Summer Recap

Man.  Summer.  Flew.  By.  

I've posted about our summer trips (which were fantastic!).  But, for my own memories and reflection, I'm posting on the rest of the time.

Sure, I have those times (usually at the grocery store, or when the house feels like it needs nothing more than a good cleaning when things are chaotically spread everywhere!) where I'm mentally excited for the back to school schedule.  But, admittedly, I try to squeeze out as much as I can with these guys.

I posted what the plan for summer was here.

Taking Trips:

With the adventures, we did lots of trips that I realized I never took pictures of.  At the time, I really wanted to just be present and enjoy the moment.  Their smiling faces, little voices, and oodles of questions about it all was enough.  

Like our trips to the children's museum where the kids held pray mantis, beetles, and stick bugs.  Learned about rockets, ginormous bubbles and lightning.  Or when they threw paint all over the paper like Jackson Pollock.  Tayler couldn't get enough of the pipe-air-ball exhibit.  Or pushing the little grocery cart around the store.  I loved it.  

Or the trips to the zoo where the animals were super LOUD.  Or our impromptu guided tour through the dinosaur exhibit by a local expert who was so happy to share all he knew about the unique dinosaurs.  Or when Alexis was so excited when we finally rode the train (she loves trains!).  

Or the trips to the library.  And how Tayler refused the stroller and decided it was a better idea to take all the books of the shelves as fast as possible.  Crazy?  Yes, but so funny to watch her effort.

Or the pool.  And how much they love the water.  And how much I love the water (especially when it is hot and humid.  Oh wait, it's like that every day!).  

Daily Routine:

It was great having a morning routine.  Where they'd get their "morning work" (reading, writing, math) done first thing.  How lots of reminders the first couple of weeks trickled into a sense of routine for them a couple weeks later, and then progressed into a flow.  How Max is completely motivated by charts and big goals while Alexis is so happy just to have a chance to practice writing.  So funny.

The summer goals.  Fun to see the overall progress.  Did they do everything?  Nope.  But they made progress and were able feel the sense of accomplishment for the ones they did cross off.

One of my favorite parts of the day (sorry Tayler) was right after I put Tayler down for a nap.  Sitting on the couch and reading.  Sure, it was often just 15 minutes where I'd get to listen to Max read to me and his sister (sometimes 20 if I was lucky), but it turned into one of the favorite parts of the day.

Oodles of bike rides and evening walks.  I loved the summer experiments at home, like making tornados, or volcanoes.  

My summer goals:

Getting the kids to actually help me organize a few things around the house was definitely a slower process than what I'd expected.  At the beginning of summer, I had a list of organizing projects I wanted to get through at home.  We didn't even get through half.  But, hey, I do feel good that we made the progress we did (in lieu of nothing!).

I think I try to cherish these moments so much because I know all of my kids still really enjoy them.  I hate to think of when they will "outgrow" these things, or want to hang with friends instead of their mom.  Of course, all times and seasons come, but man, I wish I could hold onto this one a bit longer sometimes!

There's a quote that I heard in a yoga training once (I have no idea who originally said it!), but I use it often when teaching:

"Don't waste this moment thinking about the next one."

It's simple, but I think totally applies to how I tried to keep things in perspective this summer.  Sure, I felt tired, exhausted and completely behind in pretty much every aspect of my life.  And sure, I had plenty of moments where I thought "I can't wait until..."or "this would be easier if they could..." or moments where I just wanted to fly off the handle.  

But, looking back, I really had (and have) so much gratitude for it all.  The ups and the downs.  Because taking time to reflect on what really did happen solidifies yet another moment of progress.  

While I don't have many pictures to show for it, I do have moments that were enjoyed.  And that's what matters most.