you feel like something is about to begin

Sweet, sweet summer vacation.

It has been a wonderful start to vacation. Camping in tofino was amazing, sleeping in every morning has been amazing, swimming at the lake every single day. In the summer i truly feel like we live in the very best place in the whole world. The whole town slows down. A constant stream of kids walking to and from the lake, swimsuits around their necks and quiet giggling with friends as they walk up and down the country roads.

The kids are really happy. I had hoped in my heart that once summer came and we spent so much time together that their spirits would be lifted just a little bit and this hard year would finally find some joy in it.

A few weeks ago i had a meeting with the counselor at the kids school. We talked about the atmosphere in my house, the fighting between the kids, my frustrations with their not listening to me. She was great and, as outsiders can often do, gave me some really great advice. So simple, yet i didn't see it. In my desire to make the kids happy i had become a push-over. Trying too hard to be their friend.

She said if i just became an authority figure again, was consistent with rules and consequences, my house would return to harmony.

And magic of magic, it has worked. The kids are listening to me. We are enjoying each other more than ever and the fighting has really subsided. They still fight, don't get me wrong on that one, but they are quicker to try and solve the problem before it erupts.

I see a really great summer ahead of us.