My friends are split between two groups: those who are eagerly looking forward to school beginning, and those who want summer to go on and on and on.
I am firmly in the first camp.
I love my son. I really do. I have even enjoyed spending (a lot) of time with him this summer. He is getting older, and more independent, and I love watching him accomplish more and more on his own. I love going to places with him. I love the fact that we don't have to hurry most mornings in the summer, but can go at our own pace. I love playing games with him, reading with him, and playing in the pool with him.
We even had a good routine going this summer, visiting the pool most mornings and running errands in the afternoons, often doing a couple of pages in his workbook or writing in his journal as well.
I fully realize that, if I let him, he'd sit in front of the TV and/or iPad all day, and I could sit and read my book, and we'd both be very happy.
But then Mom Guilt kicks in, and I make myself put down the book and take him somewhere (or at least go outside and play).
But oh my, I cannot wait until August 24.
After the 24th, I can go to the grocery store by myself. I can cool down after my workout by myself (with no one urging me to hurry up so we can go to the pool). I can (finally) crack down and get everything lined up for grad school (that application deadline is not too far away). I can binge-watch non-kid-friendly shows on Netflix. My Netflix icon will be lit instead of his. I can get my hair cut, go to a doctor's appointment, and go shopping without my little "helper." That report I need to finish for church? Scheduling time to do it the week of the 24th. I already have a hair cut and a visit to the ENT about my allergies on my calendar. And doing so will involve no "fun bags," or electronic devices, or dragging a reluctant kid into the car.
I will miss our lazy mornings and fully expect to spend each morning yelling at him to get out of the shower NOW so we won't be late for school. I will miss listening to audiobooks with him in the car (we've been known to sit in the car in the garage or parking lot, waiting for the chapter to end).
And I can't wait for him to come home with new stories about school. I can't wait to see what he will learn this year in second grade. I can't wait for his fall activities to begin. I can't wait to see what he will accomplish this year, and how much he will grow.
I am sure I will be lamenting the loss of the lazy days of summer in a few weeks. But for now, I am counting down the days until the school bell rings.
