After coaching soccer last night, I spent two hours removing the camping stench - wet swimsuit meets sand meets fishing gear kind of nasty 😷 - from the van. I'm talking a commercial vacuuming, carpet shampooing, Lysol'ing all the jam out of the seat crevices kind of commitment.

Currently accepting nominations for the best mom in the entire world. 😂

I gave up my night to do this so my girls could have dual playdates on this last day of summer. They've been asking for a dual playdate all summer and I knew I only had one last shot to make it work.

But, seriously. With parenthood, every day it's a choice.

Do I deep clean the house or do I play?
Do I work on my computer or do I listen?
Do I read them a bedtime story or do I say, "Maybe tomorrow," yet again?

Some days, most days really, I choose the To-Do list. But today, on this last day of summer, I'm choosing these smiles.

Originally published on the author's Facebook Page.