Remember when summer days were gloriously sunny and stretched out from breakfast to bedtime full of long lazy wanderings, butterflies, bumble bees, bare toes in grass, the ice-cream van, sticky tarmac, splashing about in streams and water fights with old washing up bottles? It seems to me now that I spent the whole summer holidays outdoors, running riot and having a ball.
I was lucky to have those days. I fear my girl, and of course now my boy, wont have those hazy, golden, sun drenched memories that I have. We have these little burst of gorgeousness but no whole season to speak of.
That's why every single warm and sunny moment must be snatched up.
I'm on a constant sun watch (no good relying on the weather report, these sneaky afternoons, like yesterday's, are often not expected) and when the temperature rises a little and the sun peaks out from behind the thick layer of perma-cloud then I'm running around the house like an idiot grabbing sun hats and bathing costumes and sandals and lotion and money for ice-cream before rushing outdoors to get me and mine some summer fun.
And so I've decided to pack a bag. A summer bag which will hang in the hall ready for me to grab and go.
the contents
Edie's bathing costume
Sun lotion
Alcogel
Baby wipes
Sun hats
A towel
Water
Money (for ice-cream and last minute picnics)
A sarong (for lazing about on, instead of a blanket which is too bulky for impromptu escapes)
Then I can just grab it and go, straight from the school run, to ensure no one has to walk through town in just a pair of leggins because their mother let them go in the outdoor pool in the park in their knickers and t-shirt. Next time their bathers will be there, ready, in the bag.
Can you think of anything else I need to add?
