First Day of School

The first day of school is bitter sweet.  I think we were all ready for a little more structure and a little time away from each other, but that transition is always a little more abrupt than we'd like.

The weather didn't cooperate, but the kids were so excited to meet their new teachers and see their friends.

It was such a weight off our shoulders to know that Cally would look after Hazey and he would look after her. And they were both so happy to be sharing Jericho Elementary with each other.

I'm lucky enough to have a schedule which allows for the kids to be dropped off at my school at the end of the day (not every day, but most days).  The sun was shining and they both had smiles on their face at the end of their first day.

End of Summer Bucket List

When I got home from Maine, John was immediately thrown into the fire of Trek.  50 leaders were soon to arrive to be trained and a week later 250 students were going to hit the backcountry for a week of adventure.  In the meantime, the kids and I had some items on our summer bucket list to accomplish. 

  

So here is what we checked off on the list:

• Hike Mt. Abe

• Jump at "Get Air" -- an indoor trampoline space

• Pick blueberries

• Hike Mt. Mansfield:

• Bike the causeway:

I let the kids drive the bus on this one.  They wanted to hike and they did a great job.  Friends joined us for some of our adventures.  We made sure that all of the experiences were fun-- bottom line.  If they weren't fun, we weren't going to do it.  The spirit that the kids approached these adventures with was what mattered most. They love it.  I loved it, but I was exhausted by the time I needed to be back for inservice. 

While I went back to the classroom, the kids spent some time with sitters and did four days of field hockey camp:

And even with all the hecticness, John and I managed to get out on a date!

And we even got out for a family date night in Burlington.

Maine

We finally made it back to Acadia and Blue Hill Maine!  It has been years.  The kids hardly remembered the last time that they were there.  We began our adventures with a weekend visit with John's Bates buddies at Nicholas and Ruth's homestead near Blue Hill.  We have no pictures, but had such a wonderful time eating, preparing food and playing on their farm.  

playing games

Lobster Boy

Club House

Beach Time 

Chickens

Making Ice Cream

Next stop was Acadia.  It was a short trip for John and the kids.  We were too late to get a campsite in the National Park, but found a wonderful campsite at Sommes Sound Campground. We usually steer clear of commercial campgrounds, but we really wanted to spend a few days on Mt. Desert Island, so we took a chance on it.  The kids loved the pool, showers, and neighbors. 

We made it to Great Head:

 

We went on Lulu's Lobster Boat (where Hazen had to pretend he was six) and we all learned a lot about seals and lobsters.

 

Hiked to Beech Cliffs:

Went tide pooling at sea wall:

Visited the College of Atlantic Museum:

Swam at Lakewood:

We went to Bass Harbor lighthouse:

Road bikes around Eagle Lake on the carriage roads:

And had plenty of family time:

Acadia is our happy place.  It is so fun to hike and bike and play in such a gorgeous and different place.

Meanwhile, I had been planning to meet up with my amazing, fun, and inspiring college girlfriends.  I had missed a gathering in California this past November, so I was really excited to be able to make it work to be there this time.

My friend, Eliza's family has an amazing place right near Bar Harbor.  Friends arrived from Idaho, California, and New York.  We had an amazing four days.  Days that were filled with laughter, love, kindness, compassion, and more belly laughing fun than I have had in awhile.  Four days of loveliness is exactly what this mama needed. I am so lucky to a) have such wonderful friends 25 years later b) have a husband and kids who give me the space to be with my gals.

After spending a weekend with John's amazing friends from Bates and then four days with my wonderful girls from Middlebury, I realize the power of friendships.  They take work, but the rewards they offer are so, so valuable.  I hope the Hazey and Cal find lasting friendships like these.

"A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow." 

--William Shakespeare