Today I’m looking out of my north window at high fluffy clouds, a blue sky and green grass. It feels like summer.

Earlier my daughter’s class walked by on the unused train track that runs from our little berg where the school is to the lake just half a mile away. They looked so carefree and innoncent walking along. I heard them chatting and laughing. They were trying to walk on the rails. Lunch was going to be served to them at the lake, so I didn’t even have to pack the last lunch of the year.

Just now I was in Osceola and my other daughter’s class was out playing sardines over the entire small town. I remember those days, too. Let out of the stuffy classroom and ready to roll into summer.

My girl’s school days are looking a bit different than mine did, though. They are in a brand new school with air conditioning, many stalls in the bathroom and actual locker rooms! How spoiled they are, and yet if you walk in the school these days there is still the end of school vibe in the air. The same excitement of no more work and program practice is felt!

It all looked so much like I remember feeling when I was in school. Relieved that the year was over. Glad to be having fun and that summer was in my sights. I even usually felt pretty tolerant towards my teachers on the last days of school. I felt at that point we could be friends because the end was in sight!

There is one aspect of summer that I never considered as a child. It never entered my head as something that caused stress or worry on anyone.

And that was this: THE IMPACT OF SUMMER ON MY MOM!

She always seemed genuinely happy to have us home. She never seemed like she was wondering what to keep us busy with. She never seemed like she was tired of settling fights. Did she try to make me quit reading so much? Maybe that was one time she could be uninterrupted!

Anyway, as the mom, I now realize that summer and school are two vastly different times of the year. I figured for my mom it was all about the same. She cooked and cleaned and kept all of us mostly happy and healthy. Now I know differently!

I enter summer most years with a plan on how to conquer and make it the best summer ever. I think every year the girls have been in school I have had a different plan to start the summer with. I plan to be scheduled yet flexible. You know, the perfecct blend of ‘let’s keep the house up’ and ‘sure we can go exploring today’! Some plans have worked better than others, and often by mid summer I let it all slide.

This year? The humble notebook. I have noticed on Saturday’s when I make a list for the girls that they can look at and choose how they want to do the list the day goes smoother. It’s hard to argue with a notebook that is just lying there on the table. So that is my only plan. I’m going to have a notebook for each of them and make a list most mornings that needs to get done before they go off to play or read. It’s not going to be much, and it’s not a major overhaul of any schedules or plans, but it is something to give me peace of mind, knowing that I have a bit of a plan to tackle the next three months!

And lest you think my girls are just a chore to be pushed off on the schoolteacher, I do love having them home over summer. I love the laid back mornings. I love picking up and going swimming in the afternoons. I love having picnics in our back yard. Summer is a glorious time to recharge and rest and relax for all of us! I’m very ready for it to start!

I’m curious how you handle the summer time with children around more? Do you make a plan for keeping everyone busy and happy?