Too much family togetherness usually finds the Queen sitting at the table tapping her nails in frustration. This summer, however, hasn’t been the case. The Queen, despite certain emotional inconveniences, has rather enjoyed the lackadaisical way this particular break has turned out to have been.
Generally, on any other given summer, the Queen counts down the days until peace reigns throughout her kitchen…and entire kingdom.
This summer, however. It’s been different.
Yes, she’s been annoyed.
Yes, she’s been extremely put upon.
Yes, she had to still make lunches for her camper kids, which for whatever reason, is one of the banes of her existence. The Queen despises packing lunches almost as much as she hates cooking dinner. The ungrateful wretches that they are.
Yes, she’s had to chase her almost Kindergarten aged prince around still. Because the Queen is a worry wort. She can’t help it. It’s a trait her mother passed on to her. And she will make sure to pass on to her little flowers.
Yes, she’s screamed and ranted and raved until she was blue in the face. After all, everyone in the house annoys the Queen. Sometimes on purpose.
Yes, she’s had to lock herself in the Royal Throne room on more than one occasion. What Queen doesn’t, even if she doesn’t have royal business to tend to.
But…
This summer.
Is flying by.
And to the Queen. This is significant.
Because this summer. It’s the last summer that the Queen has a small child.
In the fall, her baby starts Kindergarten. And her oldest are in their last year of middle school.
This summer.
The Queen has been extremely introspective.
And the Queen has been extremely nostalgic.
Because time. It flies.
And the Queen is trying. With hope beyond all hope.
To slow it down.
Somehow.
Someway.
Not just by taking pictures in her mind so she can pour over them later.
But it’s not working.
The Queen wishes. Beyond a rainbow and a star.
That she could slow it down.
So she could take more time to enjoy it more.
Without all the crap that dirties the days. The stress. The worries. The shit.
Because before the Queen knows it, seasons will fly by. Birds will swarm the sky, heading to warmer Kingdoms. Only to return a second later. And, next summer will be here.
Another chapter, another year, turned in the pages of life.
And the Queen is really trying to savor each word. Each precious letter. Each hand drawn illustration.
Before the page has to be turned.
Because she doesn’t want to miss a single thing.
And the Queen.
She sighs.
Shifts the child that is in her lap so that she can hit publish.
And closes the computer to go and cuddle her children and then, take them school shopping.
I’m terrified to send Peanut to school. I want her to be social which is why I’d like her to go to a montessori when she’s two years old but the thought of not being around her all day breaks my heart. Being a SAHM I have definitely been able to take for granted all of the time I have with her. All 24 hours a day of it.
summer DID fly by…9 days til my kids go back to school.
I’m having a bit of that, too. My oldest baby is about to go to primary one.
I have a feeling I’ll feel the same way next year, when DramaBoy will be heading into kindergarten. It might not be quite the same, I suppose, since I’m accustomed to them attending daycare while I teach, but still…there’s something about that step that already has me shaking my head with a “how time flies” sort of wonder.
I feel ya. My youngest two (daughter & stepson) start 3rd grade this year, and I actually typed 2nd just now, I am SO in denial! How can this be?
Did I mention my oldest will be a junior in high school!!?? HELP ME!