Generations

We pulled into 349 Middle St like we have hundreds, probably thousands, of times before. My dad driving, me along for the ride. This time my 2 boys were in the back seat and we knew no one was home. My Nana was born in this home over 95 years ago. She raised her family here as well  - history oozes from it's walls.

The boys set out toys in the driveway while Dad and I started snipping away at the shrubs. My mind drifted to the days of the big red glider, birthday celebrations on the patio, and exploring in the back yard. I remembered picking lettuce with my grandpa and gathering roses with Nana. My Dad must have been remembering too. Soon the quiet rythm of snipping was broken by stories of digging holes with his Dad and of just how small those tall pines were when they planted them.

The house, the stories, the memories....the fact that the 5th generation of us played in the same spot as generations before....it was weeks ago, but the feeling remains lodged in my chest. Although I can't find the right name or description for how it feels, I like it.

Back to School 2012

Back to school. I love it and hate it at the same time. I love the new pencils with thick pink erasers, the crisp folders, and cool air that blows in at night. I hate saying goodbye to my kids, watching them struggle with the leaving and exhausted after a long (to them) day. 

Drew woke on the first day a full hour before his normal summer waking time. He was raring to go, wired up, bouncing around with his backpack on with plenty of time to spare. 

Ella spilled tears into her pancakes. She powered through breakfast, dressing and by the time we posed for pictures she was smiling. The tears returned as we pulled up to school, but she went. I lost it. I want nothing more than to protect her and I was exhausted from a morning of keeping us together with songs, dancing, cheers, and pep talks. Im so proud of her. Crossing that line into what is uncomfortable is hard for anyone and she is doing it everyday. 

Tyler went back to Steeple School this morning for Pre-K with Mrs. Pugatch. We all get a giggle when we say her name :) He looks so much bigger than the 3 year olds at school. Ty is quiet heading off to school. He marches in and doesn't say goodbye. He looks so big and so small at the same time. I can't quite figure out why I am so emotional each time I drop him off. 

 And this one? Well, he runs around the house gathering his shoes, sweatshirt and backpack with the rest of them. He always waves goodbye to Ella and Drew happily. But this morning was hard for him. He didn't want Ella to go. Then he walked into the classroom with Tyler and wouldn't leave. Once he realized Tyler was staying he fought as hard as his little body could to get back in the school building. Yelling, "Bobo!! Bobo!!' I know exactly how he feels.

Summer Fun

 Pick a Boardwalk in New Jersey in the summer and you are bound to have a good time. Add in your 4 cousins who happen to be just about the same ages as you and who love all the same things as you....and well, it is pretty close to perfection.

 With 8 kids between the ages of 2 and 8, we often more resembled a camp group than a family. We descended on rides and games and took over. Grandma and Aunt Melissa added extra fun in the cheering section and sponsoring games.

 I think we could have stayed all night. Everyone won a prize. Everyone (even Colby) rode a million rides. We had Boardwalk fries, lemonade, ice cream, sausages, and pizza. We did it up and checked it off the Summer to do list. It was awesome in every sense of the word.