Hello and welcome to a partly sunny Saturday at the Wannaskan Almanac. Today is August 31st, aka, the very last day of August. Tomorrow everything changes. Well, almost. Sunday will be weekend as usual. Monday is a holiday. And then everything changes.
Kids across Wannaskan country played their first game of the season this past week, teachers headed back to their classrooms, schools held their open houses and, somewhere in between, folks scrambled to finish school shopping and summer projects before making that mad dash for that last getaway of the season. And I am absolutely in tears.
I do not want summer to end.
It shocks even me to type this. Usually, I'm the one counting down the days until the highly anticipated morn when I gleefully snap the obligatory first day of school pic then give the kids a cheerful nudge and boot onto the bus before heading off to a celebratory breakfast - which I have organized - with other stay-at-home moms to bask in the glory and freedom of finally getting some alone time.
But this summer has me all twisted up in emotional knots. I'm not looking forward to the new school year. In fact, I'm dreading it. I'm so sad. I'm so confused.
What has happened to me?
Here's a list of Sneaky Summer Culprits I believe may be responsible for veering off my usual summer state of mind course.
1) Super Fun Road Trip with The Oldest - I can' think of a better way to kick off summer than a super fun road trip with someone you love (and get along with) a lot. This is the stuff gal pal movies are made of.
2) The Rest of the Family Gone for a Month - With everyone out of the house, I had a good couple of weeks free from familial responsibilities. I relaxed on the couch completely until I absolutely couldn't stand it anymore. This rest filled my proverbial cup so, while my mom counterparts were feeling the drag of summer by the beginning of August, I still had plenty of mom energy to keep on chuggin'.
3) Sleeping In - I'm fortunate to have a job in which I set my own hours. As a family, we all get to bed around 10pm or later which means there are no early birds at our house. Mornings are quiet and luxuriously peaceful.
4) Not a Full House - At any given time during the summer, at least one family member was off having adventures. So the smaller clan to manage meant more energy conserved over the course of the summer.
5) Not Too Many Activities - Summer had a good pace this year - a summer theater production here, a camp there. The kids had stuff going on, but not at the usual break-neck pace we've had in the past. This year we embraced the wisdom of less is more.
6) Priory Writers' Retreat - Getting away for a solo adventure is always good for the mama soul.
7) Family Swim Pass - Knowing we could swim nearly every day for free meant lots of spontaneous swim dates. Our favorite? Heading to the Warroad Outdoor Pool and swimming just before it closed, from 5:30 - 6pm. The older kids tell me the lifeguards probably don't appreciate that much, but my little ones and I absolutely loved the last-minute thrill of frolicking in the water until closing time. Bonus: Because other people tended to leave the beach around 5:30pm (preparing for closing time, I guess?), we had the whole pool to ourselves!
8) Kid Friends - I don't know if it's because our house is more organized or because we now own a gaming system, but we had the most kids hang out at our house than we've ever had. Other peoples' kids add a fun energy and dynamic that I really enjoyed. Plus they had good manners.
9) Organizational Chart - Unfortunately this one petered out once The Oldest returned from her month-long stint at Laketrails, but for a few weeks we enjoyed an organization of doled out duties among the children that made our home run like clockwork. This super efficiency led to good moods, longer family movie nights, and chocolate chip cookies.
10) Ice Cream - Lots of ice cream. In a cone. Sugar cones preferably.
11) Being With the Kids - When I reflect on the summer, so many of my favorite activities included the children. Blueberry picking with the littles, especially that second time when we found the biggest, fattest blueberries I've ever seen and we (I) picked until it got dark - all on a weekday night. Watching movies as a family, especially Power Rangers Mystic Force. Grilling meat and roasting marshmallows in the fire pit. Riding shotgun as the permit-carrying kid learned how to take the wheel and avoid hitting wild turkeys. Swimming at the cabin and letting the older kids watch an R-rated movie because it's one I personally love. ("It's okay; it just has violence.) Snuggling with the toddler in the morning and ruffling his sun-bleached blonde hair. Trying to understand Minecraft while watching the kids bond while playing Minecraft. Finally understanding who Pewdiepie is and being able to make Joergen Smoergen jokes. Discussing politics and watching the Democratic debates. Cleaning kids' rooms. Listening to their hopes and dreams. Listening to their stories.
It was a magical summer.
So, I guess if I'm going to cry, it might as well be with tears of gratitude.
1998 - North Korea Announces the Launch of its First Satellite
According to government sources of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the satellite called Kwangmyongsong-1 was successfully launched into lower Earth orbit. Most space agencies around the world, have not been able to confirm whether the launch was successful.
1997 - Princess of Wales, Diana, Dies in a Car Crash
Diana, the former wife of Charles, the heir apparent to the British Crown, was fatally injured when the driver of her car lost control while speeding away from paparazzi, and crashed in a road tunnel in Paris, France. Diana’s companion Dodi al Fayed and the car’s driver also died as a result of the accident. Her funeral was one of the most watched televised events of the century.
1994 - Russian Troops Leave Estonia 3 years after Estonia declared independence from the Soviet Union
USSR had occupied the Baltic country in 1944, during the Second World War. Many Western countries never recognized the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, which was first established in 1940. Between 1941 and 1944, Nazi Germany occupied the country.
1991 - Uzbekistan declares its independence from the Soviet Union
The Central Asian country had become a part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and was made part of the Soviet Union as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924. The country celebrates September 1 as its Independence Day.
1957 - Federation of Malaya Gains Independence
The Federation, now known as Malaysia gained its independence from the British. The Southeast Asian country, which was one of the world's largest producer of rubber, came under British rule in the late 18th century.
1979 - Mickie James, American wrestler, singer
1979 - Yuvan Shankar Raja, Indian composer
1977 - Jeff Hardy, American wrestler, singer, painter, writer
1945 - Van Morrison, Irish singer-songwriter
1870 - Maria Montessori, Italian physician, educator
Kids across Wannaskan country played their first game of the season this past week, teachers headed back to their classrooms, schools held their open houses and, somewhere in between, folks scrambled to finish school shopping and summer projects before making that mad dash for that last getaway of the season. And I am absolutely in tears.
I do not want summer to end.
It shocks even me to type this. Usually, I'm the one counting down the days until the highly anticipated morn when I gleefully snap the obligatory first day of school pic then give the kids a cheerful nudge and boot onto the bus before heading off to a celebratory breakfast - which I have organized - with other stay-at-home moms to bask in the glory and freedom of finally getting some alone time.
But this summer has me all twisted up in emotional knots. I'm not looking forward to the new school year. In fact, I'm dreading it. I'm so sad. I'm so confused.
What has happened to me?
Here's a list of Sneaky Summer Culprits I believe may be responsible for veering off my usual summer state of mind course.
1) Super Fun Road Trip with The Oldest - I can' think of a better way to kick off summer than a super fun road trip with someone you love (and get along with) a lot. This is the stuff gal pal movies are made of.
2) The Rest of the Family Gone for a Month - With everyone out of the house, I had a good couple of weeks free from familial responsibilities. I relaxed on the couch completely until I absolutely couldn't stand it anymore. This rest filled my proverbial cup so, while my mom counterparts were feeling the drag of summer by the beginning of August, I still had plenty of mom energy to keep on chuggin'.
3) Sleeping In - I'm fortunate to have a job in which I set my own hours. As a family, we all get to bed around 10pm or later which means there are no early birds at our house. Mornings are quiet and luxuriously peaceful.
4) Not a Full House - At any given time during the summer, at least one family member was off having adventures. So the smaller clan to manage meant more energy conserved over the course of the summer.
5) Not Too Many Activities - Summer had a good pace this year - a summer theater production here, a camp there. The kids had stuff going on, but not at the usual break-neck pace we've had in the past. This year we embraced the wisdom of less is more.
6) Priory Writers' Retreat - Getting away for a solo adventure is always good for the mama soul.
7) Family Swim Pass - Knowing we could swim nearly every day for free meant lots of spontaneous swim dates. Our favorite? Heading to the Warroad Outdoor Pool and swimming just before it closed, from 5:30 - 6pm. The older kids tell me the lifeguards probably don't appreciate that much, but my little ones and I absolutely loved the last-minute thrill of frolicking in the water until closing time. Bonus: Because other people tended to leave the beach around 5:30pm (preparing for closing time, I guess?), we had the whole pool to ourselves!
8) Kid Friends - I don't know if it's because our house is more organized or because we now own a gaming system, but we had the most kids hang out at our house than we've ever had. Other peoples' kids add a fun energy and dynamic that I really enjoyed. Plus they had good manners.
9) Organizational Chart - Unfortunately this one petered out once The Oldest returned from her month-long stint at Laketrails, but for a few weeks we enjoyed an organization of doled out duties among the children that made our home run like clockwork. This super efficiency led to good moods, longer family movie nights, and chocolate chip cookies.
10) Ice Cream - Lots of ice cream. In a cone. Sugar cones preferably.
11) Being With the Kids - When I reflect on the summer, so many of my favorite activities included the children. Blueberry picking with the littles, especially that second time when we found the biggest, fattest blueberries I've ever seen and we (I) picked until it got dark - all on a weekday night. Watching movies as a family, especially Power Rangers Mystic Force. Grilling meat and roasting marshmallows in the fire pit. Riding shotgun as the permit-carrying kid learned how to take the wheel and avoid hitting wild turkeys. Swimming at the cabin and letting the older kids watch an R-rated movie because it's one I personally love. ("It's okay; it just has violence.) Snuggling with the toddler in the morning and ruffling his sun-bleached blonde hair. Trying to understand Minecraft while watching the kids bond while playing Minecraft. Finally understanding who Pewdiepie is and being able to make Joergen Smoergen jokes. Discussing politics and watching the Democratic debates. Cleaning kids' rooms. Listening to their hopes and dreams. Listening to their stories.
It was a magical summer.
So, I guess if I'm going to cry, it might as well be with tears of gratitude.
On This Day
Historic Highlights (credits)
1998 - North Korea Announces the Launch of its First Satellite
According to government sources of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the satellite called Kwangmyongsong-1 was successfully launched into lower Earth orbit. Most space agencies around the world, have not been able to confirm whether the launch was successful.
1997 - Princess of Wales, Diana, Dies in a Car Crash
Diana, the former wife of Charles, the heir apparent to the British Crown, was fatally injured when the driver of her car lost control while speeding away from paparazzi, and crashed in a road tunnel in Paris, France. Diana’s companion Dodi al Fayed and the car’s driver also died as a result of the accident. Her funeral was one of the most watched televised events of the century.
1994 - Russian Troops Leave Estonia 3 years after Estonia declared independence from the Soviet Union
USSR had occupied the Baltic country in 1944, during the Second World War. Many Western countries never recognized the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, which was first established in 1940. Between 1941 and 1944, Nazi Germany occupied the country.
1991 - Uzbekistan declares its independence from the Soviet Union
The Central Asian country had become a part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and was made part of the Soviet Union as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924. The country celebrates September 1 as its Independence Day.
1957 - Federation of Malaya Gains Independence
The Federation, now known as Malaysia gained its independence from the British. The Southeast Asian country, which was one of the world's largest producer of rubber, came under British rule in the late 18th century.
Happy Birthday to You!🎶
1979 - Yuvan Shankar Raja, Indian composer
1977 - Jeff Hardy, American wrestler, singer, painter, writer
1945 - Van Morrison, Irish singer-songwriter
1870 - Maria Montessori, Italian physician, educator
Remembering You
1997 - Diana, Princess of Wales
1985 - Frank Macfarlane Burnet, Australian biologist, Nobel Prize laureate
1973 - John Ford, American director
1927 - Andranik Ozanian, Armenian military commander
1688 - John Bunyan, English preacher, author
Get in one more summer adventure, love your people, and make it a great Saturday!
Kim
1985 - Frank Macfarlane Burnet, Australian biologist, Nobel Prize laureate
1973 - John Ford, American director
1927 - Andranik Ozanian, Armenian military commander
1688 - John Bunyan, English preacher, author
Get in one more summer adventure, love your people, and make it a great Saturday!
Kim
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