Another chapter ends

Well it is truly that time of year again, when the days are getting a bit shorter and the kids a bit antsier. 

That's right, the end of summer is just around the corner. Sprinklers will be jumped through just a few more times, Kool-Aid and lemonade stands will be flipping their closed signs over until next season. Soon the days of sleeping in and staying up late will be over, replaced by frantic mornings rushing out to catch buses and race into school. All over the city parents are checking their back-to-school lists and checking them twice. 

It seems that this summer was on super warp speed for some reason. I think it had something to do with the weather, and summer arriving so late after such a rainy spring. Then when it hit, it hit with a force and it continued on at a frantic pace. About a week ago I was lamenting the fact that I would be sending my kids back to school so soon, and I wasn't ready. 

Then another week went by, and the whining seemed to amp up to an almost unbearable level, and suddenly, school cannot start soon enough! I'm sure I'm not the only parent feeling this way! Kids are tired of the same old same old, and I'm ready for some routine to enter back into our lives. Brains need to be challenged and bedtime routines reestablished once more. Now I would feel so much better if those dang school lists were complete. Can anyone tell me where I can find the elusive skinny dry-erase markers? 

Ah summer, you will be sorely missed. Come back soon, and thanks for all of the wonderful memories.

Refreshed in the North

As the summer slowly slipped from July to August, our family closed

the chapter on yet another week-long family tradition.

We spent the week up at a lake cabin near the Hayward area. While no vacation could ever be "perfect" this was a much-needed escape and came close to reaching this title. We spent the week on a glorious lake with fantastic weather nearly every day. 

Some very close friends of ours were just across the bay with their three kids. Our families are close, and our kids get along swimmingly! They played hide and seek in the dark, sat by a campfire, roasted countless s'mores, fished and swam daily and just generally enjoyed each others' company. 

By having their companions to play with, the adults were able to enjoy some conversation and down time. We didn't solve any critical world issues, but we didn't even try! We too enjoyed our companions and the scenery of the great outdoors. Even our dogs romped with abandon and ran to their hearts' content. 

The only down side was the week came to far too abrupt an end. Why don't these moments stretch on a bit longer? Why does a hot dog taste so much better roasted over an open flame? Why is the sound of your kids' laughter like music as they bounce across the water on an inner tube? Like I said, it wasn't perfect. The gnat bites along my leg are evidence of that, but that was so worth it! So we came back a bit lighter, a bit more refreshed, even if we are scratching and itchy for the next few days! 

So until the great north woods beckons again, we have some wonderful new memories to carry us forward.

Time

Time is a strange creature. 

When you are young, you have all the time in the world. Just watch a kid stroll home from after school, not a care in the world, unaware of time. Summers used to feel like they stretched on endlessly, one hot afternoon after another, until, like magic, it was time to go back to school. 

You probably heard the saying a time or two as you got older how "time flies." Maybe it means time moves faster as you age. Well suddenly I'm that person and time seems to be melting away. I felt like I had all the time in the world, my kids would stay young, I would forever be far from "middle aged" and life was just ducky. 

Now I face the prospect that I have a child nearing the end of his time at grade school, and having to wear deodorant! My first babe now has feet the same size as mine and soon will surpass me in height. And if he ever ate veggies that would be sooner rather than later! I'm no longer looking forward to my thirties, they too will soon be a thing of the past. Thank God that 50 is the new 40! Ha. 

And time this summer, where oh where has it gone? June was all but a blur and then we welcomed another Fourth of July and oohed and ahhhed at yet another fireworks show. I'm still in denial that we are past the middle of the summer season. Heck, I just started wearing shorts like, last week! So Time, please oh please slow down just a little bit. 

Let us enjoy the brightness of a fresh-bloomed flower and the chirp of a baby bird. I want to ride on a roller coaster until I'm dizzy with laughter and eat a fresh ear of corn dripping with butter. My kids need to stay young and innocent just a bit longer, because this far from "middle-aged" mom needs them to! I'm not quite ready to talk about the remember whens, and the used to be's just yet. I want to embrace the now and soak up every moment before it too is gone.

Seasons of change

Well today, as I sit and type out this blog post, I am struck by the sights and sounds of the end of summer.

It's still glorious and warm, robins dance in our yards and butterflies are still plentiful. But there is that underlying hint of fall. A sudden cool breeze or just the way the sun hits the pavement tells of a season soon to be upon us. 

My kids are anxious and ready for the steady drum of routine, and so is their mother! So while we are ready to end the chapter of another summer in Wisconsin, how are you preparing for fall? Do you read through the Halloween costume magazines that are already filling our mailbox? Do you glance longingly at your favorite pair of jeans or sweatshirt that has sat patiently on your shelf these past months? Maybe a long-neglected closet is screaming your name, to be purged and cleaned? I have a long and lengthy list of activities to be done and clothes to be worn once the seasons change and the kids head to school. I'm not ready to pack the beach towels up quite yet, and I am still planning on wearing my shorts for a bit longer, but I'm mentally preparing for cooler days and time spent with my hands curled around a steaming mug of coffee. 

Living in a place that experiences four true seasons is comforting. We get out and embrace all the time when the heat and sun is plentiful, somehow soaking it in to carry us through during our bitter months of winter. Summer takes on an almost mystical tone, because we don't have the luxury of having it with us year round. I think each season brings it's own enjoyments, fuzzy sweaters, an old pair of boots, or your favorite swimming suit. So until summer is officially over, I'll take a few more swims in the pool and hopefully enjoy a few more nights dining outside with friends. After all, that is one of the beauties of living here, 90 degrees one minute, and minus 30 the next!

Planning for the unthinkable...

I have a very dear friend who lost her husband in a tragic accident a year ago last August.

As the anniversary of his death approaches, I have reflected on what a strong, inspirational woman she has been this past year.

She has begun to lecture individuals about the importance of life insurance and planning in case a tragedy ever occurs. This must take immense courage. Each time she gives a talk she relives her own experience. To be able to share this so that others won't suffer as she did, is truly amazing.

She is now a single mother to two beautiful girls, and she is definitely leading them into a bright future. I have learned a great deal from her example. Because of her, my husband and I have had several discussions on what to do if we ever encountered such a life-changing event. We have reviewed the plans we have in place and are confident knowing that our children will be cared for. As awful as it is to think about, it's a very necessary part of parenting and responsibility.

I hope my friend knows how wonderful she is, and I hope she finds peace in her bright days ahead.

Here is some information on estate planning for parents of young children...

Going...and coming home!

When going on a vacation with young children, it's best to set all expectations on the low side, so you find yourself pleasantly surprised when things go well.

We have just returned from a ten day trip up north. After packing as much as humanely possible into our vehicle, we were off.

I have dreams of watching my children frolic by the beach, catching fish, roasting marshmallows and singing songs by the fire. Well, we did get swimming roasting and catching but not without crying, screaming and cursing, and this was all from the parents!

I don't want to say that we didn't have nice quality family time. We created some fun memories that we will cherish. But I think there is a vision of how you want a vacation to be, and that vision does not include needing a vacation from your vacation! We are home, basically unpacked, and somewhat settled back into our routines.

It's at this time that I realize how much I cherish my own surroundings, my bed, my access to amenities, running water! I think the focus should be on relishing your every day and not putting so much stock in making the vacation be the memory.

Packing and unpacking...

Two things I am undeniably terrible at--packing and unpacking.

One, I never seem to find enough time to do a decent job. When packing for a family trip, I feel I cannot start too far ahead, but I end up procrastinating far too long! This tends to result in major overpacking, just ask my husband and he'll gladly tell you!

Two, I've tried to resolve this by making a list. However, I am not very good a sticking to the list, resulting again, in overpacking.

Three, when returning from a trip, I cannot ever seem to empty the suitcases in a timely fashion. Translation, it may take up to a week to get things back to where they belong, again. Just ask my husband!

Anyway, we are off for a long weekend away. The food has been thought of, a list partially prepared, swimming suits and wine are ready. Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead! It sure would save on the unpacking when we return!

Water

I feel like that has been a dominant topic in my life this summer.

We have spent countless hours already swimming at the pool, whether it's simply to try to cool off from the raging heat or taking swimming lessons with friends. We are about to leave for a weekend family reunion to Wisconsin Dells. My kids, thankfully, love to swim. We will spend hours going from one activity to the next, all while soaking wet! Then it's yet another family, this time to the lake. We will again spend hours getting wet, skiing, playing in the sand, then drying off, only to be right back at it hours later!

While we count ourselves fortunate enough to be able to escape the heat and head to various types of water, it's certainly a very popular topic this summer.

With record heat and droughts occurring, it makes you appreciate just how precious water is. Is this the face of the new summer? Will we have a winter like last year, barely any snow only to head into a summer with little rain and scorching temperatures? It scares me what this will mean for my kids when they are adults. I guess we won't know for sure, but as I pack for yet another pool day tomorrow, I will be talking to my kids about soaking it up and enjoying every second while we can.

Summer days...popsicles, sprinklers and creating fun

I've been giving a lot of thought recently to my childhood. We would spend our summers riding our bikes, maybe going to the pool, having an occasional lemonade stand.

My mom would set up the sprinkler and we would spend hours running through it, popsicles dripping down our arms. We played tag with the neighborhood kids until well past dark.

If we had a scheduled activity, it was usually a week at camp, but never longer and never lasted for an entire summer. It was a great way to spend a summer.

It wasn't perfect, and we complained of being bored, but we were often left to entertain ourselves, which can be a great thing.

Now it seems as though kids are scheduled, shuffled, dropped off and picked up constantly. Our neighborhood does not have many kids, so part of this is due in part to where we live. But there are days I want my kids to get into a bit of trouble exploring and creating fun on their own. It's a sign of the times that we supervise our children more, as safety is often a concern. Somedays it's sad. I wish for summers spent on a bike, making forts in the woods.

But I can't sit and daydream too long, I'm late for picking the kids up from summer school...

Thoughts on warm-weather meals?

It's hard to drum up an appetite with such oppressive heat day after day. Trying to please everyone in my household is challenge enough.

Any thoughts on good warm-weather meals to please even the fussiest eater?

Tonight we will be having fresh corn on the cob and BLT sandwiches. Some will opt for only a B some will be BL, some might just do plain toast! I need to make a visit to the farmer's market and look for inspiration this weekend. My husband makes fun of me for buying so much fresh produce, but it's available for such a short time and it just doesn't get any better than local, fresh ingredients!

Let me know what inspires you on these hot summer days.

Fun on the 4th

Fun is celebrating the fourth of July with a great group of people and watching your kids have the time of their lives playing with new friends.

Fun is watching your 4-year-old's face light up while twirling a sparkler running around as carefree as ever. Fun is letting your 7-year-old eat only dessert for dinner.

Fun is watching their expressions as they take in the fireworks well past their bedtime!

Fun is tucking your children in at night and smelling their baby skin as it smells like summer, sunscreen, heat, and bug spray.

Agony is the morning after letting your kids stay up well past their bedtimes and eating only dessert for dinner.

Summer moments...

Barefoot, sitting on the patio in the sunshine, sipping an iced tea and having uninterrupted chat time with a dear friend. To top off this midday siesta a spotted fawn walked right in front of me! Wish I could bottle these moments and uncork them, say mid February? These are a few of the reasons I love summer, what are yours?