Signs of summer

You can sure tell it's summertime at our house. My girls are leaving signs in every crevice of the house that they're not in school anymore. For instance, in one corner of my living room is a camp ground with a make shift tent with a blanket tied into the fake tree with a fake fire and camping supplies underneath. I'm wondering if all the wood shavings my daughter whittled out of a tree branch will vacuum up or not.

On the other end of the living room is a dollhouse with doll families who got played with for half the week and are eagerly waiting for their turn to be played with again before I demand they all be put away. On the opposite corner of the living room is, what seems to be a million cords and headphones, all snaked together on the carpet, with only my girls knowing which cord goes to which device. The poor coffee table in the middle of the living room hasn't seen the light of day since the last day of school. It's covered in half colored Hello Kitty coloring pages, a mixture of markers and crayons, half drank cups, and various snack wrappers. The occasional pair of used socks are balled up underneath the table.

The poor throw pillows on the living room couches haven't been in their usual location for weeks. They're either used as footballs, made into footrests or simply dropped aimlessly and resting out of place on the carpet. The remote, which typically sits quietly on the arm of the couch all day, is always on the go, switching from one girls hands to another, squeezed between couch cushions, drug out to the kitchen or bathroom, and flung under the couch during a crazy game of lion vs. gazelle. My younger girls like animal shows and love to recreate a good ol' predator vs. prey episode in the living room.

My kitchen fridge goes from full to empty in a matter of two days and my sink is constantly full, as is the dishwasher. The snack cupboard imitates the fridge but has crumbs and empty boxes instead. The kitchen counters are lined with little girls' projects they did that day, like gluey art creations and homemade tools and weapons made from sticks and grass. In the corners of the kitchen floor, one can find an array of different flip flops and sandals, all different sizes, a few pairs caked in mud. And don't forget the summer time softball cleats and water shoes waiting for the next game or trip to the lake.

My poor bathroom also shows signs of serious summer use. That counter hasn't been seen in weeks as it is full of hair products, curling irons, an assortment of nail polish colors and several combs and brushes. My 10-year-old is learning how to do her own hair and my 13- year-old is just experimenting. Every day she presents us with a different hairstyle and her attempt at wearing makeup. The 6-year-old simply uses the bathroom to play hair stylist with her dolls so odd toys strung out all over the counter and floor too. The shower is home to a few wet swimsuits and some soaked beach towels, and the tub holds some toys hoping to dry out for the next bath.

The yard out front holds remnants of their chosen activities of the day and my driveway consistently has a brilliant chalk drawing on it. The garage is spilling over with scooters and bikes, balls and bats, and lots of leftover Popsicle wrappers. There are doll strollers and muddy dolls, sand toys and coffee cans full of "special" concoctions.

Yep, I can certainly tell it's summer break and my house shows signs of it everywhere!