It’s a good thing I didn’t make any sort of household to-do lists for the summer, because if I had, I’d be despairing my lack of progress. Because summer vacation is just about over for us– and aside from travel, research, writing, and MFA applications, I’ve done virtually nothing. Piles of stuff in the office that need sorting and filing haven’t moved an inch since May. The kids’ closets are overrun with clothes that no longer fit them. My pantry looks like a tornado went through it.

Thankfully, I couldn’t care less. Because the chaos of our house is just further evidence that we did summer and we did it well.

We are once again awash in unpacked suitcases from our recent trip which started 36 hours after I returned from Hambidge and ended last night after a two-hour flight delay in Philadelphia. The girls and I haven’t been home for 3 weeks. We are discombobulated to say the least, and are wading among the items that need to be put away or washed. This week we are cramming in doctors appointments, dentists visits, school supply shopping and haircuts. We’ll restart piano and swimming lessons. Thursday we meet the girls’ teachers, and Monday they start school.

I am, for all intents and purposes, an empty-nester this next week. I will have three kids in full day elementary school– Pre-K, 3rd, and 5th grades. I expect I’ll be just as teary-eyed on Monday for my 4-year old, my last baby to start full day school, as I will for my 5th grader, my first baby to start her last year of grade school.

After I kiss them goodbye, I will need a stiff drink. And perhaps a pedicure.