Running On Empty...Already!

It is the third week of school. Usually the year builds up and things start to generate into a nice roll. Not this year. We began with unusual circumstances and I was behind at work before things really began. So many things to begin and all at once. It always gets done, but it is the urgency of the work and deadlines. The kids are feeling the same with instant demands. Thankfully, all three children go to a school with mandatory recess. Don't we all need that sometimes???
I need some recess to blog, chill out and enjoy my daughter learning to tie her shoes. Sorry for the minute of relaxation...the demands of my kids return. Playdates...watch me...screaming over homework.....Is it Friday yet?

First Days of School

There has been so much going on....L. is off to Kindergarten. She did great the first morning. She did not look back and was beaming. I was OK. I was weepy, but I did not do the "ugly cry." That was good. I think I was cried out. Anyhow, she is having more trouble on subsequent mornings, I think, from exhaustion. She is not a morning gal. A bit crabby...like her mom. The boys seem to like their new teachers and kids with them. We are off to a busy start!

Great-Grandpa

While we were gone, Great Grandpa passed away. He was only sick for about two weeks. I thought we really had more time. I think that in a way it was what he would have wanted. He did not want to be in pain or in a nursing home after he saw what Grandma went through. We will miss him and he had a bond with the kids. It is hard to believe he is gone. He was always there- a constant. Even though you know something like this might happen, it is still hard. He had a great life. I hope that I was able to honor him in a eulogy I read at his funeral. He was so proud to be a Purple Heart Marine-he just attended a reunion August 14th. He taught us the Marine principles of courage, honor and hard work. One day recently, I was thinking that if he had not survived both Malaria and being wounded in action, that our family would not be here. Grandpa was the definition of tough. He never all his life felt pain. Perhaps that was a blessing. You are a huge part of who we are, Grandpa, and I hope we can honor you in our lives.

Cape Cod Adventure

Last week we embarked on a new adventure: the family vacation. We went with friends of ours to a house in Hyannis...on the Cape. It was a beautiful place with so much to see. It looks like a small litte loop, but it is so much bigger. The beaches were beautiful and calm. The views were spectacular. It was a fun 11 hour trip down as we picked up Catie and Abbie, our friends' teenage daughters, from a running camp in PA. The looks you get when you have five kids. That is what we got when we went to McD's and forked over about 40 bucks. People stopped and stared at our psuedo-large family. I cannot imagine it. We staying in a gorgeous "cape" style house right down the street from the Kennedy Compound and not far from Squaw Island where Maria and Gov. Arnold were staying for the holiday weekend. We did some Kennedy "stalking" and walks to the post office. We did see Teddy and his son on the boat dock. The kids saw the paparazzi stalking for real-lawn chairs and big lenses. We had a monster lobster bake at the house, a "tour" of Cape Cod potato chips, lots of shopping, a trip to Martha's Vineyard on the ferry, eating lots of "lobsta," and lots of family time, laughs and fun. There was even an appearance by the now infamous "Cape Cod Man." He serves a mean stinger.