What I Did With My Kid On Our Summer Vacation

Remember back in February when you were outside shoveling the 20 plus-inches of snow that fell overnight, hoping to find the driveway? One extremely hot August day this summer, sitting in the A/C, while my seven-year-old was explaining the four seasons to me, I reminisced about snow shoveling. Sorry, I’m from New England. I like to shovel snow.

Anyway, the rambling conversation went a little something like this.

“Mom,” long  pause “you know why spring and fall are my favorite seasons?” She didn’t wait for me to answer. “Cause summer is sometimes too hot, and winter is sometimes too cold. They are opposites like spring and fall.”  “Mom! It’s a pattern. Are you listening?!”

Listening? “Yes, I am.” That was my goal this summer. To listen and be present.

The last two summers I worked summer camp in Montclair. I taught yoga for 8 weeks, 10 classes a week, about 250 students each week. Give or take a twin or two. They were long summers of yogic bliss and a big adventure. My daughter attended the same camp. She was always right down the hall. We were out of the house by 8am and we would return home around 2 pm. Crash! We would take naps before dinner, say hi to Daddy, take a bath, and get tucked into bed. And then, early to rise the next morning, repeat it all over again. By Labor Day Weekend, I had no energy to attend a cookout. I lounged on the couch and watched a “Cupcake Wars” marathon.

So, when it came time to decide about camp for this year, I asked The Girl, “Would you like to go to camp this summer?” She declared, “NO.”  Okay, we would do what we want then, its summertime. She had three things on her list: tap class, school enrichment, and swim outside. Excellent, I could do that.

For tap class, it all started with the shoes. Our dance school, Sharron Miller’s Academy For the Performing Arts, offered a 6-week class. There were 5 kids in class the first week, and then by the last week my daughter was the lucky student to experience a private class. I say lucky, she says, “My teacher expected too much perfection.” Yes! I love you Miss Liz. (She teaches Tuesdays this fall) I tapped as a young girl and reveled in watching these classes through the little “parent” window. This was a great introduction to a class that was spoken about for months.

Our town offers an enrichment program through the BOE called Let’s Learn during July. The Girl loved it. She was able to see her friends, learn something new and have fun.  I had the morning to myself, although I mostly worked. The classes were held at the middle school. For my soon-to-be second grader, this was the highlight of her summer. She can’t wait to go to middle school when she gets bigger. Mainly because the library has a big chair like Daddy’s to sit in and read. I love my non-stop reader.  I must say every time she said “middle school” I would start grinding my teeth.  I CAN wait until 7^th grade thank you very much. She’s looking forward to next summer’s program with an eagerness to explore.

Luckily, swim classes outside won over inside. This was bliss for me. Sitting in a lounge chair, catching some rays (for Vitamin D), sipping my frozen Chai, watching my girl dive and swim in the pool. Heaven. She is so big. I am so proud. If you have a membership to a pool, swim classes are usually free–big mom smile.

And we read. Everywhere and everything. We read library books, sat on the floor at Barnes & Noble, and we even started a kid’s book club. The Girl asked some of her friends, they loved the idea and the moms were immediately on board. We took turns hosting our meetings at each other’s house, and some of the friend’s siblings started a book club too, the 5^th graders. We shared yummy snacks and cold beverages. Most of time, we got to swim in our friend’s pools.  A very lovely experience all around.  The Girl read fairy books, The Magic Tree House series, American Girl books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Ivy & Bean, and this year she discovered Harry Potter.  Harry was brand new for me too. I don’t remember such beautiful books when I was a kid.

Several relatives made their way to New Jersey this summer. For one visit, we all trucked into New York City when it was 115° for an awesome dinner at Carmines, a Broadway show and a baseball game. For another visit, we stayed local, with lots of good homemade food and icy summer drinks while the kids ran around the yard catching bugs. Sharing stories and taking pictures. Relatives visiting are a reminder that it has been too long since we all saw each other. We promised to call more often and exchanged pleasantries. And hope we do not lose anyone dear to us in the months ahead. Being with family can be a reminder of those we miss and are no longer with us.

We had lots of miscellaneous days too. We made lunch at home, went out to lunch, had our nails done, saw a couple of movies, visited Cups in Clifton and, our favorite, slept late. Not every day, but more often than the school year and we loved every drowsy morning together, my girl and I. Staying in our PJs until lunch, we often postponed food shopping for performing the songs from High School Musical 1, 2 and 3. With a little Lady Gaga and Madonna thrown in for creativity. We also spent time together as a family at the beach. A little down the shore bliss.

We are rested, relaxed and glowingly tan. Most of all, we’re ready for school and looking forward to picking apples, and deciding what to be for Halloween. And maybe, we might attend a BBQ or two this Labor Day Weekend.

How did you spend your summer?

Melody Lima, is a yoga teacher in and around Montclair and a mom who enjoys sharing through writing.