This year I kept my expectations low. Very, very low. I didn't even make plans.
The weather was perfect for a last day of school. It was hot. In the 80's and sunny. I picked the kids up from school and we all hung around outside for the rest of the afternoon. To celebrate "the last day of school" we went to a local restaurant and ate outside on their patio in front of the river. It was such a beautiful night and we had fun watching the seagulls swoop down into the water and grab their own dinner as we ate.
When we got back home the kids raced around in the backyard chasing the dog and getting their neverending energy out. We made it even more special by setting up the tiki torches and getting out the kids' flashlights. As the night got darker and darker the kids got more and more spooked exploring the far ends of the yard by themselves. It ended up being a late night.
Saturday was even hotter than Friday. It was 90 degrees and humid. The kind of weather that makes it imperative to have a sprinkler on and squirt guns in hand. The grandparents came over and we watched as the kids wore themselves out racing around in the cold water. We had a cookout, slurped on popsicles, and ate plenty of watermelon.
As the evening cooled off Todd and the boys got to work stacking and organizing all our wood for the endless fires we have in summer and in winter. It was another late night with no naps in between.
Sunday morning I got up and went for a nice long run. It was warm and humid, but a beautiful and relaxing run. A great way to start the day. After church we went over to the in laws house and were treated to a beautiful brunch. Then while Todd cut the grass the kids played with grandma. Everyone was heated up by the time we left so we decided to take the kids down the lake to play in the cool water. There is a stretch of beach right by our house where kids and dogs alike play and splash in the water. After a couple of hours it was getting close to dinner time and I was worn out, even though the kids were all still going strong.
We got home, showered the sand off of everyone, and ate dinner. We watched tv for a short time and then it was off to bed. After such an eventful weekend I think everyone was ready for bed.
It was a great weekend and a great start to our summer.
I will remind myself, repeatedly, throughout this summer to keep my expectations low. Be calm. Relax. Make memories. Go with the flow. Enjoy. Be in the moment. Let go. And maybe, just maybe, this summer will be as relaxing and fun as it should be.
9 comments:
That second picture captures a perfect summer day!
I'm glad you are slowing down & enjoying things =)
That sounds like good advice for many situations. I'm sure you'll be enjoying much about the summer as will we when we get to read about it and see photos of your beautiful kids.
what a great reminder to keep the expectations LOW!!! That is always my problem with the kids. Have a great summer!
I think you've already started out with a great attitude and a great weekend! Happy Summer, my friend.
sounds like a wonderful beginning to summer vacation. :)
Yeah! Summer is all about relaxing anyways, right? I'm glad your family got summer off on the right foot, I hope its full of sun, memories and fun!
You know what? I just realized, reading your piece, that I was almost to the point in life where I was beginning to forget how magnificent it was to be a kid during summertime. I mean, I play ball, and keep the kid in me alive that way, but I had let the memories of fireflies, late nights in the backyard, beaches, just running for the enjoyment of going fast, and a whole bunch of other things start to slip away. I owe you one for re-planting those thoughts in my head.
I'm right there with you - little to no expectations are key for me! At first I thought that was pretty sad, but the more I thought about it, seriously - that's just reality with children....FOUR children especially. They don't think like we do and we don't think like they do and thus, we will not want to do the same things - so it's all about compromise.
Your backyard is so beautiful!
Yay for summer! It was just warming up there when we left (we got home Sunday night)!
We had those sample popsicles right before we left (thanks Meijer's!)
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