Monday, September 3, 2012

Our Favorites

With our last few days of freedom upon us we embarked on a journey of fun.   We tried to do all of our favorite things in one weekend, and I'm proud to say that for the most part we succeeded.

On Thursday the kiddos and I went down to the lake to take our annual Packer picture.  Okay, so that isn't exactly their favorite thing (or mine for the matter- do you know how hard it is to get four kids looking and smiling at you at the same time?  UGH!) but the resulting pictures are always a favorite.  I did a similar pose as last year and then also took a few new poses too.  Now all I have to do is decide which one is the "winner" to be blown up and placed in the prominent living room frame over last year's photo.
As a reward for no major meltdowns (okay, I may have had a slight meltdown once or twice but the kids were pretty good) during our photo shoot we spent a good hour picking out the perfect stones to put in our stone jars.  It was good fun.

Since we were so close we stopped at the kids' favorite park.  There was lots of sliding, swinging, laughing, and goofing.  But then it was time to really run the energy out of these kids and I took them to the hill.  They started at the top and ran (some rolled) all the way down.  Then it was back up to the top again.  Down and up, and down and up they went until they were good and exhausted (and hungry).
Believe it or not, after lunch they all asked to lay down for a while.  Eureka!  Score one for momma!  It was a good thing they all napped because that night we were off to the county fair!  This event is something the kids talk about year round.  It is one of their most highly anticipated events, and it really lived up to it this year.  

Of course, the first pic is the kids with the tractors.  It is a must to stop and climb on and "drive" all the tractors the minute we get to the fair.  Then we see the animals, milk a fake cow, and on to the RIDES.  Rides are definitely a favorite.   I was so blown away this year as my boys were all old enough to ride the big rides (by themselves).  Luckily, Gracie still needed me for some of the bigger rides, and she wanted to try them all.  The rollar coasters, the spinners, the ones that take you way up in the air.  She loved them all.  I love my dare devil kids.

It was a very late night after a very busy day.  Everyone went to bed tired and happy.
Friday afternoon we left for a nice extended weekend up north.  The kids fished and swam and played.  They were in heaven.  Thankfully, they didn't even notice how quiet and melancholy their mama was.  It is sad when summer comes to an end.  I am still not ready for school to begin and start yet another new phase of our lives.  All four kids in school.  How did we get here?  Hell, I'm already being asked when I'll be going back to work.

After dinner on Saturday night everyone went out fishing while I stayed and cleaned up.  When I was through with the dishes I went outside, chopped up some wood and started a fire.  It was nice having that time to myself.  The sun was setting to a nice orangey glow that matched the flames of the fire perfectly.  In the dark and quiet I had myself a good old boo-hoo.  I allowed myself to think about how quickly these years are going by and how I only have these kids for a short while.  The tears came and I didn't hold them back.  


By the time the boat returned I was all dried up.  No more tears to shed.  Hopefully I got it all out of my system so that on Tuesday morning I can be all excitement and joy and anticipation right along with the kids as they all start a new year in school.
It was a great way to wrap up this summer.  It was a rough one, but I'll cherish it nonetheless.

6 comments:

lime said...

after a rough summer i am glad you had a lovely weekend to end it on a sweet note. looks like a lot of fun was had and i'm even glad you had some private moments to get your tears out. sometimes we just need that.

Unknown said...

All of your pictures turned out wonderful. I'm sure it will be hard to choose which one you want to put in that frame. ;)

As you know, I'm in the same spot as you and K starts school on Wednesday. Part of me is glad to have the time to myself but you're SO right. These days of them being little are just going too, TOO fast. Hugs to us both. But here's to a great school year!!
xo

Wisconsin Girl said...

So glad you ended summer on a fun note. What beautiful pictures of the sunset and lake. You are fortunate to have such a great place for all of you to escape to! Happy end of summer. Looks like you had lots of fun!

Anonymous said...

Your kids are so cute--it's still tough to choose pictures at that age! Mine are now old enough to make it easier to choose the best of family pictures, let me tell you!
You made the most of those last summer days.

Cyndy Bush said...

I'm always amazed to see little kids on the wild rides. My kids are chickens! lol I love all of your pics. The lake pics are always gorgeous!

Karen Deborah said...

I love thispost. Will you be my mom?

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson