Simple times in a NOT simple world

Britton & Liam, at the park

Aidy, playing outside, shirtless (how he spent most of the summer!)

Eating breakfast with Momma

Cycling with Dad

 Summer for the Griffin family has officially come to an end.  Today, my middle son started Pre K.  And while I am thankful for the opportunity to clean the house without walking into the just finished room and finding a dumped out bucket of cars, I also feel a little sad.  This summer in a word, was wonderful. 
As I mentioned in a previous post, the Griffin family decided to break the mold.. & forgo camps this summer.  Instead, choosing to spend quality time.... together.  And as it turns out,  it was the absolute best decision we have yet to make for our family. While Brit did go to cub scout camp, the other weeks of summer were spent making spontaneous trips to get ice cream, staying up late, sleeping in, drawing masterpieces, trips to the park, going for walks, & and many many more "simple" activities.  Now to some of you this may sound lame, but for us it was as sweet as chocolate syrup! Because, during this summer our family grew TOGETHER.  While we have always been close, the slow pace, and not busy life we chose helped us to learn more about each other...we made each other laugh...and we learned how to just BE together. 
While growing together was amazing, we also noticed that the boys each grew individually.  The big boys learned how to be BIG brothers to their baby brother...Aidan, who was always content being the "baby" took on a leadership, big brotherly role with Liam.  He would fix him a waffle for breakfast, crawl into Liam's crib with him and they would just lay there...Liam with his blanket and passy, Aidan with his lovey and his thumb.  Britton learned so much this summer as well.  He would wake earlier than his two younger brothers and spend some quiet time in the living room...and occasionally would join me on the deck where we would sit and enjoy breakfast...talking about life.  He also learned the value of quality time with just him and Dad.  Britton expanded on his interest in cycling this summer and on the weekends would rise early with Dad and go cycling.  They had a blast and Britton really seemed to enjoy that special one on one time. 
In the evenings after supper, when it finally cooled down enough to be outside, we would run outside and ride bikes, walk, play frisbee or whatever else tickled our fancy.  Most importantly, we were TOGETHER...enjoying each other, no matter what activity was involved. 
This summer, another important event occurred.  This was the summer that our family went on their first camping trip!  It was as humid as all get out, but we had a BLAST!  The memories that were made are ones that will never be forgotten.
While this summer was a simple summer...we weren't running around...shuttling from camp to camp, activity to activity...it was wonderful.  My kids were just kids.  They played. Used their imaginations, enjoyed each other...it was simple, and perhaps you may think old fashioned..but that's ok..because, while it was a bit old fashioned...it was also, precious.  Full of precious memories..precious moments...and it is those memories and moments that will stay with them...for the rest of their lives.