I had a burst of inspiration this week. On Monday we broke in our new community pool by inviting my siblings and nieces/nephews to come swim on Memorial Day. One brother brought pizza and the kids had the best two hours together. It was such a classic summer kick-off and I felt so light and happy for the rest of the day. The next two days were normal at-home days with the kids. I'm sure we left for little outings at some point, but mostly they were typical days at home with kids, and it was kind of miserable. My kids can be really sweet together, but Jack is mourning the loss of seeing his school friends every day, and homeboy copes with sadness by raging at loved ones to try and bring them down to his level of sadness🫠 So it was lots of bickering and crying--just not very fun.
On Wednesday evening I was like, THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE, and it's only week one of summer break. I thought back on how fun our Monday at the pool with family was, and decided that I was going to sink my teeth into to having us a *fun summer* this year. The last half of the week was filled with pools and splash pads, rolling around in the grass (oops, allergies) and playing Wild Jack/Alice in Grandma and Grandpa's new backyard (Jared's parents haven't moved in yet but have given us permission to play at their Utah house anytime while they are still packing up their life in Washington). And that half of the week went much better! The kids were happier. I was happier. I think the sunshine is doing us good. So even though historically I've been the type of parent who likes to lay low at home and only leave the house for a once-a-day park visit or similar, this summer I am all in. It helps that Alice is older this year and can really understand what's going on and stay safe/happy with less involvement from me.
So I think I'm going to tiptoe into fun-mom land this summer, which isn't my usual wheelhouse, and fill our days with sunshine and two adventures a day, and all the sunshine and popsicles. It's fun to realize that this isn't just for the kids--I feel like I am back in the magic of childhood enjoying a fun summer myself, too! I keep coming back to how my new goal is to have a HAGS summer--like when we all used to write "Have a Great Summer" in each other's yearbooks as kids, and the dream was pools and popsicles and lots of time outside with family and friends. I even spent my weekend coordinating an upcoming camping trip with my parents and some siblings, which is very unlike me. I'm excited that my children are old enough now for that to be likely enjoyable instead of miserable. Summers are looking up! And now for some pictures:
