Getting into the summer mode
KATE WILLIAMS

KateWilliams and her husband are the parents of an 8-year-old son and 7-year-old twin boys. Contact her at darwinjw@centurytel.net

We've been lieing low so far this summer. Staying close to home. But we made a family trip into town last week. We rarely all go together - it's just asking for trouble. But one had a doctor's appointment, my husband had to go to the eye doctor, and we had lots of errands that had been piling up. So, against my better judgment, we went.

Hawkins got a clean bill of health from the pediatrician after a bout with pneumonia (and a trip to the ER earlier in the week). John's eyes are fine, said the eye doctor. We trooped into Hobby Lobby and ended up with a ladybug latch hook craft kit, a rock tumbler, a model plane set and a science fingerprinting kit. Summer projects. I hoped it would hold 'em for a while.

I even managed to sneak over to the mall to get a few t-shirts while my husband and oldest were busy with the eye doctor. I had the twins with me, of course. They crawled around on the floor and occupied themselves by finding buttons, stick pins, and even those dangerous looking exploding anti-theft ink tags that they put on clothing. They begged me to buy a pair of capris, just so they could have the extra buttons that came with them, hanging off the belt in a little plastic baggie. I declined.

Then we really got cocky and decided to go see the new Indiana Jones movie. We were in luck - it was a weekday before 6 p.m., so we got tickets a bit cheaper. Of course, we promptly spent the savings and more in popcorn, nachos and Icees at the concession stand. Dropping $50 at the movie theatre sends my husband into a tizzy. He can't even enjoy the movie. It's simply too much for him.

The boys and I loved the movie, however. Munching our popcorn, nachos and Icees all the way through, to the annoyance of my husband. As we got out of the movie, the sun was setting.

And as we drove away and reflected on the money that we had spent during a single afternoon in town I said, "That was our summer vacation, boys!" and laughed maniacally. They didn't get it.

When we arrived home, they tore into their new kits. Only Hayden's latch hook kit did not come with a latch hook. Panic. Grief. Tears were on their way. It was almost 9 at night.

My husband and I started making phone calls to anyone we could think of that might know what a latch hook was, let alone have one lying around.

About the fifth call, I hit the jackpot. Hayden and I drove over to pick it up. Only it was a hook and eye kit meant for a door (a door latch with a hook - get it?). More panic. More grief.

And so I ended up in line for the ferry past dark, on my way to Aransas Pass in search of a latch hook: that most elusive craft tool. Wal-Mart saved the day. And Hayden started his ladybug latch hook rug at 10 at night. Disaster averted.

Summer. Gotta love it.