Jun
Memories in the Making
Today marks the start of half-days for my youngest. Half-days that will last until school officially closes at the end of next week.
There’s a part of me that’s looking at the clock trying to figure out how I’m going to cram a day’s worth of work into half the time. But there’s another part–a larger part–that’s determined to do it. So we can enjoy our time together. And I treasure it, I really do.
There may be things in life I wish I could change (my self-confidence at the top of that list), but when it comes to time I’ve spent with my kids…I have no regrets. Except, maybe, that it went too fast. 
Today, I think I’m going to meet her at the bus stop with a picnic lunch. Maybe we’ll make a yummy dessert together, too…
And since I have seven more half-days ahead of us, tell me something special you’ve done with your kids. Don’t have any kids? Then how about a special memory shared with a parent? Maybe we can give it a whirl, too.
~Elizabeth
June 16th, 2010 at 7:56 am
I was a loner so my mom would like me sit and watch her do her daily chores and then she would sit down and with me and my imaginery friend.
June 16th, 2010 at 8:39 am
At different times I’ve taken both my girls to ‘work’ things. Last week I took my 12 y/o to a presentation I was giving. She wasn’t totally bored, but gave up paying attention about 45 minutes in and started reading a book.
When they were 4 or 5 I’d take each one to the pool by ourselves and play together. Pretty much ignore everyone else. As they got older that became harder because they wanted to play with their friends.
I try to find things we can to do together, even if it is more their thing. I’ve got my oldest interested in SciFi so we’ve watched Stargate SG-1, V, Dr. Who etc. together. My 12 y/o and I watch Finneas and Ferb together
I’m trying to get them into going to car shows with me, but the girls quickly think it is too hot and start demanding ice cream.
I also go with my Mom to see the latest James Bond movie in the theater. Probably seen the last 5 or 6. Just something she and I like to do.
June 16th, 2010 at 10:26 am
The picnic idea is great. I remember mother packing up us girls with a lunch and meeting my father for a picnic at a park halfway between his work and home several times each summer.
Now I am fortunate to take my mother out to the antique shops (and leave most of it there). We can always find objects that remind us of other loved ones and things we used to have that were similar; like a walk down memory lane.
June 16th, 2010 at 10:47 am
I guess I realized how much my son was like me on our campus visit trip the year before he graduated from high school. We discussed political theory for miles.
June 16th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Chris, I try to do one on one things with my girls, too. Sometimes it’s just an outing to Friendly’s or for a walk, etc.
Carol, I LVOE your description of visiting the antique shops and how you liken things you see to people you remember. Very nice!
June 16th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I love the surprise picnic!
How about mini golf and an ice cream cone,
Do you have something like a bird sanctuary trail near you? They are neat places to walk.
The zoo?
Science museum?
June 16th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Sounds like you had an awesome afternoon planned. Hope it was wonderful.
Right now, we’re at the front of softball season, which means each weekend finds us in a different city. I don’t coach, but I do shoot our photos. So there’s some pretty good dad/daughter time there.
My son and I have gone camping a couple times. The heat and bugs are wretched. But the time away is great. Hope to pull it off again this year.
And we’re in the market for new bikes. Hopefully, we’ll become fixtures on the River Road…