Summer Time and the Livins Certainly Easy

We are half way through the summer and I can't even believe it. How fast time goes with three little ones! I've lost count of the weeks it's been since school. All I know now is that there's six more weeks until school starts. I know this because we counted since we started seeing back to school things in the stores. I'm not ready. We're just settling into a summer routine (if that's even possible). I'm just getting used to having my oldest son home and setting off each morning for an adventure of some sort with three kiddos in tow.

We've been a busy brood! The first week out of school was an adjustment for all of us. I had planned to do absolutely nothing, just settle down, get ready for our week long vacation the following week, and enjoy all the time together, but that didn't go over so well. My oldest was bored, my middle one was thrilled to have his older brother home to torment, and the little one was annoyed by the sudden overwhelming presence of her older brother who was infringing on her space. I was just trying to survive without totally losing it. My days were spent refereeing and trying to keep the little ones entertained. Even though I didn't plan on it, we ended up going out most days because being indoors was not fun for anyone.

We hit the library where my son signed up to read a ton of books this summer to win a prize. We played at my son's school playground and waited for daddy to get off of work (he works at the school). We played outside in the pool. We went shopping. And we rode our bikes. It was a full week, even though I didn't indeed for it to be anything but lazy.

The second week out of school was spent in Long Beach Island with my side of the family. We had a blast! The boys played mini golf, twice! We did the rides, the arcade, the beach every day, the shops for fun souvenirs and beach toys, we walked down to the bay almost twice a day, rode scooters, played cards, watched cartoons, played with the cousins, visited the Barnegat Lighthouse, and ate donuts for breakfast and ice cream for dinner. The boys LOVED it and still talk about how much fun they had. They can't wait to do it again next summer!

The third week was the week of the fourth of July so there was a lot going on. There was the fourth of July parade, BBQ at my moms house, and other BBQs with friends and more family. It was a lot of fun and the kids felt like the vacation never ended!

Finally, the fourth week out, things started to slow down and we started spending more days at home than days out and about. Thank goodness I had spent a night researching Pinterest for fun things to do at home this summer because it was a rainy week and we were stuck indoors for most of it. One day we made homemade play dough which was a ton of fun. The kids enjoyed making it and than playing with it. On another day, we colored and played with kinetic sand. And on the last rainy day we made homemade graham crackers. In the few rare moments it stopped raining, we rushed outside to get some playing time in, but it was short lived. Over all, it was a fun week and we all enjoyed the down time and the time spent together with just our family.

The fifth week out was vacation Bible school week. My oldest did NOT want to go, but my middle one couldn't wait! Naturally, when we arrived, my oldest remembered how fun it was last year and rushed right in while the middle one latched onto my leg and wouldn't let go. It was a bit of a rough start for my younger guy, but by the end of the week he was doing better. Over all, the kids had a blast at VBS with their friends and cousins, they learned a lot about Jesus, came home with a ton of crafts, and learned a bunch of awesome new songs we're still singing and listening to every morning!

Is it really the end of the sixth week out of school? I can't believe it's been that long. It definitely doesn't feel like it. We spent the whole week outside. After a week spent at VBS, most of which took place indoors, we were all craving some beach time. We spent two days at the beach and another at my sister in laws pool. It's been a hot week, near 100, but the water has been beautiful and amazingly warm and refreshing. I feel like we are finally in the 'lazy' beach days of summer. Finally. I couldn't be happier. After all, this is what summer is about: beach days and pool days spent with friends and family enjoying the time off from school.

The summer is finally calming down as far as plans are concerned. Vacation is over. The Fourth of July is over. We don't have anything major planned for the rest of the summer so that means more lazy beach days to come!

I'm really enjoying having my whole brood home. The warm (and hot) weather is welcomed. Summer wasn't always my favorite time of year (fall is), but it's become my favorite because of all the family time. I knew I'd look forward to having my son home and I was right. I don't wish him back to school. I still want him home. I have six more weeks and I plan on enjoying every moment with my kiddos. After all, it all goes by so fast.

The Eve of My Son's Last Day of Kindergarten

How did we get here? It seems like yesterday my son was walking into the school building unsure of what awaited him through the big maroon doors. I can remember so vividly a few tears in his eyes as he lined up outside with the rest of his class. I can remember his red polo shirt and his khaki shorts. I can remember his Disney Cars backpack and the white plastic bag full of school supplies in his hand. My goodness he was so little. He seemed to get lost among all the teachers, students, and parents waiting outside. Looking back that red polo was so appropriate. He was my heart, and it was like my little, red heart was walking around outside of my body that day. I remember saying, "I love you, bud," as he walked into the building, but barely getting out those words because a giant lump entered my throat as I opened my mouth. 

I remember missing him so much the first few weeks. I nurtured this sweet boy 24/7 for the first five and a half years of his life and this was the first time we were ever apart for an extended period of time. This was all so new and it took some adjusting. I needed more time to adjust then he did. By the third day he couldn't wait to get to school. It took me a month to get used to him not being home. Well, maybe not 'used to,' just distracted enough by my three year old and 6 month old. By November, I was figuring out a routine and more comfortable with my boy being gone most of the day. I got used to him being in school, but I can't say I ever stopped missing him. If he told me he didn't like school, I'd pull him out in an instant and home school, probably out of my own selfish desire more then anything.

I didn't mind when he was sick this past winter because that meant I got to spend extra time with him. He didn't like missing school and I didn't like seeing him upset about missing out, but I loved those few extra days with him. It was like the good 'ol days, when my sweet boy was with me all the time. 

Once we got through flu/cold season, my sweet boy didn't miss any school. In the middle of May I noticed it had been several months since he had missed a day of school and I contemplated keeping him home simply because I missed him and I was ready to have him home for the summer break. There were several nights where I'd grab him out of bed and go get ice cream or go for a walk with him, hand in hand of course. I was just really missing him, just like I did in the beginning. I wanted my boy back. Every day I asked him if he wanted to take a day off, but he said no and I didn't want to make him do something he didn't want to do. 

Toward the end of May, I started getting super emotional when I thought about my son. How is he six now? How is this school year almost over? Where has the time gone? I didn't like having an almost first grader. It made me feel old and it made me realize my baby wasn't a baby anymore. Kindergarten sounded so 'babyish' but first grade sounded so much more mature. 

I used to laugh at those moms who would talk about tearing up over their kid's preschool/kindergarten graduation or whatever. Now, I get it. Your baby isn't a baby anymore when they end a school year, at least it seems that way. In a way, they are a whole year older, and it goes way too fast. You realize how much time you didn't get with them, how quickly the coming years are going to go, and how you're almost afraid to blink because if you do you'll be sitting at a high school graduation wondering how in the world you got there.  

This is how I feel on the eve of my oldest son's last day of kindergarten, like time has flown by, like he's officially not a baby anymore, like this year was the fastest yet, but they're only going to get faster and that's scary. There's a fear he won't need me soon, he won't let me snuggle him or kiss him, that he'll be too concerned about his friends and not spending time with his mom. It's emotional. 

On the eve of his last day, I am so beyond grateful I got five and a half years at home with my sweet son. Despite all the endless days, nights, frustration, exhaustion, fights over his picky eating, the drudgery some days of even waking up to a fussy toddler, the boogie noses, the poopie diapers, and spit up, despite all the fear, worry, and anxiety of raising a decent kid, I'm so thankful my husband suggested I stay home with our baby boy that night standing in the kitchen of our little condo when I was five months pregnant with him. It was a LONG five and a half years, but it really wasn't. It was a mere blip on the radar. 

Looking back, this year has made me realize how important time is with my son. I've realized how time gets faster once your kids are in school. I realize how much more time is spent in school then at home. I value every minute I get with him because it won't be long before I'll be sitting her on the eve of his last day of first grade and I can only imagine I'll be just as emotional because I'll not only have a second grader, but I'll be losing my second son to kindergarten. And we'll do this all over again. 

So forgive my rambling. I'm just a mama who's little boy is growing up too fast for her heart to handle.