Just a bit longer...

Can it be that we've been in school for four whole weeks already?  Some days it seems we've been in for several months and then others...well, I can still vividly recall the hot, fun, lazy days of summer.

Honestly, I've been in denial about this upcomoing fall season.  It's usually my favorite time of year.  It's the season Jim and I got married (12yrs. this last Sunday), the weather turns just a bit cooler and the wind picks up.  School supplies are everywhere and thoughts turn to upcoming holidays.

And while all of those things are still fun, I find myself really missing my summer.  It just about matches my last summer in Maryland.  One of the best on record.  At that point our kids were 2 and 4 and at just the right age to be doing things independently.  By things I mean, getting up and down from the table, using the bathroom, and brushing teeth.  Those are the pieces of paranting that wear me out so to gain some independence in that area...well, what a great place to be indeed. 

And then we moved. 

And everything seemed to go two steps back.  Oh how tiring that time in my life was.  Well, not to mention I was 10wks. pregnant with Sara at the time.  So, we whethered the storm that is toddlerhood from time to time and then eventually those hard days lifted and I was laughing and playing again.

Fast forward to summer and a lot of laughter and good 'ol family time with the kids ensued.  I love hot midwest summers.  We plant the pool on the deck for three months and enjoy splashing and popscicles.  Oh yes, I get in there too.  What I love about the heat is that I can swim and not get cold.  It's just plain refreshing!  We added goggles to our gear this year and the kids' world opened up a ton.  Matthew was a little fish.

So, you can see my reluctance in beginning a new season.  I want to stay frozen in the last one for just a bit longer.  Everyone seems to be capable of doing "things" by themselves and oh how refreshing that is!  And the big plus?  We were on our own schedule.  This is huge for our family.  To be able to come and go on an open time frame.  If we were a few minutes late to the park, who was going to care?  It's the park afterall so really, how can you be late?

With fall comes school.  And with school comes early mornings and expectations to be on time. 

Oy.

For the past month I've felt like I taken a trip back to the trenches.  Like my life has taken a big 4 year step backward when everyday seemed hard, not fun and full of effort.  When tantrums seemed to rule the day along with bad attitudes.

So while I do love fall, I'm not loving the state of my family.  My days are great, but the drop off and pick up of the big kids can be stressful.  Those last 15min. before we head out the door in the morning~ and those first few minutes when I pick them up in the afternoon can color the day if we're not ready for them.

With September now on its way out, I'm hoping October will bring a fresh new season as well as a few fresh attitudes.