September 26, 2011

Summer's Last Stand

For this week's listicles Stasha suggested a Summer 2011 recap.

I am a fan of looking back at what has transpired, because, as they say, hindsight is 20/20....

1. It was a different summer in a lot of ways.

2.  The weather was not very summer-like for most of it.  Really and truly, I am not exaggerating.  And then we got Indian Summer here into September, with a cool rain starting just yesterday, the 25th.  It's like we had an extended spring, a little summer and are now butting heads with fall...?  All I know is it seems to me that we no longer really know what "normal" weather is.

3.  Back in June, we began the summer with a few milestones.  Little did I know how different those things would feel today.  My oldest is a middle schooler, my youngest is a kindergartner, with nothing in between.  I really don't care for extremes, yet one is glaringly personified in my children.  At the time that AJ graduated Pre-K and Camryn graduated 5th grade, I had no idea their age difference would feel twice as obvious in just a few months when they each started new chapters in their little lives.  Wait.  I can't even say "little" about Camryn anymore!

4.  We didn't spend the 4th of July with other families this year.  Was still a good day, but not really special or memory-making.

5.  I dove head first - or perhaps, belly-flopped - into becoming a bonafied blogger.  It's really become a part of me, part of my identity.  I didn't know I had so much to say.  It's very liberating and empowering and cathartic.

6.  Camryn turned 11 and became a Tween.  My little girl is officially growing up.  You may think your little ones are growing up every day, but let me tell you, it will hit like a ton of bricks when they turn 11 and leave elementary school.

7.  I went from fearing the idea of travelling without Mark for a week to loving it and being so excited about it I could have peed my pants!  It was wonderful to get back to Lake Tahoe.  It was also wonderful to come home, which I think is exactly what a vacation should do for you.

8.  I actually got a tan this year!  Even a burn.  But I had to leave Washington to do it.

9.  The kids' days were filled with Orbeez, Frisbees, tennis balls, Hula Hoops and a Slip N Slide .  Oh and they spent all their allowance on buying ice cream from the ice cream truck!

10.  Then there is the start of school and Girl Scouts.  AJ went from afternoon pre-K to morning K and Camryn is bussing clear across town for the completely different experience of middle school.  This is Cami's first year as a Cadette Girl Scout and I as her troop's co-leader.  We've hit a few bumps in the road trying to get used to everything.  There really have been many changes since last June!

But it's all good.  We are easing into our new groove...or being slammed by it, I can't decide which. Next we will be thinking about HalloGiveMas.  Ohmigosh, really?  Again, already?

Seasons change, time marches on....

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart."
~Celia Thaxter


13 comments:

  1. Yep, no point waiting for the summer around here. You want tan, you go to Tahoe! Love your recap, hope you all get used to the routines soon. My husband keeps saying I will have to homeschool, cause he cannot see my son getting out of the house by 9AM ;)

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  2. Sounds like a great summer all the way around!

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  3. It really does sound like a great summer! I am so with you on how much has changed since the start . . . my oldest is now in Kindergarten . . . when did she become big enoug to do that?!
    Jenn

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  4. New follower here from the Sept. 11 hop http://babyfeetandpuppybreath.blogspot.com/
    Hope you will stop by and follow me back, Thanks.

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  5. hehe i got a chuckle from #8; i, too, got some color this year-- thanks to Lovie and her love for the playground. :)

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  6. Great recap! I don't know where the summer went, but I know it went too fast.

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  7. I wish we just had an extended springtime! Our summer here in the Northeast was HOT HOT HOT!
    I love tans, even though they're bad for you. I always feel healthier with one, even if it's an oxymoron.

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  8. This summer went by so quickly! I love your list. It was also very, very hot here, which made swimming something that we did on a regular basis.

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  9. Yes - I do think that "bellyflopped into blogging" sounds a whole lot more interesting than diving into it. Just my opinion.
    PS: Congrats on all the graduations!

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  10. I had more than enough summer weather to share...you should've asked if you wanted some! I will very much miss the ice cream truck. Except ours was always playing Christmas songs for some reason. Very odd.

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  11. Sounds like you really had a good summer. I agree with #5 all the way!

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  12. I live in Washington, too, so I know that summer you speak of! AND I went to Tahoe this summer, too! Actually stayed with family in Reno, but went up to Tahoe a couple of times. Great list.

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  13. I know I'm not ready for middle school! My oldest is in 5th grade this year, and she already seems so much older suddenly. Great list!

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