Hello Again

I haven't posted in quite some time but I have a good excuse. Two words- Summer Vacation. Apparently during this time of year I not only lose privileges to my computer, but also to any complete thought my brain might produce.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE summer. No outrageous homework projects, no demanding schedules, just me, my kids and the pool. I also get to spend time participating in my favorite summertime sport- tanning. Yes, I love summer. It is the one time of year that I don't have live by my calender.

Summer always goes by too fast and come the beginning of August I feel the impending doom of the school year starting. My heart feels a little too heavy during this time. The end of the carefree days of summer, the knowledge that the next time it comes my kids will be that much older and of course, the fading of my tan, this is what makes cheerful attitude dissipate.

I hate this feeling of sadness, the only thing that keeps me from going into a total funk is the knowledge that it won't last long. You see, something always happens right around the second week of the last month of summer. Just when the tears fill my eyes and begin to flow steadily down my cheeks grieving the loss of free time and fun, they dry up. It's like a switch as been flipped, and suddenly I'm in back to school mode.

It happens instantaneously, this mental shift. It's the point where the stars in the sky align and that one fight between my kids happens at the exact same time. That is when in one split second I go from embracing my children as if holding them will keep summer longer, to shoving them out the door and asking if perhaps school could start a few days early.

I am there. It happened today. The one fight (which was their millionth of the summer) had happened, and the stars were in place. I am ready for them to go back to school! Not just go back, but run back! I've had enough sleepovers, swim time, even enough tanning. I'm done. I'm sick of my house always being a mess. I'm sick of hearing the complaints of how bored they are when there is one day we decide to stay home. I'm sick of them keeping tallies on each other on how many play dates or sleepovers each other has had over the past three months. I'm so done with summer. Bring on fall, bring on sweaters, bring on the crisp cool breeze. Bring. It. On.

Today I stand before you, a new woman. I have reclaimed my computer and I have collected all the ads for back to school savings. No more lazy days of summer for us, we are in full blown back to school lock down.

Summer, I will miss what we had though. Holding on tight to the memories that were made, the memories we will cherish all our lives. It was a great ride. Thank you for this time with my kids. I know that soon enough they will be sharing their summers with their own children, going through the same experience. Now there is only one thing left to say, goodbye summer, until next year, adieu.