I don't like August. It truly threatens the refuge I find in summer at the same time I'm supposed to appreciate and relish the remaining days of fun and sun. With everything I think about in August comes irony and conflict.
#1 The leaves. I don't like August leaves. Gone are the plump, moist, millions-of-colors-of-green leaves of early June. The once vibrant green color is now a silvery, dull, we're-all-gonna-die green--and there are hints of red, orange, and brown EVERYWHERE! It starts with these two oak leaves on the tree right by my bedroom window. They taunt me. "Ha ha! Tomorrow there will be THREE colored leaves and then FOUR and then the whole tree!!" I love summer. I don't want it to go!!
The irony: Fall is my favorite season. Love the colors. Love the clothes. Love the air and I like football. And New England autumn scenes can't be beat. But oh, summer. Don't go.
Harry Potter in the big, green back yard
Looking for newts.
Belly-flop contests
#2 August means my kids go back to school. I just don't like it. We have so much fun when we're all home together and there is just a different feeling in our home when we have our own schedule. No irony here. I dislike everything about getting up early....um...I mean...school starting.
Chillin after swim lessons
Corn! The best treat of all!
Carter's hair after a speedy tube ride behind the boat at Lake Sunapee
#3 Emails from school asking me about summer academics. "How is the reading coming?" "How is the math packet doing?" I don't get it. How are we supposed to keep books from sinking to the bottom of the pool or getting smashed by roller blades? Or catching fire with hot dogs and marshmallows? Dear School, Don't worry about the reading books and math packets. They will be returned to the school/library in mint condition. Summer starts in, what? June? And it ends in August? My kids will remain plenty smart for two months, thanks.
The irony: I do feel (slightly) guilty about not doing lots of academic stuff with my kids. But scenes like this remind me there isn't a summer moment that needs to be spent inside.
Hittin' the trail
Crazy boys (some more than others!)
Plenty of refreshment #4 We moved to New Hampshire in August 1999. Now, 10 years later, this is our last New England August. We're off to a wonderful and exciting new adventure in Boise, Idaho starting in July 2010!! Jason just signed a contract this week and we are SO, SO, SO HAPPY for our new adventure.
The irony, of course. We love New England and our family here. And I need to relish every moment of August (even if i don't like it)....and September...and October...and so on.
She can't get enough of the water--especially when dad comes to swim
"Foreign Matter" in the pool = swim lessons at the pond So, Happy August! I'll try to enjoy it with a few more days like this.....
9 comments:
I love the pics! How perfect! I am noticing how much I will miss summer this year - the kids were all just the right age to make it really enjoyable.
love it, love it, love it. This post says it all. Summer goes too fast, even at our house, with no kids running around, wanting to go swimming, skating, bike riding, hunting insects, camping (well, we do go camping) for boat rides (OK, we do kayak) and gardening. Of course we have the gardening, Dave wouldn't have it any other way. In June the garden is so green and easy to keep up, in July it starts to produce and by August, I'm tired of picking, canning, freezing, weeding, and watering. But we do get to enjoy every minute eating the fruits of our labors. Thank goodness for summer.
I Love the pictures! I also love the post in general. Enjoy what you have left. (=
Oh I hear you Steph! You have gorgeous photos to emphasize the point! Your school sends home math packets? Yikes. I LOVE summer and swimming so much, its hard to think we're on the downhill side of summer. We go back late this year, so that's a comfort. And HOORAY for Boise! I hope sometime you'll make the 8 hour drive up here!
"now a silvery, dull, we're-all-gonna-die green" - I almost choked with laughter when I read this. Dunno - it just struck me as extremely funny. :) You do have a way with words, Stephanie.
So! It's Boise! Neat! :) You think the potatoes will be cheaper there? *grin* I really am glad for you - a new challenge, which I *know* you'll be ready for, and closer to all the family. And now, in a few years, when we can afford such a long trip, we'll be hitting Nevada, Idaho, and Utah..hm...tho I can't see a really good route - we might have to tack on some other states! Love y'all!
Steph you take such good pictures! I too have problems with August. Summer can't be ending yet! I hope you guys like Boise! I'm sure you will. Dave is just starting med school- in Iowa. Wish us luck!
Yay Steph! That is exciting news! Boise! Everyone I have ever known who comes or has lived in Boise absolutely LOVES it! They say the joke is not to let people know they love it to keep people out! Nice mild winters, too! I love that last pic, just shows me how sad it is that all the boys have grown up and I haven't been there to see any of it! Such cute (crazy) boys!
These pictures are adorable! And your whole blog is so wonderful. I hope that the move to Boise means that I will be able to see you and your cute family more than once every couple of years!
Fall is my favorite season, too! But summer is like pure childhood. I'm a little sad for you that this is your last year in New England - I still miss it! The time comes when you have to move on, but nowhere else is ever the same.. Adorable pics - your kids are always so cute!
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