End of Summer

It is the end of summer for us. By that I mean the end of those lazy days where you can just relax and let the day have its way with you. I was fortunate enough - teaching only one four week summer session in the past - to have quite a few days like this - napping on the porch, watching the birds and squirrels in the back yard, reading whatever I wanted, and so on. I never used to even bother to wear a watch.

However, since Kenzie arrived those days have been harder and harder to find. Yet, there were always a couple days a week like that one could find room for.

But those days are at an end now. This is my last full week of summer school. The people from Innovative Basements arrived last night with their jack hammers. They will spend the better part of three days fixing our wet basement problem. By the time they are done, Gail will be back from Colorado and we will be off to Hutchinson for a softball tournament. When we get back my MNHS class begins and will last three days. One final day at the ALC and then it's time to get grades done. NFL training camps will open up and the preseason will begin. Then it will be time to meet the new football players and distribute equipment. Ed and Brian will arrive to stay with us for a short spell before heading off the races in Brainerd. We will have our annual fall coaches meeting and then our meet the parents night for the football program. Then football practice will begin earnest. Then KoKo will be off to volleyball practice. Our scrimmage will arrive. I have smartboard training in late August. My birthday is that week too. Then our inservice starts. Then it's Labor Day. Maybe a trip to Valley Fair and Albertville. College football is underway. The first day of school. Then things become a blur of kids, players, classes, readings, games, subs, assignments. Then Kristie will be gone to Fargo for a week to get licensed to issue insurance.

By the time I know what hit me, I'll be decorating for Halloween and all the leaves will be off the trees.

But that's why this is the best time of the year. Everything is a blur and if you just slow down for a second, you can't help but savor that moment because everything is moving so quickly.