Summer

and just like that summer is almost over. 
Lucy has one week left until she starts school.  We are both ready.  I work the same amount in summer as I do the rest of the year so summer is just a more relaxed version of every other season of the year.  Lucy gets a nice break from all of the expectations of the school year but the benefits of the break are tempered by the consequences of lack of consistency in her days/evenings/caretakers etc. 

So, yes we are ready to head into the rushing out the door to daycare/work and the rushing home to get her off the bus or picked up on time.  We are ready for consistent earlier bedtimes.  I am so so very curious (and nervous) to see how being with a new group of peers (she is having a do-over in first grade and will get to be with new kids for the first time in 2 years) and how getting a 2nd chance with first grade academics will help (hopefully not hurt) her.  It helps that Lucy is really excited to be with her teacher again (although she's not that excited about her friends being in a different class). 

I'm trying to get organized and prepared and ready to help Lucy as much as possible so she can feel really good about school and be super successful.  I am having the best attitude possible and hoping it rubs off on her.  I love her so.

Hey There

Hi Friends!   Can't believe summer 2012 is in its final month already.  So much has happened this summer.  Let me do a quick recap in list formation:

1. Lucy spent six weeks in a Children's Defense Fund Freedom School.  It was hard and wonderful at the same time.  My outgoing, social little girl does have anxiety around starting new things so it was rough going for the first couple weeks.  Look up Freedom School, awesome and I imagine there is at least one in your area!

2.  We went on our annual summer vacation with 'the boys'.  We got all brave and decided to head west to the Black Hills, SD.  We all had a wonderful time and really enjoyed our time.

3. Mama got a new job!  I was so sad to leave my former agency but my new gig (in St Paul) pays SO MUCH better and has a lot of growth opportunity.  I am still home visiting, but no longer doing direct teaching in a classroom.  I'm still getting used to the new paperwork, expectations and traveling around all parts of St Paul but I think I like the job and look forward to getting into a little pattern. 

4. Lucy is growing and growing.  Life with a 7 year old is funny, enjoyable and a tiny bit more peaceful then before.

5. Our rats have moved on.  One of them died and the other is now cohabiting with another single rat in a local preschool.  Happier rats and happier me. 

6. We just went on a mini roadtrip with auntie Jen to Iowa to see a bunch of people in concert.  Lucy's best boyband friends Green River Ordinance and her true love Adam Lambert, plus many others.  Lucy rocked out from 1pm-8:30 pm and she did great!!!  How fun to be able to experience events like this with my baby.

 babes in badlands

 four

 happy Lucy got chosen to help at the bird show

 wild burros in Custer State Park

 Corny Corn Palace

 Jr Paleontologist at the Mammoth Hot Springs Dig site

 kids in the hall

 climbers 

Mt Rushmore