Hello? Anyone there?

Well, hello there. How are you? It's been awhile! A long, long while, as some (you know who you are!) like to remind me on a regular basis. But I'm going to try to be good, I promise. First it was just too crazy busy. Then I just really didn't want to pick up the computer at all. Then once you go so long, it's just easy not to do. But we'll see... maybe a new leaf will be turned this month. Tonight is the eve of a new school year. This summer just went flying by, and I could personally use another month. Well, another month, as long as I could get the kids to bed at a decent hour. I just don't like the morning schedule that school brings. And poor Abby, starting middle school this year, has to leave for the bus at 7. I don't think she actually got out of bed that early the entire summer. Should be interesting! I also messed up last week in a transition she had to middle school called "Mini Night." Mini Night is basically the entire day rolled into two hours. So, you go and walk your class schedule (the building is on three floors), you meet your teachers, you find out what you need for that class, etc. On Wednesday I texted one of Abby's friends and mentioned it on Thursday night. At that point, she texted me back and said, "ummm, mini night was last night." WHAT??? I looked at the calendar and sure enough, it was on Tuesday, NOT Thursday. UGH! and Double UGH!! I told Abby, and she immediately cried. Which made me cry and feel awful. We had walked her classes at registration the week before, but this was just such a big deal. And we weren't doing anything. I even had it on the calendar the right day, but didn't look because I was so sure it was Thursday. However, we had the following text exchange later that morning:

Me: I am so sorry. Abby: It's fine! :) Me: :( I feel so bad. You'll be fine I know, and you'll be a fantastic middle schooler. But I still really messed this one up. Abby: I'm fine.. It's not that hard to find my way around the schoo, I can do it@ And holly will give me her information... It's all good! Me: I love you!! Abby: Love you too! Me: Hey, now you'll have a funny story to tell your friends on the first day about your crazy mom! Abby: She sure is cray-cray! Me: Ha ha! You made me laugh!! Abby: I always do! Me: Yup, you do. I love that about you. Kinda like your dad that way. Abby: Yes. I am!

While we missed one opportunity, I really hope we had another. Abby learned I'm certainly not perfect, and that likely everyone will disappoint at some point in time. That she will be okay, that she has the power to forgive, and we can laugh at it together. I guess the proof will be if she gets lost all day tomorrow or not! As for the others... tonight Nolan declared that he believes 4th grade will be his best year yet. That was a pretty dramatic statement for Nolan! His class has all of his friends in it except Elijah, and they see each other all the time, so I think he's ok with it. This will also be Nolan's last year at the elementary school. Next year he will go to 5th grade at the school being converted to 5th/6th grade. Max is also excited for 1st grade. I think he's happy to not be the littlest in school anymore, and I'm pretty excited for 1st grade too. I think (hope!) he'll come into his own for his reading. I think something will just click. And then there's Ava. How strange that last week was Alina's last week as our Nanny. Instead, Ava will be heading to her house for Nature School with Ms. Alina! It's good changes, but after nearly two years, it'll be a little bit of a shift. Today I realized I didn't have any Diet Coke, and I asked Dave how I would get it anymore? Alina always got my Diet Coke for me! But, I think they all went out with a bang, with plenty of activities this summer. I want to stay home for the summer with Alina! I guess that's it. It's nearly 11:00 on a school night. I guess I better get to bed. See?? This is why I don't post. It's very tiring!