Dear Summer, Thank you. Love, A Teacher Mom.

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There are lots of “open letters” floating around the internet as our little ones are heading back to school this fall. To students, to teachers, to parents, to the people who stock school supplies in June… I’m going to add just one more.

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Dear Summer,

Thank you. There will never be another summer like this one. There will never be another first trip to Lego Land or a first boat ride. There will never be another first green bean from our garden or a first visit to the local ice cream stand. There will never be another first airplane ride to Texas or a first new Ukranian neighbor. My boys will never be four and a half and 22 months again. While the lunchbox and backpack sales came too early (they always do) and the Halloween costumes arrived well before the morning chill, thank you. Thank you for the last ten weeks.

Thank you, summer, for allowing me to witness strides made by “the baby.” He can now climb down our deck stairs without help, swing a baseball bat, kick in the pool and (almost) keep up in running races with his brother. The last week of this summer he started in one corner of the kitchen and said “Ready? Three, two, one, GO!” before running across the room and concluding, “I won.” I appreciate his love of singing and have grown to love reading the same book seventeen times if it means we get to snuggle a little bit longer.

Thank you, summer, for letting me get to know my big guy in ways I never imagined either of us needed. He is an amazing, unique, passionate and creative being that I became closer to when I doubted it was possible. He is the person who made me a mother and the best hugger in the whole world. He has grown into a caring older brother, a supporter and a role model. He confidently swims, he has learned that he loves gardening and hiking, and that he can’t go more than a few hours without some fresh air. (Me either!)

My husband jokes around about my desire to go back to school this fall. While I yearn for routine, I am truly thankful for the summer I spent with my boys. Thank you for later nights, an extra scoop of ice cream, more car naps, picnic dinners and lots of sun lotion. Thank you for the moments that I’ve tried to capture in photos. Thank you for the memories that will get me through the days I am away from my boys.

Until we meet again, summer…
Thank you,
Julie
(a teacher mom)
PicMonkey CollageWhat about summer are you most thankful for?

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Julie P
Julie is a full-time 5th grade teacher, full-time mommy, part-time runner and resident of Ridgefield! Originally from Colorado, she grew up in SW Fairfield County and got married in 2008. They spent a few years south of the Mason-Dixon, got a dog, and returned to CT to raise their family. A former collegiate tennis player, she loves staying active and finding ways to get outside with her two boys (Oliver - February 2011 and Miles - October 2013). When she's not grading papers, playing racecars, or training for a race, Julie is trying to cook healthy meals for her (picky) family, keep their golden retriever out of trouble, take photos, stay organized and save some money to buy a fixer-upper.

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