back to school

It's that time of the year. We've gone back to school.
Adam started 2nd grade this year. It's very difficult for me to see him as this "big kid" when truly what seems like just a few months ago we were learning letters, teaching him to write his name, and trying really hard to make sure he had matching clothes on. While we still work on matching the clothes, now he can read at about a 3rd grade level, has quite an imagination when he writes amazing stories, and really IS a big kid. Lucy also went back to her routine. But even that isn't quite the same. This year she started her pre-K program. She will go to kindergarten next year (shhh--I'm not ready for that blog yet) and she is loving it. The best part for her is that she has a new teacher, Miss Sara, and she gets to skip a nap after lunch most days. I also went back to school. You know that I teach 4th grade and moved to a new classroom this year. I am really enjoying my new batch of students, but I'm yearning to get home to my own kids. I miss their faces, their laughter, their stories and their words. (Most of them.)  I also really enjoy the summer because I get some extra time with Mark. We are able to have lunches together, Gmail chats, ice cream treats, and just more hours of the day together. Now that school has started, I'm feeling that nostalgia for the hours of daylight we all spent together. Of course it will feel better soon, but right now I'm feeling the back to school blues from schedules, paperwork, rushing and mostly.....time away from my family that I enjoyed so so much this summer.

sweet singing

My daughter is 110% girly. She dreams in pink I do believe. As well as dresses in pinks, purples, poofy twirling dresses. She also is in love with love. She watches the princess movies, and any other movies for that matter, with a soft, tender heart. She cries at the music. She wants to be "dipped" when she is hugged and kissed. She wants the "happily ever after" each and every time. And I love that about her. What I am loving right now is her sweet singing. She makes up these little songs about her toys, her hair, her mama, and currently: her cat Mable. She is singing in the kitchen to Mable the cat. She is singing to her about the sweet whiskers on her face and her soft fur. She is singing to her about how much she loves her. And...Mable is listening attentively. Of course, her attention drifts and now she is singing about Pop Tarts. But it's all sung with love and the occasional dance step.

summer fare

One thing to love about summer is the fresh fruits and veggies that can be found at local farm stands and farmers' markets. I'm finding that this summer my kids are more likely to try a new food if they can pick it or grow it themselves. We've gotten Lucy to eat lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash and fresh string beans! This is quite an accomplishment for such a picky eater!!  Adam chose to grow Brussels sprouts in our garden and has kept a close eye on their growth. So far this year, we've been able to pick 2 cucumbers from our own garden, that we quickly eaten up (mostly by Adam) but even Picky Picky ate a slice dipped in ranch dressing. One place we like to go is Wiltse's Farm in Maple Park. The kids are in love with the sweet black cat and the occasional family dog and I love the beautiful flowers I have gotten for our gardens. This year I've picked up a really pretty orange/yellow coneflower and a healthy butterfly weed. Gorgeous!  But we ALL love the produce. Today was the day we had to run up to pick up SWEET CORN.  Reading their Facebook post yesterday:  "sweetest sweet corn this year, just had an ear raw for breakfast"!!!!  Well, if that isn't tempting! So tonight we're having BLTs with pepper bacon, and Wiltse's white and bi-color sweet corn.  Yum!