End of Summer

Just as I get used to the idea of summer, fall is here. At least according to a school calendar. It's been a really long time since I've had to worry about sticking to a school schedule.  But this week my four year old starts pre-k.

I can't get over how quickly time passes. Graham will be five in December; It feels like yesterday that I brought him home and tried to navigate being a mom for the first time. And now he's starting school, negotiating like a pro, and refusing to go to bed until I do. He insists it's his job to make sure I sleep at night. I'm not sure when he decided I needed parenting too. But this sweet, smart, and funny kid will be putting on a backpack (he really likes backpacks) and getting into the habit of homework.

This summer, our last before they start their school career, is coming to a close. Sloan has a year to go but from now on we're going to be planning things around fall and winter breaks. I'm not sure I'm ready to have a child in school. It's hard to imagine that they're old enough. Or that I'm going to be organized enough to stay on top of homework for two.

So these last few days will be filled with time at the pool with their cousins. I'm going to squeeze in evenings filled with bubble machines and painting or wandering the Martin Nature Center trails. I will let them stay up a little past bed time to watch one more episode of Sara & Duck. And when they're older and I'm ready for the school year to start and thankful that summer is over, I'm going to think about this last week, when Graham was still little enough to fit in my lap.

I know I'm going to miss all of these things.