By Suzanne
When I was 9 years old, summer meant grass between my feet, ants moving from anthill to breadcrumb and back again, pools to swim in, books to read, and time to blow. Hot sun, long days, laughter.
Today, summer means.... ACK!!!! My kids are home and they are under my feet all day and they're begging to DO THINGS THAT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO.
Why can't I be 9 again? I want summer. I want grass between my feet, time to watch ants scurry across the sidewalk, cold pool water as I dive in, and nothing, nothing, nothing to do. I want my mom to be baking chocolate chip cookies when I come inside and I want to go watch "Petticoat Junction" for the umpty-hundredth time and dream about marrying hottie pilot Steve.
For the past several years, or okay, for as long as I can remember right now, I've had so much work to do all summer that all I could do was put my automatic pilot on September and tell it to get there because my nose was going to be down, on the grindstone.
This summer, I have no work. No deadlines. Well, one teensy one, but it's only for the first few weeks of summer. After that, I have deliberately avoided all obligation. I am going to the pool. I am watching ants. I'm reading books, blowing time, baking chocolate chip cookies, and if I can find "Petticoat Junction" on Nick, I'm watching it.
I'm going to be 9, just like my daughter. I can't wait.
The pool at our apartment should be opening this week and I told Lillianna that any day it's not snowing (we're in New England....anything is possible here)we can head to the pool. Even though I work two mornings and one night per week and then all weekend, once she is out of school (June 24th)we will relax,swim and whatever. I'm not into watching ants but taking time to enjoy life with your family is always the best answer to any question.
Enjoy!! I know I will.
Posted by: RobinP | May 30, 2005 at 09:36 PM
I like summer because life's pace changes. Longer days and more daylight mean we can come home from work and spend time outside with our daughter, even if it is a bit rushed. We'll be swimming and going on mini-vacations. I like summer even more as a parent than I did before we had our daughter.
Posted by: amy s. | May 23, 2005 at 03:54 PM
Sounds like fun, Suzanne. I will be home this summer with my three children. I plan to down Thorazine like its Good and Plenty's.
Posted by: Rene | May 23, 2005 at 11:42 AM
Sounds like a great summer, Suzanne! But I'll fight you tooth and nail for Steve the Hot Pilot!!!
Posted by: Tori | May 23, 2005 at 11:33 AM
I'm going to swim, read and blow time in the hot sun with long days and lots of laughter. Just like when you were nine ... Can't wait.
Posted by: Jill | May 23, 2005 at 09:30 AM