Children adore summer more than anyone I know. As we become adults with obligations summer can sometimes lose its sparkle. Even gardeners have problems as the days become hot and humid. The flowers need constant watering if none comes from the heavens. I really start to complain when I feel I must stay inside with air conditioning.
But children dream of forever days without school. Endless times to enjoy doing what they wish. I remember as a child thinking summer lasted forever. I believe my grandsons think the same. In my family we always dreamed of going to the beach. My parents loved the beach and passed that love to their children. All six of us packed into our 1955 Desoto and headed to the beach every summer for a least a week. When I think of all the things my parents hauled there for us I am astounded. We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies as we headed down US 60 to our favorite beach. My aunts and uncles and cousins would all stay in cottages nearby. I tell you it was heaven for us. I would live at the beach if I could. Of course one wonders if one lived there would it also become old hat.
This week we headed to a resort in Williamsburg where we all gathered to enjoy some time together. The younger grands still have that sparkle that I recall from days gone by. I love being reminded of this.
Children also remind me of their endless energy. Thank goodness their Dad was there to take up the slack when Boo and Bear were tired. Our oldest grandson was there as well, but he's not the water lover these guys are.
These boys enjoyed countless hours in the pool indoors and out, played putt-putt golf, Foosball, ping pong and indoor games of German Checkers. Our oldest grandson wanted to go to Busch Gardens so we picked the coolest day of the week, only a high of 89 degrees! We all enjoyed seeing them enjoy themselves. I must admit I was happy when they said they had done everything they wanted and wanted to go back to the resort.
Making memories together is so important. Family is my world. I'm so happy that my world is not what I read and see on television. Yes, I am concerned for all that happens around us and realize we are not immune. We must make our corner of the world a better place for the sake of our children and our children's children.
I didn't exactly get to do what you did as a child but my grandparents lived in a subdivision that was built by a lake and we looked forward to going there to visit. I wanted to float and play in the water for hours. Being carefree and having fun is what it should be like for children. I've been to the Busch Gardens and loved it. I don't do the big roller coasters but my husband braved it with the kids. Sounds like you all had a great time! I'm the same way about family. Your last statement is so true.
ReplyDeleteWe're experiencing the warm blast right now too but not quite as it is down your way. Stay cool!
Liz, I can imagine you had wonderful times at your grandparent's lake. I wish for every child to have warm memories of carefree days. Children have such a short span to be that way.
DeleteStay comfortable during your warm blast. ♥
Making good memories is indeed important! I think that is why I've been able to keep up with my photo albums these past 37 years.
ReplyDeleteYour family will cherish those albums in the future, Cathy. You are the recorder of all of those memories. ♥
DeleteOh, you're so right! A childhood summer is long and wonderful! What a delight to be able to share some of that with your handsome grandsons! You are making big investments in their lives!
ReplyDelete(I am glad you're not going to Busch Gardens this week. Ugh.) :O
I don't you could pay me to go this week, Cheryl! It's already quite oppressive out there now. Stay cool. ♥
DeleteI see the enthusiasm in the boys! Summer days, summer days, thank God for them because every kid needs time to play and unwind and enjoy being with family.
ReplyDeleteThe energy they have is amazing, Vee. Every child does indeed need time to unwind. I'm so thankful for every moment we spend together. I hope you are staying cool this weekend. x
DeleteWhat a delightful week you had. Those are great photos of your grandsons and they say it all in their eyes! (and oh the energy of youth!). You certainly are making memories like the ones you have as a child. I think it's interesting how special places we went as kids in the summer--even for only a week or two, have such big space in our memories! Our only vacation was visits to our grandparents' houses, but boy do I remember them as special times.
ReplyDeleteDotsie, our childhood memories seem more precious as the years go by. Visits to grandparent's are some of the sweetest. Now we know how they felt about us. ♥
DeleteOh, your grandsons are having a blast this summer! Kids enjoy the water sports so much during the hot days, and I do remember thinking summer lasted forever, like you said. I love that picture of the two of them arm in arm. Boys are such wonderful little people. How beautiful you mentioned that we should make the world a better place for our children and our children's children. What a lovely thought, Martha Ellen.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Our grandsons mean the world to us, Sheri. I wish for them and all children a peaceful world to live in. ♥
DeleteJust so! Childhood and summer go hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Lovely post...
ReplyDeleteMagical photo of the moon!!!
The moon was just lovely that night, Tessa. The full thunder moon or buck moon, whatever it was called by Native Americans was prettier than my photo. I needed my long lense for a better shot. ♥
DeleteHi Martha! Oh, your little grand sons are so sweet. Looks like we are both having a similar summer!! Hope you're enjoying the summer. Thanks for popping in to see me.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Thank you, Shelia. It's so much fun to enjoy our grands and share their love of summer. ♥
DeleteTHis is a marvelous post Martha Ellen! Darling grandchildren and all the fun summer can bring. Yes, summer was much more enjoyable when we were younger...playing outdoors all day long and I don't remember it being this hot! Family is everything, you are SO right! Happy to see and hear how much y'all are enjoying each other this July! Have a beautiful week!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I agree, I don't think the heat bothered us one bit when we were younger. When I was really young, we didn't even have air conditioning! How did we survive? Stay cool, my friend. ♥
DeleteThe recipe on your previous post looks lovely ...
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed this post about summer and children / grand-children.
The young love the summer and heat - what heat???
Two of our grandchildren live close to the sea and they love summer days on the beach ...
All the best Jan
Jan we are cooking here! It is 98 degrees right now. I can imagine it's heaven for those grands that live near the sea--how wonderful for them. Have a wonderful day. ♥
DeleteWhat a grand time for all of you. It's awesome that you could take a trip with your son and grands. We didn't often take vacations with the grandparents when I was growing up...only twice, I think. However, we lived within walking distance of one another, so we saw them often.
ReplyDeleteBefore we moved to Idaho, we lived in Florida, so my kids spent the first 8 and 10 years of their lives going to the beach all the time. Now we are in a landlocked state, and we really miss the ocean. We have such fantastic memories from our times at various Florida beaches.
Blessings,
Patti
Patti, I'm sure your children have fond memories of the beaches in Florida. My family loves the beach. We all look forward to our annual trip to the glorious ocean. It's really something to behold! I didn't take vacations with my grandparents either. There are many fond memories of being with my grandmothers, though.
DeleteEnjoy your day, Patti. ♥
Oh, Martha Ellen! I loved reading about your childhood vacation memories! Our family often rented a tiny cottage at the beach in Door County, Wisconsin for a week in the summertime. My dad spent his childhood summers there and wanted to create the same happy memories for us! It looks like your family trip to Wiiliamsburg was great fun for everyone! I just love all of the happy smiles! Your grandsons are really growing up right before our eyes! Wishing you happy August days, dear one! ��here
ReplyDeleteDawn, It sounds like your summers were full of joy. I wish that for all children. Our grandsons are growing up before our eyes. We have the best times with them. I'll be writing about more happy memories soon. Enjoy your afternoon, dear one! ♥
DeleteYour grandsons are adorable, Martha! I'm glad you were able to spend this special tiem with them!
ReplyDelete