They're home!

 The big  kids have returned home after a magical summer at HSJ.  Hersh easily had the best summer of his life and Lu had a great time while living the life of a MS girl.   They are elated, exhausted, hungry, cut-up, and a little rabid.  Sender is very happy to have the kids home--he missed them so much.  Lots of physical touch and love being shared!  The stories are endless, the joy is contagious, and I am so so grateful that they get to go to Utica.  Wild that we are flowing into the final month,.,grateful that the focus is family!

VT/SPAC

 I'm just back from a lovely long weekend in the NE Kingdom.  First to VT for a beautiful few days with my dear, Meg.  We hiked Bolton Mtn, paddled in the Waterbury Reservoir, and just enjoyed being together.  Then we drove to Saratoga where I saw Kate's new life and had the best two nights at Phish.  So beautiful up in that part of the country---I truly wish I lived somewhere with mountains, sunsets, and less people places and things.  Big kids come back on Wednesday. I'm sure they (especially Hersh who has been away for 6 weeks) will have the post camp blues.  And the house always feels so full of laundry and love after the great return:)  Sender is busy rock climbing, reading Archie comics and enjoying the pool as much as possible.  Summer has passed very very quickly.

Just the 2 of us!

 With the big kids at camp and Jacob off in various parts of the world, Sender and I have been living our best "just the two of us" life.  The simplest dinners, a trip to Target for the Legos of his dreams, reading, movies, Wolftrap, pool, thunderstorms, 8:30pm bedtime, CPC, and just a sweet and simple life.  Except for when Hersh was my only child, I've never had uninterrupted 1:1 time like this with one of my children.  What a total gift.  He is very special.  The big kids seem to be living their very best lives, and my grocery bill is very low:)

To the South and back!

 We just returned from a quick trip to LR and Utica, filled with all things southern summer, that we love (eventhough we missed Hersh and Savta).  We were with all of the Matsons, had a very Lakeside 4th, a lovely tree farm morning, swam at Martha Lou's, ate US Pizza, and stayed at the Dark Chocolate Air Bnb.  Sender reluctantly rode in the Lakeside Parade, but we enjoyed swimming in the lake and the fireworks. Lu and I bought her Bat Mitzvah dress (!!!) at Dillard's!   Then we made our early morning drive to Utica to bring the kids to their summer home.  Hersh seems to be glowing and Lu was ready to settle in--I miss them and am so happy for them.  I know the weeks will pass all too quickly.  When we got home from our long day of travel, in which Sender could not finish his own milkshake without the "seagulls" he said, Ima you have to get into your bed right now---it feels so good!   Grateful for the travel, the family, and home.  PS--Jacob suggests the Picklerita from Sonic!