School's out, laugh and shout, mom is running all about!

Today was our last day of school! Yes, I know some folks homeschool all summer long, but I've never been able to do that. My daughter, Kristel, has told me more than once this past month, "I'm having Nathan (her 8 year old) do school all summer to make up for our hectic school year." Right. Sure. But Kristel grew up homeschooled, and I knew the old habit of having the summers off would be hard to break. Yep. I finished testing Nathan and they are SO done with school.

She lives across the street, which makes it wonderful for us, especially after their year-long "wandering in the wilderness of North Carolina." She is a diehard Westerner, I'm afraid, and the South suited her not at all (with apologies to all my Southern friends). She decided she preferred rain over humidity and couldn't wait to return to the rainy PNW.

They drove cross-country to come home, and she was 8 months pregnant. I joined them in Arizona for the last leg, so I could help entertain the 4 little ones. Whoosh! What an adventure! We're all glad that things are stable for them.

With Kristel in NC since January 2006 and just returning January 2007, it's made a very tight, very busy year for me. I felt rushed all year. Twice to NC, once to AZ, her family living with us for 3 months until they found a house to rent. New baby here. Homeschooling both my son and my grandson. Another son at community college. Mass confusion many days. Weary and inconsistent with schooling. Sound familiar?

Now you know why I'm glad school is officially out!

Plans for this summer? Gardening, biking, reading, writing. Playing with grandkids. Going to our homestead in North Central WA for vacation. Did I mention reading? Resting. No major traveling! I'm traveled out.