Previous summers have been full of fun but seriously over-scheduled. This year I wanted to draw things back to the 70's where my memories of summer include hours and hours of reading, playing outside and at the park, and weeding the garden. With the exception of our family Texas trip and a couple of weeks in Utah with cousins we had a refreshing, play filled, reading and weeding summer and we loved it!
The neighborhood kids would gather up at either the triangle at the subdivision entrance or at someones backyard and play until dusk . . . yep, 10 pm was curfew. I showed them one night what the sky would look like (no sun shining but not quite dark) when they were to head home and they did quite well telling time by skylight. If I wanted them home earlier I would stand on the front porch and ring the cow bell for them to come home. A little throw back to the
1870's perhaps but it worked and other kids in the neighborhood thought it was "cool". My favorite evenings were spent on the porch watching them play across the way with the sunset, the sprinklers and squeals from tag and capture the flag.
We had a nice system set up among the moms too. When the kids switched houses, the mom who ended up with them would group text all the others. It made it easy to keep track of where everyone was. Hosting the games also meant we were on bandaid duty and prepared to have a constant string of kids either getting drinks or going to the bathroom. I really enjoyed interacting with the kids in another setting besides primary each week and grew to love them even more.
Even with a 10 pm curfew the boys wanted to read to fall asleep. After showers they wouldn't be getting to bed until 10:30 but I couldn't refuse them the luxury of reading as long as they want by late-night lamp light. Hyrum only lasted maybe 10 minutes but Nathan would easily read until 11 or 12. That late of a night also meant sleeping in and I didn't mind that either.
Summer isn't complete without popsicles.
Hyrum remembered that his 1979 Better Homes and Gardens thrift-store-find Cookbook had a popsicle recipe. Every other day he used either fresh raspberries from our garden or frozen strawberries from the freezer to make a luscious semi-healthy popsicle set. They were so good that going back to the off-brand Otter Pops seemed far to sugary for our liking (though they ate them anyway).
Erika showed up one day with a fishing pole, a fishing license and bubbling excitement and a new hobby was born.
The catch usually consisted of minnows or crawdads but once in a while a fish would willingly grab the hook. Most of them were thrown back for more growing time but those of greater size became a lesson in food preparation . . . and dinner.
Erika and Nathan had a gut-wrenching bonding moment when he followed her detailed instructions and reached in to clean his first fish.
One of their favorite fishing spots was on a friend's property. He also has a field surrounded by an extremely tall fence with his three pet elk.
Gary has raised two of his elk from the time they were born so they are very tame and friendly. The kids could pet and feed them without worry of much beyond an aggressive nibble as long as they kept a wary eye on the wild elk also sharing the field with them.
Bike rides and walking the dog were part of our daily routine.
Sometimes we combined the two!
Tag on the trampoline. . .
Picnics . . .
The boys loved making their own creative lunches and inviting friends over for picnics. They did it about once a week, inviting different friends each time.
When Kara and her boys came for a visit we extended our 70's summer to them.
What a relaxing way to spend time (instead of money) together!
Rigby Memorial
Caboose at the Rigby fair grounds.
One of the last merry-go-rounds in the area.
Playing at the park.
We also took them to our favorite fishing spot where Max and Zane touched their first fish!
And, we shared the elk with them as well.
In other news:
Hyrum has discovered that he loves almonds, fajitas and ribs.
Nathan learned how to make scrambled eggs. Only once did he melt his plate after setting it on the hot burner. He is now an expert and makes them all by himself; sometimes a couple of times a day.
Justin was in charge of Sunday dinner one week. He spent the entire afternoon making Bavarian Cream Crepes, Raspberry Cheesecake and Caramel Popcorn. I believe he experienced the joy that comes when hours of kitchen labor are rewarded with lip smacking sounds from everyone.
After reading with Nathan and Hyrum about Enos in the Book of Mormon and discussing that we can pray anytime, anywhere, and about anything, I asked for examples. Nathan: "sometimes when I'm on the toilet I pray that my poop will come out faster."
Some of Hyrum's friends were over to play and one of them got hurt. I heard him tell her, "don't worry. My mom has magic stuff and bandaids. She'll make it all better."
One very hot evening I could not come up with a dinner that sounded even remotely appetizing. The heat gets to all of us and we seem to lose our desire for food. I asked the boys what they would prefer for dinner: peaches, bread and milk (a family favorite!) or cereal? Nathan immediately piped up, "you had me at cereal."
Levi was explaining something to the rest of us and Nathan, in an oddly mature and matter-of-fact voice, stated, "you're so complicated."
