THIS is Crazy...

Kinda makes you go cross-eyed to look at it, huh?

There doesn't appear to be an end anywhere in sight. If we do, indeed, have 100+ degree days through next Wednesday, then the entire MONTH of August will be spent over the century mark as far as highs are concerned.

In other meteorological news, we did receive a wonderful thunderstorm WITH RAIN this evening! There have been some great lightning storms that have cropped up in the last few weeks, but this is the first rain we've had in a very, very long time. Ryan and I had the TV turned off just to listen to the thunder, wind, and rain. It was beautiful.

And He's Off!

For the record and for my memory, I did not cry when we dropped him off! It was after Ryan and I got back in the car and were driving away that both of us got misty-eyed. Grin. It just seems like such a huge milestone! (it is)

I can't wait for this boy to hop off the bus at approximately 4:15 this afternoon. Hopefully he'll be in the mood to tell us about his day!! Now, it's time to bake some cupcakes for a First Day of School After-Party Celebration.

Blessing for This School Year...

My prayer for Caleb, that he will not fear the unknown of school but will embrace it with the strength the Lord provides. That he will know that God is with him at all times, and that he can trust in His guidance. That he will enjoy this new chapter, and learn and laugh a lot. That he will be respectful towards his teacher and peers. That he will continue his love of learning.

Twelve...

In twelve days, my oldest will leave me. For Kindergarten. I will no longer be a mom to three toddlers/preschoolers.

I am beyond thrilled and excited for this new chapter in Caleb's life. He is absolutely going to love all of the social interaction, the games, the crafts, the learning, the teachers, the routine, the bus... He's been excited all summer about starting Kindergarten. (He can't wait to 1. See his new classroom and 2. Ride the bus.)

We've had a countdown of sorts going on these past few weeks. Every few days, Caleb will ask me how many days are left until he goes to his new school. Today, when I answered "Twelve," it hit me -- that's just a few days away from being in the single digits. And that's just a few days away from being one week out. And that's just a few days away from The Day actually being here!We've tried to make the most of our summer with some new experiences for the boys. One more last hurrah will be taken tomorrow, when Ryan and I take the older two boys to Schlitterbahn waterpark in Galveston. Our days are now measured and planned around the school calendar, which is in some ways a new experience even though we've abided by the preschool calendar for two years now. We've gone "Back to School" shopping for some new clothes, a backpack and a lunchbox. We've pre-registered for Kindergarten. We've pre-ordered school supplies. We've got his Meet the Teacher night on the calendar, as well as our first Open House. As a former teacher, I remember how busy and crazy the first month of school was -- it will be very interesting to see it on the parent side now.
If the stinging in my eyes that threatens to turn into tears while writing this post is any indication, I'm totally going to be "one of those moms" who is wiping her eyes as she leaves the school without her child that first day of class -- and I'll probably repeat it when I drop each of my boys off at college, too. Hopefully it won't be the Ugly Cry! I truly can't wait to see how school unfolds for Caleb. I pray that he makes great friends early on, that he keeps his love of learning and discovery, that he's respectful to adults, teachers and peers, and that he just enjoys school.
I'm confident he will.