We are trying to "slurp" every last drop out of our summer. Our week began with a celebration as we welcomed Marky and Maddie back home. All of us were so excited to see them and hug them and tell them about what they missed while they were away from us. Topping the list was the news from Meredith that she swallowed a penny. (we are still waiting on the penny's reappearance). The family was complete until Daddy had to leave again, but it was so great to have us all under the same roof for a few precious hours.
We've been swimming, shopping, packing backpacks, biking, sharpening pencils, decorating notebooks, having Sonic picnics, and celebrating completed vaccinations to name a few ways that we've spent our days. Middle school starts on Monday, elementary on Tuesday and preschool on Thursday. What will Thursday afternoon be like, I am wondering!!??? Never have I known hours like those that are around the bend. 6 hours a week, approximately 24 hours a month. WHAT??? What will I do with my little self??? Marky was making a list for me today.... she said, "you could have lunch with your friends or with Daddy, you could knit, you could read,". It was very sweet listening to her "plan" my free-time!
Marky got a new bike, and so we took it on a ride over to her new school. She was so happy, riding her new purple bike with her coordinating helmet. Maddie was thrilled to go on a ride with her because something about a cool, older sister makes you cooler too. Take it from me, I know these things. Tuesday, Marky attended her middle school registration and got her locker. Excitement city!!! She was nervous about the combination lock, but she rocked it each time she tried it. Tomorrow, she is meeting some of her friends to have a locker decorating "bash". Little sisters have been invited, so that's a relief.
These weeks of summer have flown by. It seems like ages ago that we were relaxing by the Gulf in Florida, all traces of a schedule gone. Decorating my laptop screen is a picture of my favorite view of the beach and the ocean from our hotel. Every time I open it, I literally take a deep, relaxing breath remembering the wonderful week that we spent there in June. And now, the middle of August awaits us , teasing us with the unknowns, and comforting us with so much that is familiar. The time between our Florida vacation and now has vanished. Coming up is our annual "Sunday night before school starts trek to the Zach playground", new friends, old friends, new teachers, new experiences, old nuisances, and new victories. We lift our empty cup of summer, it's contents slurped through the straw of LIFE and anticipate all that is before us in the next few weeks. We welcome you, school year 2010 - 2011.You've been whispering that you've been coming and we respond back to you now with a loud HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
