The end of another summer.....

And so begins the end of another summer. It's devastating and wonderful at the same time. I have four little ones so excited about school that they can hardly stand to sit still. Alyssa, Anthony, and Daniel Andrew will be in fourth, second, and first grade respectively. Sydney is starting her first year of "school" by doing a preschool program.
It doesn't get much better than the excitement of preparing for the school year. At this age, the kids are still excited about new school supplies and new back packs. They're thrilled at the concept of getting back together with their friends and getting back into the swing of the school year. New school clothes are all the rage in my house right now and they have been hanging in their closets like little dangling carrots in front of a bunny's nose. The excitement builds on a daily basis.
I face the school year with mixed feelings. It is the first year that I will be able to accomplish more during the days and yet it is also the first year that they will all be involved in school activities. It's getting back to the hustle and bustle of schedules and running from this play to that. It's getting back to soccer practices and cheer practices and homework and projects...and, well, the list goes on and on.
With so many great vacations this summer, I am sad to see the summer go. We traveled to Georgia and spent time with friends and family there. We traveled to Illinois. We had family in town. We took trips to the zoo in two different cities, experienced a ton of time at the beach and the pool and have just had a really fun and pleasant summer...the best in a long time. I am thankful for every moment that I got to spend having a blast and making this summer fun and memorable for everyone.
On the other hand, there is something wonderful about the school year. There is something to be said for the crazy hubbub of rushing from place to place. There is something great about seeing the little projects that they've drawn or hearing the new songs they've learned. There is something wonderful about seeing them talk about their new friends or their activities with their teachers. There is something great about the independence that comes from them being on their own in their own little classes. There is something magical about the excitement building to a book character parade, a concert, or some other fun activity during the school year.
This whole experience is going to be a "wait and see" experience....I can't wait to see what the Lord brings into our lives this year!