Summer...I Knew You Well...and Have LOVED It!

Wow! Can it really be August 1 already? Where does time go? Summer is almost over, and I feel like it just started. I love summer. I love everything that summer offers and everything that it represents...I just, well, love it!

I'm not ready for school to start...at all! I love the smell of fresh crayons and the feel of brand new #2 pencils as much as the next guy, but that doesn't mean I'm ready for them to brought out. In fact, the only thing that I can make myself be half-way excited about is the buying of new school supplies! That part is fun...I just don't want anyone to use them yet! I'm not ready for getting up early, ironing school clothes (mine...don't think I iron the kids'...although someone I know does...uh-hum, Leanne!), packing lunchboxes, homework, studying for spelling tests, getting home late, being exhausted at the end of the day, and my list could go on and on. I'm just not ready.

So, as I look at the calendar and see that my days are ticking away, I'm wondering what to do to make the most of our last few precious days. Do we cram a ton of really fun stuff in so that my kids can savor these moments of freedom before routine sets in? Well, that leaves me tired. Or do we stay at home and bum around so that I can enjoy sleeping late (not that 8:00 is late, but it is in school world), dozing all afternoon, and having laundry caught up? Well, that usually leads to lots of "I'm bored" statements at various intervals throughout the days. Such a dilemma!

I guess we'll just keep on doing what we've been doing. It's worked so far for us. A few lazy days around the house, followed by a few sunny days at the pool and lake. Makes all of us happy. My only problem is that there aren't enough of those days left. It makes me sad to think that in just a few short weeks I won't see how cute Tate looks in his goggles for a whole year. I won't be able to enjoy watching Sawyer venture out into the deep-end (something that he's just mastered this summer, and I'm so proud!), and I won't be able to hear Keaton's squealy high-pitched cackle as he comes flying out of the blue slide at the waterpark (another mastery of the summer...again, so proud). These precious summery things will be lost to another school year. As silly as this sounds...these things are special to me, and I'm being selfish in that I don't want them to end.

So my precious summer is fading.

I'm determined to enjoy every last drop of it before the world of khakis, brand new Nikes, and backpacks takes the place of my precious swimsuits, flip-flops, and beach bags....