It is for me. I can’t believe we’re in the last week of June. Soon we will have to start thinking about school supplies, school clothes, preschool for our youngest. Time seems to be moving exponentially. It seems like yesterday we were getting ready for Kindergarten. We’re way past that now.
Unlike past summers, when I tried to squeeze in too much work and treated play time like it was a chore, I’m making a conscious decision to do fun things with my kids. Even if it’s just a trip to the park or an hour at the pool. We’re spending more dedicated time with friends. Finding opportunities to explore a city I’ve called home for almost 3/4 of my life. Discovering that carry-out pizza and watermelon can be just as fun as an elaborately-planned dinner. Letting blessings we would normally take for granted linger in our hearts and minds.
I don’t think that unplugging from the TV resulted in all of this, but I do feel it was at least a catalyst. There is something encouraging about my youngest wanting to read a book with me. She snuggles in close. We giggle when I change the words to one of her favorites that she’s memorized. She likes to stop me and spell some of the words, now.
My oldest is hounding me to go to the library because she doesn’t have a book to read. Trust me – that wasn’t happening last year. She would want to go to the library, but was speeding through her mandatory reading time to get back to the next TV show. She’s developed a liking for mysteries (like her aunt), and she was thrilled to accompany a neighbor to the dog park the other day. When I was her age, we lived in an area that didn’t have decent TV reception, and it was before cable and satellite were widespread options. She is experiencing (sort of) a summer like I used to have. A bit less complicated than the world makes it now. And she’s gotten to enjoy a week of art camp. Tonight we will go to the finale so that she can proudly show us her accomplishments. I can’t wait.
If you haven’t done it yet, I encourage you to plan a couple of activities with the intention of creating memories. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate vacation or the “perfect” picnic. Just grab your kids and head for the closest park. Or find a local festival this weekend. Or fire up the grill to make… s’mores. Just. Do. Something.
Time goes by too quickly.
