I have been loving Sundays this summer.  They have been fun, relaxed, and most importantly, filled with my favorite people – the girl, the boy, and Chris.

This past Sunday, like every Sunday, started with church.  The boy, the  girl, and I all had at least a touch of aqua in our clothing.  Chris, as always, was dressed to the nines in his deacon duds.  I even looked nice, and I’m known for looking like I’m about to go run errands while the rest of my family is in their Sunday finery.  So we were off to a great start.

In the car, the kids quibbled just a bit about who was going to get to read aloud bible passages.  Sometimes this quibbling culminates in flying bibles in the backseat, but this Sunday they resolved their differences peaceably.  The entire ride was relaxed, and I even took a moment to apply some makeup.

Once we were in church service, the boy’s barrage of questions began.

Who is Mitt Romney?  Is he a christian?  Is Barack Obama a christian?  Why isn’t everyone a christian?  Who else is running?  Only the two of them?  Why isn’t anyone else running?  What is a running mate?  How do they pick their running mates?  Will we vote for them together or without their running mates?  I don’t get to vote?  Why don’t I get to vote?  I’m the people, right?  Then why can’t I vote?

Fascinated by his interest in politics, I entertained his questions, but eventually we had to turn our attention to communion.  Then the girl’s questions and commentary began.

Why are they all wearing black?  Why are they singing that?  Well, it would be cool if we sang something different some time.  Why is she standing up there?  Do you see Daddy?  I see Daddy.  Why are you laughing?  What’s so funny?

Again, we all had to regain our composure; it was communion after all.  But the boy had more questions and commentary of his own.

Why are you sitting between us?  What do you mean so we won’t bother each other?  Yes, ma’am, I am paying attention.  I want to sit on the other side of you.  Look, my bread is broke.  I mean broken.  Yes, I want your bread, so I can break it when it’s time to break it.  I can’t break it if it’s broke already.  Broken.

After church was lunch and a nap.

A nap.

Then our post-nap activities began.  We often divide a conquer.  Chris usually takes the kids grocery shopping, while I enjoy a bit of me time, and this Sunday was no different.  Then Chris grilled, which happens frequently in the summer.  While Chris was grilling, I did the girl’s hair and the boy played games, read, and watched tv.

During our in-home salon time, the boy begged to do some math problems.  Who can say no to that?  So I quizzed him while I combed and twisted the girl’s hair.  Sometimes, who am I kidding, most of the time, the girl squirms and whines while getting her hair done.  I can’t say that I blame her.  We discovered this summer, however, that if she stays busy by reading or playing a game, the process is much more bearable for all of us.  Well, this Sunday, she felt like sewing, so I provided her with some scrap material, needle, and thread.  She borrowed the boy’s scissors, and was ready to create.  She decided to practice her basic running stitch and whip stitch.  I helped her a bit with her technique and taught her how to start a knot, just like my mother taught me.

After math and mane management, we had family dinner, then bedtime, with our customary bible and prayer time.

Sunday was nice.

As I reflected on the lovely day we had just had, I realized it’s not just that Sunday was nice but that Sundays are nice.

Summer Sundays are nice.

I’ve loved my Summer Sundays, and I’m a bit sad they’re coming to an end.  School begins next week, and I fear that School Year Sundays will be more hectic, less family-focused.

This summer, due in large part to Summer Sundays, I’ve learned more about my husband, my daughter, my son, and even myself.  Sunday has been our best day to relax, talk to each other, and enjoy each other’s company.  Oh sure, these things happen on other days of the week, but I find our other days are so full that it’s sometimes difficult to sustain the momentum we need just to make it to the next thing, and energy for other sorts of pursuit is too easily zapped.

While Summer Sundays are coming to an end, I’m going to infuse some of that Sunday Spirit into the other days of the week.  My time with family as a unit is fleeting.  As my children grow older each day, they pull further and further away from me.  I know that’s how it’s supposed to be, and far be it from me to clip their wings.  So I’ll focus instead on helping them develop their flight muscles by giving them the best of me, which apparently happens in the spirit of Summer Sundays.