A Day in the Life At the Lake

Here at the Lake, the days are full. I usually end up crashing at about 9:30 PM. I’ve also been getting up much earlier to finish the book that’s due on Monday.

Those early morning hours are wonderful for uninterrupted writing time.

And to see sunrises like this…

The kids wake up a bit late since they’re also worn out from all the time outside. Catie loves to potty Maddie every morning, which is a nice break for me, Chief Pottier for the past 14 years. The cabin is right across from the river, and Catie and Maddie always take a few minutes to sit and watch it.

Some time in there we eat breakfast. We’re eating more Vacation Food–partly because of the limited pantry and partly because I have extra time to cook pancakes every morning. Catie is also working on her Bible Story Comprehensions Activities. One of those included us building a temple out of peanut butter. Which we then ate. For Breakfast.

The theme this year has been FISHING! Last year the kids were obsessed with catching toads. This year they love to fish.

Mostly they catch Blue Gill–like dozens and dozens of Blue Gill. Seriously. In all my years of fishing, I’ve never caught THIS MANY fish. Once in while they catch a huge bass, which is picture-worthy.

Actually, Catie and Sam really love to fish. Elisabeth and Nate and me entertain ourselves while the fisher-people do their thing. Usually that involves Nate wandering around in the picturesque setting. So, I find myself taking dozens and dozens of pictures of him.

After lunch, it’s out to the lake. Or to an inside adventure if the lake is over 100 degrees. Tubing has been the kids’ favorite this year. Catie also has discovered water skiing, which she’ll perfect in future years at the cabin.

Nate doesn’t love tubing. Or really being on the boat while M drives circles and circles around the lake, pulling tubers or water-skiers. So, he hangs out with me.

And me? I take pictures.

In the evening, we meet friends or family for dinner. Or we go for a golf cart ride. Or these two sit and chat about the day…and pretend to be a mom and dad on a golf cart. Elisabeth’s frequent declaration this trip has been, “Sam, I’m marrying you when I grow up. Are you marrying me?”

Sam, depending on his level of fatigue, usually answers yes.

Also, you’ll be super happy to know that Sam has not lost his love for the Husker shirt. Two differences: here it smells like fish…and in Nebraska, other people have actually heard of the Huskers.

And then, it’s finally time for bed. It’s been a long day and the kids are tired. But not tired enough to go right to sleep. All of the energy from the day pulses through them. Plus, they’re all SHARING A ROOM! So exciting! You’d think that four kids who had spent the day in each other’s personal space would be sick of all the together time No. Nighttime is their favorite for all shenanigans. Some nights M and I shut the door and let them Lord-Of-the-Flies it out in there. Some nights we go in four thousand times and make threats. Some nights we try wearing them out by reading odd books about animals talking.

Most nights we try all those.

And, finally, they go to sleep.

To get ready for another day.

A Day in the Life At the Lake

Christina

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