As usual, I am completely surprised when August hits and I have to come to terms with the fact that my kids will be starting school in a short amount of time (2nd week of August, really???). Admittedly, the school supply shopping is done, backpacks are ready, and nighttime bedtime routines are already being put into place. But I still don't feel ready. The start of a new school year is always tricky in my family, as Jayson is forced into a major transition - never a smooth thing for him. This year will be especially hard since Katy is off to Middle School and thus Jayson will have no one watching out for him on the bus or in the hallways of elementary school. He will truly be on his own this year, and while I'm thankful for the handful of kids I've handpicked to be his safety net in his class, I'm not totally convinced this year will go smoothly for him socially. We shall see...
So before I send Jayson back into the lions den and Katy into a whole new world, I wanted to take a minute and reflect on what was a wonderful summer. Here is my list of all I am thankful for...
1. Thank you, summer, for all our little mini trips. Strands couldn't budget in a big family vacation this year so we are thankful for the little side trips we were able to take to Sheboygan to visit my friend Holly and pick strawberries, and to Iowa to visit my sister and celebrate baby Ellis's first birthday. We are also thankful for our Great America trip, which is always a big hit every year.
2. Thank you, summer, for new opportunities. Katy conquered overnight camp and Jayson had a blast at day camp. Jayson also conquered football conditioning, which was certainly a new experience!
3. Thank you, summer, for baseball. I can't begin to express my gratefulness at the new bonding opportunities I've had with my son this summer over baseball. Our trip to Wrigley for Jay's first Cubs game is one of the highlights of my life.
4. Thank you, summer for new friends. I was so worried that Jayson would be alone this summer but that was far from the case. He enjoyed endless playdates with the nicest boys. I'm so very grateful that we've found some boys who accept Jayson and all his issues. I'm also thankful for old friends. Our across the street neighbors are a continual source of support for our whole family. What a blessing.
5. Thank you, summer, for heat. Our pool has never been busier, and more refreshing.
6. Thank you, summer, for early morning runs. My core group of 4 running friends has been a sanity saver all summer. I've cherished each and every 5:30 AM meeting this summer - even in the heat. Bring on the next race in September!!
7. Thank you, summer, for helping my daughter grow. This has been an instrumental summer for my 11 year old. She has had a wonderful time with friends new and old, and has really started to come into her own. She is as ready for Middle School as she'll ever be!
8. Thank you, summer, for all the happiness radiating from my children. They have both enjoyed themselves immensely - and I can't ask for anything more than that.
9. Thank you, summer, for new opportunities for my husband. A brand new job and an adventurous missions trip to Haiti certainly kept him on his toes.
10. And finally, thank you, summer, for just being there. These times with our children are fleeting. I will blink and soon summer will mean nothing because my kids will be grown and there will be no need to mark the time in between school years. I am so grateful that, for now, summer vacation still means something.
Hope everyone had as nice of a summer as the Strands did. Say a prayer for a successful school year for my monkeys. Let my stress begin...
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