Miscellaneous Summer Wind Down Brain Wandering

Only a few more days of summer remain!  Rush is definitely ready for school.  Every day we talk about his backpack, nap mat, and new water bottle.  I told him there will be new kids in his class this year and he told me he’s going to hug them.

It’s still going to be summery, hot and sweaty and popsicley.  But once school starts, September 1 is right around the corner and regardless of what the thermometer says, my fall starts during the drive home from the beach on Labor Day.  I thought the summer was going to seem long and that we might have long days wondering what to do.  Clearly I underestimated the demands of getting two children fed and napping every day.  Finding an hour to leave the house was a challenge.  It has been an unusual summer for us in that we were home most weekends and we barely made it to the pool.  There was a lot of family time, but not a lot of beach time.

Last week I was in Beaumont and, as always, I came home with way too much stuff.  My mom and I turn into Becky Bloomwood and her mother when we’re together.  Among other things, I came home with two reams of computer paper, a brooch shaped like a kangaroo, and party supplies for a pirate birthday party.  I’ll throw a pirate party at some point in the future, right?

Next summer I need to plan a trip to visit with my sister so she can reign us in.  I could almost hear her voice admonishing “are you ever really going to wear purple eyeliner?”  But in the moment, with a Diet Coke and popcorn in one hand and the other pushing Tate in the cart, I couldn’t hear her voice loudly enough to put it back.  And surprise, it’s not a good look for me.

The kangaroo brooch is fabulous though.  I’ll be The Girl with the Kangaroo Brooch.

Bjorn is not allowed on the table, by the way.  But I’m not quite sure he knows he’s a cat.  He is allowed in the chairs and I think he sits and talks with my parents as they eat dinner. 

We finally saw the final Harry Potter movie a few Fridays ago.  I’m still genuinely upset that either Hogwarts isn’t real or I’m a muggle.  At least I can still wait for Rush and Tate to get their letters when they are 11.  But I guess since we're not British, they won't be going to Hogwarts.  I wonder what the sister school in America is?

My favorite thing about Harry Potter is how it connects people.  Last night I dropped by a friend’s house and her son showed me his new LEGO Diagon Alley.  I love being able to have a real conversation and connection with a seven year old.

Here’s another way I want to connect:  Casey, charming sister, best knitter that I know, please get out your Mrs. Weasley knitting needles and knit a sweater for me for Christmas.  You know the one, Gryffindor colors, big K on the front.  I would like it wrapped and sitting at the foot of the bed when I wake up on Christmas morning.  Thanks.  Love ya.