More Summertime Lyric-Swapping

The girls' summer vacation has descended upon us like a thief in the night. We are three weeks in, and so far I have managed to hold it together. (I have also managed to spend about half of every day with the broom in my hand, to somehow ignore the mounting layers of fingerprints on the refrigerator door, AND to go on a few outings to the swimming pool, once with an extra kid in tow.) It helps that the girls have had some very great moments of cooperative work and play, which contributes to the overall feeling of enjoyment that I've been able to derive from their all-day hugs, shenanigans, and humor.

It hasn't all been easy, though. There are wonderful moments, but there are many overwhelming ones as well. In fact, after the second straight day of air conditioning duct work in our house last week that meant that workers were in and out of the house all day, that we couldn't go anywhere for those two days, and that I had to put Spencer down for (terrible) naps in the playpen in the downstairs office, I pretty much ran out of the house when Craig got home from work and had to calm my nerves by making some purchases at my second favorite store. (And that is really saying something for me. I am not typically a stress-shopper, but sometimes desperate times call for a trip to Ross, people.)

Anyhow, as I have looked over the colossal messes that my children have managed to make in these three short weeks, and pondered on the quickness with which arguments have the tendency to escalate into screaming matches, I keep thinking to myself, "well, this is summer." That thought, of course, gets John Lennon's, "So This is Christmas" in my head, which has naturally prompted me to come up with a summertime version of the one Christmas song I hate so much that it almost has the power to ruin Christmas for me entirely. But alas, it was an easy target, and I am low on ideas for things to say that don't involve the current pandemonium that is my life.

Well, here you go. (And I apologize sincerely in advance if this terrible song gets stuck in your head all dang day. It really should be banned from Christmas entirely.)

So this is summer
And what have you done?
You're not even dressed yet
And it's already 1.
And so this is summer
Are you living in fear?
With all of these kiddos
Aged 1 to 9 years.

Have a very happy summer,
And try not to stress.
While they clean out your pantry
And bring new heights to "mess."

And so this is summer--
You're stronger than you think.
Oh man it's a good thing
You don't even drink.
And so happy summer,
Though you don't think you're strong,
And the nights go like lightning
While the days drag along

Have a very happy summer
And try not to cry
While they're rearranging furniture
And ignoring your sighs

And so this is summer (school is over)
You're doing your best (you're on your own)
Making them lunches (school is over)
And getting them dressed (holy cra-ap)
And so happy summer; (school is over)
It's too hot to go outside (you're on your own)
Your patience is shattered, (school is over)
Your nerves all but fried (now)

Have a very happy summer
It's going to be okay
The new school year's coming...
It's only 7 weeks away

School is over, you're on your own
School is over now


(Here's hoping your summer is equal parts pleasant and crazy!)