blogger mom

I've been a little concerned over the past few days about how I'm going to handle the change of schedule for the summer...all four kids at home, ages 9-1, to entertain and keep happy.

Last night I took the four of them to the Children's Garden while Eric was working late. We stopped at Dominoes to pick up the free pizzas they had earned coupons for at school. They all four played together the entire time...pretending on the train and train station. They were taking all kinds of trips together!

Came home, put the younger three to bed and settled in to watch the NBA playoffs with Riley. Midway through the first half we had to pause the game to tackle a very difficult conversation. One of those you know has to come someday as your kids get older.

This morning Evan wanted to watch these DVDs my mom made for the kids this Christmas. They are pictures, amazing pictures, of each of the boys starting from when they were babies. "You Make Me Smile" by Uncle Cracker is playing in the background. By the time we finished Riley's, the last one we watched, I was sobbing pretty uncontrollably.

So, here's the bottom line...I have no reason to be concerned about "entertaining" my kids this summer, or keeping them busy. Our lives are changing rapidly, especially with Riley turning 10 this summer. The days of the four of them playing pretend together on a wooden train are numbered. This summer I am choosing to cherish my kids, the easy times and the hard times. I want to soak in each day. I want to slow down, enjoy the sun, and just watch them play. I want to remember this summer because it won't always be like this.