Start of School

Will on his first day of 1st grade

Apparently, the start of school hasn't been hard on anyone but me. Will walked right back in there like he never missed a beat and declared it "fantastic." Ryan, the one I was worried about, had a great time much to my amazement. Today he told me that they dug holes in the dirt on the playground and that his hole was the biggest. Great. I'm so proud.

I have walked around in a daze drinking Diet Dr. Pepper, eating dark chocolate M&Ms, and wondering where the years have gone. (slight exaggeration, but not much.) Just yesterday my parents were helping me move into Elam dorm on the Lipscomb campus. I was a college freshman concerned only with pledging the right social club, who was playing at 328 that weekend, and avoiding math.

I turn 35 next month. I think I see this as an end to my "baby years." My boys are getting bigger, more independant, and happily going to school. I am, admittedly, having a hard time. I am convinced that getting a puppy will help me through these trying times. John Will is not in agreement yet. A puppy will be much easier than a baby. Can I get an "Amen?"

Raspberry Pistachio Tart

Raspberry Pistachio Tart

I made this tart on Saturday. Except it looked nothing like this picture (find recipe here.) I didn't have the appropriate tart pan to start with, and the crust fell all to pieces after baking it. But, boy, did it taste good! I ended up just eating it out of the dish with a spoon. (The boys didn't care for it and I couldn't let it just sit there....) Hurry and make it while you can still find fresh raspberries.

End of Summer

Dear Boys,

School starts next week. I have mixed emotions about this. In one way, I am glad because it means Fall is on it's way. But, mostly, I'm sad.

It has been a wonderful summer with you two. Despite the brutal heat and occasional fighting, we have had a great time.  We have been plenty busy, but we've also had many days with no agenda.

We have gone swimming, we have ridden bikes, and we have spent countless afternoons in our backyard with friends. We have played with grandparents, cousins, and neighborhood friends. We have had birthday parties, water slide parties, and snowcone parties. We have gone to the beach, we have gone to visit family, and we have visited the Statue of Liberty. We have explored art museums, watched fireworks from downtown Nashville, and gone canoeing.   And yes, we have sat inside and watched too much Phineas and Ferb and played too much Super Mario Galaxy 2.

I do not look forward to rushed mornings filled with making lunches and begging you to eat breakfast. I do not look forward to knowing this is my last year until you will both be gone everyday. Just typing those words makes my heart skip a beat and my eyes fill with tears. I guess I will always have summers to look forward to with you two, my favorite little human beings. You constantly amaze me and keep me laughing. You are truly my reason for getting up every morning.
Thank you, boys, for a great summer.
Mommy