Oh, summer. Or maybe I should say Summer of 2015. You have been a roller coaster. We're doing our best to hold on while hugging the tightest curves, as well as being brave enough to reach our hands to the sky as we careen over into the free-falls.
There's sand in the car and a steady stream of shorts, towels, and swimsuits rotating between the beach bag, laundry room, and clothesline. This is the fourth year that I've sworn I'll sew us a beach bag out of canvas with thick straps and just the right number of open and zippered pockets. And yet, we're still using that same old beat up Whole Foods shopping bag. Maybe next year.
Whole Foods! There's a flagship store opening up down the road from us. Christopher has asked to have his birthday dinner there. I'm on board - everybody wins and gets to pick their own favorite yuppie dinner. I can focus my cooking energies on cake. Sweet! Colin, on the other hand, has focused his requests on the type of cupcake that should be baked for his 4th birthday celebration. Unable to decide between vanilla and chocolate, today's verdict is that we're going to swirl them. This could change by tomorrow.
The kids are well adjusted and happy with their summer camps at this point. Of course, this means that everything will be wrapping up in 1-2 weeks. Huh. Evelyn loves to get out in the bike trailer and lurches for her helmet every time we pass by it in the garage. She says "hi" and "bye-bye" to anyone who will look at her while we're out on the go. And she's recently added declarations of "dog!" and "ball!" to the commentary. I love watching them learn how to communicate and move their bodies in this stage. It's like every dog or ball is the most glorious surprise.
"DOG! (eyes wide open, pointing frenetically) Oh my god, did you see that? A freakin' dog!!!"
It's wonderful. I love it.
We'll have two weeks of pure summer unscheduled-ness (unscheduled-mess?) in mid August. No travel, no camp, nocommitmentswhatsoever. I'm going to put on my Super Fun Mama Hat and pull out my List of Things To Do. Yes, I actually have one and if you know me well, you're not surprised. I'll be honest, though -- it heavily favors bike rides, the beach and ice cream.
Then Kindergarten starts for Christopher and a short while later Colin begins preschool.
It's going to feel very different around here this year.
This afternoon, a telling scene...
While coloring to come down from the heat and activity of morning camp while the baby girl sleeps:
Colin, practicing his pencil grip: Look, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time.
Christopher, halfway out of his chair and doing three things at once: Look at me, too, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time. Well, mostly.
