Back to School...already?

This summer has just flown by. It seems like we just began our summer holiday and it is time to say good-bye. I believe,for the first time, I am sad to see my kids go back to school. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together this summer. I am looking forward to the uninterrupted computer time, the many project I have planned but not the empty house...I will miss them. Funny how it just seems like just yesterday I had four little ones the oldest being two, kids always under my feet, total amount of sleep per night was 3-4 hours, wondering when I was going to get my next shower and never a minute to myself. How my life has changed. This morning everyone got themselves ready for school, no one needed my help (it was kind of sad) I did make them a yummy delicious breakfast of hot pancakes with homemade syrup; I might as well be useful in some way. After breakfast Parker consented to letting me photograph him and we were able to capture their first day of school in their scrapbook. They didn't even need me to drive them to school Parker offered. It's a little sadright after breakfast this morning
Parker going into 10th grade . already tired and he hasn't even started school

Bailey 8th grade
Sidney
Hannah

This summer our group dynamics was quite different than years past. Instead of all four of the kids being home, I was lucky if I even had two of them at one time. Parker worked full time for a landscaper doing everything from digging trenches to pouring concrete. Sometimes he would leave as early as 7:30am and sometimes not get home until dinner time. He worked hard.

The girls, when not babysitting or with friends, enjoyed time at home. I'm starting to get glimpses of when we are empty nesters and not looking forward to it. It's been fun to have someone to bake with, watch movies with and go shopping with.

Highlights:

for the girls
Anne of Green Gables Marathon (while Parker was @ work)
their garden, not sure they enjoyed the work but we are now enjoying the produce
cousins coming to visit
girls camp
trip to Island Park and the Play mill

for Parker
High adventure @ k-m a week of backpacking, bike riding,
Overnight with scouts @ Devil's canyon
EFY @ BYU-Idaho (loved the freedom)
Parker selling his Pig @ fair
working (he loved to be busy)

for me
marathon movies with the girls
making treats with the girls
minute chats with Parker
date nights with Bruce
my sister and her kids coming to visit
grandma and grandpa coming to visit during fair
the sunsets
the nightly rain showers