He did not get streamers from his door as the kids do–we were lucky we got to see Mark yesterday on his birthday. He came home from NYC a day early. The pictures I took of us all singing happy birthday to him over a “very easy” ice cream cake didn’t come out (fooey!). Something about the files being corrupted. Oh well. So, in honor of Mark, here’s a picture of the old man back in the day (love those stylin’ duds). And, had to include a couple pics of Drew because I seriously think he looks like his daddy.

Just got home from an awesome weekend at Champion. Weather was great, activities were fun, food was good and prepared for us by willing hands (no cooking for me!), the company and conversations were a blessing. Sorta hard to come home and get prepared for a week of normal routine again. Wish we could have stayed there at the oasis for a few more days. So, who wants to come to Labor Day weekend family camp next year? Come on, people!

August 31st, the day that seemed so very far away when I posted this. Last night felt like Christmas Eve in a way — Evan’s lunch was all packed with care, we presented Ashlyn with her keepsake kindergarten book I made (click here if you want to know what I’m talking about), and then we tucked all the children in, scurried around the house to straighten up to make the morning easier, and quietly decorated Evan and Ashlyn’s door with streamers (and gave Drew one streamer as a consolation prize). Not unlike Christmas Eve really…except that instead of waking up to Christmas, they woke up and had to go to school. It may as well have been Christmas for Ashlyn–she was so excited. Evan on the other hand….not so much. All 5 of us were in the car to start the drop off chaos when Evan actually asked, “How many days until I get a day off?” Fortunately for him, Friday and Monday are already days off for Labor Day. That seemed to pacify him for 5 minutes; he still cried a little at drop off. Ashlyn on the other hand ran up on that bus and didn’t turn back. The only tears shed at that bus stop were my own. She looked for a girl to sit with, found a cute blondie, and started chit chatting away. As I watched the bus drive off with “Bob” escorting my precious baby girl to school without me, I couldn’t help but remember how I sobbed (and I mean sobbed) when Evan got on that bus. The memory is very clear of the bus driver having to sternly tell me to get off the bus when I had to get on there and help Evan find a seat. He was so sad (Evan, not the bus driver) which caused me to be very, very sad. I remember telling Mark, “My heart just drove away on a school bus.” But, today was different. Evan is older–goodbyes and not knowing what to expect are still hard for him (and me). But, he’s much better at it all now. And, Ashlyn, well, she’s wanted to go to kindergarten since she was 3. I didn’t shed a tear of anxiety or worry today as I have before. I just let a few drop because my little ones are getting big, and life is moving so fast. Of course, my nest is not empty as I still had Drew for the day–who very charmingly suggested a trip to Dunkin Donuts as soon as Ashlyn was gone which, of course, he got. And, it helps to anticipate the arrival home of our Lydia…whenever that may be. But, I still can’t believe that my little boy is in 2nd grade and my little girl is in kindergarten. (sigh)