This week marked the end of summer vacation.  On Sunday evening we had several neighbors over to eat cake and to hear about our neighbor's mission.  The Calls returned from Brazil a few weeks ago.  Kids thought it was great to have cake, friends and a late night on a Sunday evening.  Usually on Sunday evening I am saying all the kids are going to bed early as Mom is officially done being a mom.

Monday morning to get us used to early mornings we had a bunch of kids over for a pancake breakfast.  One kid was amazed that I put chocolate chips in my pancakes, he couldn't fathom such a wonderful idea.  Then the afternoon was spent in endless assessments at school as kids tried to remember what they had learned last year.  There is something about sitting it little chairs in school hallways waiting on each other to finish up math tests etc that makes you want to run out screaming from the building and do one last hurrah.  Instead we postponed our last day of freedom to Tuesday and spent the afternoon labeling endless school supplies and packing back-packs.  Then Spencer for FHE took us to the park to show off his tennis skills.  Watching Robyn chase after the ball using her racquet like a rocket launcher was just the laugh I needed for the day.

I know you wouldn't think a bag of chips would be included in school supplies but Allison brought a big pan of 7 layer dip to school on Tuesday for lunch and to share with all of her friends.

On Tuesday, Taylor had his first day of school.  Monday he had started to perk up and drink again, his fever was gone and I thought it would do him good to get up and going again.

Guess that wasn't a good idea as he only made it one full day of school this week and has been home since.  He stopped eating and drinking and was just miserable.  Seizures were constant in all variations.  Wednesday night we went to the doctor as we were worried it was time for an IV.  Turns out he had a really bad viral sore throat.  They gave us some magic milk to shoot with a little syringe all over his throat.  It is a mixture of lidocaine, benodryl and mallox.  Made it so Taylor would start sipping periodically and kept him out of the hospital.  He is still not really eating but sometimes he will let us put one spoonful of applesauce in his mouth and swallow.  He must have heard me complain about his growth lately as he has gotten quite thin again.  Thank goodness for whole milk and chocolate nesquick.

While Taylor was at his first day of school the kids and I set off to hike to the G by us.  Took us and hour and 15 minutes to get up there and it took Spencer 15 minutes to get down.  He does not hike uphill very well.  It was fun, hot and sweaty and a gorgeous view.  We had the trail all to ourselves.

Because Spencer does not believe in doing a regular smile.

And then the deal was that when we hiked the G we would go out for milk shakes afterwards.  We have finally found the best milk shakes around at a place called Sammy's.  They mix in a whole cupcake or a piece of pie into every milk shake.  Kids thought it was a tie with JCW's but that is because JCW's do twice the size.

And then Wednesday I woke up with a big smile on my face even though getting back to an alarm waking me up in the dark stank.  I refuse to run with a head lamp yet but it is pretty dark at 6 am right now.  Robyn's emotions were a little all over the place as she was very excited to be in school full time and quite nervous at how hard it would be.

It was quite strange to have the house to myself all day.  It was extremely quiet, even with Taylor around.  I am not used to doing a job and finishing it all without talking to someone or being interrupted.  It feels very surreal.  And then I pick up kids and its an emotional whiplash as kids all want to talk to me and have things they need me to do.  It is just a new phase of life.  I am teaching art in the girls classes this year and helping in Taylor's class with lunch time but all that starts next week.  So this week I made salsa and tackled cleaning and yardwork.  I keep looking at our yard and bathrooms and am a little surprised at how much can happen over the summer.  And Jeremy and I had our first lunch date!  A new weekly tradition I am excited to start.

Robyn started her gymnastics class this week.  She was quite emotional about going and not knowing anyone in the class etc.  It really has been an emotional roller-coaster of a week for her.  The whine factor has intensified.  We seriously need to get the whine under control.  Any ideas?  She finished her class with a big smile and a bright red face and came home to show everyone her cartwheel.

This Friday the girls and Jeremy packed up a tent and took off for the father/daughter camp-out.  The girls had never camped in a tent before and wanted to try it out.  As Robyn said they ate and played and ate and played and ate some more.  They had a great time with their dad.  Jeremy comes home and girls skip in with their pillows covered in dirt to tell me about the weekend while Jeremy carries in 3 sleeping bags, tarp, cooler, tent and bags.  He said that epitomized a daddy-daughter date.
Notice Robyn's face.  They are battling the whine of "our tent is too small.  I'll be squished!".  Did I mention whining is a real issue lately?

Friday night Spencer was my date while Melissa came to cuddle with Taylor.  We went to do baptisms for the dead, out to a pizza buffet he has been wanting to go to and then to see Men In Black 3.  Definitely a 13 year old boy date and we both loved it.

And a video of Taylor packing up for the beach and the girls getting ready for school: