Summer Recreation has concluded. Yippee!! It actually was fine and the kids loved the activities they chose to participate. As I was watching them on the final day, I was thinking about how unique each child is, especially in their approach to playing. So here is my list of Summer Rec Awards (if there were such a thing).
The Most Enthusiastic: Hands down it goes to Sweet Potato. No matter what he was doing, he had a smile on his face and a spring in his step. It was fun watching him play, simply because he enjoyed it so much.
Most Determination: This belongs to Honey Bunches. He worked really hard at each of his sports; football, basketball and swimming. Even when there was a skill that challenged him, he kept trying and didn't give up. His determination was endless.
Most Likely To Be Reincarnated As A Fish: Cucumber. I don't believe in reincarnation, but she was a natural in the water. She showed little fear and was constantly paddling around, even when she probably shouldn't have been (like when her teacher was giving her instructions!)
Most Passionate: Gummi Bear. Whether it was gymnastics or volleyball, the girl lived and breathed those sports. Each night, she would practice in the yard after supper. She talked endlessly about each sport and looked forward to practice the next day. She wasn't ready for these two activities to end.
Most Likely to Believe She is Michael Phelps When She is Only in the Preschool Beginners Level: That would be Sweet Pea. This was her first "lesson in the big pool" experience. I would consider her to be a pretty typical beginner in the water. However, in Sweet Pea's mind, she was far beyond her limits. I watched as her teacher persuaded her to complete (or at least try) each skill. Sometimes, she simply refused. After her lessons I asked her why she wouldn't do what was asked of her. She expressed, "I can do it, I just don't want to." Then as we watched some of the Olympic Trials, she told me that she swims like that. Mmmhmm. She squealed quite a bit while in the water, which proved her having lots of fun. That, alone, was worth it.
Most Loving Her Time Alone With Grandma: Of course it's Pumpkin. She was too young to participate in any of the activities, so she spent most of her time with Grandma. And might I add that they had a great time together. They went for a few walks (which ended up at the Bakery), they did a little shopping, they colored and played games, folded laundry together, went visiting and watched movies. Pumpkin didn't mind so much not being with the rest of us.
I think we found a nice balance of structured activity and down time over the past few months. We still have a little over a month to enjoy these hot, summer days. I look forward to waking each morning and asking the Love Bugs what they want to do that day. I'm going to try really hard to relax a little more and enjoy this time with them before school begins again.
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