The Waning Days of Summer

Well here it is.... Back To School Time... which of course... signifies the end of Summer.  Even tho Fall (Autumnal Equinox) doesn't officially begin until September 23rd... we all know once the kids go back to school, Summer is basically over.  The first day of school here in Hutchinson Kansas begins Wednesday, August 17th.

Labor Day is the last Summer Hurrah, when everyone enjoys cookouts, family and friend gatherings and a long weekend... all the public and country club pools close for the season... and when everyone goes back to school or work on the Tuesday after Labor Day, the count down begins until the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays and/or school breaks arrive.

But... this is also a time of great excitement too... as in... really most kids are happy to get back into a normal routine again and see all their friends they have missed over the summer break... parents have bitter sweet feelings of... YAY!!! with the return of normal bedtimes, and quieter days... and sadness that the joy of being able to spend more time with your children has come to an end for another school year.

Back To School shopping is always both hectic and exciting... I can just feel and smell freshly sharpened pencils, new plastic binders, new lunch boxes, back packs, reams of new paper, a fresh box of crayons and/or colored markers!!!  Buying new school clothes and shoes... having all items packed up in new book bags and clothes laid out for the first morning of school.  Ahhhhhh.... such sweet memories I have of these things... not only myself as a child, but also of my children.   Waiting for the sound of the bus brakes as it stops for each load of children... and we all know the frustration of getting behind a school bus as you are running late on the way to work or on the way home.

And even though the kids have to go back to school before the Labor Day weekend... we all know that the heavy school curriculum doesn't really begin until after the holiday... until then it's a bunch of forms to sign, fees to pay, homework, pop quizs and of teachers getting to know their new students.  But watch out kids, because once the holiday has come and gone... then the book reports, theme papers, tests and such really begin!

All my girls are grown and we no longer look forward to, and/or dread the beginning of school in this household... but I still watch for the school buses each morning pick up waiting children, I still get excited to see harried parents and excited children in stores as they go down their supply list and pick out their binders, folders, lunch boxes, and back packs... I still feel the joy of the children, and the parents distress as the dollars add up... and I know too soon my Grandson's will be heading to school and picking out their first back pack!

Summer is waning... Fall is approaching... and I'm already missing the blissful relaxing lazy days of Summer!!  I look forward to the last celebration of Summer on Labor Day weekend when the air is permeated with the smells of searing meat and buttery corn on the cob... but I also dread knowing that it pretty much finalizes Summer.

Summertime, Summer time... Sum, Sum, Summertime!!!  My favorite time of the year!