The problem with a summer bucket list

Well, that's it, people.

Party's over.

Summer--at least for this family--is officially done.

Hubby and I were back to work today. It's amazing how quickly you can slide right back into routine. It almost felt normal to wake up when it was still dark out, rustle two sleepy boys out of bed groggy and complaining, walk back into our classrooms, and start unpacking the books and binders again.

When teachers return to work after summer vacation, most of us spend at least a few minutes (some, hours) catching up. Today, when anyone greeted me with the usual "Hiiiiiii! How are you?" I mostly answered: "Fat, sun-damaged, rested, and happy."

Which led me to reflect upon my previously posted Summer Bucket List....

Here's the problem with having a summer bucket list (when you're me, anyways): because of my generally Type A, slightly obsessive, greatly perfectionist nature, it tends to go completely against the whole purpose of having two months off of life.

Yes, there were many items on the list that were checked off.
Hang out by the pool? Check!
Take the boys to an art class? Check!
Read? Check!

But the one about waking up super early and taking two little boys to see their first sunrise on the beach? Yeah, not so much. I don't know where the hell I got the idea that waking up at 4:00 in the morning might be a reasonable and exciting plan when one is able to sleep in until whenever (which usually meant when our youngest son started watching TV, around 9:30 a.m. Not bad, huh?).

And the one about working out outdoors more than in the gym? Well, let's just say I didn't hit the gym a whole lot this summer, so we can check that one off (unless you want to count the part about actually working out).

Then there were the housekeeping type goals on the list: items #21-23 all involved some kind of organizing project. Although I can be a glass half-full kinda gal and say that I did manage about 50% of those (I sorted about half of my pending photos and completely organized my closet, but totally ignored the make-up drawer), those three items on my list just haunted and taunted me every time I had a free minute. The relief of having my closet done really wasn't worth the self-imposed stress of nagging myself about it all summer.

I think I might be too goal-oriented (and anally retentive) to have a summer bucket list. Although it was fun to create one and a few times we actually referred to it to remind us to do stuff (Watch the night sky for shooting stars! Run barefoot on the grass!), it really just gave me a nagging sense of "To Do." Every once in a while, I was like: Oh yeah, we haven't done the colored hairspray thing, or We didn't play Frisbee while we were on the trip, or I should be having more post-sex waffles! Now, admittedly, that kind of To-Do List is waaaaay better than the usual To-Do List, but it's still, in the end, a To-Do List. And if you know me, you know I can't fully relax when I have a To-Do List.

Maybe my Bucket List should've consisted of:
1. Get some more sun-induced wrinkles
2. Gain some weight from too much beer and too little exercise
3. Destroy blond highlights with a mixture of chlorine and salt water
4. Sleep in

I may not look my best for the start of the new school year, but I sure had a good fucking summer.

Last day of school back in June: Cheers to being OFF DUTY!

This can certainly be nicknamed The Summer of Stickers...we added quite a few to the old RV this year

If you drink beer that was purchased as a souvenir,
it should not make you gain weight, right?!?
Right?!?!

 

Let's make Mommy a mermaid!

One of our favorite Summer 2013 memories: crab hunting on the beach at night

Boys' first waterfall hike in GA

During a summer RV road trip, this is our version of going out to dinner:
walking a mile down the beach from our campsite for ocean side (literally) dining!

Anyone remember the movie "Point Break?" Look it up...my little Bodhi & Utah
(Can you believe that background?!?)

Annual summer trip: Dave Matthews Weekend

 

Girls behaving badly

 

Plenty of pool time acrobatics & goofiness

 

Made it to painting class...check that one off!
 

Me & my girls attempting (but not succeeding!) sexy snarls



Me + Hubby + Beach  = Perfect Summer Day

We are incredibly lucky enough to have two whole months together off as a family, with nothing to do but enjoy life. And we certainly did that...and then some.

Maybe next year, I won't have a Summer Bucket List, because, after all, summer is all about the glory of not having to do.

Or, maybe, my list next year will be very short:
Do whatever we want to, whenever we want to and enjoy it.
Check!!!