I cannot believe that preschool begins on Wednesday. Can it be true? Is it September already? Where have the months GONE?
And while I am wildly excited about the start of school, I am also melancholy because this means the end of summer.
Let me be clear, I am less sad about the end of the summer that WAS and more sad about the end of any potential for me to have the summer that I’d imagined.
The simple fact is that the summer that WAS was not nearly as delightfully wonderful or fantastically grand as the summer I’d IMAGINED.
Maybe there was too much build-up. Maybe I’ve spent so long waiting for summer and fantasizing about it, that the real thing never really stood a chance.
Even before my last day of work I was already visualizing the summer to come. It will be so amazing, I thought, long days at the beach… swimming, playing, laughing… just imagine the TAN that I’ll have! Picnics at the park; CJ laughing, me in Jackie-O sunglasses and a stylish sundress… popsicles and chirping birds and daisies and iced tea…
But reality is a stubborn and ornery beast… she doesn’t like to fit into the nice little box that I’ve got all prepared for her. And, like so many times before, this summer she reared her ugly head and barfed all over my illusions of summertime bliss.
- (Reality) This is Seattle. It rains… even during SUMMER VACATION… and usually at the most inopportune of times.
- (Reality) My skin is still pasty white. With possibly a vague pinkish hue. Even in the magic of SUMMER VACATION I don’t get the dreamy tan that I’ve always coveted.
- (Reality) CJ is four. He can and will turn something that was perfectly delightful in my imagination into something that is straight from a nightmare. Even (especially?) during SUMMER VACATION.
- (Reality) My house doesn’t clean itself. In fact, it’s even harder for me to work up any energy at all to clean, because it can be HOT during SUMMER VACATION.
- (Reality) While I find myself forced to wear shorts and tank-tops and ACK! swimming suits (due to the aforementioned heat), my body hasn’t miraculously transformed into a spitting image of Jennifer Aniston’s, even though it’s SUMMER VACATION. In fact, due to the lack of preschool or any other possibility of FIVE MINUTES ALONE, I haven’t been to yoga in months.
So, while the summer was GOOD and FINE and I have (overall) no major complaints, it wasn’t the day at the beach that I’d imagined.
Sure, there were good days. There were also a whole lot of ho-hum days, and even some really downright BAD ones.
Summer was an awful lot like spring and winter before it… only hotter.
And to be quite honest, I’m not a big fan of the heat.
So…
Goodbye summer vacation! And Hello preschool. Personally, I’m VERY glad to see you.
***
Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to email updates or the RSS feed. 
Like what you're reading? You can help me achieve my life-long dream of publishing a book by supporting this blog, which is a platform that can help me get published! (Click here to learn more about my book) There are lots of ways to show your support:
- Subscribe by RSS or Email
- Like Absolutely Bananas on Facebook
- Share this post on Facebook (click the link below "Related Posts")
- Tell a friend about Absolutely Bananas
- Leave a comment. They're like candy, but without the calories. :)
xo Jen
September 4, 2007 at 2:12 am
I still refuse to acknowledge “The End of Summer”. Three more weeks until September 21!
September 4, 2007 at 6:20 am
You put into words my feels, exactly! Even yesterday I had hoped for the perfect day at the park and ice cream afterwards… only to have my girls act like cranky old women the second they were done with their treats.
Blah. Kids do tend to bring things back to reality. ;)
September 4, 2007 at 6:49 am
Thank goodness I’m not the only delusional mother out there. I’m always disappointed that our summer doesn’t work out like the one in my head.
September 4, 2007 at 7:09 am
Ooh, I want your dream summer! Mine was much less exciting too… :)
September 4, 2007 at 7:31 am
I’ve never been a huge summer fan, what with me being allergic to sun and all. But I was surprised to be looking forward to this summer…it being the first summer since 2004 that I wasn’t pregnant or having a newborn. I had grand visions of the tons of fun things we were going to do with the boys.
Then we came up with this crazy idea to sell our house and move, and the whole summer was taken up by home reno, house viewings, etc.
I am glad to see it go, though. It means we’re one step closer to moving closer to family!
September 4, 2007 at 7:56 am
You just made me feel better about not having summers off — because my imagination seems to be running right alongside yours.
My sisters, both of whom are teachers, have assured me that it is NOT the glorious, sun-drenched vacation that I have described to them.
In fact, I seem to recall them snickering once or twice.
September 4, 2007 at 8:20 am
My summer was a lot less exciting and went faster than I’d imagined, too.
September 4, 2007 at 8:31 am
What a great post! I too am feeling the sting of summer disappointment. Don’t believe the hype – it can suck just as much as the other seasons.
September 4, 2007 at 10:33 am
My summer was nothing like I imagined either. I don’t live in Seattle so rain was not an issue, but it was too hot to even go to the pool here.
September 4, 2007 at 10:50 am
I was very excited for school to start but also disappointed too.
It seems every summer of late is just like you described. A million amazing plans and dreams and not even 10% accomplished.
*sigh*
But overall we did have a good summer. But so far the school year is much nicer. LOL.
September 4, 2007 at 10:53 am
So true. We always make grand plans. But in the end it seems anti-climactic. I, too, am loving getting back to the routine of the school year (even though I homeschool there is still a routine)
September 4, 2007 at 10:55 am
hilarious. very well said.
but since my climate is winter 70% of the year – i’m so bummed summer left me.
September 4, 2007 at 10:57 am
I read your post while waiting for the fremont bridge with the rain beating on my windshield. Maybe someone is taking their sailboat out for one last spin. Ironic that summer is over and it is POURING. This was the worst Seattle summer I can remember. I’m thrilled that preschool is back in session.
September 4, 2007 at 11:15 am
I don’t like the end of summer. I like the heat . . . . . better than the cold. I hate making lunches, signing homework pads, nagging to get homework done, being a stickler on bedtime. I am, and always will be, a summer person!
September 4, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I know just what you mean! I have all the grand illusions of some romantic summer.
Certainly, I did not have a great summer (newborn babies and oppressive heat don’t mix). Next summer, though….I can dream, can’t I?!
September 4, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I agree, it seems like summer just started, then poof! It was over. I am a fall gal myself, but I am not looking forward to the grand “bundle-up”. It takes an extra half hour to get out the door in the winter time:(
September 4, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Oh, pooh, your preschool starts Wednesday? We start next week and I was going to ask you to the zoo for tomorrow! Maybe next summer….. ;)
September 4, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I had fantasies about catching up on my sleep this summer. Better luck next year — for the both of us.
September 4, 2007 at 2:23 pm
You put that so perfectly, Jenny. Mourning for opportunity lost…
September 4, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Yes, the hell of summer vacation. Though now I think I prefer that hell as opposed to the back to school hell.
September 4, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Seriously, this summer totally flew by. I always look forward to fall and the beginning of winter (the presents at Christmas have a lot to do with it), but once January and February roll around, I am ready for summer again.
Jane, P&B Girls
September 6, 2007 at 11:59 am
Perfect! You said exactly what I am feeling, even the part about not going to yoga!
Horray for fall!