Sunday, August 8, 2010

childhood summer


Do you remember those Summer days that seemed to last all year? I think our children are experiencing that. They have had a full Summer. Most days are spent waking up earlier than us (my Beloved and me), opening the cupboards and helping themselves to "breakfast", playing Wii games or Legos, waking us and the dog up and then having a second breakfast. Our Charlotte loves to "help" cook fried eggs, Grant and Benjamin are our bread boys and Elijah-Max loves leftovers, especially if it's white cheddar shell pasta. Then they are off and running. We live on 2 acres of woods and boggy conservation land. They have constructed their own little hobbit hollow on the edge of the woods using plywood and fallen branches. Max and Ben are the flag makers, Grant has the plans for whatever imaginary identities they will role play and Charlotte is usually cast as R2D2 or Hello Kitty (her choice). They are usually "starving" by 11 and come in asking for "elevenses". Fruit and hand held veggies are on the menu (sometimes Goldfish too). They bicker, argue, share, are selfish and considerate, kind-hearted and cruel. The days are long and the years are short. Pirates are real. Monsters are not. Sharks will leave you alone if you bonk them on the nose. Snakes can be picked up by their tails. Dogs like to kiss. Frogs live on lilly pads and in small swimming pools. Fireflies are magical and can be held in cupped hands or in jars with icepick holes in the lid. Sand makes a wonderful canvas for hearts, names and cat art.Sprinklers are fun to dance in. Family makes the best friends. Especially when the towel is big enough for three.
You can find coins near or in vending machines. Pizza on Friday nights and popcorn on Sunday nights is what everyone does. Dream spray helps you have sweet dreams at night. Tomorrow will be more of the same.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello, my sweet sister
Loved the photos! Yes! I felt like my childhood lasted 40 years, as compared to the last 20 years going by in the blink of an eye.
Sigh...
Thanks for the memories...
love,
Trese

Diana said...

What a wonderful post, Rebecca! Your children are precious. It looks as though they are having an adventurous summer doing what children love to do best....play. We can all learn from our children in how to just let go and "play."
Hugs
Diana

Lisa said...

Rebecca,

I LOVE this post. I've been crying a lot this month so the water works came by the 2nd photo. You wrote that so beautifully, & I related to it all! Our summer too has been jam packed. I've felt this pressure since May because I knew it was the last of my 'baby summers' Can't believe they start kindergarten in less than a week. I love that you 4 help themselves to cereal & wii. Maybe the elder knows how to turn on the TV? My 3 are now folding clothes, doing dishes, & helping with light cleaning chores. Wee, finally some pay off huh? LOL Wow, this is long. But I love to visit you. Your kids are so precious & it's fun to see what you guys are up to. Thank you for the birthday wishes for Lily, Philip & Owen. It touched me to have so many comments for them. Lisa

Debra O said...

Appreciatee you blogging this