Summer - Week 1

School is, somewhat sadly but mostly not, a distant memory already. I think that's just evidence that I was really ready to be done and shift into mommy mode. Our first week of summer has been fabulous! We kicked it off with a long-weekend trip to Michigan so James could fish and the boys and I could visit with the fam and friends. Upon our return to the Land of Lincoln we've made it to the park, Pump It Up w/ some buds (it's a place with big inflatable slides and things you jump in - very fun and very tiring! Jeran slept good that day- see a few pics below), and we've also had time to accomplish the necessary parts of life: laundry, grocery shopping, Ben's 6 month dr. appt., etc. It's such a relief to be able to only focus my brain on the things my family and home needs and not school on top of it. Next week I do start work at a tutoring center 2 days a week, but it's a VERY different atmosphere. Much more laid-back, small group work (with none of the grading either! :) - I know, why do teachers complain about grading when we're the ones that assign it? We're gluttons for punishment that way). Anyway, it is a blessing right now to have this reprieve from busyness and to be able to really spend time with my boys. It blows my mind that Ben is already 6 MONTHS and it hit me that Jeran COULD be heading to "three-school" next fall (although he's not :) ). Before I know it he WILL be in school and life is just a wild, hang-onto-your-hat ride from there on out as I understand it. Pretty soon it'll be drivers' training, high school graduation, college.....aah! Ok, let's get this potty training thing down first, how about? Which, let's now even go there in this particular blog.

Random question of the day: What's with UPS guys? They ring the doorbell and SPRINT back to their trucks as if they'll get docked in pay should you open the door to actually find them there with your delivery in hand. Maybe the fellows have some sort of delivery guy dare to see how many times they can "ding-dong ditch" the goods. It creates this somewhat creepy aura of mystery around this particular line of work. Maybe THAT'S what they're going for. The appearance of a glamorous and all-important job where wearing shorts is acceptable and there's a deep underworld centered around black market knee socks and contraband packing tape.