Thoughts of homework and teachers were far from Colin Bradt’s mind as he pushed together the couch and chairs of his family’s Lawrence living room last week.

“I built a fort the other day, just because I could,” Bradt, 14, recalled. “I had the time to do it.”

There, under his cushioned stronghold, Bradt snuggled up to his dog –a golden retriever and German shepherd mix named Storm– and took some time to enjoy the final days of summer.

For Bradt and other kids across town, moments like these are fleeting. Less than three days remain before Lawrence Public Schools resume classes Wednesday morning.

He accompanied his mother, Jane Patrick, during a grocery run to Dillons, 1740 Massachusetts St., Friday afternoon.

Bradt, who will begin his freshman year at Lawrence High School this week, said he feels confident about the transition. After all, he’s got all “the important stuff” for the upcoming semester– binders, paper, pencils and, most importantly, brand-new skinny jeans.

“I’ve always wanted to be an architect, so I’m taking as many drafting classes as possible,” Bradt said. “I’m really excited for drafting.”

In Lawrence, parents and children spent their last weekend shopping for supplies, sleeping late and cramming in some last-minute summer fun.

Saturday

At the County Fair Swim Club, 2119 Maple Lane, Sara Cummings and Angela Navarro sat back in reclining chairs while keeping watch over a pair of rowdy 8-year-old boys.

With the end of summer in sight, the friends had made it a priority to “spend as much time at the pool as possible,” especially during the final weekend before their sons, Santiago Degarmo and Jason Chason, return to school.

“We’ve been watching movies and eating ice cream and being as bad as possible,” Cummings said of summer vacation. “That’s going to be the hardest thing — breaking these bad habits, things we wouldn’t normally allow.”

She described County Fair Swim Club as a “special place” for both families. Their sons attend Kennedy Elementary, located across the street from the pool, and will enter the third grade this year.

Degarmo isn’t exactly looking forward to it –his most anticipated event: “getting out of the next school year”– but he is excited about the back-to-school shopping.

A pair of Air Jordans were calling his name Saturday night, though his mother quickly brought him back down to earth.

“I told him if he didn’t get into trouble during the school year, I’d get him whatever shoes he wants,” Navarro said. “It’s probably not going to happen.”

Sunday

Bret Dillingham and Aimee Polson were among the many parents picking up school supplies at SuperTarget, 3201 Iowa St., during a lunchtime rush Sunday.

Their son, Dexter Dillingham, will start first grade this week at Woodlawn Elementary, and he’s “feeling great” about it.

The 6-year-old’s summer activities included swimming, camping, a trip to the Ozarks and lots of sleepovers with his “soul brother,” Jake. His cousin, aptly nicknamed for being born on the same day, traveled from Las Vegas to spend a month with him in Lawrence.

Now, with summer winding down, Dexter said he has just one regret– he wanted to learn how to play Minecraft solitary but never got the chance.

Still, he is excited for the school’s yearly carnival.

“I won a cake walk at my first carnival there,” Dexter said.

The coveted prize? A Spiderman cupcake.

Caroline Taylor had school on the brain Sunday afternoon during a trip to the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., with her husband and daughter.

Her five-year-old, Kate, starts kindergarten this week at Langston Hughes Elementary, and Caroline thought it might be a good idea to check out some books on the subject.

“She’ll do great, but it’s kind of sad to think about your baby being school-age,” Caroline said. “It’s bittersweet, I guess.”

Along with husband Chris, Caroline has spent the last few days preparing Kate for the upcoming milestone. They went shopping last weekend (Kate picked out a Hello Kitty backpack) and have slowly adjusted her sleeping schedule by cutting down on nap times and going to bed earlier at night.

Kate said she’s excited to play outside with the other kids, but isn’t so excited to sing in front of them. The thought of music class has given her some pause, Chris said.

Overall, though, the first-time parents think Kate will do just fine.

“I hope she makes good friends and gains confidence being able to interact with new kids,” Chris said. “And, just finding her way.”