Good-bye summer, hello Matadors

Today was my last day with Emily this summer. Tomorrow she goes back to the sitter and I go back to the classroom. Of course I don't start teaching tomorrow, but with some last minute changes to my teaching schedule, in order to be ready for the school year, I have to say good-bye to summer early.

I have really enjoyed this extra time with my daughter. More than I thought I would and I can't express here how much I was looking forward to it. I felt like gave Paula (my sitter) a six-week old and received back a seven-month old and missed everything in between. I did get to hear Emily's first word this summer. It was mama. Witness her first tantrum and catch her as she stumble walked for the first time. I know she is in great hands when I leave her at the sitter. I just have to keep telling myself that.

I am going to try to not be dramatic, although those who know me well know better than that. But while I was watching Emily play today I felt a twinge in my heart and I had to choke back a tear. I feel like I missed so much this last school year. I have high hopes that Estacado will be a different experience than Amherst and most people will tell me that it will be. I know I will still be busy, but I am hoping for more time with Emily. More quality time. Not me sitting on the couch exhausted, but being able to experience her, not just be in the same room with her.

I have high hopes. I hope I won't cry tomorrow (although I probably will). I hope this school year will be better than the last (John does too... for his own sanity and mine). I hope that Emily will come to love and appreciate the summers as much as I do! Besides, who wouldn't want to come home to this everyday...