Something you should do if you've got the time. Head out to your local grade school on the day they get out for the summer. Sure, kids are happy anytime they're heading home. But on the last day of classes just go and park to watch as they come out. They're looking for the ride home or the bus, but usually Mom or someone is there to pick them up.

That was me. I volunteered to do it. Mom was a nurse who worked nights. Dad was at his job. Only Grandpa was retired. Kind of fun because there was no order. Teachers lost almost all control. They were on their way outside and nothing could hold them back. After the first few years they got to know me. Was kind of amusing because the older brothers and sisters kind ot took control and found the younger ones and led them to the exits. Little ones still paid a little attention to the bigger ones if only out of fear. They had no fear of the school staff.

One thing that was universal. It was the huge grin on their faces. They'd been told Grandpa would pick them up. Of course they knew the Jeep. It was the hot ticket to get away and go home for the summer. If you get the chance, don't miss it.

All those smiling faces must give ya a bit of hope for the future! It’s great that you are there for the grandkids.

Silent

My wife has a Jeep (Wrangler). None of the grandsons would dare not riding in this beast of transportation.....
I'd just chalk it up to you having a Jeep!!! LOL

I remember those days well. I also vividly recall the one year it didn't happen...

In 5th grade, my middle school decided to experiment with the year-round school concept. One lone "pod" was designated the test group, while the rest of the school remained on the standard schedule. My parents volunteered me to be in the test group.

This meant that I started school something like 5 weeks before the other kids, and remained in school for something like 5 weeks after the other kids.

I tell you, it's downright heartbreaking for a 10ish year old boy to have the bell ring on the "last day of school", hear the whoops and hollers and pandemonium break out as all the other kids celebrated the start of summer break, and know dejectedly that you still had over a month to go.

The year-round schedule's benefits of a fall break and extended Christmas and spring breaks didn't come anywhere near to offsetting that day's awful feeling. At least to a little boy.