There is only a little bit of summer left

I don’t know about you, but when I’m home, I see so many things that need to get done that I end up focusing on those rather than my kids.

This week I spent more time than I would like to admit working on a few things at home and, at the end of the day, I regretted not spending more time with my kids. It really bothered me.

So the next day I got up early, took care of ‘business’ and then took the kids ice-skating in the afternoon. We had a blast shivering and trying really hard not to fall.

My kids are 4,  7, and almost 9, so the afternoon held its challenges, but we still had fun. I was even a “yes mom” at the snack counter, which thrilled my kids.

While we were skating, I decided that we should try out roller skating again very soon and compare the two. So, the next day, I again got my ‘jobs’ done in the morning and we took off for the roller rink for the afternoon skate.

THAT was a TOTAL BLAST!

At our rink they have these helper things with wheels that my younger two used to help them keep their balance and still skate around the rink. Much of the time I just crouched over my daughter with my hands on the helper and pushed her around the rink. She loved flying by that way, but also put up a good try skating on her own. It was such a thrill to watch all of them trying so hard and enjoying nearly ever second. My older son promised to ‘couple skate’ with me if they ever announced it and my daughter now wants me to buy her a pair of roller skates (in pink, of course).

As I was giggling with them and promising to come back I was thinking about the fact that there is only a little bit of summer left. They start school in about three weeks. And then we won’t be able to go roller skating, ice skating or the like so easily.

For most of the summer, as my kids have played, I have either mostly watched or done errands around the house. For two days last week I was super-productive in the morning so I could spend time out of the house with them in the afternoon.

I know that if we stay in the house I will be pulled by laundry or dishes or the computer or some organizing task. If I plan to get out of the house and do something WITH them, I can’t do that. I have to play, too. And what fun that can be!

I hate to admit that I’m not a natural player. But when I do it, it can be so much fun!

My kids are only going to be young once. I’m so glad I figured this out before summer is really over. We are going to pack in the fun over the next three weeks so I can really enjoy laughing with them. I think we are going to do the birthday party tour and go do all the things my kids get to do on birthday parties. Except this time it’ll just be us and I’ll be in there, playing hard, too.

I know what to do in the house, I’m just not good at following it. I compiled this list long ago to keep boredom at bay, but it just didn’t really work for me. I need to get out and play WITH them.

Laser tag, anyone?

Or any other great ideas? Do share!


Comments

7 responses to “There is only a little bit of summer left”

  1. I absolutely agree. I love acting silly, but setting aside scheduled time to play has been a struggle for me, also, but I work on it purposefully. My kids are 14 and 12. All I can think is they will be gone before I can blink. A couple of weeks my older son and I played keep away with the soccer ball, and to everyone’s surprise I won. A simple moment made everyone so happy.
    We have had lots of fun, but I want to squeeze as much in as possible. As I was driving home last night, I was talking with God about the fleeing time, and I was reminded of the biblical families we have been reading about so far in B90days. They were not far from each other, and when some did depart they always returned to an eager family.

    We were also talking about laser tag and bowling before the summer is over.

  2. I need to remember to do this. I used to be much more intentional about carving out the afternoons for a little fun with my daughter, but the last couple of months I have let life and business get in the way.

  3. I loved that blog and it rang true . All I can sau is enjoy the summers you have left as a Mom to young children because as they get older older they want you . I spent the first day of my school holiday yesterday cleaning all day felt good and the house well two rooms incluing the oven look great but it was horrid and boring . Can’t wait to go collect my great niece so I can ignore housework and have PURE child oruentated FUN .
    The cobwebs and dust will be there along with the chotic bookshlves and cupboards when she has gone ( unless I get off the PC and tackle somemore)
    Have a great fun filled 3 weeks

  4. Summer is flying by here! The kids have 4 weeks to go, but have to go back in 3 to set up my classroom.

  5. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by MomsToolbox, MomsToolbox. MomsToolbox said: My lessons from the ice and roller rinks: http://bit.ly/dg7qmk […]

  6. Oh I LOVE roller skating. I grew up roller skating, as my dad managed a skating rink. Now I take my own children once in a while, and just like their mommy, they are natural skaters! It’s so neat to see my children enjoy something I did as a child. :)

    You make a good point to get out of the house. Admittedly, I don’t get out enough, lately, because of being so pregnant. It’s tiring! So, we try to do those things on the weekends when my husband is home so he can help (and he’s awesome at it).

    My kids are still at the age where the library and park are exciting enough for them! Typically, we have a zoo pass and visit the zoo several times a year, but this year we skipped it due to my pregnancy (and preterm history).

    We’ve delighted in several museums in the area. We have gotten free passes or caught “free family days” at several and it’s been a blast!

  7. My kids are still young (3 yr old & 10 months) so our summer fun is for their age bracket…although I know what you mean about stuffs to do in the house & outside in the yard. Lately, we went to a nearby lake beach which was a blast for both of them…the 3 yr old & 10 months baby, because my 3 yr old can’t stop talking about beach day! We’re hoping to take the kids to the state fair this year before summer ends.

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