Boy, the kids are excited. They get to sleep in, watch TV to their heart’s content, read, play Nintendo, Gameboy and the likes, run around the backyard, tease the dog, stay up late and do all the fun things that makes summer vacation so special.
The OH & I have always tried and been fortunate enough to have grandparents visit & spend time with the kids during their summer break. Both of us have fond memories of staying home with no agenda and just spending days on end reading and playing out on the street with the kids from the neighborhood. In spite of all those summer camps that offer the best summer activity, we have always favored leaving them home with the grandparents. After all, they learn so much more about our culture and get more fluent speaking our language when they are home with grandparents. Unfortunately they don’t get the luxury of playing outdoors with friends from the neighborhood but they more than make up for that during the weekends when we hang out more often with friends and they get to play with their buddies.
When Meg & Raul were younger, they were keen on attending summer activities ‘coz they were bored staying home but as they have grown older, they truly appreciate being able to stay home and bask in the joy of not having a routine to follow. The OH & I sometimes wonder if we should enroll them in some program to enable them to take advantage of all this free time but our decision is always the same. Let kids be kids and enjoy the luxury of not having to run through a strict schedule even during their holidays. It is the time for them to use their creativity to come up with fun activities and things to do. Didn’t we stay home every break, do nothing and still turn out just fine?
As long as I have grandparents healthy and willing to come spend time with the kids, I wouldn’t trade that for any summer camp or activity. The bonding with their grandparents is priceless and is the best gift I can give them as they grow up to appreciate the memories they will come to associate later with these fun times. When I return home from work to see the kids playing a round of Parcheesi or Scrabble with their grandparents, it gives me a sense of contentment and happiness to see them in the care of the same individuals who raised us and love our kids just as much if not more. I say a silent prayer wishing for this to last forever.
Meanwhile, it’s movie time tonight with Raul. I promised to take him on a date to watch the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian since Meg got to watch it with her friends last week. Oh the joys of summer vacation when I get to sleep in for an extra thirty minutes since there isn’t the morning rush to pack lunch and place the breakfast on the table for the kids:)
