And I dread it. While the boys become carefree, unburdened from their school routines and schoolwork loads, I am picking up the slack. I am gearing up for my "busy season." Its where I pull duty, 7 days a week. I'm the scheduler. The meal maker. The enforcer. The boredom buster. The driver. The fight breaker-upper. On any given day, I wrangle between 2 to 7 boys. And I've discovered my best plan of attack, is lots of activities. We won't sit still or be in one place for long.
It isn't that I don't love being home with the boys, that I don't appreciate the opportunity to be with them, because I do. Its just that shifting of gears. Of putting my game face on and tossing aside myself for awhile, in the name of all things boys. A week or two into summer vacation we hit our stride. It will fly by like always. I'm just not there yet. So I'm shifting and gearing up. I'm stocking the fridge and cupboards with snacks. I'm getting the bug spray and the sunscreen. I bought the big case of Gatorade. I've got beach towels, goggles and new swimsuits. Its all ready.
But there is still a week and half left of school. So for the next few days? I'll be soaking up the quiet. Reveling in my (relatively) clean house. Steeling my nerves. And getting a few things for myself. I'm stocking up too... on Advil, earplugs, and alcohol. I'm not even much of a drinker, but I am prepared. I'm a professional people, trust me, its all in being prepared.
Vicky, I have loved homeschooling my kids but I have had my days I longed for that back-to-school opportunity to clean and organize (yeah, like I'd actually use my time wisely like you do!). Homeschooler homes get thrashed twice as fast - and wear out twice as fast - because we're in them SO MUCH!!!
ReplyDeleteI will pray that you make the adjustment quickly to all that testosterone and energy!
Sorry I've been so absent!
I feel your pain Vicky....we all have to switch gears, and as wonderful as it is in theory, it can be quite a ride.
ReplyDeleteBeen there. Done that. Feeling your pain!
ReplyDeleteRobynn, I never thought of that before and yes I bet your house would deteriorate more rapidly than mine with kids at home all day :) Bless your heart for your success in homeschooling all these years. No worries about your absence!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I am sure you feel it too :)
Libby, yes at least I only have two, I can only imagine 10!
This was SO GOOD. If it helps, every one of my friends is feeling EXACTLY the same way :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Enjoy your quite time over the next few days and get geared up to tackle the summer break. Loved the way your wrote this. Very clever, as usual.
ReplyDeleteGitz, it DOES help. Everywhere I turn I hear the same rumblings :)
ReplyDeleteLilly, am resting away :) Thanks!
You are too funny, Vicky. Hope you bought the good stuff! :)
ReplyDeleteI am doing the same thing! Winter makes me lazy with the planned activities! But getting back on it and halfway there...new suits, wading pool, sunscreen, sunglasses, beach towels, bug spray, lots of alcohol..check! Cute post!
ReplyDeleteYep, nothing but the best Jill!
ReplyDeleteChelsea, now if only you weren't thousands of miles away, we could hang out together :)
Oh, I love school holidays for these reasons. No making school lunches, no fighting with my daughter to get out of bed, reminding them 20 times quickly brush your teeth, put your shoes on, hurry up and finish your breakfast. I work full time, so in the holidays I send them to their grandmother for the day still in their pajamas. My mothers revenge is to hand them back to me in the same pair of pajamas.
ReplyDeleteOh Liss, that's great! I love the whole Pajamas thing. Thank goodness for Grandma's I always say :)
ReplyDeleteRobin, if only it weren't such a busy last week of school, ugh :) Every one of the things you mentioned sounds just divine!!
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