Summer, summer, summertime

We love the slower pace of summer, but we parents believe some morning structure motivates our children to be productive in anticipation of later fun.  We created a chart that the kids are expected to work through prior to any screen privilege, playdate, or entertainment outing....pool/park/adventure.  Today is Sunday, and we went to Saturday evening mass.  At 6 am little Vivian's soft voice said at my bedside, "Is this a day I need to do my push-ups and jumping jacks?"  From me, hardly ready to wake up, but cognizant of how hilarious that question sounded coming from a tiny five-year-old, "no."  I then heard the excited pitter-patter of her fast feet on the hardwoods in route to the living room.

My mom and Mike stayed with us for about a week recently.  One of the most stressful aspects of having houseguests is that when my youngest two wake up, they run to my my bedroom to snuggle me.  They run to my bedroom around 6 am!  It sounds like drums beating or even rapid gunfire.  I talked to Henry and asked him if he thought he could walk so softly that I would be absolutely started when he appeared in my room.  "Can you sneak up on Mommy and really scare me?!"  It worked for one morning.

Henry is a mama's boy, and he has it in his head that he will never marry and always live with us.  He modified his plan to include the priesthood, but I'm fairly confident he doesn't understand that endeavor would require him to move out of the house.  He told me, "When you and Dad die, this house is ALL mine."  Robbie overheard him tell Viv the same a day later.  I'm glad he likes the new home enough to want it.  He misses the small house and tiny room he shared with Vivian, because her presence made him feel safe.  He sleeps with his sheet, and sometimes even his quilt, wrapped around his head in fear.  He gets mighty sweaty, and I worry he will smother.  Really.  I've pleaded with him to leave an air hole for his face, and we all joke that this makes him look like a nun.  Honestly, it makes the kid look like a nun!!  It is hilarious.

Olivia spent a week at a Catholic summer camp, and she shared that the high point of the experience was when a few counselors prayed over her for Great Grandma Gloria.  She sought out the experience after observing them praying with other campers.  She felt very moved.  I'm so happy that her heart is open to experience Christ in such a unique setting surrounded by other young people.  I hope she recognizes the tremendous privilege.  We will soon experience Family Camp, and that is sure to be memorable.

Evelyn has been her dynamic, amazing self this summer.  She rises and immediately works through her chores chart.  She's ALWAYS the first child finished.  She's cutting the time it takes her to complete her 800 m run through pure grit and determination.  In the last few days alone, she has independently, with no prompting whatsoever, asked if she could please clean and vacuum our van, wash the windows on our sliders with a million panes, sweep the floor, and fold laundry. "Mommy, do you need help with anything?"  Amazing.  She has also arranged a classroom in our basement, and she has hosted neighborhood students for a true learning experience.  She was asked by dear friends of ours to work with their 3-year-old son, who is blind, on his Braille this summer.  She lives for that one hour per week!  Her heart is so big, and we are so proud of her.

Robbie and I celebrated 15 years of wedded bliss on July 1st.  Olivia is capable of babysitting her siblings, so we enjoyed a lovely French dinner that night.  Mom and Mike arrived the next day, and they let us get away for a day and a half.  We stayed at a nice place in the Plaza, dined outdoors, took in several art galleries in the streets of downtown, art/antique/treasure shopped, and thoroughly enjoyed our time together.  I was with my mom in a shoe store recently, and a chatty salesman shared that as empty nesters he and his wife figured out that they actually really like one another a lot.  Robbie and I are the same.  He's the greatest blessing in my life.  Without our love, we would not have our sweet children.  We are so happy together.