Summer break is coming to an end quickly, (like, two days) and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad about it. I love summer and all the things that come with it. Olaf is my spirit snowman. Sun, pool days, the beach, books, gardens, canning: I love it all! Well, maybe not the record breaking heat and drought followed immediately by a very early season hurricane bringing flooding. But everything else lol! As a teacher, I also enjoy the recharge each summer brings me as I prepare for a brand new year. I say it every year, but this really has been the quickest summer.
This summer has been different. Not good different or bad different. Just different. We took a break from travel softball this year so we haven’t spent every weekend on the ball field. We did college orientation with the oldest baby. There is an entire corner of the playroom designated for all of the things we have been collecting for her dorm room. (I am not ok with this reality if I am being honest. I am having BIG feelings. BIG ones. Future post coming.) Middle baby is starting high school and just made the JV volleyball team. Baby boy is starting middle school and will be trying out for the school soccer team (prayers appreciated) in a few weeks.
I realized that three major transitions are all happening at once. I also realized that it will be the first time I don’t have any of my babies in the same building with me. Remember when I was talking about BIG feelings??? All of these transitions, added to a health scare, me breaking down on the side of the road (mentally and my car), a broken air conditioner in the middle of the aforementioned record breaking heat wave, and a family of foxes that took out almost half of my flock. See what I mean about “different”?
Even with all of these things, I dare say this has been my laziest summer ever. Hear me out. I don’t mean I have not done anything this summer. I have gardened and canned, been a pretty amazing new chicken mama (minus the part where the foxes arrived), shuttled kids, read a ton of books, worked on centers for my classroom, and cleaned out the playroom. All things I love to do. But let me tell y’all what I have really done. I have crocheted. A lot. 😂 Now, I am still learning so many things about crocheting, and I sure haven’t created any masterpiece. But it isn’t because I have not been practicing. I have been snuggled up on the futon in the playroom watching the Olympics while I untangle yarn.
Imagine my excitement as I am watching the women’s diving competition and the camera cuts to the crowd where Olympic Medalist Tom Daley is knitting! Now, since beginning my crochet journey six months ago I have learned that there is a difference in knitting and crocheting. As best I can tell, its one hook for crocheting and two needles for knitting. Other than that, I have no idea what makes them different. All I know is that I went from being so proud of my little baby blankets and lovies that were perfectly imperfect, to looking at this sweater that Tom knitted on his “off days” in Paris. What the actual??? Here it is taking me days to make a little baby blanket and he is personalizing sweaters and winning medals in a couple of days.
Perhaps he finds the same solace I do when I get my hook and yarn. A chance to unwind from the events of the busy life. The opportunity to create something unique and special for people I love. The “I just made that” feeling when I finally finish a project. I have become completely engulfed in all things Olympics this summer. Now I love me some volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, and basketball. What I was not prepared for was the vast amount of events that I had no idea existed and how much I would enjoy them. Handball??? Yes, please! Speed walking? Who knew? Perhaps the most mind blowing for me is Breaking. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out.
So as my summer break and the Olympics both come to a close, I am recharged and ready for another busy season of life. I have set some personal goals for this school year both personally and professionally. I encourage you to find something that brings you joy and also relaxation, like crocheting. This year I will be trying some new patterns and trying to branch out from lovies. If you do take up crocheting, I recommend this starter set and this yarn. Who knows, maybe I will make myself a sweater this year.
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