We all wait

until 3:25 p.m.

-August Break
-Erika

The ride has began.

-Erika
-August Break

Summer's Good-Bye

All signs are pointing to the fact that Summer's waving good-bye.  The sun dropped a little earlier last night.  Some old cartoons were played before the little ones got too cranky.  You could tell that the mosquitoes knew their days were numbered too.  They were on full attack mode; drinking from us with the gluttony of man on Death Row.  This morning, we woke up & realized that we're tagged with their unfortunate "Good-Bye" notes.

School starts tomorrow which is the loudest note of the Fat Lady's Song.  I'm spending tonight making the first of many packed lunches.  I'll be ironing some tiny clothes with a glass of wine perched on the board.  We'll be reviewing his list & adding emergency contact information to his book-bag.  Ears will be cleaned out & nails will be trimmed.  And finally, we'll sit around the table for homemade pie & ice cream.  It's Summer's Final dinner.  We've prepared all that we can.  We've talked it up & reassured as often as two parents are able.  The lump in my throat has disappeared, reappeared, & disappeared more times than Barbra Streisand's Farewell tour.  We've got nothing else to do but dole out hugs & say "Good-bye."

Good-bye, Summer.  You were good to us this year.  For the first time in my life & I can actually say, you'll be missed. 

-Erika
-August Break

Dirty Dishes Can Look Pretty Too.

-August Break

Erika

Today was a good day.

-August Break
Erika

He Really Wants to Help

The last time this room was cleared & paint cans were scattered, he was snuggling on top of my bladder.

August Break
-Erika

It's Odd That I Enjoy My Visits, Right?

Sincerely, I love visiting the dentist . . . like really, really look forward to it.

August Break

- Jill

Who needs an Ice Cream Maker?

After reading this article & noticing that there were 7 recipes included, I decided to finally cash in some credit card points & pick one up.  It's sort of free & they've been piling up from my rental car trips.  Why not?

-August Break
Erika

Summer Is Near Its End

I spent a whole day at school today just trying to get ready for the new kids coming through my door in two weeks. It felt kind of good to be back . . . until I realized it was 5 PM, and I had been there since 9 AM.

August Break

- Jill

PS - This is my favorite photo from the photo walk that I took in July. It's something about the feather amidst the gravel.

The New Normal

The Girls moved back to Philadelphia yesterday for their second year at Temple. They took two new beds, two new (to them) dressers, our old couch, and tons of thrift store goodness. Our bodies ache and are bruised in places you might not realize could bruise. This morning, the new normal of being a twosome again, sets in . . . Dave and I will miss them more than they will ever know.

August Break (kind of)

- Jill

Fleeting.

This never happens.  Him walking.  And if he walks, he never holds your hand.  He doesn't run.  He's usually hanging on your leg sobbing that you aren't holding him.  And he never holds your hand.  During this walk, Mark even noted this rare moment.  I think you can actually see Mark's smile lines busting a few new creases.

And within seconds, the moment was gone.

But there is a bright side: he was walking on his own without a single tear.

-Erika

August Break.

The Day After Margaritaville

Last night we went to our first Jimmy Buffett concert . . . and today we are paying for it.

August Break

- Jill

Running With Scissors

August Break . . . and a crappy Internet connection prevented me from posting this two hours ago. I think we're ditching Vonage this week and going with our cell phones.

- Jill

Pinpoint.

August Break
-Erika

Tonight, he got the popsicle

-Erika
August Break