The Last Day of Summer

I asked The Boy what he wanted to do today, on his last day of Summer.  I offered several of his favorite outings, but all he wanted to do was stay at home and play with me.

It is pretty rare that I honor the request to play knights or robots anymore, but how could I not?  The Daddy and The Girl took a nap and The Boy and I played.  For almost two hours, he had my undivided attention as a playmate.  We played knights and robots (a game I didn’t know could involve both), we explored outside, I pushed him on the swing and he sang me a song, we sailed on a ship, played in the castle, read books, and just enjoyed each other’s company.

Even though he didn’t really want to talk too much about school today, I know it was on his mind.  But there’s plenty of time to talk about school tomorrow.  Today we played.

The Monkeys had a hard time falling asleep tonight.  I rocked and held The Girl for the longest time until she finally fell asleep.  I peeked up at The Boy on his top bunk, to say my usual “sweet dreams” but he had finally fallen asleep, too.  I couldn’t help but climb up there with him for a few minutes.  As I did he muttered sleepily, “Iloveyoumom” as if it were all one word.

I have to keep reminding myself that he is only going to school.  He’s not leaving forever. But I also have to remember that from now on, there is a part of his day that will be a mystery to me.  That I will not know about.  That will be all his.  It’s good for him.  And for me.

And who’s to say we can’t play knights after school?

4 Responses to “The Last Day of Summer”

  1. kangaroo writes:

    I love the way you captured this. I too climbed up on B’s top bunk tonight, after he had fallen asleep. I know he’s still our little boy, we still have many years, but somehow…I can’t help mourning the end of this incredible chapter, this gift that was his beginning.

  2. exhale. return to center. writes:

    last year my children started daycare two full days (9-5) each week and it was a big adjustment for all of us to be away from each other for that long.

    but there was also something SO magical about coming back together at the end of the day and sharing our stories.

    i love how you have captured this transition so beautifully…right down to the sleepy words muttered on the top bunk.

    just beautiful, mama.

  3. Maggie writes:

    Oh…it is a bigger deal then I thought and so sweet. They are not babies at all anymore. Still sweet and cuddly at times, but independent boys. I do believe I will be making cookies from scratch today to serve with milk when they get home. If I owned an apron I’d even wear it.

  4. TheSwedeLife writes:

    So brave, you may both need a game of knights. I finally found out how to sub for your blog! Yippeeee. Happy 5 years of parenting at home. I hope school is going to be great for all. xxoo

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