Summertime and Siblings

When summertime finally arrives, it’s a relief to be able to go outside with the kids without it being a huge production. No more coat checks, and hat searches. No more searching for elusive socks! Everybody has flip-flops and teeshirts, and getting outside is as easy as saying “Go!” And all the moms say, “Summertime, and the living is easy…” No? Just me? Okay then. I love seeing Sophia and Klaus loving on the outdoors. Our yard is small, but it’s their delight in it is unparalleled. The playhouse becomes a pirate ship, sticks in a corner are a camping ground… and their imaginations are unfettered.

While Sophia and Klaus are fighting dragons, Eva is watching. Her development is interesting to watch as she is influenced so heavily by the older two. They ride their tricycles and bicycles, and race across the yard. Eva is right behind them, trying to coax her chunky and delightfully uncoordinated baby limbs into the same motions. She is always behind them, always struggling to be farther ahead. When they abandon their bikes in favor of running, Eva runs too. When they climb the slide and the playhouse becomes a pirate ship, Eva heads that way.

Sometimes I think it must be frustrating for her. Always running, never quite alongside them. But she is not just the youngest; they are also the oldests. They play their games, and then they come back for her, time and again. Slowing down, holding hands, helping her on and off of tricycles. They help her up when she falls down, and delight in her presence as she dotes on theirs. They are best friends in the deepest way possible. Of course they fight (some mornings quite a lot) but they’re learning how to get along every day. More than that, they’re learning to care for each other and watch out for each other.

Watching their relationships develop never fails to make my mama heart happy. I hope they’ll always cherish each other the way they do now. And even if they don’t–even if life pulls them different ways as they grow up and go out into the world–I’m so thankful that I’ll have these memories of them. Holding hands, shoes off, hair free, running across the yard on a cool summer day. I hope they’ll remember it too.