Are we there yet?

Not to a physical destination ... but back to the school year. 


Just a few days ago I was thinking to myself, "I can't believe the kids will be back in school in less than 2 months! We still have so much to do. So much fun to be had. So many great memories to create."


Last night, as I sipped chilled chardonnay, my thought changed to, "When will this end?"


It was one of those days where the kids don't appreciate anything you've done for them. They only want more. Even though they're almost 8 and 11, they don't seem to realize how much extra work it makes when they leave a trail of ice cream sandwich wrappers throughout the house, change clothes 5 times a day, traipse mud into the house, leave toys out for the dogs to snack on and are being driven to every great summer activity imaginable. They're smart kids. They're polite and respectful to adults. They know our expectations. They CAN be responsible, but life has become a free-for-all for them. 


Since the kids have gotten out of school, we've gone on a mini vacation, attended swimming lessons, scheduled countless playdates (which reminds me – I need to return a phone call), provided them with fun classes (animation, movie making, secret agent lab, LEGO camp), crafts galore and given them plenty of time to just run and play with their friends. 


And oh yeah, my husband and I still have jobs as owners of two companies.


So, when my friend Kim picked up her son from our house yesterday, we talked. Each spring she and I get out our calendars and color-code a plan for the summer including all of the fun I mentioned above. We watch each other's kids one day a week and shuttle them where they need – or want – to go. Since our sons are best friends (2 peas in a pod, she calls them), this is a wonderful treat for them and helps us both with our summer childcare needs. 


We talked about when we were kids. Our summer activities consisted of heading out the door after breakfast, running or biking around the neighborhood, and returning home for meals and bedtime. Sure, we're giving our kids plenty of those opportunities, too, but they just don't seem to appreciate ANY of the opportunities we give them. Yes, they enjoy them at the time – but then they come home and grump about wanting more. Shouldn't they be relaxed and happy? After all, the days are filled with fun instead of homework.


Kim and I (and our spouses) are the types of parents that expect our children to show respect and do age-appropriate chores – while also allowing them the freedom to be kids. But today's world seems to create such an entitlement mentality among young people. It's something we continue to combat – finding the balance between giving our children good opportunities without them taking it all for granted.


So, we continue to do our best as parents, knowing that we'll have those "good" days ... and days like yesterday. But they all come together to create another memory-filled summer. So here's to memories – cheers!

Popsicles and Play Dates

Yep, it's summer all right! This past week has been a blur of kids running in and out of the house. Trips to swimming lessons. Driving carloads of kids to and from VBS. Our supply of popsicles and ice cream is dwindling as fast as the messes are growing.


I remember when my husband and I built this house. It seemed too big for us 13 years ago when we first moved in. We had lots of empty rooms and a big unfinished basement. Now the only thing that's unfinished is my long list of household chores.


My husband and I are self-employed which provides us with some degree of flexibility. And an even larger responsibility to make things happen for ourselves and our staff. Summer is one of those times that the juggling act seems literal as we move through the days wiping faces, serving snacks and meeting the demands of clients.
Fortunately, we live in a friendly neighborhood with kids galore. One night last week was the epitome of summer – kids running up and down the street playing with all their friends, climbing trees and riding bikes, while the adults visited (occasionally casting a glance at the kids, doing a mental head count). The blissful days in which children run outside when the sun comes up and don't come in till the sun goes back down again. We've said good-bye to TV, video games and computers – and are stretching our legs and imaginations. Could it get any better than this?


"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June." L. M. Montgomery