss you having a blog?? 🙂
Ah you captured the essence of summer so well! I look forward to summer,and then when it's here, I look forward to fall because summer ends up so busy with the kids. but I still love it.
I threaten to give them my childhood in the summer. We had no cable tv, certainly no computers, no air conditioning, no pool (a lake about 5 miles away), nada.
I spent most of my summers reading (or writing) in front of a fan, or hanging out with my friends who didn't have anything either.
@Margo Kids are one of the great forces of nature, trying to keep you in the moment. I find we're all happier when I don't resist (although I'm already looking forward to fall!).
@Vicki We have a new record! The kids still have a 1/2 day of school left today, and they were already complaining of boredom last night. I do banish them to the outside (or to their rooms, wherein there lies only books and miscellaneous toys, no TV or computers), but no AC? I think the Chicago heat would kill me first. 🙂 Where did you grow up?