No Screens. Just Summer.

Last week we had one of those days that makes me love summer holidays.

Not because we did anything spectacular.

Actually, because we didn’t.

My friend (C) and I took six of the kids, aged between five and thirteen, down to the river in Llanrwst. Harrison and Alex stayed home after a couple of late nights at a sleepover. I wasn’t about to wake two tired teenagers who clearly needed the sleep!

Before we got there, we needed some acrylic paint pens, so we popped into the toy shop.

Six children in a toy shop…

It was definitely an experience!

They wanted to look at everything, while C and I found ourselves saying things like, “I remember having one of those!” and “I used to love that!” It turned into a little trip down memory lane for us as well.

Eventually, we escaped with our paint pens and headed down to the river.

The plan was simple.

Decorate stones.

And that’s exactly what they did.

They spent ages sat on the riverbank choosing stones, deciding what to draw and carefully creating their little designs. Every stone was different, and it was lovely watching how much thought they put into them.

Of course, being by the river on a sunny day, it wasn’t long before the water became too tempting.

One by one they ended up in the river, fully clothed, laughing, splashing and having the kind of fun that children seem to find so easily.

No worries about getting wet.

No worrying about ruining clothes.

Just enjoying the moment.

C and I sat on the riverbank with a coffee, watching them and soaking it all in.

Those are the moments I love.

The simple ones.

The ones where you look around and think, “This is exactly what childhood should be.”

Eventually, hungry tummies meant it was time to head home, but not before stopping at the bakery for cake.

Because every good day needs cake.

Back at mine, we all sat outside in the garden while the kids disappeared into their own little world.

Football.

Running around.

Playing chase.

Making up games.

The kind of noise that only happens when children are having a really good time.

It was chaotic.

It was loud.

It was perfect.

And the thing I loved most?

There wasn’t a screen in sight.

No tablets.

No games consoles.

No asking for Wi-Fi.

Just fresh air, sunshine, a river, paint pens, cake and friends.

It really reminded me that children don’t always need expensive days out or big plans.

Sometimes the best memories come from the simplest things.

A handful of pens.

Some stones.

A river.

A garden.

And the freedom to just be children.

That day was exactly that.