Where did the summer go?

This morning, Mom and Dad left for WV to take my boys back to their Momma and a new school year. I miss them. We had a good, if LOUD, summer together. I always feel sad when they leave though, or when I have to leave them. No matter how much bickering, begging, and bargaining we had to wade through, I still loved having them with us for so long. Caden, Quinn, and I managed to slip away twice this summer to spend the day in Savannah. Had a great time eating at the Lady and Sons and taking a tour of the city. Another day we rode our bikes to Coligny Plaza to shop and get ice cream (Superman for Quinn, Sponge Bob for Caden). Many trips to the pool and beach, working at the bakery, and watching Alf reruns (a new one to them!)...they are my buddies, that's for sure.

There were issues, too. Don't be fooled....thirteen is a WHOLE NEW kind of OBNOXIOUS these days. And eight-just-turning-nine is no walk in the park either. We butted heads a few times, but that's par for the course I'd say.

I have some good memories of this summer, and I think they do too although they missed their home and friends. I now know what a Webkin is and can tell you all kinds of interesting details about various rock bands.

I love that I got to see Caden earn money to buy himself a new bass. He was so proud of it. I hope he learned how satisfying it is to work hard for something you want. I love that I got to see Quinn happily eating a chocolate ice cream cone one day in Savannah, totally unaware that it was all over his sweet little face -- it made me so happy that he is still little enough not to notice or care, but to just be able to laugh, totally oblivious to the rest of the world for that moment. These moments are too fleeting.

They were excited to go home, but a little sad too I think. That's understandable. Life is full of moments like that. Bittersweet. I think that's the hardest place to be in.

I love you, my boys. Have a good first day of school. Call me and sing "Why do you love me..." in your best Kip Dynamite voice. Be good and do your best.

Come back soon.