I'm sure by now you've read Jen Hatmaker's post gone viral,
"Worst End of School Year Mom Ever" - unless you've been hiding under a rock.
And I would like to just say, it's a good thing my girls' school ended in mid-May, or else I would have been that mom, too. Because as a teacher, I'm still here, sitting in my classroom, counting down the hours for today to be over. But wait, there's more! I have to come
back on Monday. Yes, that's June 10th. And we're not one of those schools that waits until Labor Day weekend to start. Oh no, we go back in mid-August. I suppose I'm just thankful that the weather is somewhat rainy and overcast, because as soon as students leave (yesterday was their last day), I'm fairly sure the district likes to turn off the a/c around lunch time to save money. No bueno in South Carolina during the summer!
So I'm sitting here with nothing to do. Honestly,
absolutely no school work left (well, until we receive the report cards to stuff in envelopes and mail out). I started packing up my room in early May, because we can have no instructional materials or student work hanging before standardized testing. You can bet your bottom dollar I also used my free child labor (both students & my twins that came up here for a bit on my half days) before they left for summer break, so my desks have been wiped off, my bookshelves neatly arranged, and my large wardrobe completely gutted and nicely organized. Since I've been teaching the same subject for 9 years, and I'm the most OCD person I know about backing up files and organizing, I've already done lesson plans through the end of September next year. I've used my roll-over copies and printed off my syllabus, welcome letter, and orientation information. I've even updated my school website to welcome next year's students. So, I'm done.






Did I mention I still have two days left? There's only so much Candy Crush Saga I can play on my phone before I spend my nights dreaming of matching wrapped and striped candies, so I've been working on curriculum for the girls this summer. I've made a few lapbooks and printables to keep them busy, and me sane. I've also tried to find everything within driving distance offering free, kid-oriented fun this summer (preferably indoors!) and added events to my Google calendar. The girls will go to VBS at the church they used to attend K3, and I won't lie that I'm half tempted to VBS hop around our neighborhood churches all summer. Because snacks, crafts, songs, & playing with other kids is exactly what the girls love to do - and momma likes the free part. We'll also do our library programs on Tuesdays & Fridays, and some of our state parks offer ranger led "hikes" on Wednesdays. I'm trying to find a good swimming class to enroll the girls in, too.

So two more days. I can make it...maybe. What are your plans for this summer? How will you keep your kids busy? And, most importantly, how will you keep your sanity??