Posted by Mrs. Wilson –
Here’s a question we will all encounter in a few short weeks; we’ll either ask or be asked. I love to ask it, but am not always a fan of answering it–for a few reasons. One, answering the question acknowledges that summer is over. Two, I’d rather listen than share. Three, it’s hard to dig back to the beginning of June, when summer was on the horizon. So, in anticipation of the question, “How was your summer?”, I thought I’d get a jump start and summarize my summer and my intermittent reflections, because, well, I need to update this blog and I am pretty sure you don’t want to read about all the school excitement (floor wax, student schedules, updating the parent portal…). Here goes:
- Summer was great! I love summer with its long days, cool nights, and easy pace. People just seem nicer in the summer, don’t they? Friendlier, more relaxed. Wait. Maybe I’m nicer in the summer, friendlier and more relaxed and everyone else is exactly the same as they are year round? I’m going to have to think on that one for a bit.
- I put about six thousand miles on my car. Most of these miles I added by trips to the grocery store to keep our fridge stocked. Mrs. Gentle, what is your secret and how did you keep my kids full from 8:15 to 3:00?
- Related to number two, I noted that we go through approximately 4 gallons of milk per week. After calculating and projecting the annual cost, I momentarily considered buying a cow. But then I remembered that I’m a little afraid of animals that weigh more than I do.
- Camps are more than just childcare for working parents (like me and many of you). They’re opportunities for kids to learn new things, to take chances, and meet new people. This summer, I shuttled my kids to and from soccer, softball, and riding camps (They narrowly missed Bible camp…much to the dismay of a friend of my older child….his quote to his mom, “You mean I’M doing Bible camp and LIAM isn’t?” Sorry, Max.)
- Summer assignments are a good thing; a reminder to my children that they are not on a permanent vacation. I gave them the first week of summer off–which was right around the time that I learned laziness can be seen and smelled. That’s right — laziness has an odor and it smells like a teenage boy. Who thinks he’s on a permanent vacation.
- Vacations that require a bit of travel are a good thing. We ventured to Martha’s Vineyard with friends for a few days and to Kennebunk for a few days–combined, not equaling more than a week. But it was just enough time to enjoy a change of scenery and really unwind with my family. What a blast. A friend once said, “There’s nothing saltwater can’t cure.” True for the most part–maybe with the exception of dehydration. Saltwater can’t cure that. Luckily, we stayed hydrated.
- Friendships are vital and there’s nothing like seeing the bond of friendship through the eyes of your child. My younger child’s best friend is away all summer and they have been writing letters back and forth (perhaps among the last two tweens without cell phones?). These letters are sweet, hilarious, and heartfelt. Sweet because they tell each other how much they miss one another. Hilarious because in the latest installment, one girl wrote, “You can send me a care package, if you want.” Heartfelt because of the little inside jokes sprinkled throughout. It makes me realize that I take some of my own friendships for granted and I am so grateful for all of my friends and for their unconditional support and care. Maybe I’ll tear a page from Molly’s notebook (literally and figuratively) and write a note to a friend or two.
- Umm…I have a faithful reader. No, I’m not trying to tell you that one of my children loves to read. I’m telling you that I have a faithful reader of my blog. Hi, Mary Kenney! We miss you and love you.
- We’ve been playing family soccer on Saturday mornings at All Saints Catholic Academy for three years (9:30, every Saturday in the summer, all are welcome!) and this year, the kids are better than the parents. Speed, skill, perseverance. It makes me really excited for fall soccer–there are few things I love more than watching Eagle soccer.
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I can’t wait to see everyone in a few short weeks. I hope you all had a great summer break–here’s to a fantastic 2015-2016 school year!
