Dog Days of Summer

“I’m Spidermonkey and I will help you battle those creatures Heatblast!”
“That’s great Spidermonkey. Because together we are going to save the Universe from harm!…Oh and I want cheese sticks after we play in the sprinkler..”
“Me too! How about we send in Stinkfly to finish the job and then we can have crackers too.”
“Great idea Ryder – I mean Spidermonkey.” says cousin Savannah.

What is it about kids that they can be in the middle of nowhere and find a friend. It doesn’t matter that they have never met the kid before. All that matters is that they are breathing, have energy like they do, and instantly they are on the same quest. Kids’ ability to collaborate is astounding to me. Their conversations chopped and distorted in a secret code. Noises – quacks, garbled grumbles, barks, and whispers – bring giggles. Determination is between expressions of glee, sorrow, joy, bickering and an assortment of everything in between.

“You get those pillows. Yes, we need a seventh chair and four more step stools. Yep. That couch too…Oh and make it six blankets plus the comforter off your mom’s bed. Yes, the one we just spilled juice on….it’ll dry.”

Leaders reveal themselves. Followers comply. Roles switch halfway through. And then BAM! Like a cracked egg on a summer sidewalk its a mess. Sizzling with frustration, whining and screaming elevate. My back tenses. More than one kid poops their pants or needs to pee. Bellies hit empty. Every toy was “had first!” Everyone wants to be the leader. Doors slam. Band-aids inevitably mend broken foreheads and knees. Ice packs slow bonked ankles down. That last blanket piled on the fort keeps slipping off causing an uproar.

“Time Out! Let’s eat.”

And so we do. Washed up by sprinklers we have make-shift lunchables on the front lawn.  Pretend “mulch soup” follows for dessert. Bellies soon fill and a baby is nursed. Neighbors wave as they slowly pass the chaos in the court. Abandoned bikes and colored chalk lay waiting. I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the car door window parked in the drive – ug, forgot to brush my hair again and I can’t remember the last time I showered. Its Friday, I think…

“I’m Humongousaur!”
“I’m Captain America!”
“I’m tired…Let’s watch a movie.”

Happy Summer! What adventures have you been on? What Universes have you saved? Tell us, the Mini Macks would love to know.