Seven weeks in, my #fourkidsclub has entered the happy period of summer equilibrium. After a few rough patches at the start, we've hit our stride once again with four kids coexisting all day under one roof. I can relax with my phone a book and hang back on the sidelines while my kids play games, and do other various kid things. Only occasionally do I have to break up a punching or screaming match, or save a certain toddler from falling off a playscape.
I daresay that we are in the sweet spot over here in the Suburbs, and have made it for (most of) the last month and a half with relatively minimal whining, enthusiasm for summer activities and nary a mention of QUEST (though back to school placement letter hysteria is tightening it's grip this week). I have not yet begun to shop for pencils, or backpacks with those bug-eyed animal keychains, and Lord knows I have not set foot in Justice in nearly four months.
SUMMER VACATION!!!
I'm guessing that in general, members of the #fourkidsclub either love it or hate it. Sure, it could be daunting to manage a houseful of kids who have been involved in school and activities for so long that they have forgotten how to handle free, unstructured time. I will admit, the first week or two can be tough, while everyone is re-learning how to interact with each other in a civil way. And if they can't, you know, there's camp. I suppose for a mom who loves organization and schedules and meal planning and order, summer might more than a tad bit stressful. BUT I AM NOT THAT MOM. I love summer. Here's a list of reasons why:
1. Scheduling / routine goes to hell
Have I mentioned how I feel about making school lunches? This year, my two school age kids have decided the school cafeteria made the pizza crust and pasta too "brown" (whole grain), so naturally they won't be eating it anymore. My 9 year old likes salad bar day, (read: black olives, croutons and ranch dressing day), but other than that I have to pack 3 lunches that consist of more than pop tarts almost every day. Not during the summer! The kids are more than welcome to scrounge the pantry for their own meals, even if all of them consist of cereal and cheez its. I know for a fact that Fiona learned how to chop vegetables and cook quiche and johnny cakes at Colonial camp, so there are zero excuses. Or they can just eat lunchables, whatever. No bento box pinterest lunches allowed in summertime.
Summer is also the time where bedtimes are well...negotiable. Unless there is camp in the AM, we have been kind of lax with this one. Drive In movies are fun- and bonus- your kids are already asleep in the car by the time you get home. I actually have time to read to my kids during summer vacation. The other night as I put my girls to bed, Fiona asked me to explain what Black Lives Matter meant, so of course I went to town with that one (I realize her strategy, but I honestly don't care). Many nights, we stay at the pool until 8 then eat Dairy Queen., so bedtime gets pushed out until 10...ish. And every night ends with Joe and I on the couch, me falling asleep to Friday Night Lights, him on the computer doing work. Ah, summer romance.
And I didn't even kid myself and buy those summer Common Core workbooks for my kids this year. Not even going to pretend that's happening.
2. Housework goes to hell
There's nothing like a picnic in the park! Every night...with paper plates! And while I admit, the pounds have been piling up, there is NO pile of dishes in my sink right now. As for laundry, since we are poolrats, the kids haven't worn real clothes or underwear since sometime in June. Crumpled up clothes found on the bottom of the beach bag are totally acceptable to wear for a second day. And the one laundry basket that's been hanging out in the upstairs hallway since May? That is going to have to wait until September, and I'm totally okay with that.
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| you know, the one with clothes from all four seasons |
In the summer, it's easy to meet friends at the pool or the park, so I don't have to constantly be worried about the condition of my house. Which is great, because the best part of summer is:
3. Summer friends
Summer friends are the best friends in the world. You know, the kind you see at the pool every day, or the kind you never see during the school year but can finally make time for during July and August. Or especially the kind that take the Chinatown bus for five hours to meet up in NYC for the day. Those friends are the best.
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| Brooklyn on a Monday! Whaaat!?!? |
Summer is also a great time to "detox" from the unpleasant social situations you can't avoid during the school year. You can weed out your kids' annoying playmates that you can't stand. Summer is a magical time where we hand-pick our companions, and bid all the mombots, sanctimommies, and jerky bratty kids adieu until September.
In summer, you have the freedom to prioritize the friends and playmates who are worth spending time with. Also, ignoring birthday party E-vites because your kids aren't in touch with their school friends is a big plus this time of year.
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| later, bitches. |
In summer, you have the freedom to prioritize the friends and playmates who are worth spending time with. Also, ignoring birthday party E-vites because your kids aren't in touch with their school friends is a big plus this time of year.
4. Personal hygiene goes to hell
During the school year I have to wash and detangle my girls hair, like, every day. In the summer, I torture Lily with the brush and bottle of detangler and threaten her with a buzz cut only ONCE a week on average.
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| Lily's weekly braid. This particular one is on day 3. |
Showering has become a weekly event for my kids, because I can't think of a bigger waste of time and energy, given that they are submerged in a swimming pool 2-3 times a day. Plus, chlorine kills all the germs! That's a win-win.
5. Summer is the season that half finished home renovation projects almost get completed
This summer we are "doing" our kitchen and downstairs bathroom. God bless my sweet husband, who has gone Home-Depot crazy and taken on this project himself, after a handful of high-ish quotes from contractors. Granted, while I still have the contractors saved in my phone on speed dial (I'm so 90s), I'm happy to be saving some money, so we can over-spend it in other ways.
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| goodbye, horrid blue tile floor and hideous faux brick backsplash. |
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| ahhh, so unifying and calming |
BTW: I have just discovered the magical paint color that is Revere Pewter. Is it beige? Is it grey? How is it so calming? Thank you, Benjamin Moore. You sure are great at marketing, because suddenly I want to Revere Pewter everything.
even my baby..
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| Mmm...greige |
I hope everyone out there is having an awesome LONG and relaxing summer! This month we are packing up the kids and heading to to beach (cue the whining and OCD foot washing). I love the beach, and my little darlings will surely learn to love it too! Or just sit inside the house and watch cable tv all day. Whichever.
See y'all at Justice on September 1st! ;-)
xo kc
