Ode to Summer, Mom Style

Simple things, like a blow up pool in the backyard, will keep these little tikes happy for hours

As a kid/teenager, I LOVED summer.  It was by far the happiest time of the year.  No school, no schedule, long hot days, wandering up and down the street with my friends… we'd entertain ourselves for hours.  We'd go to the rope swing at the canal, we'd rollerblade to Albertson's to rent a "scary" movie, we'd have sleepovers on each other's trampolines under a star filled sky… and the highlights of summer were always Girl's Camp and Youth Conference.  Now that I look back on it, the way we spent our time required no planning or orchestrating by my parents (unless they had callings in the youth program).  We didn't even really go on any summer vacations as most of our family trips, which were never too far from home, took place over fall break in October. 

So, you would think as a mother of three, that long relaxing summers would just be a sweet memory of the past.  I mean, I don't feel that huge relief of finishing the school year, I still have to change diapers, wipe up messes, mop floors, and prepare meals. AND do the dishes.  But, I be wrong.  I'm discovering that summer be a little bit magical even for a mom.  

Here's what I'm loving:

1. I don't have to get up early and get Emily off to school. This is soooo nice.  My kids can sleep as long as they want!  Which means I can sleep in too.  If I want to get up early to exercise or read my scriptures… awesome.  If I would rather snooze in a little bit later… awesome too.

2.  Don't' have to worry about a set bedtime.  No stressing that the kids have to be to bed by 8:00.  During the school year it is difficult because Ben typically gets home around 7… so it's hurry up and eat, and send the kids straight to bed.  Now we can take our time eating, or the kids can play outside late,  we can bbq with friends or go to a biergarten and stay as late as we want… no worries.

3.  My kids do chores.  Emily is a great help at home, but during the school year it was hard to place more responsibilities on her.  I mean, she goes to a full day of school, and then often times has either dance, violin, or homework after school, and I still need to carve out time for her to play outside and be a kid!  So, she usually didn't have chores during the school year.  Now that she has wide open days, she can make her bed, clean the bathroom, unload the dishwasher, etc.  And C is right there beside her happily scrubbing toilets (when will they realize scrubbing toilets is NOT fun?)

4.  When 2:30 rolls around, I don't have to put on my fresh mama face and gear up for Em's arrival and subsequent homework and music practice.  Ahhh, this is so nice.  In fact, at 2:00 these days J is napping, the girls are happily playing (since they've had a full morning of chores, music practice, and reading), and I am curled up on the couch with a book.  Bliss.

5.  Being outside.  Long warm days are enjoyable no matter what your age.  I love that Germany does not get too hot in the summer.  The month of June has mostly been in the sixties and seventies (although next week it's going to really heat up!)  Living on base lends itself to playground time, bike time, scooter time, etc.  I don't have to look too far to entertain the troops.  Also, there are some wonderful pools nearby for those occasional super warm days. And being at the pool is a nice outing if you have another friend squatted on a towel nearby to chat with. 

And last but not least, I have more time to read!  Reading is what keeps my insanity as a mom.  Since my full time job tends to be very physical… wipe up messes, fold laundry, sweet floor, etc… it is so nice to delve into a book and let my brain actually absorb and process and analyze and let my soul be edified!  My brother challenged us all to read the Book of Mormon this summer.  It's been great, even though I'm already behind schedule.  And I'm also reading Delivered From Evil… a comprehensive history of WWII. It's a beast, but if I only read ten pages a day, I will have it done by the end of summer.  I love it!