It’s the last day of school. Woo hoo!” my son exclaimed as he dashed past the teachers and out the door toward the car. He’s 4. His preschool routine had consisted of a few mornings a week, yet he was already excited about summer vacation. His whole life is like summer, I thought, but he’s too young to realize that.

But he is old enough to understand the clearly marked end of one thing and the beginning of something new. His class spent weeks practicing the end-of-the-year song, and his face beamed as they sang, “Make new friends, but keep the old …” to the parents. He watched as children heading off to kindergarten were awarded paper crowns and certificates. He got to eat a cupcake and drink Sprite out of a Solo cup. He thought the last day of school was awesome, and I found myself getting caught up in the excitement, too.

When we got to the car, I gave him a high five and shouted, “School’s out for summer! Woo hoo.” We had officially entered the season of water parks, beach trips and lazy afternoons watching cartoons under the hum of the air conditioner. His enthusiasm made me remember what it was like to be a child, back when summer was a big deal. So this year, we gave those hot, steamy months their due respect.

And now, after a hundred or so sunscreen applications, it’s time to go back to school. I’ll pause for a moment as moms across the land shout, “Woo hoo!”

I haven’t lived by the school calendar for almost 15 years, and I didn’t realize how much I missed that, until now. When I graduated college and entered the working world, the absence of the school calendar was a shock to my system – all that work, day after day after day. But like so many other responsible adults, I got over it and adjusted to my new station in life.

Because I worked in a television newsroom, getting off on holidays was never guaranteed. The weeks and the months ran together, and I wouldn’t know summer had rolled around until I started sweating through my polyester suit. By the time I changed careers and went to work for myself, I had stopped paying attention to the changing seasons. I just adjusted my wardrobe and went about my day.

After my son was born, I was always caught off guard when people would ask, “What will he be for Halloween?” and “Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?”

I would look at the calendar and reply, “Is it that time, already?”

Parents must schedule child care, family vacations and work routines around school, and it’s not always convenient. But living by the school calendar can also establish a nice rhythm for life, spotlighting the seasons and holidays. Well-placed breaks give children and adults something to look forward to.

So this year, with the proclamation of “back to school,” I’m finally getting into the groove. I’m slowly turning my attention from all things hot and humid and contemplating Halloween costumes. I think the whole family should dress up like the cast of Scooby Doo. What about you? *

Angie Mizzell does most of her writing with two small children swinging from her limbs. Her personal essays have been published in several print and online publications. Contact her at angiemizzell.com.