Disclaimer: I'm not at all poetic. Or good at rhyming. Or punny. That's my husband's department. In fact, he writes our Christmas card every year, poem style. It's beautiful in its depth and meaning, and flows off the tongue. I simply pick a pretty font for his words and address the envelops to send out.
But here I am, writing an Ode to Summer. Because it's currently naptime, and I can. But I promise I'll get him to write an ode one day, too.
Okay, back to my Ode.
Every year when Labor Day hits, I think of it as a passing season, as I pack away my white shoes and white skinny jeans until Memorial Day (I actually don't own white shoes or white skinny jeans...so, it's more a proverbial packing) and say goodbye to summer fun, and look forward to fall festivities. And truth be told, pray that winter never hits. Or at least only hits until December 26, and then I'm ready for spring.
We had a Labor Day BBQ with some families from church, and it was my last ditch effort to eat all the summery foods I just can't get enough of.
We had more kids (10) than adults (6). So naturally we had spilled punch, a splinter, and a rescue caterpillar. But all of those things come with summer, so it was fitting for it to happen. The kids ran around outside and got all sweaty; the women planned out fellowship activities at church; and the men grilled and talked about things that men talk about when they grill. Our house doesn't comfortably fit 16 people, so it was a BBQ Ode (that's a thing, right?) to hosting large groups, too.
Okay, now back to my Ode again.
An ode to Summer Pizza: The dish that makes you gladly eat your veggies, disguised by the pure bliss of cream cheese and crescent rolls.
An ode to Watering the Flowers: While wearing your rain boots. And a bike helmet. And barely being able to reach the pot. And not being able to life the heavy watering can.
An ode to Baby Wearing Mini Golf: The new sport of baby-wearing your 4-month-old while doing an odd sort of squat to putt the ball. And doing it blindly, because her chunky baby thighs are in your line of vision.
An ode to Kite Flying: And to Daddy holding the kite in the air to make the 2-year-old think he is doing it all by himself.
An ode to Runza Ice Cream Cones: The $1 treat that's perfect for hot, Saturday afternoons and for a cool-off post mowing.
An ode to Kiddie Pools: When two inches of water somehow leaves everyone soaked and dripping wet.
Though we did not live "lazy days of summer," we spent our time together as a family - outside, getting wet, sweating a lot, and with plenty of cold lemonade. And we sent off the summer with a good ode fashioned BBQ.
(See? Should have left the puns to my husband.)
Church friends, grilled food, lots of kids, and being outside sounds like the perfect way to usher in the change of seasons.