Here’s the thing: I love summer. I always have. I love hot weather, I love the beach, I used to love wearing bathing suits and strappy sundresses (before two kids), and I love ice cream.
Even as a grown up, I love summer. Easier work schedule, suspect office footwear (they’re not flip flops if they’re made out of leather, right?) and lighter traffic in the morning allows for a coffee stop! Friday evenings at the pool mean no cooking, a cocktail and two tired out kids. I love the reduced hours at work I have, giving my kids bubble baths in the baby pool in the backyard and being able to walk the dog at 8 p.m. because it is still light out. I love hotdogs on the grill, macaroni salad and the freshness of tomato basil pasta from the plant on our patio. I love (trying) to play tennis with my daughter and the giggles of my son while he splashes in the water table.
But.
I have a page in my planner with the corner folded down. The binding has strained when I flip to that week in August. The date is then circled. The square has giant letters in permanent ink. August 19. Can you guess what day it is? It’s the date of the first day of school. I can’t wait!!
Why? I just want some routine back. A routine where for more than five days in a row I drive to the same place at the same time with the same child with the same sports equipment and the same lunch box.
For almost three solid months I have been logging more miles than Uber, getting my daughter to and from six different camps and preschool. Summer is a logistical nightmare! Before I pull out of the driveway and point the car in any one direction I have had to ask myself every morning, okay which camp is it today?
Then, there was that week when I double paid for both day care and a camp. There was another week when I didn’t figure out afternoon childcare until 7:45 a.m. on Monday morning. It’s so hot my brain is melting. I’m surprised my daughter has not brought her tennis racquet to cheerleading camp or her blanket for nap at day care to art camp. And the other day, I found the umpteenth sippy cup of milk under the backseat that had turned into a strange white solid. Gag.
See why that August date is circled on my schedule?
August 19. It’s coming. School will start soon! My life will return to a routine that does not involve sports equipment! It tastes even better than a poolside cocktail. I can’t wait!
Jacksonville Moms Blog will be posting a TON of helpful Back to School posts to get us ready for the big day! What are your Back to School hot topics?? Easy lunches, grade transitions, after school activities???