The Nelson Narrative

Today is the last "First Day" for the girls at this school, as next year they will be off to middle school.  What the...? Kayley and Kona Olivia and Kona This is the first time since I started working 4+ years ago, or maybe even longer, that I'm actually a little sad that summer break is over.  Summers have been hard because it's been stressful having to worry about childcare and not being able to go do fun things very much (and having to fight weekend crowds when we do), but now that my work/life balance is so much better these days I was able to enjoy this summer way more than I have the past several.  Fall is still my favorite, though, so I'm not THAT sad!

School starts tomorrow (!) so I’ve been thinking about what our schedule will probably look like.  Olivia is doing soccer again this year but Kayley is not.  She is doing dance instead (Hip Hop), and Olivia is doing dance also (ballet) in addition to soccer.  It's going to be a busy fall. 6:15-7:45 - I get up and get ready for work. 7:45-8:40ish - Girls get up and get ready.  I will help with breakfast and lunches (preferably packed the night before, but not always going to happen). 8:40ish - Everybody leaves for work/school.  I imagine that for the first several weeks while the weather is still cooperative they will either walk or ride their bikes with friends.  Otherwise I will drive them. 8:45-9:00ish - I arrive at work.  It’s only 5 minutes away but can take up to 20 minutes if I get stuck behind a bus or something. 3:05 - Paul gets home (he just started a new position with an (even) earlier start time.  He has been getting home at 3:35). 3:

School starts in 12 days and for the first time since returning to work 4+ years ago I'm not quite ready for summer to end.  Almost, but not quite.  I've hated summers in recent years due to the stress of childcare and feeling sad and guilty about not being able to do fun things with the girls, plus enduring all of the 80-something to over 90-degree days without A/C (we at least have them in our bedrooms now).  But with my shorter commute and more PTO they are getting better.  Next summer should be the best yet because I will work from home 2 days a week, Paul will take most Mondays off and the other 2-3 days a week we will just let the girls stay home alone and I will come home on my lunch break to check on them, plus there are plenty of neighborhood moms (that either are stay-at-home or work for the school district) that can keep an eye out.  Also I will finally have enough PTO built up that I can maybe take a whole week off and not go anywhere but just hang around home and