Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
We’ve done a lot of fun things this summer. As the season draws to a close, I’m looking forward to Haley’s new school year and Hudson’s farewell to babyhood. Of course it all makes a parent a bit wistful, but I’m trying to stay grateful and positive and enjoy every change. It’s also easy to look forward to Fall when it’s still really, really hot.

I won’t miss having to (seemingly constantly) slather the kids with sunblock every time we go out. I won’t miss feeling impossibly hot and sticky at the end of a jaunt with Hudson in the baby carrier. I won’t miss Haley suddenly deciding she’s too hot and crabby to keep walking somewhere. I won’t miss squinting in the bright sun when I forget my sunglasses. I won’t miss worrying that the kids are dehydrated and constantly pushing water on them. I won’t miss soggy clothes after the spray park.

But I will miss not needing to bundle everyone up each time we go out. I will miss getting away with Haley throwing on flip-flops and Hudson not needing any footwear at all. I will miss the impromptu ice cream cones. I will miss how tired the kids are and how easily they go to sleep after a day of playing outside in balmy weather. I will miss their dad’s slightly more lenient work schedule in the summer months.

There will be more summers for me, but there won’t be any more summers with a preschooler and a baby. Next year, it will be a kindergartener and a toddler—I can hardly believe it! You can count on the seasons changing, and your children changing even faster.

Stay cool!

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
In New York, school starts after Labor Day, so we still have a few carefree weeks of summer to enjoy. However, I have many Facebook friends from around the country who have already sent their kids off with a backpack full of supplies, a cute new wardrobe and hopes for another great year. I can’t believe that that group will soon include Haley, entering her first year of school ever as a preschooler.

I know it’s time—Haley can’t wait. Even if she is a little apprehensive at first, I know her nerves will quickly dissipate. I hope mine will, too! I’m sliding into my final month of pregnancy just as she starts school, so it will be an emotional time.

I find myself wondering how to make the most of these final weeks of summer. It’s kind of funny, though, because Haley will only be in school two mornings a week. That doesn’t really stop us from doing fun family activities, and the weather should stay temperate for a while. But mentally, once school starts, I think we’ll fall into a certain pattern. Plus, college football starts soon, and then there go our Saturdays!

I have always loved the Fall, but this time its approach is bittersweet as it means my baby girl is becoming more independent. I know all of the “first days” of school will start to accumulate quickly, and I’ll be wondering where all the time went. I’ll cope by doing what any mom would do—taking a ton of pictures before we leave, waving goodbye assuredly at drop-off, and staring at the clock, waiting for it to be time to pick her up.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Unfortunately, Haley and I came down with colds over the weekend. Mine was a little milder than hers. I have started to see more runny colds in children in our classes (never a welcome sight) and with the weather changing, I had a feeling this was coming. Hopefully we will be on the mend soon enough. We have a hectic week ahead.

In the beginning of the week, my husband has a busy couple of days at work. It’s hard enough to take on the reins of responsibility when you are feeling well; hopefully I won’t be too run down. In the middle of the week I get a break because we are celebrating my birthday, and my husband is taking the day off from work. Then, we get to enjoy the festivities we’ve planned—grown-up dinner at a nice restaurant and a professional basketball game. Our good friend and neighbor works for the sports team and offered us free tickets—it’s nice to know people in high places!

It feels like this fall/winter is going by at warp speed. Between dentist appointments, a holiday photo shoot, family obligations, preschool tours, etc. I know it will be Thanksgiving, then Christmas before I know it. Soon another year will be starting. When I had Haley, people told me how fast it would go by. I didn’t realize how right they were at the time, but I sure get it now.

Enjoy your week! Hope it doesn’t go by too fast for you.