Summer

I'm SO glad for summer! We needed it so so so so much. Leaving town for the mountains was something I HAD to do. And even after we came back, it's been good. We've been able to go running, we've been able to go swimming, our kids have gone camping and canoeing. My oldest has been able to practice driving (er...not as much as he needs to, thanks to all the activities, but it's a start). We've been able to read. My 14YO and I restrung my old guitar today because he wants to learn. (He is our music?-no-thanks boy, so this is an interesting development we want to encourage.) He also started cross country today (that's running, not skiing, in case you're wondering--August is the only month snow has NOT been recorded in this place)--our first kid in an organized sports program. So far, so good. I am kiiiiiiinda losing my mind with the encroaching school schedule, but if I can live through the crazy early mornings and late nights, I will hopefully be able to get some good writing in once school starts, too. I have a book that just needs to come out, and I can't wait for some uninterrupted time to sink into it. We still have a couple weeks' worth of school registrations, dentist visits, and school shopping, though. And I'm hoping to fit one more hiking trip in, too. (I've heard some great thing about the area a couple hours east of here in Minnesota. Flat, yes, but TREES.) We'll see.

Good luck to all starting school now, and good luck to all gearing up for September!