forgetful

The last few months have seen me busier than I’ve ever been.  Ever.  It sounds like an exaggeration – and we all know I am prone to hyperbole – but this is the truth.  I barely had any time to stop and breathe, let alone try to really enjoy some of the big and not so big moments between April and end of June.  I ignored this space, which I really don’t like to do, but worse, I barely picked up a camera, I felt overwhelmed and I grumbled a lot.  A LOT.

But now it’s July.  And most of what bogged my schedule down (including kid sports 6 (!!) days/week is now down to 4 days/week) and I’m feeling like I can get a handle on it.  It may even be manageable.  Maybe.  Some people thrive on keeping busy and I am not one of those people.  *See above.

But July (and August) offer far more value to me than a clear(er) schedule.  In September, Wesley begins school.  Not preschool, which he graduated (literally) in June, but full-time, full-day school.  ‘Big boy school’ as he calls it.  And with that, my life changes forever.  No more babies, toddlers, or preschoolers in the house.  Only two school age kids who will spend the majority of their time away from me for the first time in their lives.

You think that’s cute?  Check this:

I’m bracing myself for the change.  Wesley will do fine.  Quite swimmingly, I’m betting.  And in time, I will be fine too.  But right now I feel my heart and my belly clench up at the mere thought of my littlest being old enough to start school. I can’t believe we are already here.  But he is ready (MORE than ready) and excited for school, and so I’ll happily play along – for his sake.

So, in advance of this, I have the best. summer. ever planned for the four of us.  I’m calling it ’62 Days of Fun’.  Today is day 4.  We will be scratching awesomeness off the summer bucket list every single day and trying our hardest to deeply engrave the happiest memories into our brains so we can always look back with no regrets.  This month, and next, we won’t be bogged down with over scheduled days.  We will keep the tv off.  We will build sandcastles.  We will go to a drive in.  We will sleep under the stars.  We will roast marshmallows.  We will take a road trip and visit a new town.  We will swim in a lake and fish from a canoe.  We will do it all, but won’t sweat it if we choose to sit, enjoy and relax instead.  It is our summer.  The best summer. Ever.

Last night, to really kick it off, I (with Auntie Jenny and Casey) took Jaia to Ottawa Bluesfest to see Tegan and Sara for the second year in a row.  This year, though, she was older, more excited, and knew what to expect.  She rocked it out, sang along and anticipated her favourite songs – which they sang – thanks, T&S!  We closed off the night with a Beavertail and we held hands as we walked back to the car.  Within minutes she was sound asleep.  When we arrived home, I carried her up to bed and tucked her in.  As I tiptoed out of the room, hoping not to wake her, I heard her faintly say, “You are the best mom ever”.

Mission accomplished.