I guess since it’s the first day of school, it would be a good time to reminisce about our summer vacation. And it would be a perfect day for me to be really sappy and depressed as they walk away to their respective schools, wiping tears from my cheeks bemoaning how quickly time goes. And when they leave, I could be, in an instant, lying on the carpet of the living room in a fetal position hating the eery silence. But really, let’s take a minute here - have I turned into THAT kind of mother??
Sadly... yes. (maybe)
A (not so) long time ago in a galaxy (not too) far far away, I’ve reacted to the August school bell ring like Pavlov’s dog, immediately relishing my “me” time by either going to the pool, making some art, taking a nap, dancing in every room, you know, whatever the mood takes me. It’s only been 3 years now that I’ve been staying home with the kids, because honestly, when I was a working mother summer vacation didn’t really change my life other than changing my daycare needs. On the first day of school, and the day before that, I was still going to work within my own routine. So now as a stay at home mother, the end of summer vacation materializes with more intense emotion. And I already miss it.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the routine and stability that school gives. School allows me to count on getting some of those enjoyable hours that I need (pool time, art making, napping, dancing, etc). Usually the equation in my life was always like this:
But what changed in my equation this year was that I actually was able to do some of those enjoyable things with the kids AT HOME. Hmmm. Who would ever think? So that time of my life, (that time that my mother told me that one day those kids aren’t going to be kids anymore so enjoy them) yes, that time is slowly coming into fruition now. Everyone is getting older and more independent, not needing me every minute of the day. So, like I mentioned, I could be really sappy and depressed that everybody’s getting older as I age one more year toward my eventual grave, it didn’t take me long to realize (by about noon, but nobody’s taking score) that I really DO enjoy by selfish time and it was probably time for the house to get quiet again. (Case in point: Do you think this essay would ever happened with kids around? Writing is one of those things that absolutely can’t happen with kids at home)
But, I did reminisce a lot today that summer vacation was over because it was definitely one of the best summer vacations I’ve ever had in recent years. I explored at lot with the boys this summer and all of our experiences were in Ohio. (I wish I could say that I have an acute affinity for the 17th state of the union, but it’s because I’m cheap).
I'm proud to say that here is the list of the places we experienced in the last 2 months:
(not in any particular order)
Old Man’s Cave
Bicentennial Park
Inniswood Park
Slate Run Historical Farm
Scioto Audubon Park
Ohio Caverns
Marblehead Lighthouse
Cedar Point
South Bass Island
Peace Memorial
Ohio State Reformatory
Alum Creek Dam
Ohio Theatre
Franklin Park Conservatory
Dawes Aboretum
COSI
Worthington Pools
Magic Mountain
also we ....
kayaked
canoed
rode on a ferry and
oh, I saw a deer come through my backyard
and I read the book, "The Year of Magical Thinking"
The really good news is that while they have to go to school now, the last time I checked the calendar summer is not over because more adventures await.
After I take a nap.
