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Posted Tuesday August 17, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

It feels like yesterday that I was writing my wish list for summer. That's right, I'm that annoying mom who writes a wish list. With my oldest entering first grade, this year was the first time the summer months actually felt different from the rest of the year. I was determined to make it count.

First, I separated my goals into categories: Me Time, Kid Time, Couple Time, Work Time
and Fitness Time. Then I started plotting my plans. There were camping trips and spa days and romantic summer nights sipping wine on an outdoor patio. I envisioned floating on a lake, running on the beach, and reading a book cover to cover. It was going to be a summer to recharge, reconnect and reduce the size of my out of shape butt.

But like many of my goals, while they begin with the best of intentions, I think I misplaced my list about three hours after kindergarten let out. And while some of you are still enjoying summer vacation and maybe plugging away on your own version of a list, my first grader is already back in school (who the heck decided they should head back mid-August?) and my house is silent. Sure, some might just enjoy the break, but not me! I spent the first day grading my summer... and you can too!

Me 101                                                                                                                         C-
I almost failed this class. The only thing that keep from a big, fat "F" was one mani/pedi and a facial. The dream of yoga classes followed by lunch with the girls will remain just that -- a dream.

Course in Couple Time (AKA Biology)                                                                     D
Let's just say the hotel gift certificate on our fridge is still there.

A Study in Work Ethics                                                                                              B+
While working from home in the middle of kid chaos can be challenging, I think I accomplished almost as much as I had hoped. I didn't write a novel or get flown across the country for blogging events, but I did publish some posts on summer boredom on a budget, "perfect" parents, autism, playing with guns, big-mouth celebrity moms and Facebook politics. Considering my summer was more of a personal goal than professional, I'm happy with this grade.

Fitness Time                                                                                                                  F
I'm writing this post while sitting in my workout clothes. In fact, I've probably written every post this summer in workout clothes. Yet the workouts never followed.

Home Economics                                                                                                          B-
For the first time in years, I cleaned out my closet and separated summer clothes from those velvet pants and heavy sweaters. Unfortunately, I never finished it so those winter clothes are still sitting in bins in front of my bed. But hey, that makes me closer to being finished when I swap the summer stuff out in a month or so!

Introduction to Kid Time                                                                                               A-
This course got off to a slow start, enjoying the lazy days and letting the kids spend too much time playing video games and basking in the glory of un-structure. But we did ramp it up a bit a few weeks later, checking the local water park, day trips to local beaches and a vacation back east to visit family off the list. We never did camp, float on the lake or find our way to Disneyland, but the kids enjoyed several "firsts" and memories were certainly made.

How did other moms grade their summer?

Susan A+ "Most fun summer in a long time."

Cheri A "Perfect summer; son came home and spent lots of time with daughter and had an awesome family reunion on the bay in San Diego. Too short though-- school starts tomorrow."

Val "This summer was a C at best."

Carolyn "I'd give it a B. We did everything we said we were going to do but wish we could have done more."

Karen "Summer with a new baby... C+ at best."

Jenny A+ "Sure we didn't do everything we could have, but it was a great summer nonetheless!"

Jennifer "A+ for sure...spent about 80 % of it with the kids in swimsuits at the pool or beach, another 10% on vacays somwhere and the last eating bbq/icecream/corn on the cob outdoors...plus we are having the most mild weather for sure! love it!"

Debbie B "Everything was great but I needed it to last longer. Never got to the beach or the pool as much as we would have liked!!!"

Analiza A- "I had a great time with my kids, there were a few projects we didn't come around to because there were some things they LOVED and I chose to run with their stride. I gave myself a (-) because I wish we ventured a little more out of our comfort zone and not depended on others to come with, next year we're definitely doing some more independent projects and outside of our little box.

Tammy A+ "We did everything and had a great time being together , very special summer getting re-accqainted after deployment."

Carla "I give myself A- (that said I'm renown for setting myself up for success with goals and my OVERARCHING was to be more present with my child."

Like the moms who gave themselves great summer grades, it was the days in our swimsuits as a family that really made the season. When all is said and done, I know my kids had a great time and have no clue nor do they care that the wrapping paper drawer still hasn't been organized. And if my kids (even for a minute) actually credit me for something other than screwing them up, then I would say it was a giant success.



Jackie Morgan MacDougall is a TV-executive turned parenting blogger who lives a crazy life with her husband and three small kids. Her dreams of climbing the corporate ladder have been replaced by the dream of one day having a nap.

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