The Days are Getting Shorter

 Today I would like to welcome Laurie from The Family That Laughs Together to TheNorthForty!  Laurie is a mother of an adorable little boy, a wife, a friend, a social worker, an entrepreneur, and a teacher.  Here she shares the story of her summer at home with her family:

Laurie relaxing on the back deck with her son and dog.

This summer my family stayed home.  I have never stayed home for an entire summer in my entire life.  In summers past I have jetted off to visit family, attended destination weddings, or traveled to a new far away place.  That’s just what I do.  Or should I say did?
 
For many reasons we decided to stay put this summer.  I also made the decision to work less and spend more time at home.  For the most part I was able to get away with a three day work week.  At first it was tough to be home, really be home, in both mind and body. Thankfully one day it just clicked and I started to play!

I began to allow myself to see summer through the eyes of my two year old.  As I reflect on this summer, some of my favorite memories include: the adventure of walking down the street, having a popsicle not once, but twice in one day, running through the sprinklers, playing in the rain, cooking meals at the house, setting up our inflatable pool with cup holders (yes, we went there), chasing our dog around the back yard, play dates, sitting at beach and daring to go in the ice cold water one toe at a time…simple pleasures of nicer, warmer summer days.

I realize now that by slowing down and staying home this summer I had the opportunity to watch my baby become a little boy.  I gained trust that I can let him be a little boy.  I can let him climb and explore without me standing in the way.  I can let him (gulp) get scrapes on both knees.

As summer comes to an end and yet another transition of busier days loom ahead, I am grateful for the time I was able to spend at home.  I learned that there is so much to see, experience and explore right here at home…and no one asks me to pay a fee for my extra bag.  My favorite people live here and that’s where I really want to be.

Interested in writing a guest post for TheNorthForty?  Please check out my Guest Posting Policy and send submissions to tykesmom@the-north-forty.com.