And now that's us. And our 5-year old was just a baby yesterday, as much of a cliche as that is. It's so true. I sorta want that time back, but of course no. I want to see him grow into an amazing adult (wait...he's already amazing...so he'll be SUPER AMAZING as a grown up, I just know it).
He started going to preschool five days a week. I almost cried dropping him off today. Can you imagine the state I will be in next year when he starts Kindergarten? He was fine, though. He told me "Mom, now that I'm five I get to go to school every day, because I'm five." Yep. I guess I'm just used to having him with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But he's a big boy now and will be taking the Kindergarten curriculum at his Montessori school. I told him this morning he might even grow to be taller than his Dad someday and the excitement and sparkle in his eyes was evident. He was stoked. My five-year old LOVES being a big boy.
We recently returned from our Michigan vacation. Oh, how I love that place.
Ludington is a little town on Lake Michigan (with Hamlin Lake in there, too) and so relaxing. We spent time boating and tubing on the lake, Andy fished a little, we picked blueberries, visited an elk farm, took walks out to lighthouses, and much more. And the kids played. And played. And played. Cousin Eli was there. He's just 3 months younger than Gus and it was truly magical to see the three of them run and play and hug (and argue a few times). But mostly love and play. They were so amazing together. I'm so happy Eli and Jenny and Aaron live in Indiana now instead of Alabama. It's been way too long since we've been able to spend quality time with them. Good, no GREAT, times.
And so summer in Kansas winds down. And the cicadas perform every night and the hot sun burns yards and vegetation...and yet somehow I still love it. I don't know what I'd do without it. I realized recently that I actually don't despise this time of year...this sticky, stagnant time of a late Midwestern summer...I love it because it's part of Kansas. It's part of what makes this place sweet. It makes me want to listen to Lucinda Williams and drink beers on a front porch (or stoop). And it makes me excited for what's to come. Ahhh, bring on autumn. My favorite season of them all.
