The end of Summer

The last few months being at home with my three sons have been great. We have been swimming almost everday, We have camped. We have done nothing. This summer is offically over for me tomorrow and I am sad. My five year old starts real school this year. He thinks he's excited, but he's not sure how to react yet. I know how I'm going to react. Levi is such a wonderful little boy. He's ALL boy. He does things without the thought of I may get hurt. He's tough, loud and knows it all. He adores his older brothers, and can rumble with the best of them. I took Levi to the fabric store with me last week. I made sure to buy him something to eat from Sonic, just so he wouldn't have to come in the store with me and he could sit outside on a bench. I could see him clearly. He sat down, bag in hand, feet dangling and was happily eating his lunch. 5 minutes!! That's all I need! I picked out a fabulous piece of fabric with some ribbon and paid the lady. I didn't even stop to chat about world events or the fact this was my first attempt at curtains. My baby was waiting for me. He said he had chatted with no one, just as I instructed. He said he threw his bag away, just as I instructed, and he said he didn't even move from his spot, just as I instructed..except for that time he had to really pee. Of course he points out a huge river of pee coming from the side of the pillar in front of the fabric store.

He told me in a matter of fact manner, that he had to go, and he thought it was a perfect spot. Of course in my mind I'm thinking about the hundreds of women that were coming in and out of this store, and watching my son standing there peeing, and to think he could have been greeting them with a wave and a smile too! The river of pee was already making it's way next door. I explained to Levi that public peeing was frowned upon my old women coming in and out of fabric stores, and although he didn't want to leave his post, it would be ok to come in and pee in private. He said no one really saw him and he'd stop his stream if someone came in or out. Reminder to self, teach incognito. I'm hoping that those women that did get a private showing looked at Levi's blue eyes and was put into a small trance and soon forgot what they saw.

I know his future teachers will certainly love Levi. They will surly grow to enjoy his view of the world as much as I have. If I can keep him from peeing in public places, or saying dammit when he's mad, or even keeping his temper in check, then I think we'll have a pretty good year. This deserves a continual update.

Weekend Fun.

My Dad decided to surprise us by showing up at our house last Tuesday. What a wonderful surprise. We spent most of the week hanging out and just enjoying his company. Dad hasn't been feeling too good for quite sometime, so to see him with good color in his face and lots of energy was such a relief. This time last month he was really having a hard time with his breathing, and still fighting an infection of the lungs. We thought his days of being dependent on oxygen fulltime had finally come. And I know he dreads it. We dread it. Somehow, be it the fact that he refuses to give in to the thought of dragging a bottle of air around with him, or thinking it will really cramp his style, whatever the case, he has overcome his illness and is back to normal. Friday he had planned to go back home, and by Thursday I had decided we would pack up and join him. Our summer vacation is soon to come to and end and with that our freedom to just pack up and go will also come to an end, so why not. Central Texas has been in a severe drought for several months now. The country side has burned up, the animals are starving, and rivers have dried up. West Texas on the other hand has been blessed with cool rains almost daily, low temps, and lush greenery, and we are not used to it. By the time we left early Friday morning, it had rained pretty much all night and it was still a nice overcast of gray clouds. By the time we got over halfway to Austin, this is what we see.

Rain, Rain and more rain. That's Dad behind us.

We leave our city to get away from all the rain and it decideds to follow! Good for you folks in Central Texas! By the time we got to Dad's house, it had rained over 6 inches at his house! Amazing, and yes thank you.
By Saturday it had cleared and so we decided to spend a day at Fort Hood in Killeen. The great thing about the adventure, is that Dad felt good enough to come with us. Wyatt my ten year old, is a future military person. It's a good thing I packed every piece of military garb he owns.

Even his flip flops are camo.

I'm not sure what was going on here, but I see my youngest taking his favorite pose of hands crossed and not budging.

Yes, that's one big copter.

It was a really great day and I think everyone enjoyed it. The next visit will be to the Oatmeal festival for Labor Day weekend. This is truly a family event, and one, Robin, Wilma and all the kids have always enjoyed.