Top Ten: Summer Highlights

It’s been a really fantastic summer here.  Although, I suspect an army of hands would go up if I asked, “Who thinks it went by too fast?”  You know, it’s funny.  Before I had children, and even during the first four years of just having Will, then John Paul, then ALG as little people, our summers were truly endless.  We had pooltime, lots of naptimes and plenty of time for vacation.  I rarely remember feeling anxious in August and it was always a shock when traffic picked back up and I had to remind myself that school had begun again.  I smugly smiled to myself and thought, what’s all the fuss about?

Then Will started kindergarten and I found myself on the fast track to parenthood.  Three years later John Paul joined his ranks and this summer was Sisty’s last as a pre-schooler.  Now, our summers zoom by in a flash.  School starts next Tuesday and I’m in heavy denial.

Because it IS still summer here and I’m thinking about what a fun one it was, I thought it was appropriate to relive it one more time, for the history books…(oh, and vacay reports are coming tomorrow!!)

TOP TEN:  BEST OF SUMMER 2010

1.  Art Camp.  Both the boys participated in Celeste Ingraffia’s art camp.  She was Will’s art teacher at St. Theresa and is now the Fine Arts Director at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School.  She’s a pretty fantastic artist herself, to boot.  Every summer, she hosts an amazing week of learning, crafting and creating.  The kids always do a signature piece that they work on throughout camp and on Friday, they host an Art Show.  The highlight for me was something Will made.  The older kids worked on a jewelry piece.  Since Will was the only boy, he wasn’t too stoked about making a girly necklace.  But, when Ms. Ingraffia suggested he make it for someone, she said he lit up and said, “Could I make it for my mom?”  When I walked in that room, he proudly showed me my necklace, imprinted with a “K”.  I’m not a crier, but I let ’em roll when I saw how proud he was.  So, so, so thoughtful.

2.  Swim Lessons.  For the older ones, we enjoyed several weeks of pooltime.  I don’t think any of them are Michael Phelps, but they made great progress and we met a really nice teacher in the process.

3.  The ER visit.  Certainly not our best, but certainly our most memorable.  Thankfully, Anna-Laura and her siblings have made it two months without seeing that place.  Let’s keep it that way, shall we?

4.  Luke’s tricked out helmet.  What an inspirational day!

5.  Our two family reunions.  Yes, I’ve blogged about one already, the other just happened last weekend.  Boy, I have some catching up to do!

6.  The family vacation.  I know, I know.  Working on it.  I’m trying to do it justice, you know?

7.  Time with friends.  Through the various camps, lessons and outings, we were able to reconnect (finally) with friends and neighbors once again.  That was the kind of normal we’ve been missing…and we loved it.

8.  San Antonio!!  Oh, how Scott and I needed that reprieve from the pressure cooker of Austin.

9. Surgeries.  Two down, that is.  Thankfully, we crossed off some big surgeries this summer – one for Anna-Laura and one for Luke.  Here’s praying those are our last for a very, VERY long time.

10.  Time as a family.  We’ve taken some small trips, a big one and lots of stops in between.  This summer reminded me that I haven’t failed as a mom, but I still have work to do.  It’s reminded me that I have an amazing husband, but that I still need to be making deposits, not just withdrawls, from that marriage bank account.  This summer has made me thankful for my crazy, loud, happy household.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.