Nine days and counting...

We've got nine days of school left here in KW. This year it completely snuck up on me. Switching schools in mid-March made everything seem new again and eliminated that awful 'end of year mom' syndrome that has fueled many a humorous blog post. You've seen them - a photo of the perfectly dressed child with every possible school supply and a healthy, nutritious lunch in hand in late August vs the kid with bed head and a bag of microwave popcorn in the first week of June.


I'm glad we skipped that syndrome this year, because not only does it send the wrong message to the girls, it always left me feeling guilty. I could have done better, even if I didn't really feel like it. And the last thing we moms need is something else to feel guilty about, right?

So after a flurry of end of year events and activities, we will have that 'school's out!' joy, but in all honesty, that is when the real work begins. No, I don't have to make sure we have clean uniforms and snacks/homework/permission slips/filled water bottles in each backpack every morning, but I do have to make sure the girls don't turn into 'summer zombies' by doing nothing but watching television and playing electronics all day.

I am very thankful that the girls' school has summer camp every week through mid-August. We have lived here just long enough that neither of them was looking forward to the day camps we have done previously. And not only will they get out of the house and stay on a routine, they will both receive tutoring to get ready for the next school year.

Of course, summer does need some of those lazy, hazy, crazy days that the old song talks about, so we won't be at camp EVERY week. We have made a list of things they want to do here on the island, and they are already excited for our annual trek up north.

Summer is one of our favorite times of year here in Key West because it is quiet, very quiet. Yes, it's hot, but the quiet wins out. There is a tropical feeling in the air that makes me smile. And smiling is always good.

School's Out!!

My kids do not have school again until August 19th. The good parts? No wake ups, no homework, no back packs and water bottles. The bad parts? No set schedule, two girls to keep happy and entertained, and a heck of a lot of snack requests. It is hard to maintain that fine line between summer fun and chaos, at least for me. I have a clear plan for the next few weeks while we are here in Key West. Two mini art camps next week with Kim Wallen of Kdubz Desigz in Big Pine. Then some sessions with our summer tutor Mrs. Clinton....a lovely former teacher now home with her young daughter and a son on the way. We will hit the road with empty travel journals and reading lists and books and the new tablets the girls don't know they are getting. My job for these next two weeks is to get things in order to travel and to be away from home for a month or so. And to prevent too much TV, too many treats, and too many late bedtimes and late wake ups. But it's Friday afternoon and the girls are tired, and frankly, so am I. So I'll start my high-minded plans tomorrow....they can watch Disney Junior while I have a margarita with the hubs. :)