And Away We Go...

Transitions are always a bit hard.

Today is the last day of my summer break which means my family is about to experience a huge one. My kids will go back to daycare full time and I will return to the world of teaching.

Talk about a shock to the system.

During the summer months my type A personality keeps us on sort of a schedule. (This is a nice way of saying that I try desperately to get my kids to sleep during nap each day so I can have a break.) We eat when we're hungry, we go outside when we feel like it, we go on outings that aren't limited to the evenings and weekends when I'm usually off and home. Because my husband works year round I also take on the laundry, cooking and most of the cleaning during my summers off because I'm home and it's not a big deal to tackle it during the day. But now as I am facing my last 24 hours of freedom the reality of the fall and winter are truly setting in. Earlier wake ups, lunches to be packed, kids to be dressed and out the door by a certain time and not to mention the fact that I will have to get my own butt out of bed just that much earlier so I can also be ready and presentable for a day of work. No more dirty hair in a ponytail and t-shirt with shorts to make it through a day at the park. Household chores will also have to be divvied up a little more equally between my husband and I. And then of course there are the kids and their understanding of what is about to happen.

Mommy: "This is the last week of mommy being home all the time with you and next week I have to go back to work."
Devin: "Well where are we going?"
Sienna: (said very stubbornly) "I no go anywhere!"
Mommy: "Well, you will start going to Ms. Becky's again...your school. Mommy has to teach the kids so you have to learn at Ms. Becky's. Aren't you excited?"
Devin: "No. I'm not going. Actuwawwy (Actually) I think I just want to stay home."
Sienna: "Me too! I stay home! I no go to Ms. Becky's...I stay in the car."
Mommy: "I know you want to be with mommy, but you can't stay home by yourself because it is not safe. You will have fun at Ms. Becky's with all of your friends."
Devin: "No, I don't think so. It's hard wistening at Ms. Becky's and I get tired so I'll just stay home."
Sienna: "Yes! Yes! Yes! Stay home! Stay home!"

Sigh. If only it were that easy...

I know it will be a tough switch into the school year but as much as I love spending time with my children I always welcome the change when August approaches. I know I miss a lot of time with my kids during my working months but for us a single income household isn't an option. And even if it was, I'm not sure I'd want that. I enjoy having the adult interaction that work brings for me and I crave having something...anything that is all my own. I know this about myself and I also know being a full time stay at home mommy isn't for me. Horrible? Nah...just honest. I just need both.

So today I am thankful for the extended amount of time I have been able to spend with my growing children over the last three months. Recently a friend shared a saying with me that helps to put it all in perspective when you're raising small kids: "The days are long but the years are short..." and it's true. Yes, we've have had our bumps and frustrations this summer and some very long days, but I also realize that before I know it my kids will be grown and these precious moments will be a thing of the past. My goal for now is to just soak it all up while I still can and try to appreciate that I am lucky enough to bare witness to it all.

Of course I am hoping for a smooth transition for my family in the upcoming weeks as we change the seasons. I know we will have some rough spots along the way but know we'll get through it together. This blog may not happen as frequently as it has in recent months but it has been an amazing way to reflect on my life with kids and the fun it brings.

Hopefully the future holds more laughs than tears...