Summer List

I make lists.  It’s a natural thing with me. Like, as information seeps in, my mind organizes it line by line until everything is sifted and sorted and plopped into one big index. Not that I use every list I make, and more often than not, I’ll find a wadded up scrap paper, marked up in pencil, at the bottom of my purse under a stray lipstick and some random hair clips. The whole thing usually just ends with the addition of Clean out purse to a new list, written on some indiscriminate scrap of paper.

But in the summer, list are different. They are inspiration. Like a swift breeze that finds it’s way across the barren sand, thrusting tumbleweeds out of their listless state until something is awakened.

That’s exactly what summer does, it’s warm winds wake me out of that dreamy winter hibernation.  And for a few months we race the tick-tock of that ever tapping clock to enjoy those moments, those lingering magical moments of pure sunshine, before the cold blanket of frost covers us again.

So my summer list of fabulous to-do’s, just one list among many in my house, but by far the most spectacular, received a giant check mark yesterday.

Take the kids to the waterpark, Check!

And because everything impromptu tastes just a little bit sweeter, I was so excited when we decided, last minute, to pack up the car and head out to the waterpark.  There has always been something about those seize-the-moment opportunities that I crave. My favorite childhood memories being impromptu trips to nowhere special, but just being unplanned makes those trips special, daring even.  And I drink up every last drop of the spontaneous elixir.

So, off we went.  Take kids to the waterpark was hastily crossed off the summer list with moxie. At first, my cautious girl steered clear of the giant blue bucket that doused each hot passerby, and opted to happily splash her pretty pink toes a safe distance away.

But once daddy took her on the giant slide with it’s twists and turns taking riders through the sky and landing them safely back into the water below, well… her inner lioness roared.  She became fearless and giddy.  Ending the ride with a sprightly, Oh my!  And followed that up with, Let’s do it again.

I happily splashed my toes through the water with a snoozing baby boy slung snuggly around me.  Until he yawned himself out of the sling and decided it was time he tried splashing as well.

I’ve never enjoyed a summer before quite as much as this one.  And so the check-marks on the summer list will continue with lazy days at the beach, picnic lunches in the grass, blowing bubbles in the sun, laying out blankets on the deck late at night to watch the stars, catching fireflies (oh wait, we already crossed that one off, but I dare say it will continue), and about 100 more lovely things.  Including redecorating my bedroom, or at least painting it a fun new shade and scoring some happy new sheets.

And though my mind noisily wonders where the time will come from to accomplish these tasks, I resign to myself that sometimes, to-do’s that bring the family together are the most important to-do’s of all.  And so, my fabulous summer list get’s moved to the top of the pile.  That ever growing pile of lists.

And please share some of your own grand summer plans! A road trip to somewhere special? Ice cream treats before dinner on the patio? A fun new hair cut? Do tell! We all want to know.