Despite the fact that it still a month until the fall equinox, I am typing to you from my desk at school and Jack and Ivy start their academic year tomorrow-- so summer is officially at an end for our family. It is always too soon, but starting back to work on the 15th felt a little more cruel than normal. And the transition has felt more jarring, I think because this summer was particularly grand. The school year, with all of it's routines and milestones and traditions, is a good and necessary part of our lives, and it will have it's share of fun times. But it is going to take some getting used to, that's for sure.
A little retrospective on the final days of summer 2022.
Came home for West Virginia with a sense of urgency, a need to jump into summer-in-Cleveland before it was too late. The weather cooperated with a high- 80's sunny day and we did it all.
Pool time (the view of my summer- book and drink and adults only deck)
Then all the festivals! Lakewood Arts Fest (new mug and new art print and soul-melting heat) and the Sand Fest at Edgewater.
Our kiddos, still tired from travel, were not thrilled with their death-march across the west side.
They were also sure they were NOT going to swim. But Winter and I hit that glorious August lake as fast as we could... and within a few minutes Ivy was getting changed under a towel and Jack was weighing the options of just swimming in his shorts.
In they went and the three of us had ths most fun, swimming out past all the boats to the buoys, racing the dog to her ball, and doing front flips (the kids, not me!!)
So glad for this chance to play in our beloved lake for what turned out to be the last time during summer break.
Then it was home real quick to catch the Cumberland water show, back from a 2 year hiatus. Our beautiful community all gathered on this spectacular evening, to cheer on our summer diving and synchronized swimming teams.
From the terrible comedy in the song introductions, to the lifegaurds watching from the roof, to the heartfelt cheering for every tiny one trying these new skills- it was a perfect night and a reminder of why Cleveland Heights is such a special place to live.
Sunday: Church, drinks with a coworker, and a night at Blossom with some new COC friends. Fitting it ALL in before a busy week of professional development, meetings, tutoring, and getting ready for the new year...
...plus Ivy's annual well visit (she's doing great but could stand to eat more veggies...), a dentist appointment, and a West Shore board meeting.
And the first of my Dahlia's!
Kicked off the last weekend of my break with karaoke at our neighbor's house.
And then filled up the rest of the weekend with so many joyful things!
Great Lakes Medieval Faire with these two lovely ladies.
Why yes they did talk me into buying that corset!
Met this beautiful woman who just loved holding this snake but didn't have her phone with her. We did a photo shoot and sent her the pics and it was a great way to teach the girls about the joy of helping others when you can.
Home in time to head to the State theater for Frozen. (Why yes I did wear my new corset!) The production was wonderful and the audience full of tiny ones in party dresses was perfect oo.
Sunday: Kite fest with our friends and the county fair with just Nat and I. A break from tradition but it just seems our lives are busier by the moment. So we flex.
And as far as date nights go, the fair has a lot to offer.
Funnel cake, ironing contests, all the weird stuff in the Arts and Crafts barn, flowers, bunnies, ALLLL the people in all of their interesting clothing choices...
And then it was back to school for me! But, I am proud to say that I made it to the pool for at least an hour on 3 out of 5 days. Because it's still actually summer, dammitt!
Got my classroom ready pretty quickly on Monday and Tuesday. Reorienting my mind to work after such a glorious summer- that took a bit more work.
It's so nice to have my own space this year, with a dooor I can close and everything. I've got space for a nice "peace place" and for kids to spread out for testing. I feel very lucky. My sweet tiny students (second grade this year) need a lot right now, but they are so enthusiastic and loving. I am going to work hard this year, but my heart will be full.
Tuesday night was a wonderful little "getaway" for me before the real insanity began. It was the West Shore "Summer Sing" (see, still summer!) and I convinced my new COC Holly friend to join me. Made a night of it with dinner out - literally. Because why not just have a picnic on Wagar beach when the weather is like this? Then I got to sing through the Mozart Requiem with my lovely WSC friends... and then a few of us went out for a drink and a lot of laughter.
In addition to early mornings and hectic, imperfect days at school, the rest of the week included the Tigersharks picnic (and some pretty crazy drama with Cumberland and Parks and Rec and a for-profit swim team usurper... always something in the Heights!), more pool time, the Greek Fest, and porch drinks with friends. There is no tired like "end of the first week of school" tired and I was pretty depleted by Friday night...
But we rallied on Saturday, to catch up on cleaning and ski patrol and COC music, to visit the Coventry Chalk Fest and Comic Book sale, to swim at Euclid Creek, go hear a friend play at a music festival and get drinks with COC friends that night.
The thing about going back to school in the summer is, you can still have it be summer. You just have to fit all of summer into a Saturday.
Sunday I was lucky enough to spend the day with my favorite 12 year olds again, this time riding at my friend Mallory's barn. The girls had forgotten how much they love horses, and are now counting down the minutes until we can go back and ride again. What's a 45 minute drive to see their faces like this??
Last night we had our first COC rehearsal (had to skip ski patrol to attend... let the scheduling insanity begin!) Really great energy with 29 new members and some lovely repertoire. (and some repertoire we all can't stand but there is unity in adversity...)
And this morning! Jack and Ivy are off to start 10th and 8th grade. We are hoping that this is going to be a wonderful year. They are surrounded by great friends, and will be guided by top notch teachers. I have every confidence in our schools and in our kids.
And coffee. I beleive in coffee and I am going to need it to keep up with our lives for the next 8 months! Here we go...
(Summer, I will miss you so!)
