From One Stretch to Another...

Well that time that comes every year in August has once again arrived.... back to school time.  I used to be one of those parents that was ready before the time arrived because I loved sending my oldest daughter back to school.  It started our routine back, and I didn't have to worry about bothering either grandma to watch her.  But as the kids get older, I treasure my time more and more with them.  I remember 2 years ago I was so excited because both kids were in school then.  The routine was better because both girls went to school all day and got off the bus at the same time.  That only lasted a year since Alyssa was in 5th grade and Jen was in kindergarten.  It seems like that was just yesterday, but fast forward until now and I have a 7th grader and a 2nd grader. 

Our summer consists of the girls visiting Granny most days, followed by attending a 4-H event almost every single weeknight of the summer.  It's routine for me to leave work, drive 35 minutes to where they are to sit and wait for them to get done with whatever clinic they are participating in that evening, and get home late in the evening.  I love that the girls are so involved in 4-H activities, but it can be extremely tiresome for all of us.  Alyssa is fortunate enough to show horses, sheep, goats and her dog at the fair.  Likewise, Jenna participates with her horse, a sheep and a goat.  Now that doesn't sound like much but when there are different practices 3-4 nights a week, it is alot.  And throw in the fact that I have a middle school cheerleader now - let's just say I'm lucky to sleep 6 hours a night!

Around our house, we have two main stretches of the year.  The first is the school year which runs 9 1/2 months of the year.  Then there is summer break which is the remaining 2 1/2 months of the year.  The school year takes up most of our time with school activities, practices, games, homework and then of course the normal nightly routine of dinner, bath, and bedtime.  I would love to think that when summer break comes along, it's mainly a break for us.  It is in the fact there is no daily homework but 4-H and other activities fill the void there! 

I am happy to say that most of our 4-H activities and our fair are all over for the year!  This means we start our long school stretch which I think is a good thing.  At least I'm trying to convince myself of that!  Starting back to school means early bedtimes, early to rise, and tired kids at night.  We are on day 5 of the school year and as I told my daughter this morning - 175 more days to go!  Am I ready for summer to be over?  No not really, and even though it has a few more days on the calendar, I consider summer break over the day they start back to school. 

I can say I am happy with the progress the girls made this year with their animals and well they did at the fair.  They may not have won every single class they were in, but they did come home with a few trophies, plaques, and ribbons.  And they were happy with their results.  That is what's important to me! 

As we say goodbye to summer break, daily 4-H events and the fair, we must say hello to another school year.  Now that I'm getting used to getting up super early again to get Alyssa off on the bus, I think I'm happy that the school year has begun.  I took advantage last week and cleaned house and did laundry while the house was peaceful and quiet with everyone still asleep.  It should be illegal that Alyssa's bus comes as early as it does, but on the flip side, it's also nice to get things accomplished early in the morning.  So as we end our summer stretch and begin our school stretch, we will enjoy and cherish the days.  Because in the blink of an eye, I will be writing about preparing for the fair and the end of school year again....

Goodbye Summer, Hello School Year

I must say summer really flew this year. I know we all say that every year, but it did! Normally by this time of year, I am beyond ready for my kids to go back to school. Well, guess what? Not this year! I feel like the summer slipped out from under my feet and just flew away. So how did summer fly by so fast?

I sure would like to know the answer to that question! The length of any given day is 24 hours, no matter what season the day falls. But it seems like the entire summer was over in 24 hours. Maybe I can say that now that our fair is over. Oh yes, the fair. Our family usually loves the fair every year. But this year was a little different. Why? Maybe I shouldn't say that it was different, I guess it's the fact that my daughter can now do any 4-H project that she desires. But some projects take much more time than others. Like... the dog. Don't get me wrong; I love the dog, and I love the fact my daughter loves her dog and that dog is her ultimate favorite project. BUT when you add on the goats, the sheep, the horses, (and don't forget the guinea pig), it makes for a very busy summer. With an average of 3 nights of practice a week, most often 4 nights a week between Monday and Thursday with all the different animals, it made me a very tired mommy and two tired little girls! On a positive note though, my daughter did very well with all of her projects and with all of her animals she showed so that made me the tired, but very proud mommy! On a second positive note, it's all over! No more practices with animals until next year... Well, except for the State Fair practices this week... Grrrrr!!!! *Grin!*

With the ending of summer break comes the beginning of the school year. The kids are always excited, nervous, scared, glad, happy and sad all rolled into one! Glad to see their friends again, sad that summer has come to an end yet again. This will also be a year of big change for me ~ instead of one child in school, it will double and make it two kids in school. ='( ='(. Yes, it saddens me just a little. I have always said I would be so glad when they both went to school, but I am recanting those words at the moment. I know it's all part of kids growing up, but it's still hard when the "baby" goes to kindergarten. No, she is not a baby, but yet she is still "the baby." The youngest is always the baby no matter how old they are! Can I get an amen?!?! At least for now, she is still the baby!

Let's do the math here. Since my youngest is in kindergarten, add on five years and that makes the oldest in 5th grade. Here at our school, 5th grade rules the school. So she is excited about being the top dog this year! Let's just see if she can have yet another year of straight A's and get her name engraved on the plaque hanging in the school hall again :). I am just grateful for the fact they will be in the same school one year together and big sis can guide little sis and show her the ropes of the big, scary school.

As another summer comes to a close, we will soon welcome fall and all that comes along with that. Our kids will turn another year older, and so will we. It's just another reminder that we get older each and every day. We may not feel it (and we might some days) but it's the truth of reality. I am that happy our family had a wonderful summer even though it may have been stressful at times. I am glad my girls were able to have fun and soak up some summer sun. Once school gets back in session, I will eventually find the gratefulness in school days again. At least the routine will be back. Oh, but with routine comes the homework. And since I will have double duty this year, I will say a prayer that we can accomplish homework successfully and in a timely manner this year. That is to be determined, I suppose...

Good luck to all the kids out there who have gone back to school and those who soon will. Before I know it, I will be writing the fall and winter blahs blogs again! LOL. I know my kids will be fine in school this year, but I will probably shed a tear or two after the school bus leaves. I think that's just a Mommy thing, but it's ok because I know God will take care of them while they are not in my care! Have a blessed day, adios for now :)