Summers of Childhood

His soft cheeks were puffed with air while his eyes were squinting behind fogged plastic. The plastic strap was digging into his red hair as he kicked farther down, reaching for the rubber toy dancing on the pool’s bottom depths. Ryder came up triumphantly with the rubber torpedo in hand. A broad smile stretched across his sunscreen-slathered face. Summer time, a time of exploring the wonders of God’s creation – the dangers, the beauties, the constant challenges that equally compel us to keep trying and exhaust us.

 

Ryder’s swimming skills have improved in leaps and bounds. His cousin Savannah has found triumph over the diving board and given up floaties all together. Another milestone of child to kid has been achieved and I have mixed feelings. My firstborn is five. I notified the superintendent that he will not being going to school, but rather we will be officially learning at home this year. My mother reminds me we already have been.

Every triumph and achievement, relaxed and natural, doesn’t seem due any credit for accomplishing, it just happens. Yet, I am reminded it is as God intended. I am to teach them because God has told me to. I might feel unqualified, that they will miss topics I won’t know to address, but the purpose is bigger than that. Until God tells me to pass the baton to someone else, I am to continue to be their primary educator, Chris and I their spiritual leader, and ultimately to foster an environment of learning by exploration, wonder, and dedication to explore God’s world. I just pray for the strength to come up with air still in my lungs and a smile plastered across my face.

The summer gardens are growing and I love Rory’s exuberance to soak it in. She cannot even wait for the tomatoes to make it to the counter before she has consumed them like ripe apples in a vast orchard. Their juicy red orbs explode with sweet juices and she chomps through three before I can finish harvesting the others from the bright green vines. The tiny yellow flowers and miniature immature green tomatoes promise of more to come. Rory is joyfully happy and is constantly singing. Her beauty is stunning.

They are asking questions and challenging me to answer them. Upon Ryder’s insistence we did science projects last month. Their interest is exciting. No hesitations to get messy, make predictions, and adjust opinions based on their observations. “How does density affect the egg? What changes the density of the water?” We used vinegar, food coloring, and salt – lots of it. The conversation led to the Dead Sea and even weeks later to Savannah wondering if she was like the egg in Oma’s salt water pool and that is why she couldn’t dive down well, “Its because the water is too dense and keeps pushing me up!” No matter if our theories are correct or that we have to call our resident Science Lady (thanks Jenny Sue!) to help this rookie teacher get the point accurately across, we are having loads of fun.

Speaking of fun, two words: bunk bed. Fact: When your 18 month old comes strutting out of his room, where he was safely cribbed, holding a screwdriver and giggling, it is a big clue to change him to a big boy bed. Much to our chagrin, the caged crib was no more. Challenges to keep him in his bed have been minimal. He may or may not have fallen off the top bunk last night, hanging by his toes in the slipping grasp of his panicked brother. He may or may not know the phrase, “Do you need a spanking?” to which he charmingly giggles either, “Nope!” or “Yes, please!” (Side note, it is nearly impossible to keep a straight face when a kid as charming as he is, with surfer curls and giant baby teeth states clearly and with joy, “Yes!” for me to spank his Winnie the Pooh puffy diapered butt. However, when it is nearing two hours past his bedtime, all charm is gone).

Life is good in the Mini Mack house. Un-birthday cake extravaganza mornings inspired by great storybooks and sliding down the giant yellow slide the best Daddy in the world installed on the new bunk. Playing in summer rainstorms. Watching movies. Eating snacks galore and exhausting all adults in their wake. These are the summers of childhood and we wouldn’t have it any other way. What exciting adventures have you been up to? The Mini Macks would love to know.