A Journey through Summer

The first of June began with a splash at the kids first swim lesson of the season.  Throw in a haircut, soap orders, a softball game, and Scouts swim test and you can see that our summer is off to a busy start. Naps are life at this house for now.  Poor girl barely made it to her bed this afternoon. We find that softball is much better with rest.  Coach commented that the team looked tired tonight.  Anna's team won 2-1. Actual vacation time starts soon, but we have a few more days and many appointments before we get there.  Maybe I need a nap as well!

I wonder if any consideration was given when deciding to end the school year right before a holiday weekend.  I realize there is probably no perfect solution, but taking kids out of a very structures environment and straight into a holiday schedule is a recipe for less than happy kids. The youngest is convinced he has infinite energy and doesn't need time for rest.  Mommy begged to differ today, so the household was given a mandatory quiet time hour in one's room.  Of course everyone slept except the youngest. In preparation of our first summer adventure, we loaded up the van for our first family shopping trip in forever.  'Mr. I don't need a nap' was asleep before we reached out second stop. Sigh. Venturing out doesn't feel as intimidating as it did a year ago.  We are still wearing masks even though John and I are vaccinated.  The places we shop; we make use of curbside pickup or stores still requiring masks.   We appreci...

It happened again.  We survived another round of school.  A lot more impressive this year than some as we worked out way through the many logistics of living in a pandemic.  But we did it without a single sick day for the kids. Now our family is 50% vaccinated and looking forward to a summer full of 'yes' to items that were a 'no' last year. Summer this year is 76 days long with little brother along for the ride this year.  Masks are still required but that shouldn't stop our fun.  After wearing masks everyday at school, this has become their normal. So enough preamble, here is what our first day of summer looked like. Everyone finds their own breakfast in the summer.  Everyone was awake by 8am.  While I attended via Zoom my Friday Bible study, the kids were tasked with putting all their school supplies away.  After doing this myself for many years it was good to pass on that responsibility. After lunch we went to a playgro...

There is an envelope that has been on our refrigerator for a year now. Inside are bright pink posted notes.  A collection of to-do lists. To an ordinary passerby it wouldn't seem very important.  But to me, it was my lifeline a year ago. A year ago our world shifted. Plans made months in advance were gone in the wind. With the world facing a pandemic, I myself was in need of some bit of control over the situation. So I decided to focus on what I could do. And that was the beginning of the to-do list. I honestly thought that I would have more post-its in the envelope. But I'm glad that the opposite is true. For a while I needed something to hold on to and direct my actions during that uncertain time, we found a way of living within the chaos. That summer we made a bucket list.   The kids shared the experiences they had been looking forward to for the summer.  We weren't sure if we were able to reach that far to do everything on...

I sat outside on my porch today to enjoy the sunshine.  We rode our bikes to school to drop off a library book.  I saw my neighbors outside talking with each other.  It was scary. Anyone else starting to fear going outside?  The warm weather coaxes us out of our home after six months of winter.  The sunshine gives a sense of wellbeing.  But it isn't safe.   I go back and forth on how I hope the government will proceed with the Stay at Home order on May 1st.  Summer activities will be helpful for the kids, but I am unsure of the risk.  The economy needs a boost, but will we come back together too soon? The night sky is currently rumbling with thunder, but it doesn't scare me. There are other more dangerous things to worry about.

I haven't written much, because not much has changed.  We are still working our way through the challenges of e-learning.  The stay at home orders keep getting pushed back.  Life events are still in limbo waiting for the world to take it's next cautious breath in public.  We are waiting. But as we we do while waiting, we daydream of what is yet to come or yearn for what has been.  Three more weeks and we will be again on summer break.  I am looking forward to not keeping track of multiple teaching plans.  I hope for a chance to try something new without being interrupted by multiple Zoom meetings and press conferences.  The chance for the kids to explore their own interests at their own pace. The simple joy of reading a book because you want to, instead of for a class. Yes, we are still here.  But we are beginning to dream of being in a different place. The beauty of spring has helped my soul during this time. ...