And so it ends...

Tonight we prepare for the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! The outfits are put out and ready to wear…the snacks and water bottles are ready…the planners are in the backpacks…the new shoes are set by the door.

We did our best to send out summer with a bang. After Valley Fair, Minnehaha Falls and Fort Smelling, we also fit in the State Fair, Camping, a trip to LaCrosse, and a trip to the Ecker Lake House in Cold Spring. Colin also got another trip to Valley Fair with friends. With all this having fun, I realized we learned a lot this summer too!

Here is what we learned (in no particular order):
1. Getting up before 7:30 makes us all grumpy.
2. Life is NOT fair.
3. Mom is not much of a diehard camper.
4. It is possible to have a fantastic gluten free birthday cake.
5. Ice cream is a great dessert, especially when you make it yourself.
6. Even if smoking can kill you, it isn’t such a good idea to tell smokers that smoking can kill you!
7. Sometimes it is worse to anticipate pain than to actually experience it.
8. It is possible to roast the perfect marshmallow.
9. When it is 90 degrees outside, the lake can feel great. When it is 63 degrees outside, the lake can feel awful.
10. We don't really like large crowds or standing in line.
11. Roller coasters are fun.
12. Private parts are private.
13. Spiders like our minivan.
14. Molly is not allergic to bee/wasp stings.
15. Throwing your food is NEVER a good idea (throwing Mom’s food is an even worse idea).
16. There is never a bad time to eat a donut.
17. Mom is happier with a Diet Coke.
18. Lacrosse (the game and the city) is fun.
19. Sometimes friendships are hard.
20. We love air conditioning!

Now that everyone is ready to start another school year, I am sure we have a lot more learning ahead. But tonight as I reflect on how wonderful and long the summer vacation was, I have mixed feelings about the school year ahead. Isn't that how it always goes? I am nervous for the unknown and excited for something new. I love change and don’t want to leave behind what is comfortable. I look forward to the schedule and routine and dread the lack of freedom in our schedule. Will they have a good year? Will their teacher be good? Will they get along with their classmates? Will they be happy?

And maybe most important of all…how many days do we have until it snows?