Finishing Summer

We got back from our trip to Virginia almost a week ago, but since D's computer (where I recently decided to locate primary storage of all family photos) is having a photo downloading issue (wont' open the photo program at all) I have not written the post about the trip. This is a filler until the photo issue is resolved. Summer is almost over. I am counting down the last 4 days until school begins. The last four days of kids running in and out, asking for food and drink, and disappearing around the neighborhood. The kids are counting down for a few reasons: 1: They have spent so much time playing with all their friends that by the end of each day the fun is breaking apart into smaller groups or breaking into snippy little fights. You have to realize that this has been a peaceful group of 10 for most of the summer so it is amazing they made it this far without turf wars and such. 2: They are nervous about school starting. It will send their little worlds into a tailspin and may change new friendships that have been made over the summer. 3: They are feeling a bit melancholy about summer ending. It has been a kids dream summer in our house with a terrific balance of travel, camps, and running around the neighborhood with friends. They have traded baseball cards, played tag and hide-and-go-seek, had nonstop games of baseball/ wiffle ball/kickball/football, learned to play croquet (sort of-- a easy version),fought in water gun battles, went fishing, and swam at pool time. Though nostly I am overjoyed they are going back to school soon even I (hard hearted woman that I am) feel a bit sad watching them play and knowing that the all day, all out fun is ending. 4: Some of them are counting down because they are excited school is starting again, but I would never tell you which ones because they would be outcasts. I will be back to blog our last vacation when the photos will upload. Until then I will be enjoying the last hurrah of summer before sweet, peaceful school days begin. love and hugs, B