The Last Month

July has always been my favorite month. Egotistical, since my birthday comes right near the end, but it's true: I look forward to July all year long (except for Christmastime; that supercedes my birthday by a longshot!). But now it's here and rushing past.

It's been fun; filled with weekend jaunts to the beach, outdoor playtime, crafts. New this year: enjoying the chubby stickiness of 7-month old Josh, watching the sunlight shine through his growing blonde fuzz. Seeing Sean learn how to swim while not give up holding his nose, and repeatedly attempt to ride his bike without training wheels down our front lawn.

But August is lurking right around this Friday's corner. August 1st is Sean's sixth birthday. And that signals a coming change: school starts before September.

This is the last month... of summer, of having my two boys home with me full-time, of being mommy with no schedule other than random playdates, occasional doctor appointments and haphazard naptimes.

Although I'm not returning to work full-time (Thank you God for large blessings!), this end of summer will bring Structure marching back to our house, clipboard and homework in hand. She will demand lunches be pre-packed the night before and clothes are laid out on the end of the bed. We will have to schedule extra time in the morning for the inevitable last-minute diaper change or gas station stop. Playtime will be relegated to evening hours and weekends. My day will be full of only one baby boy, which I will love, but my heart aches for my big kid even though he hasn't left for class yet. This is The Last Month, and it makes me sad. Blessed, but sad.

It's sunny out today - we're going to go to the park, and make our pinata for Sean's party; blow fuzzy dandelions to the wind and wish for the August days to go ever so slowly...

Pretty Confetti

A glimpse of my morning: Walking outside holding Josh (ALWAYS holding Josh - 19 lbs of wriggly chub pivoting on my left hip) I'm watching the sunlight shine through the growing blond fuzz on top of his head. I pick one of the purple-pink flowering weeds near the mailbox and breathe in the fragrance. I put the flower to Josh's nose to see if he will imitate my sniffing. He grabs the bloom with one chubby hand and plucks a handful of blossoms, beautiful confetti on our driveway. Sean comes to the door in blue underwear. "Can I come out, too?" "No. Go get dressed please." "Awww." Josh wants to shred more flowers.

Summer of the Beach: The How's, Why's & Where's

This is it. Money has exchanged hands. Supplies have started stockpiling. Word has reached certain relatives' ears: we purchased a camper and it waits at a scenic campsite AT THE BEACH. I have unfettered access to a beach retreat anytime from now through October. While I am nervous (as I am with any large purchase), I am giddy at the idea of being able to spend time with my family at the closest beach venue anytime we want. 

I look at it this way: 

1) Have I mentioned I LOVE the beach? As Sean says, "Are you going to marry it?"; I would if polygamy to a natural scenic location were an option.

2) It was a g-r-e-a-t deal. Even for a frugal, penny-pincher like myself - it didn't take more than 2 minutes for me to say "Yes." 

3) Who knows if I will ever have an uncommitted summer and an opportunity like this coincide again?!? No formal job. Two children schedule-free until late August (save a few soccer games and 2 weeks of summer camp, yet to be booked.) A husband blessed with fruitful self-employment. Family who will gladly visit & assist as needed (trading late night feedings for afternoon naps on the sand - not such a bad deal.)

We parked the camper at Castaway's campground about 3 weeks ago, spent the night, but didn't hook-up any utilities. We are 50 ft from a very clean bath house/laundry/shower facility, so we weren't really 'roughing it'.

My parents spent the weekend away together at Ocean City, so, seeing a weather forecast with 4 days of 80+ degree weather, I decided to drive down with the kids & meet them. They did not know about the camper. I called around noon - thinking I'd catch them well before they headed back north. NO! At noon, they were not only packed, but on the road! We planned to meet in Cambridge at they Wendy's. Thankfully, the kids slept and I sped down to meet them.

To be continued...