The Po Show

Full Scale Summer

This summer has been and will be very differently spaced out than any other summer we have ever had (and not spaced out in the way I am without adequate caffeine). Tessa started Music and Art camp at the Westchester Conservatory on the first Monday after school ended (SO adorable to see her play her little half-sized violin!). Matthew had almost 2 weeks off before his summer session at school started, which was the day before yesterday. Now they are both occupied for 2 1/2 weeks, until Tessa's camp ends. After 2 weeks of Tessa being home, during which Matthew continues school, we leave for a month in CA. The only problem we are experiencing with this period of activity overlap is that Matthew's bus has not been picking him up till almost 9:00 (9:05 the first day) and Tessa is supposed to be at camp by 9:00. She is done at 3:30, but Matthew's bus drops him off at that time, so I have had to pick her up early. The first day, as we pulled out of the lot, I saw Matthew's bus drive by. We had to rush to catch up to it so that it wouldn't beat us home! If this was a "normal" bus it would be no problem, but I'm required to be there when he is picked up and dropped off.

This is the first summer that I have had both kids involved in an activity at the same time. These first couple of days have been so busy that I haven't had much time to relish the time (and I should be keeping this post short so I can run out the door again), but I am feeling real relief to have some breathing space this summer. Most of this time will be spent in ebay listing hysteria, but it's great that I have the chance to be alone in the house to get that all prepped.

Oh, and I cannot tell you how happy and excited Matthew was to go back to school for summer session! It's an absolute fricking miracle, considering how desperately unhappy he was at the prospect of year-round school. Looking back, I think that had a lot to do with my reluctance to send him to the school, that he was so freaked out and upset about having to go to school during the summer (and his reaction during the interview to the idea). But this last Tuesday we went for his individual orientation and his teachers talked about all the great stuff they were going to be doing, and he was thrilled. They will be swimming at least twice a week, riding bikes (brand new bikes the school just purchased), going on trips to see movies and to a indoor sports center, having parties (including his school birthday party, which the school completely pays for, INCLUDING a gift!), and doing work study (which involves working in the school store, which stocks school supplies and snacks and stuff, for which the kids are actually paid cash money!). He was practically giddy with excitement that night, in anticipation of starting summer school.

All in all, a stellar summer so far.