Am I ready for the back-to-school crazies? No, but do I have a choice?

There's something great about summer as a parent. No homework to check. No projects due the next day. No events that start in the middle of the day. Well, that may not be the case if they are in a rigorous summer camp. But summer generally offers parents of older kids a break.

This summer was quiet and laid back for us. Returning from work, I could actually unwind (OK, only when my work phone wasn't going crazy) and enjoy some time with the kiddies and get some me time. The only prodding that I had to do was summer reading — and cleaning their rooms, but that's a given.

This coming week will create havoc on my already way too full work-life schedule. There's class schedules to pick up, supplies to buy, and orientations to attend. At least I hope to attend them. I have an awful feeling I won't be there for them. School starts July 23.

I'm sooo not ready to give up the fabulousness of summer break.

In just a few days, our lives will be back to super crazy busy. I'm (bad mommy moment here) hoping there aren't too many extracurricular activities to mess up the evening schedule. As a working mom, soccer, band, theater or any other aspirations of the moment mean more shuttling and juggling for me. I wish the day could slow down once dinner is on the table, but that's when homework checks start. We never seem to finish before bed time (here's hoping it's 9:30 p.m., not 11:30 p.m. as it happened a few times last year).

I'm so tired by the time I hit the pillow. Usually I get little time for myself, and I feel blessed with 6 hours of sleep. I really need 8.

Yes, I know I chose to be a parent, and it's part of life but don't tell me that you don't wish there was such a thing as balance without sleep deprivation. A life that doesn't require a nanny (as if we could afford one) or enlisting the help (yes, sometimes begging) of some of your already super busy stay-at-home moms. You know we all ask them for favors to pick up and drop off kids.

I'll be weighing me time (required for keeping me sane) vs. sleep (required to make it through the day). I'd like both. But I won't get what I want. And that's such a bummer.

Tell your child's teacher about SRP Classroom Connections

I was looking through my mail, shocked as always by how expensive it is to stay cool in Arizona. But I'm pleased to know that our electric provider stays actively involved in the community it serves.

One of the programs that aims to build our future is the Classroom Connections grant program. The grants are aimed at helping students with math, science, and social studies, as well as teach a specialty energy program. A blurb in the SRP Contact newsletter, in your bill, says SRP has awarded $126,320 to 26 schools in Learning Grants and $24,915 to 12 schools for Social Studies Grants.

Some general info from SRP website:

Learning Grants: Helps schools, teachers and students to develop projects and programs geared toward attainment of state-mandated competencies. Specifically, the grants support innovative teaching strategies that improve student performance objectives in math and science. SRP offers a total of $125,000 for Learning Grants in math and science, with up to $5,000 available for each school site.

Social Studies: Help educators present academic content and teach skills in the interrelated disciplines of history, geography, civics, government, and economics. Arizona is a diverse and unique state, and SRP is fortunate to have been a part of Arizona's story for more than a century. The total amount of this grant program is $25,000 during this year. Up to $2,000 may be awarded to any one project. There is no minimum.

Powering Our Future mini grants: Classroom teachers in grades 4-12 can receive up to $350 in funding to purchase supplementary materials and supplies to teach the hands-on components of SRP's Powering Our Future curriculum.

The application process will open up again in November. Info and the application is at srpnet.com/grants. You also can call Alison Smith at 602-236-2798 for info.

Street League Skatebording July 14-15

Got older kids at home saying they're bored. You could tell them school is around the corner. Can't believe summer is almost over. Then again, you can opt to surprise them with some skateboarding action taking place at Jobing.com Arena this weekend.

The Street League Skateboarding DC Pro Tour comes to Glendale July 14-15. It's a competition that features 24 pro skateboarders — we're told they are at the top of their game. Honestly, I'm not very familiar with skateboarding champs. I hear these skaters, scheduled to compete, may solicit fan excitement: Sean Malto, Nyjah Huston, Chris Cole, Paul Rodriguez, Ryan Sheckler, Chaz Ortiz, and Torey Pudwill.

The schedule:

Saturday, July 14: Arena doors open at 4 p.m., with qualifying events starting at 5 p.m. An autograph signing for VIP floor seat packages starts at 8:15 p.m. Note: Outdoor activities begin at 2 p.m. before the qualifiers.

Sunday, July 15: Arena doors open at 2:15 p.m. Semi-finals begin at 3:15, with finals beginning at 4 p.m. Note: Just like Saturday, outdoor activities start 2 hours before doors open.

Details: July 14-15. Jobing.com Arena, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. Tickets run $20.40-$185.80 plus fees, and there are some VIP packages available. 623-772-3200, jobingarena.com.

More info here.