The other day in the late afternoon, with the hot July sun high in the sky and the temperature flickering around 90 degrees, the girls and I drove over to our town pool.
"Are we closing it down again, Moo?" Anna asked me.
"You bet," I replied.
That day—in addition to multiple other days this summertime—the girls had so much fun swimming that we stayed until closing time, which is 8 p.m.
"That's crazy," a friend told me with a laugh, upon learning that our family spends so much time at the town pool.
"They should install a bench or something in your honor," my mom joked.
The thing is, friends... After work at the library, and picking up the girls (and sometimes, their friends too) from day camps...my first choice is not, actually, to spend the next three hours or so at the town pool. I'd like to, say, try a new recipe for dinner, do some laundry, maybe even take an evening walk on the Rail Trail.
Grace and Anna love everything about the town pool, though—from swimming outdoors to bumping into various friends. Thus, from mid-June through Labor Day weekend, I've come to let go of some of my first choices—home-cooked meals, clean clothes 😉 —for the only-in-summer experience of the pool.
For me, and maybe for you too, summer is almost-equal parts fun and crazy. (Definitely a smidge more crazy than fun!) I love spontaneously catching up with friends at the town pool (looking at you, Kate, Shannon, Tara and Tiffany; the Jones, Leone and Morrissey families; the multiple Katies and Sarahs I know!). Grilling out in the backyard, making s'mores, sipping sangria as the sun sets—also fun.
Trying to get to work on time amid multiple day-camp drop-offs—crazy.
"Are we closing it down again, Moo?"
Summer's sweetest theme, possibly, is friendship. Making plans to meet up, get together.
On second thought...make that friendship and cash.
😉
Several times recently, Grace has asked to bike with friends to nearby spots for smoothies, snacks, ice cream.
"And can I have some money, Mom?"
Ten dollars here, another ten there... Summer—friendship—cash.
Also recently, one of Anna's friends came over to play. At the end of the play date, Anna beamed. "We didn't break a single lamp!"
Because that did happen at a different play date, during some fort-building fun. (Accidents happen; no one got hurt; no worries.)
Not breaking a single lamp: That's the bar sometimes, especially in summertime.
Today is the last day of Grace's lacrosse day camp. Yesterday afternoon, one of the lovely volunteer coaches emailed saying it would be great if all the girls could wear their new camp T-shirt for the last day, for a group picture.
Grace loves her new camp T-shirt so much that she already wore it earlier this week, then tossed it in the hamper...where it's been since, due to all our time at the town pool.
I like to think I'm capable of responding to most requests...with a 24-hour lead time.
"Honey," I said last night. "I don't want to wash this right now. Could you please just wear any other gray T-shirt for tomorrow?"
Grace frowned thoughtfully.
Moments later, she and Anna came to me with good news. "We sniff-tested Grace's T-shirt," Anna said, "and it passed!"
I laugh-cried.
"It was barely smelly," Anna added. "And, Grace rubbed deodorant all over the armpits."
"We basically washed it," Grace said.
"Yeah, it sounds basically clean." I sighed. "You know what, Grace...fine."
The girls cheered.
Here's to a summer filled with fun in the sun...no broken lamps...and semi-clean clothes.
Photo credit: Pixabay
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