So Long Summer

Labor Day is always a bit sad for me because it signifies the end of summer. Sure, there are bound to be some nice days still to come, but with football games starting (yay!) it's usually the last real lake weekend. This summer's unusually cool weather made it go by more quickly than ever. I know there are folks who loved and appreciated the cool days we had, but I miss those humid, sun-soaked days when floating in the lake or enjoying a beverage by the pool is the very best way to beat the heat. It also warms my heart to have the family gathered on the dock, sharing a meal on the deck, and waking up under one jam-packed roof to the smell of bacon and Grandpa's pancakes. Love overflowing.

Jim and I began our Labor Day weekend last Friday when we enjoyed a late lunch at our favorite Nashville brewery, Big Woods. We shared their famous appetizer, pulled pork nachos. A perfect lunch!

Our kids and guests arrived in stages, and we enjoyed everyone coming and going as schedules allowed. Adam and Courtney invited her cousin James, and his friend Grant to join us, and they had some fun on the rope swing.

There goes Grant!

And there goes James!

Some were rope-swinging, and some were watching.

Noah just likes to explore.

One-year-olds aren't still for a minute!

Grant did some sliding...

and James did some jumping.

Grant's turn to jump.

And there he goes!

Then it was Courtney's turn. It's realllyyy high, Courtney! I know this because I've done it. Once. You can read about it here.

She did it!

Shylah and Noah.

Noah enjoying the dock. I know he may look a bit funny wearing a life jacket in a kiddy pool with no water in it, but the rule is that if you're a kid on the dock, you wear a life jacket.

There was some chicken playing on the water mat.

Everybody down.

James and Grant heading out for some tubing.

Kyle and Adam tried out the Big Mable.

Catching some air on the tube.

The boys, safely back in the boat. I didn't go along, of course. Tubing makes me too nervous. Even from the boat.

Here's Coco, who came with Kyle and Kristin and her 'sister' Moda, making it a 7 dog weekend. It's always fun to have our furry friends join us! Isn't she cute in her little life jacket?

Shylah received a belated birthday gift from some friends, which was delivered by Kyle and Kristin. Everyone needs a duck hat, right?

This friend isn't furry, but he was lurking around the dock on Sunday afternoon. Cleared everyone out of the water for a bit. :)

Adam, Grant, James, and Courtney before they left on Sunday.

Shylah making her buffalo chicken dip. Yum!

Cute little Noah on the dock.

The buffalo chicken dip was served on the water mat, and passed around for all to share. Except Emma.

We took an evening boat ride, and Shylah's brother Joe, and his girlfriend Kelly, entertained Noah with some songs and nursery rhymes. Kelly works at a day care.

Kelly and Joe.

Noah, Jennifer, and Bryan.

Emma and Jim.

And by the time we got back to the house, this little guy was fast asleep. Night night, Noah.

Kyle and Kristin and the pups headed out on Monday.

As did David, Shylah, Sammi, and Tyler.

And there's Jim, way down there on the dock, lounging on a chair as everyone is packing up to go home.

Noah stayed to help us clean up, and we did a little rocking on the deck.

A little walking around the chairs...

a little smiling at Granny...

and a little attempt at climbing.

The end of the day…

the end of the weekend…

the end of the summer.

God is good, all the time. 

Amen.

Back to School Social #TBTStories

It's Thursday, and I'm finally getting around to posting another throwback story. This one is in honor of September, which traditionally means back to school. Of course, around here, it is August that actually marks the start of the school year, and kids in our little town have a month in already.

Back when our kids were in elementary school, we had a 'Back to School Social', when families would come together for a fun evening of games and activities which centered around a theme. We had a circus theme, a western theme, and a beach theme, which is the one featured in the photo below.

I'm not sure why the kids look so excited in the photo, but Jim and I seem to be the only ones smiling. I'm smiling because all the plans and decorations are done, we had eaten our picnic supper, and all the kids seem to have shirts on. Of course, the picnic consisted of cheese and crackers, but whatever. :)

I spent quite a bit of time practically lived at school when our kids were little, helping in classrooms, planning fundraisers, going on field trips, or delivering treats to the teachers. I learned that there were parents who weren't as comfortable at school, and the Back to School Social allowed folks to come together in a relaxed, fun atmosphere where everyone could feel at ease. A picnic in the school yard (or in the hallway if it rained), carnival games, and a fun photo op provided a great way to start the year and get to know the parents, kids, and teachers in our elementary school family. 

Dear Old Golden Hodgepodge

It's a 'Back to School' theme for the Wednesday Hodgepodge today, even though we're about a month in to the school year in our little town. Enjoy my answers, then click on the button to visit Joyce and the others.

Here are her questions and my answers:

1.  What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to actually doing?

I didn't get nearly enough time in my favorite lakeside reading chair. Summer went fast!

2. Share a favorite memory of your own back -to-school days as a child.

My mom taught preschool ('nursery school' back then) in our converted garage. I was in her first class, and it was so exciting to have the little tables and chairs, a playhouse, and lots of toys ready to share with the students/friends who came for school.

I attended kindergarten at Rosenmund School. From an autobiography I wrote in 6th grade, my 11-year-old self remembered my first day of school like this, "My first day of school started out in Rosenmund School. I was in Mrs. Smith's kindergarten. I was kind of scared at first, but then I got used to the idea that there was nothing to be scared of. From then on I loved every minute of school."

Little did I know that Mrs. Smith was the aunt of my future husband, and that I would one day call her Aunt Elizabeth instead of Mrs. Smith. (The story goes that when Jim was in her class, Alberta told him that he should call her Mrs. Smith instead of Aunt Elizabeth. He did, and continued to call her Mrs. Smith for years after kindergarten.)

She was a special and wonderful teacher (and person), and taught our class of 36 (thirty-six!) kindergartners without ever raising her voice. 

In fifth grade, we were the oldest ones in the school, and I was so happy that I was in the same class with many of my best friends. We were very cool. When school started, I remember that several of us had vinyl flowered 3-ring binders that came with a matching vinyl bag. Nothing cooler than that!

3.  What's one chore or daily task you prefer doing 'old-school' ?
I still like to make lists with paper and pen, and I'm a fan of hand-addressed envelopes. Old school, I know.

4.  Share something you've learned in life through the 'school of hard knocks'.

5.  As a child, did you mostly bring or buy your lunch for school? What was your favorite thing to find in your lunchbox?
I always ate the school lunch. There were meals that I remember liking a lot: chicken and noodles, with those little cups of ice cream for dessert. There were also the days when the smell of sauerkraut permeated the hallways and classrooms all morning. Not. My. Favorite.

6. Football season is upon us which has me wondering... how big of a sports fan are you (not just football) ? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 'I scream at the players through my television screen' and 1 being 'is knitting a sport?' where do you fall in fandom? 

I am a fan. I grew up with 2 brothers. My dad is a sports fan. I have 4 sons who love sports. Might as well join 'em! I'll rank myself a 10, but I don't scream at the players through my television screen. Do I?

7. Share a favorite quote you think might inspire students of all ages at the start of a new school year. 

8.  Insert you own random thought here.

I have been asked, by a friend on Facebook, to list 10 books that stayed with me in some way. I probably took too much time thinking about it, but here is my list, in no particular order. I would love it if you would share yours in the comments.

1.  Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
2.  Wonder by R. J. Palacio
3.  Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
4.  The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
5.  The Firm by John Grisham
6.  Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
7.  I Will Carry You by Angie Smith
8. Coming Back Stronger by Drew Brees
9. Wooden by John Wooden
10. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott