Summer's End

Here we stand at the day before the first day of school. Also known as the last day of summer vacation.
Although my mind doesn't narrow in on specific moments of this from my own childhood, I still remember the reoccurring event. Summer is always a hard one to say good-bye to. I don't know if it's the freedom, the lack of schedule, the opportunity for adventure, the constant change of pace, or simply the warm summer nights but there is something so unique about summer. So unique that having the carpet yanked from underneath you, i.e.: school starting, is probably the only way to let go of it and move on to the next phase.
The kids have loved the summer. The other night as I sat in the living room after putting the kids to bed, I could hear Dallin and Porter chatting through their barely cracked door. They were recapping their summer favorites. (FYI, the river rafting trip was at the top of the list.) I'd personally chronicle this as one of my best summers ever. With it winding down, there is one thing I'm sure of- as a family unit we are more bonded now than we were 3 months ago. That may simply be from the mother's perspective (and my perspective is surely tainted by the fact that I'm actually included in the bonding activities over the summer) but I'm probably the only one paying attention to details like that anyway. 
There is an air of excitement from the kids for what tomorrow holds. I've heard some of them articulate that they are excited for the beginning of the school year, followed up by commenting that in a couple weeks they'll already be looking forward to summer! Smart little cookies are already catching onto life's cycles.
I'm excited for the school year too, but also dreading parts of it. This summer has helped me to realize why I struggle during the school year. It's so much harder to connect with the kids and I'm a big must-have-connection person. During the day, I don't feel super productive or on task and then when the kids get home from school, it's kind of craziness with not much quality time. I'm trying to streamline the after school schedule and also change some things this year so that I can find more satisfaction. I don't want to dread the school year. Aaaaaannnd I finally took the plunge and signed up to be a room mom. We'll see how that goes as far as helping feel involved!
So ready or not, that's about what we're going to have going on!