When You Let Your Kids Call the Shots
For the days when you wonder if you’ll ever find your smile,
and your Joy-Meter has tanked,
and your laughter has done walked off the yard…
On those days — the doggiest dog-days of summer — this is the one question that can change everything: “Kids, What do you want to do today?”
And just watch the magical thing that happens.
(Girls, you had me at ice cream.)
Daddy saying, “You decide.”
Kid agenda, open wide.
Cannonballs and head-first dives,
Rattling wooden coaster rides.
Carousel and ferris wheel,
Mama with a childish squeal!
Nutty bars and Husker Du,
Okoboji sunset view.
Sitting next to farmer boy,
Tuckered out, but reclaimed joy.
Tell us: How do you refill your Joy Meter on the doggiest dog days?
Oh how I LOVE this post and adore your pictures! Thank you for sharing.
Love,
Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations
Hi Traci! Thank you for sharing in our fun. 🙂
Oh, man. Is that Arnold’s Park?
Yes, Lyla! And if you click on the “wooden coaster” link, you can get a good feel for the Legend Rollercoaster there. Have you been?
Yes. 🙂 We vacationed with the Webster City clan, et al, at Fillenwarth Beach just down the road from the amusement park and the Emporium most summers when I was a kid.
Have you been to Arnolds Park amusement park lately? It looks a lot the same. When you were a wee kid, did you ride the little boat merry-go-round? Still there…
Tipsy House. Mirror Maze. All there…
How “sweet” Jennifer 🙂 Kids are the best directors. Recently, my sister and I got to baby sit our little 5 year old cousin. And it was so nice. We took her for icecream (she got two big scoops–rainbow and cookies and cream) and just to see a child happy over the simplest things in life is precious. This did refill my Joy!
Stephie,
It was so good to just take a couple days and let the girls plan the agenda. We had a ball. No office time. No computers. Just swimming, and cotton candy, and silly games, and all the simplest things.
Jennifer,
This post is such a blessing! We’re on our first full day of a three-generation vacation. Last time I did one of these I was in the youngest generation. Now I’m the Lala enjoying time with my daughter, SIL and their two boys.
Cadence, who’s not quite 5, does have exciting plans for our trip.
Have a great time, Sheila. I look forward to hearing where Cadence leads. 🙂
Well, OK. I’ll try it. 🙂
Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
I refill my joy meter by spending tine with my precious family {aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents}. Just being with them brings me to much joy. I can hardly contain myself when were all together.
Hi Tay … I’ll bet you bring much joy to your family, too, Tay. I’m always amazed at the wisdom you have, especially at such a young age. Do you have another year of school left, or will you be in college?
Yep, one more year of high school left!
refilling the joy meter? something fun with the whole family. and even THINKING of our upcoming vacation, that does it! great photos!
Wonderful, Kendal! Where will you be headed for vacation? We’ve got a short trip to Wisconsin on our agenda, and another short trip to a fishing lake in Minnesota.
I love the picture showing the ad for Blue Bunny Ice Cream–just like me, born in LeMars, Iowa!! =)
That’s right! Shaunie, do you still have family there? Would love to see you if you ever come this way. I only live about 50 miles from LeMars.
You had me at cotton candy. There’s something about summer that just moves the joy meter for me.
Nancy … For us as well. Gardens and swimming pools and picnics in the park and boat rides …
Forget the roller coaster, let me at that jumpy thing though! (Did you jump, miss JDL?)
Blessings.
Darlene,
No I didn’t jump. But when I posted that picture on here yesterday, I wondered, “who of my friends would have taken their turn on that crazy thing?” You came to mind. 🙂 … I love your spirit, Darlene.
Nothing like summer fun. We WANT to make our kids happy, to bring them joy!
Love it, love it — especially you on that wild roller coaster!
And me? I find joy in resting in His creation — this morning I watched a red belly woodpecker hunting for bugs about the yard as the wind swept through the tall oak trees. And I sang, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad and be glad!”
Whatever it is usually involves chocolate and concentrated thanksgiving!
Love that photo of your little girl peeking through the window.
Love love love the photos!
I’m scared to ask my kids what they want to do. It usually involves lots of money and water. Since I don’t have much money, nor a bathing suit, I usually send them to grandma and grandpa’s. They have both:)!
peace~elaine
Wonderful, I feel like I just went to the boardwalk sitting here at work! Thanks I needed that…..Lori