I kind of miss shopping for little kids

This year, our back to school shopping has been minimal.  Fortunately, the needs have been few.  Robert is required to wear a uniform and that is the same as last year.  Thomas has plenty of options from being the second boy so we are set there.  I did purchase some items for Catherine, although she was already set with shoes.  The boys did receive new shoes.  Overall, it's been a year that the children understand our budget, especially after the last nine months where we purchased a very used car from my sister, a newer vehicle for Andrew, put braces on Catherine, and gutted our bathroom.  I'm grateful our children are beginning to understand the difference between "need" and "want".

While I've been out purchasing the few things we need, I can't help but notice how cute clothing is for little ones.  Sometime I even stand and gush to whomever is with me about how cute something is.  Especially when it comes to Catherine's clothes, those days seem so much simpler.  I wish I would've enjoyed them when those days were part of our lives.  I suspect that is why being a grandparent is so much fun.  You know even better to enjoy those moments that seem so mundane and simple!

Concussion

Thomas has a concussion from the first night of contact at football.  Fortunately, it is a very mild concussion.  Sadly, I knew this was pretty much inevitable.  He really doesn't know what he is doing out there.  Honestly, he is more of a flag football kind of guy.  He is out for at least the next week, and I suspect longer.  Not because it's a bad concussion or anything like that, but because I'm afraid this is his way to not get pummeled, while saving face without quitting.  I know that sounds like a horrible thought to have about my child, but I'm realistic it is a possibility.  Regardless, we are absolutely going to follow the proper protocol, and he is not going back on the field too quickly.  Hoping everything works out for the best!

One last week

This time next week we will be getting ready for school in the morning.  At this point, Robert's bus is expected to arrive even earlier than last year, which I didn't think was possible.  We are cautiously optimistic though, that eventually it will be back to a time more similar to last year.  We shall see.

This summer has flown by, but as always happens this time of year, I'm ready for the routine of school.  I'm not necessarily ready for school itself, but the craziness of the week leading up to school makes me ready for the kids to be IN SCHOOL so I can stop attending meetings, orientations, and other (sometimes ridiculous) things.  For instance, Thomas is my third child to attend our middle school, and it is the third year he has been there...our sixth year overall with a child at that school.  It seems a little ridiculous that I would need to attend orientation...again!  But I did, and we did, and it's done.

I can't believe this will be Robert's last 'first day of school'.  I know that major life changes are coming for him in less than a year, and I know that things will never be the same.  I also know though, that not all changes are bad.  Moving four years ago definitely taught me that.  I also know however, that it's going to be an emotional process.

I wish I could say that we have fun things planned for the last seven days of summer break, but that isn't the case.  Between jobs, practices, the dog, and our street being closed for paving, I think we are just going to have to find a way to have fun in little spurts here at home!

We visited my grandmother

This evening we went and visited my grandmother.  We saw her three weeks ago at my aunt's house but didn't really get to visit.  In fact, it had been nearly three months since we had truly visited, and this is the last weekend where Andrew doesn't have to work the next morning, so we made the trip up.  I so enjoy visiting with her, and I could tell that she really enjoyed it as well.  She fixed us a simple dinner of hot dogs, beans, fruit, and chips.  It was such a very lovely visit.  I'm so grateful that at my age I am still blessed with my grandmother!

New calendars

I am definitely a "Type-A" neurotic personality.  I have pretty much known this as long as I can remember.  And that is why filling out my new calendar is one of my favorite things to do!  Just about a month ago I purchased my portable calendar that is based on the academic year, and loved filling it out.  Late last week, my wall calendar arrived, and I couldn't wait to fill it out either!  I know that it is really bizarre, but I am such a planner.

And of course, I'm sure many are wondering why I even fill out a calendar.  After all, our phones clearly have calendars on them and my husband tries to be good about using it.  For me though, there is nothing like the feeling of the paper calendar.  I know I'm a dinosaur in so many ways, but it makes me happy!

It made me smile and cry all at the same time

Saturday afternoon we drove to my in-laws.  For a variety of reasons (not the least of which was being tired), I was very emotional.  Andrew and I had disagreed most of the trip, and I tried to sleep a bit, especially knowing I never sleep well at his parent's house (this trip was no exception).  Anyway, we were nearly there and were listening to a local radio station in their area.  There was some radio commercial declaring it "chicken wing day" somewhere near their town and there was an ad for discounted chicken wings.  Thomas grinned and mentioned that Grandpa sure would've like that day!  I love that even though Thomas was only almost ten when my dad passed away that he still has memories of him and things he associates with him.  I sure do miss him!

Another August has rolled around

We made a quick trip to visit my in-laws this past weekend.  It is nice to visit, and it makes my mother-in-law so emotional when we leave.  I know it has a lot to do with the fact that they can't really come to visit us anymore.

And now August has arrived.  Football (Thomas playing, Andrew coaching) and cross country are all going on.  Catherine has been involved in band for a few weeks now.  Andrew is taking a class this week, and school begins two weeks from tomorrow.  I can't believe the last ten weeks have flown by as quickly as they have.  I really feel like our summer didn't go at all like I had anticipated, but I should be used to that by now.

My biggest hope is that when my kids remember their childhoods, they look back and enjoy time we all spent together.  I hope enough of it has occurred.  I think every parent worries about that, and I try to remind myself that we have had good times!