So its summer, still.
The lake is still our favorite destination whether its the actual water or the surrounding mountains. Afternoon boating, evening hiking, weekend picnicking.
Larger family gatherings have been plentiful and welcome.
Quiet days at home on the deck have been refreshing. Lots of grilling, lots of salad, quite a few nice breezes.
But the days are winding down. Tater (5yrs) asked me to mark her first day of school on the calender so we could cross off days as we go and she would have a better idea of her own timeline. A bittersweet count-down to be sure.
Flash (16yrs!) is studying for his drivers permit test and checked the box next to Driver's Ed on his class choice form. He's also scheduled in for PSATs in October. He tries not to look too terrified when I say the word "college".
Doodle (13yrs) has been asserting her own independence more and more over the summer. She's looking forward to school mostly because of a few of the animal sciences courses that will be available to her as well as a chance to set herself apart from her little gaggle of siblings and her role as Mother #2. There's something to be said for the rate at which girls mature and she surprises me with something new everyday.
FlyBoy (11yrs) just had a Bday and has officially joined Boy Scouts. He's started spending more time away from home and has been tagging along with Flash and his older friends on their adventures to the lake. He loves boating and has declared that he wants his own kayak so he go alone whenever he wants.
I'm just trying to soak it all in. All these big people who used to be my little people are so amazing. Not that we don't have our bad days complete with raised voices and hurtful words but all in all its such a mind boggling experience... this whole parenting thing.
Mac Daddy and I have been hang'in back and hold'in hands while the kids run ahead on the trails. Chatting about how far we've come and where we're going. Discussing the "extra time" I'll have to pursue things once the kids go to school. Wondering what will happen next and how the whole transition from homeschooling to public schooling will go for the kids and for us.
So as the days of summer dwindle away I'll be back here more often. I have managed some sewing and a little knitting in the past weeks so I'll have that to show. There are some potential "big things" brewing so I suppose I'm just dragging my feet... my bare summer-dirty-tanned feet... until the last of these lazy days is gone.
Hope you are all enjoying your days.
~MG
