Summer Happenings Thus Far...

Summer Solstice; Our Season of Satisfaction

You know how it goes, right? Another school year bites the dust and summer beckons with swirling scents of fried fair foods, coconut sunscreen, and freedom. Then, the activities roll in and the schedule fills. We've rationed our energy like seasoned pros, but even I have my limits when it comes to saying "no." Play dates are abundant, the splash pads and pools open, karate and dance continue without break, even the gymnastics studio offers summer fun classes. Not to mention birthday parties (those never end), summer vacations (Colorado, here we come!), and chasing bugs around the yard (this includes picking ticks from the dog... not our favorite summer activity). Don't get me wrong, the abundance of action keeps us on our toes -- and keeps the juicer running (fresh cucumber-apple-lemon, anyone?) but my goal is to take time to breath and grow without being "on the go." Good thing today was just the first day of summer! 

The biggest (and best) summer-filling time-eater thus far has been Vacation Bible School. Phoebe gets to grow in her love of people, play with kids, learn about God and weird animals (the theme), and enjoy the structure she always craves. Plus, I'm not going to lie, having three hours at the dawn of each day for a week of single-child bliss has been a reprieve on my nerves. If only I could get her involved in more sessions of VBS. Alas, very few offer for children as young as three.

We made the most of it while it lasted... then, onto the main event...

Crown Point Food and Arts Festival! 

Watermelon? Check.

Corn? Check.

Oh... what did Lola and I do while Phoebe learned about God and weird animals? We chilled at the Library. A lot. Like, every day. Not only did mommy get a lot of reading done this week, but the Lols found a new favorite game on the computer when she wasn't pulling DVDs off the shelf. Mommy is tired of that game. 

 Summer will fill -- case in point, we leave for Colorado for a week on Friday -- but we'll savor each day. We'll go to movies in the park at dusk, take beach days, go camping, hit up the county fair, and ride our bikes to garage sales. But, the thing that will make this summer supreme is waking together and resting together, dancing together and discovering together. As a family, we will concur!

The adventures continue... more to come!