We started our summer with a bang-- nine kids and a beach closed down due to waste water treatment overflow. The beach serves as our constant playground, an extension of our backyard. Without it, we almost don't know what to do with ourselves. We had to get creative. We pulled out the old kiddie pool, tried to make a slip n' slide, played a version of Marco Polo with a hose.
At first I felt the need to entertain them and to help them figure out what to do. But as the day wore on an ease took over. Little clumps of children found hidden spots to make mischief. They went tramping around my yard and my sisters' yard next door, went in and out of houses, searched for snacks, carried in mud and bugs. Arlo took to hugging Rory. Crushes developed. Hearts were broken.
We ended the night with hot dogs burned over a fire and our first attempt at an outdoor movie. Eight little people tried to fall asleep in a tent outside. One by one they all made their way inside, leaving only Gus asleep by himself. However, before the sleep, before abandoning the great outdoors, the grownups on the porch got to overhear rounds of truth or dare not soon to be forgotten.
This is summer.
Have kids ever actually slept through the night in a backyard tent? I don't know how many tents/forts we vowed to camp out in only to quickly realize the actual sleeping part was 0% fun unless in our own beds.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you. Camping is always more fun in theory.
DeleteWow, now that is a pack of kids! It looks like a blast! This is just how summer should be... looks like you all made the best of a bad situation. Hope that beach is looking good again soon!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun!! Summer is so very important! So so so so important. What a perfect evening for kids to be kids. It's what childhood is all about!
ReplyDeleteAnd despite the absence of the beach, it looks and sounds wonderfully creative and happy ... Hoping they sort out the shore soon though, so you can enjoy it again.
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