Summer Lessons

It's the first day of summer and I'm trying to come up with fun things to do with the kids so I don't go fucking insane...and because I want the kids to have fun and learn new things. Does that sound better? Kiera started swim lessons today and she loved it (see picture below). It sucks because I can't be down by the swimming pool when she's doing her lessons. Apparently it's too distracting for the kids...and it's an indoor pool that's next to the sauna so it's hot as hell. So I gladly went to the parent waiting area to wait for Kiera (future Olympic swimmer) to be done. When I went to pick her up, she was doing her usual Kiera stuff...such as high-fiving her teacher and hugging all her classmates. I wish I had her enthusiasm and confidence. I hope she holds onto that as she grows older.

As far as other activities go...we got nothin'. All Ryan wanted to do was Basketball and Gymnastics/Tumbling. All too pricey for our frugal lifestyle right now. Ryan has no interest in taking an art class which is totally lame because we could totally afford that and he's really good at it. But that's okay. Me and Ernesto are not the typical micro-managing D.C. parents. Summer should mean freedom...and that's what Ryan's getting. We'll still go on family excursions on a weekly basis, and we'll do other activities during the week. But mainly, I just want him to read books and run around and get dirty over the summer. There will be plenty of things to sign him up for in the fall. As far as Kiera's concerned, I think we'll just stick to swim lessons over the summer. She doesn't need anything more than that.

Parents around here can be a little nutty. They sign their kids up for activity after activity after fucking activity. I can understand one or two summer camps (especially if you're working). But if there's one parent at home, why is there a need to constantly run from one place to another? Relax! Let the kids relax! It builds creativity. My belief in free time has been reinforced by a book called Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. Totally awesome book. Anyway...since we're not signing up the kids for organized activities, I need to come up with some sort of structured schedule during the week. After all, kids do need some structure. So I believe a lot of baking, crafts, nature centers and nature walks, reading time, museums, plays and other such things shall be on the agenda. Other then that, let the kids roam free...