Summer Nights and Ice Cream...Enjoy the Ride

Last night we did one of my favorite summer activities. All the kids were home, so we piled in the car and went for ice cream. It’s not often everyone is home these days and finding something all four of my kids will agreeably partake in is a challenge. Everyone in my house loves ice cream. I tell them they need to come for the ride if they want the ice cream. I’m not taking orders and bringing anything back.

It’s not that it would be a huge challenge to bring something back, but getting them in a confined space, where they can interact with each other is rare these days. When they were little, they were each other’s playmates. It seemed as if they were always together making noise and messes. As we now have three teenagers and one teenager in training, they each have their own interests, jobs, and friends. They have their own spot they relax in at home. We might get a duo or trio hanging out and playing together, but rarely all four at the same time.

So, we pile in and I enjoy the ride. I give them control of the music and they chat about which song to play. Sometimes current music and other times silly songs they found online or classics from childhood. They talk about memes, YouTube videos, and stories about friends. Hearing them all chatting, singing, and laughing is worth the trip. There is something about spur-of-the-moment ice cream that is summer magic.

Our oldest is off to college next year. I know I am going to miss her like crazy. Even more so, I’ll miss the sound of all my kids getting along and enjoying each other’s company. It might not happen often, but you must soak in these moments when possible. Help create them if you can. You never know when it will be the last time they are all together chatting, so go for the ice cream and enjoy the ride.