All the laughter... All the giggles...
We happen to live in an area where the cold lingers many months longer than the warm. Our summers are short, very short. We have to utilize all the time we have, and in our household, we make the most out of everyday. During our winter months, the temperatures hit below freezing and into the single digits weeks at a time, so as my children stand and stare out the door at the luscious snow, they are unable to indulge in it.
When the warm weather begins to emerge, say, 50 degrees, we are outside with our sweaters donned, from daylight to sundown. Exiling all the stuffed indoor air from our lungs and inhaling the crisp new air.
This summer is different because my son is one year older. As I mentioned in my previous post, he is talking much more and has developed his own personality. Which is incredible to watch both children mesh their creative ideas and generate fun adventures.
Just the two of them (and sometimes mommy too)...
Siblings... Best friends...
They play for hours on the swing set, which my daughter has just learned how to swing herself without any assistance. My son is able to swing on the end bars, which he thinks is a huge deal.
They play in our 10x30 pool the most. I mean the most. More than in the backyard. I believe that is because my son has conquered his fear of water. Last year, he stood in the chest high water as he whined to be rescued. This year, he thrashes and splashes like a manic, while his big sister (who has never disliked water for a second of her life) has learned to swim underwater with her mask.
He drives his pink princess boogey board around like a wild boat, chasing his sister in a whirlpool...
They ride their noodles like horses and have water gun fights...
They sound just like they're supposed to -- Loud and laughing.
Making memories to last a lifetime.
I was outside the other night watering my garden with both of my children, who were both dressed in their jammies ready for bed, they begged and pleaded to swim one more time...
So they did...
Jammies and all...
That is what summer is all about. Spontaneous swimming, big wheel riding, powerwheel riding, outdoor adventure play, ninja warrior training, tree climbing, playing pretend restaurant, pretend store, roller skating, rolling down a hill, backyard woods hiking, and anything else they can conjure up...
From sun up to sun down.
No schedules or restrictions.
Just wet clothes dripping from my clothesline, waiting to dry.
Our summer days are special because they require no amount of money, just the willingness to have fun. The ability to be together as a family and enjoy everyone's company. To accept belly laughs as the norm and imagination as the forefront. To consume our meals on the patio, under the umbrella, with our bare feet and glass dishes.
This is what life's all about. Not chasing the dollar. Throwing out the schedules and the overbooking of events. Just to have limitless time and freedom to explore and discover what makes you happy. To watch children live so peacefully with simplicity and not miss out on anything.
I could forever be in my life and not regret one day. No amount of money could ever replace my time to be home and relish in the simple joys of watching my children enjoy this time of the year. Watching their faces as they accomplish something they worked so hard to achieve and watching their relationship blossom like the vegetables in our garden.
Our summer days will be etched in time forever. With each year bringing new beginnings, and thanks to our slow pace lifestyle, I could enjoy each one as they come.
No comments:
Post a Comment