Summer!

And so it begins.

Summer vacation.

I do not fear it anymore. I have resigned myself to accept the change in...in...everything. Absolutely everything.

The first few weeks are the hardest, of course, as we all adjust to being around each other a lot more with less to occupy our minds and hearts. I imagine retirement is a little like this.

DAY ONE

Take that, Summer Reading Program!

Robert builds a castle out of books in the middle of the living room. Alice dashes off to try swim team with friends. James likes having a few more people to play with. Matthew has toileting accidents. Kids grow tired of each other and bother each other nonstop. Bickering, hurt feelings, explosive tempers, and no quiet time. We try to move a thousand pounds of rocks into our backyard (no joke), but it's slow going and I am wasted from all the rocks I moved the day before.

DAY TWO

The neighborhood kids come over and play all day with the kids. We move some rocks, do some gardening chores, and play, play, play. That night, Erin arrives! Family morale lifts immediately (Erin has that kind of effect on us).

DAY THREE
We haul more rocks, but the kids are actually happy about it now that Erin is around. Bobby does most of the heavy lifting this time. And when we've moved enough rocks, we begin this:

Simple beginnings. Strong foundation.

An 80sq ft club house (with additional loft). The rocks make up its foundation. It's a gift from Erin, who has come out to help us build it and break it in. Last summer, when we went to the lake with Erin and my parents, an idea was born. Erin and the kids talked about a club house they could play in together and camp out in. This is the end product of that dreaming. The kids earned money to help pay for it. They've been involved in every step they could. Our generous neighbors have donated rocks and paint and other supplies.

It's been a full time job for three adults to manage the kids and build the playhouse over Memorial Day weekend. I'll post more about the process later. We are 80% done today and it's beautiful and fun and just exactly what we've all been hoping for. Tomorrow, they will paint and we'll put on the finishing touches. Can't wait to show you more!