If you’re like me, you both loathe and love the month of August. Last minute trips to the swimming hole or pool, fair food, watching the fireflies dance around a campfire, and the beginning of solid routines to get in shape for the school year are some of my favorite things about August. But then there’s the bugs and the burnt grass and the beginning of routines to get in shape for the school year (Yes, I know that one is in there twice.) August is both beautiful and buggy, calm and chaotic, and straight up magical.
We only get 18 summers they say and this is the end of one of them. (We actually very slowly started school on Monday.) How do we savor these last few weeks and moments when the days are long (literally) with the littles in our care? How do we muster up the energy for one last pool trip, one last s’more, one last popsicle feast? Here are a few ways I’m going to try and savor the last few moments of summer…
1. Have a nothing-on-the-calendar-day.
I know this is hard, but no one needs this like a mom at the end of summer. I plan on waking up the morning of my have-nothing-on-the-calendar-day with nothing on my to-do list and to take the day as it comes. Maybe we will stay in our pajamas all day. Maybe we will go to the museum. Maybe we will turn on the sprinkler or cozy up on the couch with some books. Maybe we will even bake when it’s 90 degrees outside. The only rule is there are no plans, just a day to spend however we choose.
2. Stay up late.
Just one night. Things get crazy in the summer and many times bedtimes aren’t met because of fireworks or parties or road trips. Usually we are away from home when the kids stay up late and we are literally throwing them in their beds when we get home. But, on this night they will stay up late at home. We will wait until it gets dark and watch the fireflies light up our yard and maybe even try to catch one. We will look at the stars and go on a nighttime adventure around the farm. We might even make s’mores if we can find the energy. We will stay up late at home.
3. Let the kids choose.
One day in August I am going to ask the kids what they want to do. They will each get to choose something (within reason) to do. I already know we will be going to the children’s museum because my son is obsessed. We will do those things with my two bigs leading the way. I’m sure their minds will change 20 times before they decide, but they will get to take ownership of our day and our time. I think it will be good.
4. Finish the bucket list or throw it out.
I know, I know. These two things contradict each other. Depending on where we are at and how many things have been crossed off, we might try to dig in and make the most of our last weeks by completing our list. Or, we may simply erase the dry erase board penning all the fun things we were going to do this summer and dream about doing better next year. It’s still up in the air where the ball will land.
5. Take time to remember.
There is something holy about remembering. I read that in a book recently. I want to cultivate remembering by talking and writing with my kids. They started keeping a journal of our summer adventures in June and it is by far one of the best ideas I have actually implemented. During these last few moments before life changes from sun and sleeping in to routines and rhythms, I want to take time to go back through their journals and remember our summer together. Get some sparkling juice and toast the three months of summer adventures. I believe with my whole heart there is something holy about remembering.
18 summers and this is the end of one of them. I want to savor this time with my babes before they grow another day older with another summer behind them. How are you going to savor these last moments of summer? Please share in the comments, I would love to know!