Friday, June 5, 2009

Summertime is Awesome

Arica likes to tease me about my use of the word awesome. It's not so much the word but the vigor with which I espouse it. It's not awesome, but AWE-some! No matter how it sounds summertime truly is AWE-some!

When I was a kid I lived for the summer. Every day of school was just one more obstacle standing in my way. The countdown started on the first day of class. I always dreamed of the day that final bell would ring, and we could all dance out the doors singing "School's out for summer!" Of course as a child I didn't know any Alice Cooper songs, but I was probably singing something.

In the Summer I spent a lot of my time at the country club pool and playing baseball. Of course you couldn't do both in the same day. Swimming was not allowed on game days. It might tire you out, and everyone knows that baseball games are more important than practicing your cannonballs.

Once I finished school summer lost some of its pizazz. I still like the lake, and the warm weather, but I have to work every day. I think we should adopt the August is vacation for everyone plan like several European countries. I can tell you from personal experience that it is futile to try to get any work done during August in Italy.

This summer should be different for our family. It is our first time enjoying summer with a child. Just this week Braden took his first trip to the pool. We don't have a pool unless you count that blue plastic thing the dogs wallow in to escape the summer heat. None of our relatives have a pool either, but we are resourceful. We know someone with a pool, and who is going to tell this guy he can't swim in their pool.



Braden loved the pool. At first he sat on the steps in the water. He splashed the water repeatedly with his hands. When he got some water on his face he gasped and and made a hilarious grimace. It didn't stop him though. Without even waiting for Mom to wipe him off he started splashing again.

Then he transferred to the inflatable crab. It's a floaty he can sit in with his legs in the water. There is a tray in front that fills with water so he can splash. Of course there is also the ever important canopy to protect the little man from the evil sun. Truthfully the sun had no chance. Between the canopy, his big green hat, and the SPF 75 sunblock he stayed nice and white.

Summertime at our house also means going to the lake. Arica and I love to take my little fishing boat out on the weekends. We anchor on some island all alone. Actually we aren't all alone because our wild dogs are running everywhere. This is their favorite pastime as well. Otter fetches sticks until he nearly drowns. Abbey sits in the water but prefers not to swim. Arica and I enjoy a little relaxation, swimming, and usually a picnic lunch.

We aren't comfortable bringing Braden to the lake in my tiny boat. Maybe sometime this summer we will get together with friends and take him out on a party barge. Either way he has a long future of lake visits ahead of him. Living in a town with a lake makes the whole experience more relaxing. You don't have to hurry. You don't have to go on the busiest days. You don't have to find a hotel. All you do is have fun.

This is what I want to teach Braden. I want to teach him how to live a life of summertime fun. I never pictured myself as a local in a tourist town. Now that this is a reality I feel the need to pass on the lifestyle to my son. I have the Jimmy Buffet CD in the stereo. I have my assorted flip flops lined up for action. The swimming trunks and various shades of khaki shorts are washed and ready. All we need now is the care free attitude.

Braden, It's time to enjoy the summer, and you can bring your green hat.

Fatherhood Friday at Dad Blogs

16 comments:

BellaDaddy said...

AW-SOME post! We are right there with ya...can I bring the sun screen?

Andrew's Daddies said...

During our warm days, we take our son to the park or a field where he can run and play ball. He loves being outdoors. Needless to say, when it's raining and cold it's much more difficult to keep him amused in the house.

I always loved summer time and I know this will spill over to Andrew as well

Great post!!!

Russ said...

You were probably singing:

No more lessons, no more books
No more teacher's dirty looks!

This just makes me look forward to our trip to Hilton Head Island next week! No kids, just me, the wife, and lots of booze. Clothing optional.

seashore subjects said...

Your right, carefree attitude is crucial in the summer. Even if it is just for a few hours a week!

BTW: I love the green hat!

Doug Skinner said...

Funny I just posted this morning about how the birth of my first was an AWE-some experience...Then I trip over your blog from the Dad Blogs site...

Good stuff here.

Since I'm new to Daddy Blogging, I am trying to add a bunch of decent blogs to my rolls...If you don't mind I want to add yours to mine over at http://daddystired.blogspot.com.

WeaselMomma said...

You know how much I love summer. The last day of school is the happiest day of the year. There is warmth and fun to be had. You would totally love the Disney Channel cartoon Phineas & Ferb. 2 boys making the most of summer vacation. It rocks.

Jason said...

I've just read your post and Mr. Man's back to back and you 2 have me dreaming of vacation and just chilling out. I can't wait for summer to really kick in. Have a great one!

Rob said...

I agree wth you summer is AWE-some!!!! Great post. Your boy looks awesome in his swim gear.

Melisa Wells said...

AWESOME! (I use that word alot too. Probably too much. Oh well)

Sounds like you're in for a fabulous summer! (and that photo is adorable!)

HeirApparent said...

My wife and I are very excited for our first full summer with our daughter - as a June baby we spent most of last summer trying to keep her comfy and out of the sun - this summer it's all about the pool, the shore, and a whole lotta of fun for all of us. Your post is a great reminder of the months of fun ahead - enjoy!

SurprisedMom said...

NO ONE would tell that cute little guy he couldn't swim in their pool. I wish I had a pool, I'd invite you over! I hope all of you have a wonderful summer!

The Devoted Dad said...

I love going boating. We used to go all the time when I was a kid. The summer has lost some of it's pizazz for me too, because it was really the summer combined with a vacation that made it awesome. That is why I love the weekends! Good question- when is a good age to take the little one out on the boat? Either way, he'll enjoy the barge! -Jason

Momo Fali said...

I love for summer. Seriously. October to April I am just in a total funk waiting for the warm weather and blue skies to come back...and a whole lot of that "carefree" you mentioned. I would move from Ohio if I could convince my husband. California, anyone?

PJ Mullen said...

I have the same problem with the word awesome, but since my family is from the north shore of Boston it is usually prefaced with the word "wicked". So, wicked awesome spew from my mouth far more often than any person should ever say such a thing.

Mike said...

Kenny Chesney has a great song called "Summertime" that was running through my head as I was reading your post. The lyrics sounded just like what you described about a small town summer....

GreenJello said...

I always wonder why we, the parents, aren't completely ridden with skin cancer. After all, we didn't slather ourselves with sunscreen as kids.

I wonder if we're doing ourselves a disservice by not allowing the rays to hit our skin at least for awhile-- isn't that how our bodies make Vitamin D?