So, our three starter fish and one tank cleaner didn’t quite make it through their first night at Casa de Martell. Apparently, they don’t know everything at Petsmart, since they had us set the temperature on the filter to something that apparently was a little bit too hot tub-like for the little guys. It was a sad, sad burial at sea day over here yesterday. I’m happy to announce, though, that after a trip back to Petsmart to bust some heads, our four new mostly unnamed fish (although I believe they are tentatively called Isabella Jr., Fat Patricia, Cheeto and maaaaybe, uh, Lochte) made it through the night and are doing laps in a much cooler pool—there are no speedos in sight.

We are already in summer mode over here, even though there is still a day and a half of school left. My kids are all “WAH HOW COME WE ARE THE ONLY KIDS LEFT ON THE PLANET WHO ARE STILL IN SCHOOL?!?!?!” and I’m all, “Yippee! You are the only kids left on the planet who are still in school!”

I don’t know how I won this lottery, but report cards are already out, and yet they are still in.

Because as much as I am looking forward to summer vacation—and I am, I really am—I know that my schedule as I currently know it is about to change drastically. And if you know me at all, this control-freak Work At Home Mom thrives on routine and, well, actually having time in my day to get my work done.

As it is, I’m up at 6am so I can put a full two hours in before the kids wake up.

As it is, I’m up at 1am so I can put a full few hours in after the kids go to bed.

Summer mode for me means dinners outside, late bedtimes, more photoshoots, Josh’s baseball games, drinking coffee Nancy Botwin-style, fewer socks and more pedicures for this girl who loathes getting pedicures (see what sacrifices I make for my children?), swimming in the rain…

And my daughters watching Toddlers And Tiaras in the morning before I have had my coffee.

So, I’ll probably just have to give up sleeping for summer. It’s just like giving up chocolate for Lent, yes?

I’m hoping I can manage to keep more than just the fish alive.