What's S'Happening with the Stockwells: Summertime Sadness

Just one more week. Five days actually. Five lazy mornings. Five days without schedules. Five more days to just hang out with my not-quite third grader and my almost-first grader. Five more opportunities to check things off the summer fun list that hangs in our kitchen, the one that was created with so much excitement and promise just two months ago, the one with so many things left undone. On Tuesday, Ethan starts third grade at his new big school. And two days later, Adam heads off to first grade. And while I know that we're all ready for a little more structure in our daily lives, I can't help but feel a touch of the summer sads. Back-to-school always tugs a little harder at my heartstrings than do other yearly milestones. The end of school, well, that's a milestone too, but it's filled with all the relief and freedom and opportunity that the start of summer brings. Birthdays are, of course, big, but they are spaced out and anticipated and often more sweet than bitter. But this nearing of September, while filled with the anticipation of new beginnings, always startles me with its reality and its ability to mark the lightning-fast passage of time.

But oh what a summer we've had. Summer in Maine is such a gift, and while many items remain on our Summer Fun List, we've also managed to check many off. And we've had our fair share of summer downtime. Of lazy days that have brought on what I like to call "a case of the boreds". But these boreds have led to some of our most creative adventures - the floorplan of Hogwarts built from Legos, a neighborhood game of Capture the Flag in our woods, painting masterpieces, dusted-off games about which we'd forgotten, and discovering new hiking trails almost right in our backyard. It's been a summer of making memories with my precious 6- and 8-year old, memories I hope they will cherish, ones I know I will.

Both Ethan and Adam did a week of camp at Broadturn Farm again this year. On Friday of that week, the campers hosted a farm stand for the parents. Crops were harvested, priced, and sold by the campers. Always a hoot to see how kids think veggies should be priced relative to one another.

We spent a wonderful week at the lake, just the four of us, in mid-July.

We kayaked, swam, hiked, played a lot of pickleball, shuffleboarded, and completed a tricky puzzle. It was so relaxing.

Three generations of Stockwell men prepare to take on the Waterford Worlds Fair during our vacation week.

Ethan and Adam pretend to be farmers at the Waterford Worlds Fair. I particularly loved their apron choices.

More WWF fun.

Taking in the view atop Mt. Tire'm.

On the very last day of our lake vacation, Ben and Ethan left to tend to their week-neglected gardens (for the first time ever, Ben did not go home to check the garden during our week away!). Adam and I just couldn't pull ourselves away from the dock.

And taking selfies.

Speaking of the garden, it's been a good year. Here it is in all its glory about a month ago. We're in the thick of our tomato harvest now, and we've had tons of cukes, radishes, kale, chard, beans, carrots, summer squash, potatoes, and more.

Both boys have their own gardens again this year. They take good care of their plants and are very eager (sometimes too eager) to harvest the fruits of the labor.

Summer 2015 has been the Summer of Harry Potter. We just finished the seventh book over the weekend, we've watched seven of the eight movies, and the boys have kept very busy with wand discovery, adornment, labeling, and sales.

We've taken in a few Sea Dogs games, one of our favorite summertime activities in Maine. The boys are finally old enough to follow the game and stretch their requests for food beyond once an inning.

In August, we took another family vacation - this one included a few days of "Staycation" plus a trip to the Duck House. We had a blast of a time at Funtown/Splashtown, as evidenced by Ben's hands in the air on the pirate ship. He loves the rides that make you want to puke; I love the roller coasters; together we have the whole park covered.

Adam was happy driving me around in the antique cars.

We were blessed with three spectacular summer days in Rockport, and we took full advantage.

Between many hours spent at the pool, we stretched our legs on the breakwater.

And hiked Mt. Battie.

I think we have one of these shots for every summer since the boys were little. It's fun to see how much faster and easier it is to hike Mt. Battie each year.


Amidst all our travels, we've loved simple times at the beach with friends.

3 boys on the dock+2 boys on the paddleboard=hours of fun

My boys are also huge fans of fruit picking, and I am grateful for their helping hands. Last week we brought home apples, raspberries, and blueberries, and it's already time to replenish our stock.