Summer vacation is too short. Ugh, I wish my kids got twelve weeks like I did and didn’t go back to school until Labor Day. Ten weeks is just too short for a proper summer vacation. And returning in mid-August seems downright cruel.

At least we have one final week of freedom! Next week, I’m packing in mega fun. On Monday, I’m planning to take the kids to Raging Waters, and on Wednesday, we’re heading back to Universal Studios for the first time since June. Then on Friday we are going to the beach with cousins.

Tuesday and Thursday will be more low-key days, but the kids are super excited to go back-to-school shopping. That means pencils and shit at Target, soccer cleats at the sporting goods store, and sneakers at the mall. All prayers are welcome – I loathe shoe shopping with my kids.

I’m sure we’ll also cavort in our pool. And of course, even once they return to school, we can swim on weekends and late weekday afternoons. Soccer does not start for several weeks, so we still have some freedom.

But as much as I lament the end of summer vacation, we’ve had a bitching nine weeks. Nebraska! Vegas! Beach days! Cousins! We’ve gone to the movies, swam in our pool, visited with the grandparents (both sets), and reveled in slower mornings and homework-free evenings.

And the next season will be good in its own way.