Summer, summer, summer time

Sophia graduated from pre-K. I told myself it was no big deal, nothing to get emotional about. But then the last week of her school just kind of hit me. I kept saying, "this is the last time you are going to ______" for just about anything I could fill in the blank with. The thing is, Sophia really doesn't get it. She doesn't understand she won't see all her teachers in that capacity ever again, won't have the same class, playtime, snacks, art projects, short school day, funky outfit choices, giggles with her best friend. It all changes and she moves up to the big leagues. And with it, so do I. Both our responsibilities will increase, have more accountability for, well, for school things. We will have Monday through Friday, live for the weekends. We won't have quiet times at the Zoo where we share moments with a particular animal, just us. We won't run errands together and decide to stop for a treat at the coffee shop or smoothie store. And boy, don't get me started with how our life is going to change moving forward. I guess this sounds pretty selfish, but it's the realization that we now are growing up that gets me choked up.
On her last day of school, Sophia asked what "Summer" meant and I told her it meant she could get all messy, wear those temporary tattoos until they get all crackly and color faded. She could have face paint, make mud pies, or finger paint every day. She could walk around barefoot outside after her bath, or take her bath in the inflatable pool if she wanted to. She could go to sleep with campfire smoke in her hair and sand stuck between her toes. That's what Summer means. So we woke up bright and early on Saturday to Sophia asking first for face paint, followed by a tattoo and then for a finger paint project. The girl doesn't waste any time getting down to business.
On Sunday we came up with a list of at least 30 things off the top of our heads to do this Summer. I am already exhausted and a little overwhelmed just thinking about it. I don't let lists go unchecked. It's another flaw on the list of many flaws, er, character traits of mine. So on Monday, our official "First Day of Summer" we got working on our list. Despite our hugely ambitious list, Ava really doesn't have a Summer vacation. She still has her speech therapy and her school to attend, which I look at as a blessing for her to continue with routine. I've noticed that any hiccup in routine when she has an illness is a big step back for her, socially. I also think it will keep us balanced with routine days and lazy PJ days. Now if only both girls would understand one big defining thing about Summer is sleeping in.