The Start of School Happy Dance

Three cheers to the start of school!!! Did that sound convincing? I was not ready for my kids to head back this year. Usually, they are driving each other and me totally insane and I am ready to kick them out the door with great anticipation and glee. This year, I simply miss our time together. We had an AMAZING summer. The list was long and the memories deep. My computer is 98 percent full with all the pictures. We made new friends, new traditions and learned a lot.

My oldest son is starting fifth grade. Fifth. I cannot even believe it. I will spare you the sappy "I can't believe how fast he is growing" sob story but what they say is so true. It speeds by in the blink of an eye. My youngest is charging head on into second grade. He is not as enthusiastic about school as my oldest but he puts up with it and it comes so easy to him.

My husband is in full on Boeing strike mode. The newspapers and local (and national) TV have put such a pro-Boeing spin on this it's amazing. I wont get up on my soap box and start ranting but let's just say that in the fine fine print we didn't come out a head AT ALL in fact we were taking losses that would have really hurt us. It stinks, it's stressful, and it’s over whelming and the longer we are out the more stressed I am but WE WILL SURVIVE! Did that sound convincing? One funny thing.... Shad got "mooned" on picket duty. It was a first for him and caused great laughter.

Football is football. It's fun for them, fun to watch and is completely and totally overwhelming for me. We have practice five nights a week, games every Saturday and some mid week games. I feel like I am in drill sergeant mode. We are so scheduled out from the moment we get up to the moment I fall into bed at night it's not even funny. I would not take it away from them though. They love it and it's only three months. Any one can survive three months of football mania. I have been bad about taking pictures this year but I still have over a month left to catch up. I have a circle of good friends at football and we have had such a good time at practice that my sides hurt for hours from all the laughing. We are bad. We have so much fun together but we are soooo bad. It makes four hours between the two kids on the field every night bearable. Thanks ladies. Having you at football ROCKS!




What's next on the agenda? B is starting his first year of band. He is going to play the Alto Sax. I will reserve my opinion until several weeks from now. We will have to see how it goes. He is going to have his hands full with a HEAVY homework schedule, football and band but he has assured me (with begging, pleading and promising eyes) that he can handle it. I am one of the few that still believe that "playtime" and "downtime" is important and should be balanced with all these extra curricular activities so we shall see..... That all aside I am excited for him. I played clarinet for fifth grade band and had an absolute blast! I wish him fun and clear notes!

We are swinging full on into fall with a few splendid weeks of summer weather hanging in there. Shad is home (because of the strike) and is working hard at getting all those little odds and ends of projects done. I like having him home, it's pretty nice! He turns another year older today. Maybe I should let him put the honey-do list down? Na....... Just kidding baby!

I wandered over to the PTA the other night and became involved in a couple of projects that I am excited about. Now, if my feet will cooperate and my RA will behave itself maybe I can spend more time volunteering this year. That would make me happy. It is a whole different world out there at the school. You just don't "get it" unless you’re in the middle of it. OH THE DRAMA, it's amazing. It's like an episode of Total Drama Island every day. It's amazing that they even learn (and bye the way.... if you have girls..... please help them dress and check their bags because I guarantee that they are taking a second wardrobe to school... no parent would ever let them leave the house like that!!!!) Yes, I did in fact just age myself and none to gracefully if I may say.

I head out now to pick the last of the tomatoes and check on the carrots. To fill the bird feeders and wash the dishes. To start laundry and unstain the football gear. Make plans for dinner and a dish for the potluck tomorrow. Return the library books and un-stink the cleats. Bathe the dog and pay the bills. Buy reeds for the saxophone and correct math papers. Make continued strike plans and take Excedrin. Remove gummed up granola bar from T's jacket that somehow went through the laundry full of hidden snacks and take out the Recycling.... you get the picture.

This is why the posts have been so few and far between lately! I traded time to take a shower with writing this post! Thanks for all the emails. Even if it takes me forever to get back to you they are always the highlight of my day.