Yesterday was my birthday, which always seems to coincide with the beginning of school and the shocked realization that the plans I had at the beginning of summer break didn't quite pan out. So, now I've got exactly one week to help my son with his math skills (if I can find those flash cards I bought for fifty cents at Thrift Town back in May) and convince my daughter that sports are really fun (and proving it by taking her to an outdoor basketball court or some other sports like place so that she'll become the female Michael Jordan at tryouts for the Junior High basketball team) but it's really hot outside and I feel more inclined to simply let it be.
So, what did we do this summer?
My son learned to swim. Well, sort of.
I worked on keeping this blog up and running. I did not work on my manuscript as planned. Having two kids around at all times is sort of a distraction.
I took my kids to the library every week like clockwork and participated in the summer reading program. While it's true they spent most of their time in front of the TV or the computer, they also did a lot of reading. Last week, I was called by the library and informed that I won a Kindle and that my daughter won a gift card to Wal Mart. I was shocked and sort of pleasantly surprised, despite the fact that I always said I'd never buy an E reader. Well, technically, I didn't buy it. I still plan to buy books that are made with paper and I'll use the Kindle for library check-outs. Speaking of which, I just finished "11/22/63" by Stephen King. Loved it!
We did not go on any fancy vacations, but we did manage to go visit my Mom and her husband for a week last month. It was a nice visit and we all got to attend a cousin's wedding. I don't get to go to many of those in this decade of my life.
On the consumer level, we are ready for school to start. My kids both have a new pair of tennis shoes, lunch bags and a few new articles of clothing so they feel spiffy. I am ready for the routine, but I don't think any of us are ready for the 6:30 alarm to ring.
What did you do on your summer vacation? Anything exciting?