Just like that.

Where I live, spring can last a long time, or only a few days. No matter how few true spring days we have, when summer decides to arrive, it does so with a bang. Yesterday was our first really warm day, and it was over 90 degrees. Hellloooo, summer!

The equation of $4 a gallon gas + 30 gallon gas tank in my van + 12 miles a gallon = we won’t be going very far this summer. For the first time, my children have no summer trip to look forward to, no get away to break up the summer. No Disney World vacation, no visits with relatives - this year it’ll be a “staycation”. With my husband working crazy long hours, it looks like this summer it’ll just be me and the kids. This could be ugly. Arguments of “he’s looking at me!” “Make her stop bothering me!”, fights over who had the front seat and whose turn it is to drink from the pink cup. Phew - I’m tired just thinking about it. I’ve been known to drive the kids all to the beach and turn around when we arrived, due to the fighting. I don’t remember my own mother being so frazzled in the summer. Hmm, I wonder if it had anything to do with our 7:00 bedtimes - even at age 12, even in the middle of the summer, when it wasn’t dark until after 9?

I’ve laid in a supply of sidewalk chalk, sprinklers, sports balls and roller skates. Everyone has a bike. and, most importantly, a helmet. We’ve got a pool in close proximity and I’ve purchased a metric ton of sunblock. We’ve got swings, a stroller for walking, a small pool. In a moment of madness, I purchased a three lane slip and slide.

For bad weather, indoor games, books and videos will save me. I hope. Tell me, how do you plan to make it through what looks to be a long, hot summer? What are your secrets? How do you maintain your sanity and manage to enjoy your time with your family, keeping everyone content and fulfilled, without breaking the bank?

I’m tired just thinking about it.