Summer Fun Pool

Summer

One thing they don’t tell you about being a parent is that summer returns. Especially when your child gets into the tween years and runs around the neighborhood with their friends all day.

I remember the joy of the last day of school so distinctly. You never really ran out the doors throwing papers in the air like they do in the movies, but that’s what it felt like. For me it was a return to the neighborhood pool and riding your bike everywhere you needed to go. For Dex, his last day was spent gathering phone numbers of friends he met during his first year of middle school. And then the pool opened and he rejoined the crew he has played with his whole life.

Two days in and Dex has freckles across his nose and blonde streaks in his hair. Everything about him smells like chlorine and he’s sleeping until at least 10 AM, when we make him rise and shine. In the evenings, we’re eating later and lighter. The kid came in last night to remind me that he needed to go to bed, because he was exhausted.

In our 20s I lost the feeling of summer. It got hot but everything stayed the same. We got up for work, we came home from work, we ate dinner, maybe we went out. Now the summer routine is back through our child, and the excitement of it is too. I counted down the days till summer vacation this year, just like he did. I let out a sigh of relief on that last day, knowing there were three months of freedom stretched out in front of us.

We have a couple short trips planned but generally we like to keep the summers here in Colorado because there is so much to do. The weather is fantastic and the sunshine is so bright it almost seems unnatural. We used to have an annual sangria party but that stopped the year I got sick and never made it back on schedule. This year marks its triumphant return and I can’t wait to get together with friends to toast the magic of summer.

Because it really is magical. I can’t believe I forgot that.

This article has 5 comments

  1. Sue

    Ah! And thanks for reminding me too! Tomorrow is the last day of school for us, and we can’t wait. Weeeeee! (Throws sheafs of paper in the air.)

  2. monstergirlee

    We’re looking forward to summer here too. For a couple reasons, the kids are older and able to do more. Plus we FINALLY bought a 2nd car so whoever is not working can go out and do stuff with the kids. And we have a slight bit more of financial wiggle room than in the past couple years. Hubby sat down with the kids a week ago or so & they made a big list of stuff to do over the summer. And we made a huge calendar so we can write stuff down and have a plan. Looks like quite the fun time. I sure hope they have fun. I’ll be at work but it’ll be OK if they can go and have their fun. Really.

    • Aimee

      C – that sounds like an awesome summer! Wish would could get together again this year! xo

  3. Amy Evans

    YES! I totally know what you mean Aimee.

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