Do you remember the thrill of the last day of school when we were kids?
It meant summer vacation was here—those glorious, sun-drenched days of playing outside until the streetlights flickered on, visiting grandparents in the countryside, or going off to camps with friends.
In our country, summer vacation used to last three whole months. Despite each new education minister's attempts to tweak things, the “big vacation” has remained pretty consistent: from June 15th to September 15th.
Those months were the highlight of my childhood, eagerly awaited and thoroughly enjoyed.
Things are different now. Kids don’t seem to stay out as late, and many no longer have grandparents in the countryside. Camps have become pricier and the quality hasn’t improved much.
But I like to think that the last day of school still sparks the same excitement in kids today: a break from homework and the promise of endless summer fun.
I’m thrilled and proud that my daughter is getting to experience this joy for the first time. Yesterday, we celebrated the end of the school year with her class and their parents. It was a fantastic end-of-year party!
We held the celebration at a beautiful beach location. The kids recited poems, sang, danced, and even invited the parents to join in. It was a few hours of pure happiness where the kids did what they do best—being joyful and playful.
Our teacher is amazing. She put together a wonderful celebration that clearly showed how much she cares. It’s evident she’s dedicated to our children with all her heart. Kids are honest about their feelings, and they all adore their teacher. They were excited about vacation but wished they could take their teacher along too.
When the teacher asked why they were being praised, my daughter responded earnestly, “Because we worked hard this year learning letters and numbers, reading and writing!” Such sincerity! They really did work hard, and I believe being a child can be tough sometimes.
If we parents could be kids for just one more day, we’d probably face many frustrations and uncertainties. I doubt we’d handle things as well as our children do!
So, summer break has officially started!
We’ve got plans to hit the beach, visit museums, explore zoos, and trek to the mountains. We’re also prepared for late dinners, early breakfasts, midday naps, and movie nights. And of course, we’ve lined up some new books to dive into during the vacation.
We’re ready to soak up every moment! My daughter’s first big summer break is going to be unforgettable.
For me, it’s been a chance to relive those childhood feelings with her.
Joy upon joy, and more joy! What could be better? Well, it would be even better if my husband could come home before the vacation ends 🥹.
Thank you so much for reading! Your support means the world to me, and I’m grateful for each one of you joining me on this journey. ❤️
Written by Gratiela Grigorini
