It’s true that we’ve all coveted the normalcy of a firmer schedule since the end of July.
It’s true that perhaps we are finally grilled-out, laked-out, pooled-out, and popsicled-out.
It’s true that we’ll miss all of the above like crazy in January.
Yet it’s also true we need some spaces in our togetherness.
But tonight . . . Oh, tonight.
It was the last night of summer and while I made an announcement yesterday proclaiming that “We are pretending school starts tomorrow” and insisted we follow the school-year schedule for the entire week, I couldn’t make myself be the sheriff who reigned in the incessant giggles and snow-coned rimmed mouths.
Tonight was it. Tomorrow night will be a school night and this sheriff will definitely be blowing the whistle before 8:30 p.m.
But not tonight . . . Oh, tonight. I was reminded of what summers are really for . . .
Late afternoon naps in a favorite chair . . .
Climbing the rocks of Happy Hollow Park and proclaiming to be “Princes of the Hill” . . .
Posing in front of the sunflowers you planted and watered in a mismatched outfit you chose to wear for the day simply because you can . . .
Smelling their sweetness and knowing you were in a partnership with God to help new life shoot from the ground . . .
Nine words: The Kona Ice Truck finally came to our neighborhood.
Oh, the joy . . .
The clearing of flowered produce and attacked broccoli from beds that won’t be used again until the spring . . .
And while we are talking about broccoli, what on earth happened to mine this year?
Gazing at three blue smiles stained with blue rasberry snow-cone juice, I tell them we’ll play until their friends have to go in.
Knowing I had professed otherwise just one night before, all three separately say “Thanks, Mama.”
Gratitude not sought from our children is the sweetest kind there is.
So just for tonight, I taste the bitter end of summer – and I just want to spit it out.
What about you? Are you ready for summer to be over or are you wishing it would last a bit longer? What’s your favorite thing about summer? Tell me in the comments – I love to hear from you!
I am. so. ready. for a school schedule!! 7 kids all staying out til 11pm has wrecked both Dh and my sleep. LOL The waking up to 4 extra kids strewn all over the living room and basement along with dirty dishes and soda cans all over…. you get my drift!! I love the beginning of summer and it’s lack of schedule but by now it’s just pure chaos!! BRING ON SCHOOL!!
Sent my kids off to school this morning. I found it bitter sweet. I love the fun of summer and all of the relaxed hang out time. We don’t get enough hang out time during the school year. Yes, I was ready to have some time during the day to catch up on my life and even workout. The house is eerily quiet and it hasn’t been this way all summer. I know they will be home soon so I better get busy!!!