Bucket List 2013

School is out, and summer is in full swing!  The 2013 summer bucket list is posted on the refrigerator, just waiting for us to start crossing things off.

We started the bucket list thing last year when Pinterest was a big deal.  I thought I was being a good mom because I was pinning our summer on a board somewhere in cyberspace that the boys would never see.  The list made my ideas a reality and provided a loose structure to our time together.  The cowboys loved it, and we began planning this year's list back in April!

 

Of course, the concept of a "bucket list" feels much different to me this year.  Loose structure has become great pressure to get it done.  ALL OF IT.  This is their list, their ideas (well, not the reading and the volunteering), and frankly, I don't know if I will be around for the 2014 list.  So I want to be with my Goliath, Little Middle, and Baby.  I want to listen to what they have to say.  I want to teach them how to do things and tell them stories from my childhood.  I want to squeeze it all in and soak them up. 

 

Little Middle, who is in a funk because his best buddy moved away, pointed out to me yesterday, "Mom, you haven't taken us to do one thing on the summer bucket list!"  And he's right.  Grumpy, but right.  But then today happened.  Today, I served pancakes with colored sprinkles to my men for breakfast.  Little Middle slept late, then came straight to me for a hug.  I played with my boys in the pool, and then watched them play (happily) together.  Baby had the very important job of being in charge of the grocery list at The Kroger, and without him we would not have any "dish det" (my abbreviation for dishwasher detergent.  He was stumped.).  I coached Goliath through making my favorite peach cobbler recipe. 

 

Another day is done, and the bucket list is no closer to being completed than it was yesterday.  But so what?  There is plenty of joy in the togetherness of an ordinary day.  Plenty of noise and irritation, to be sure, but more than enough joy.  This mom's heart is checking it off.