Summer

In the eyes of many people, my children's summer has sucked.  A lot.  Like rotten eggs sucking - whatever that means.  We didn't go on vacation anywhere, we didn't go to any theme parks, we didn't even go to a public pool - which was a regular occurrence several times a week for years in most of the children's cognizant memories. 

So what did we do?

We grilled in our front yard - where they ran from the table to their outdoor toys and back to consume an entire jar of pickles in one sitting.  Because everyone knows when you are eating outside the "Stay at the table until you have finished your food" and "Leave your food at the table" rules are no longer applicable.  So you can run, and dance, and spit watermelon seeds from the top of the slide.

We chased chickens.  A lot.  We never intended to free range the chickens but it is what happened
* - and the chickens are adventurous and sassy and want to EXPLORE the world around them.  So they (the chickens) have been hopping of fences, and climbing through hedges and thorns and subject occasional periods confinement due to lack of willingness to herd them.  The term "chicken chaser" was coined and utilized with great frequency.

They picked blackberries.  And ate them. Then they ate some more, staining their fingers and cheeks purple.  And used them as paint to make pretty pictures.  And used them as body paint to depict their internal organs.  Strangely accurately with realistic coloring.

They weeded gardens

They planted trees

They rode bikes without helmets on a dirt road.  They have helmets - more than one.  They even occasionally wear the helmets without ever even getting near a bike. 

We went to the library for activities and read lots of books - though somehow I missed signing them up for the summer reading program for the first time ever. 

We went to the Children's Museum

They camped outside in a tent with the dog

They got a dog.  Who came to us in dog form, not puppy form, and outweighs three of them put together.  And is the best toy ever.  EVER EVER. 

They colored.  I think I have gone through 2 reams of paper and 8 boxes of crayons.  Not all the art work was saved due to a propensity of throwing it under the table they eat on instead of in a nice folder, but it happened and was joy for the moment of creating

They played in a plastic kiddie pool underneath a lilac bush by herb garden - so that their splashing scents were of lilac and mint

They got covered in dirt.  I am not even sure that it is possible to see their original skin color anymore

They had bonfires and roasted marshmallows and cheap hot dogs.  Some of which they even got to eat before the dog snatched them.

We stayed up late giggling, slept in, and watched too much tv. 

And it is okay.

*The chickens are now FINALLY corralled properly in the coopaganza in the property we own across the street.  The property that with any luck, and a lot more skill and patience, will someday be "the orchard" and "the berry patch" and house "the gazebo" with lawn décor making it "the story book land of enchantment." Oh yes, we are dreamers.  But we have planted 6 trees and 8 berry bushes, so we have started.