Summer Talk from Emily and Amy

Amy Summer Talk: Moments in the Sun

Anticipating summer is a fun pastime for much of my year. As a teacher, I am eager for the later morning wake-ups, and as a mom, I love the change of pace with my kids. While I am fairly skilled at wistful anticipation, I still trip up on actually enjoying summer when it’s here. Sad, but true. While I’m driving the kids to the beach or taking an early evening walk, I often find I’m thinking about what is ahead - fall schedules, school shopping, doctor’s appointments, and medical forms. And then I feel bad about not feeling all the “good” of summer. Reality check - both can be true. We can enjoy summer and think ahead to the fall. We can love the slower mornings and take time to plan for the hectic ones of the months ahead. For me, it’s all about the balance of turning down the running list in my mind, and turning up my fun-loving, summer-soaked brain. Reading the book, getting the iced coffee, sitting outside at a restaurant, feeling the sun warm my face, laughing on the phone with a friend at 9:00 in the morning (not my teacher schedule norm!) And also finding a moment or two to register for the class, make the to-do list, or get a head start on some back-to-school stuff. No magic trick here, folks. Parenting is a balancing act - not just with kids, but with ourselves. Good luck and happy summer greetings as you find your own moments in the sun in the weeks ahead!

Emily’s Summer Talk: The Vacation Challenge for Grownups 

I love my summers, especially since I’ve always pretty much had them off. But in recent years, I feel like my own summer vacay is slipping away. I’m happy to have all my kiddos around-this is always what I dream of but somehow the reality with my kids, my family, and my kids' friends can make life sweet and equally hectic. Lots of shopping, errands, driving kids, meal prep, clean up, all on repeat. Sprinkled in are some work days and a trip to see my parents at some point. So how can this mama complain? Beach days, parties, family and friends, and my kids-the idyllic summer vacation… sigh.. After much soul searching and phone calls with Amy, I have come to realize that what I’m missing is the quiet time I used to have when the babies were napping or after they went to bed at night or pushing the stroller. In order to save our summers, here is the challenge, parents. Let’s all find pockets of time to read our books, take a long shower, get new plants (Amy!) or needlepoint (Emily!), sit outside, listen to a podcast, have drinks or coffee with friends-you get the idea. I have been doing it with my book this week, even if it’s only a few pages each day! And yes, I’m reading the dragon romance books-LOL !! Do the challenge parents!!