Open Concept Summer

Today is the last day of school for my three. While the boys are at the beach on one last field trip, the littlest one is hanging on tightly to her much beloved teacher. Her last official day as a “Seedling” will be spent playing outdoors and making an ice cream sundae. Not a terrible way to wrap up another amazing Montessori year of learning.

Last summer the kids went to camp for over half of their holiday break. Originally scheduled for only three sessions, as each ended there was another request to sign on for “just one more.” When they are attending a camp situated on a farm and nature being the main theme weaved throughout their days, how can you say no? Yes, the days were long and the kids were exhausted but they came home thrilled to be dirty and tired from a full day of exploring.

This year, when it came time to look over the themes, I told them only four weeks were an option so make sure to choose carefully. My intention for this restriction is to keep the summer open for opportunities and plenty of spontaneous activities. As much as I enjoy and need a schedule with three kids at home, I like knowing we can have time together with nothing but our imaginations deciding the day for us.

There are plans for trips to a local temple, nature walks, swimming, camping in the back yard, catching fireflies, making camp fires, day trips to the city, visits to a few local museums and art exhibits, whatever we happen to be open to on any given day. Creating an open concept summer is how I want to play with my kids this year, because before you know it, they grow older and their summer days look decidedly differently than today. Friends will replace parents on outings and adventures, while I sit back, take a deep breath and let it happen. I’m comfortable with growth and change, in fact I have learned to embrace it with an open heart. But this summer, they are still mine and I will savor the weeks ahead with them by my side.

Right now I have plenty of creative work on my own calendar for the upcoming months to keep me happy and fulfilled. With a few writing assignments and book proposals in the works and more creative projects waiting in the wings, those camp days will be full for me too. I look to those days alone as time to recharge and relax into what it is I like to do. Sit back and breath in the warm air and feel the sun on my skin. Oh summer, we are going to get along well this year, I can feel it!

This space will still be here, alive but quiet until the end of summer when I return and share all the good that is on the horizon. So much good I’m bursting! In the meantime, you can stay connected and take a peek at where I am and what I’m doing over on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. You can also sign up for my RSS feed to get notified of my return here in a few weeks.

Savor the long days ahead and make sure you turn up toward the night sky now and then, close your eyes and make that wish. Go ahead, I’m right there with you…

Until then…

Live Well