Our summer vacation is quickly drawing to a close.
Sure, we have a good two weeks of at home togetherness until school starts, but I already purchased all of their back to school junk (stupid Target back to school sales that started in June) and they have already started fall sports.
Even though it’s not fall yet. Not even about to be. But who am I to argue with the league of extraordinary travel soccer leaders and youth football coaches?
No one. Clearly.
In case my slight bitterness isn’t evident here, let me state, for the record, that I’m feeling a little put out because I’m just not ready to kiss it goodbye yet.
Or to say hello to another school year of rushed responsibilities.
I don’t want to fall fully into my position as PTA treasurer. I’m not ready to sit around every night and pour over homework. I am dreading having to drag small people out of their beds every morning just so I can scream at them to get their butts in gear and head to school already.
I love this part of summer as much as I dread it’s beginning.
We are fully immersed in it now. Used to this routine. Content to get up and go to the pool or the lake or the couch for the day. Happy to decide to eat ice cream for lunch, and breakfast for dinner.
The night we came home from our vacation I sat on the couch with Dumb Dad and eavesdropped on The Dudes while they worked on a project together.
They never do projects together without someone tattling, whining, crying, or running off to get a sword pout. But, this time, the sounds warmed my heart.
Never mind that they were collaborating to do something I didn’t want them to do (putting up a punching bag I had told them we were getting rid of). Never mind that they broke something afterwards and everyone ended up crying (that’s what happens when you get bashed with a punching bag in your face, yo).
What made me lament the end of summer were those few minutes of camaraderie. Togetherness that they don’t get to enjoy when school and sports and work and sports and junk gets in the way. Brotherhood that I hope grows into a lifelong friendship they will cherish and count on as they age.
That was my favorite moment of this summer.
Know what The Dudes thought the best parts of summer were?
#1…
Yep, becoming sort of a big deal in the swimming pool. He placed 4th in divisionals for his 50m freestyle swim. I cried real life tears. Not just because he scored points for his team or got a heat ribbon or any of that. But because he was so proud of himself. And you could see it in his eyes. And to think, his first year of swim team he didn’t even get his hair wet!
#2…
His orthodontia. I’ve never seen a boy so excited about getting a new grill and wearing braces. It’s sort of embarrassing.
#3…
The year’s supply of Trident Gum we received and the awesome pair of headphones we got to go with it. I kid you not. The kid walks around with a pack of gum in his pocket. And he’s so stoked about the headphones because it means that he can rock out on MY iPod without me constantly yelling at him to TURN THE MUSIC DOWN.
Honestly, I thought I had a good ten years before we got to that point. But, with a 4 year old who loves music and dancing this much, you can see why the headphones have changed our lives.
They came to us with the gum courtesy of Trident as part of their See What Unfolds promotion where DJ Aoki & Duran Duran surprised a whole mess of people with something awesome that was meant to remind all of us that it’s cool to say yes to life’s fun experiences.
Pretty sure this Dude already knows that…
I can’t stand the cuteness. They are getting SO big!!
And the Trident -really? A year?
I loves #3. Him so huggable. And we’d dance all night.
This is going to be my first school year with my oldest starting Kindergarten. I’m kind of frightened of it all to be honest. I’m so used to dropping him off at daycare and they feed him breakfast and lunch and teach him things and don’t assign homework. Its so EASY.
Sounds like a fun summer! Good job on the school supplies; I’ll be shopping this weekend (tax free!).
Does #2 have all of his perm teeth? Those look like baby teeth in that photo. They put braces on baby teeth?
We had a similar day here. I alternated with not wanting to interrupt four kids having a great time laughing as they made new Mii’s for the Wii, and wanting to stop them from naming them all “Butt-head.” Not messing with domestic bliss won (this time), until the names got really foul, and even then, was difficult with a straight face.
I’m with you, I’m not ready for school to start. I really like being able to sleep until 8!
I know you are so proud of #1. He worked so hard for that swimming. He’s a man that will stick with something until he gets it. Your job is nearly done, Good Mom.
I’m looking at two weeks til school here too, but you’re WAY more prepared than I am. I haven’t bought a single school supply yet. EEK!
I know. We started at home on Monday. Co-op starts on the 24th.