Savouring Our Summer Holidays

It’s taken me a little while to fall into the groove of summer holidays. When kindergarten finished up, there was Christmas to think about.  Between Christmas and New Year’s, Paul was home and it was ‘family holiday time’.  However now, with not long to go until school begins, my mind has been going over and over how to make the most of these final weeks… what to plan to make it memorable for Grace and what I can do to soak up this precious ‘end of an era’ myself.

A few nights ago in bed, sleep didn’t come as quickly as usual and I found myself mulling over my concerns.  The more I thought about it, the more I realised that  perhaps the best way I could spend these final three weeks of Grace being at home full time was to just keep on doing what we’re doing.  Perhaps lazy mornings with the girls lingering in PJs that little bit longer, swims in the neighbour’s pool on hot days, reading books or crafting after lunch and little outings here and there for milkshakes or picnics or playdates with friends were in fact the perfect way to be spending our holiday after all.  Perhaps this simple rhythm, dotted with the treat of a sleep over at Grandma’s or Nan’s and a few days spent at Paul’s Uncle’s beach house were exactly what we needed.  

Come February, Grace and I won’t have the luxury of our one on one time whilst Sophie is napping, outings will be restricted to the weekends and dress-up costumes will remain in their basket until the end of the day. I'm trying to savour these precious moments of ordinary days while I can.  

Holidays don’t necessarily have to be monumental or extraordinary to be memorable.  I've now accepted that simple days enjoying the comforts of home, sprinkled with outings to our favourite spots are the best way for Grace and I to enjoy our time together this January.