August, oh August
I read somewhere today (but I don’t remember where so it will be sadly uncredited) that August is the February of summer. Isn’t that the truth?
Our August has been fine. Our anniversary kicked off the month (12 years). We saw one of Rob’s brother and family. The kids would like to have cousin C visit often. We met a new baby, darling N, last Sunday. She was so small. And adorable. And patient with my kids’ desire to paw her. Miranda had junior book club. Henry won a TROPHY for participating in T-Ball. T-ball has dragged on for Henry, his enthusiasm waning with each 3 inning game. But the trophy, wow, it buoyed his spirit. He’s ready to sign up for next year. I know we’re supposed to hate participation trophies and the “we’re all winners” spirit of t-ball, but I disagree. I love it. I’d rather we all not lose than only one team win. The kids went to Pioneer Kids Day on the railroad in West Bend. The learned about hobos. And model railroads. And had a far better time than Miranda expected. Of course, after her plan to chalk hobo messages on our mailbox fell to the wayside, she had a hard time falling asleep, worrying that we’d all become hobos and lose our house.
We’re off to the State Fair on Saturday. Having done the Ozaukee Co. Fair last month, I think we can skip the animal barns.
It is incredibly, soul-despairingly hot here. I don’t want to go outside. I don’t want to let the kids out, not that they are enthused. It is hot. We (our family, not humanity) are not meant to live in the desert, I’d guess. I venture out at some point to check on the garden. Harvesting has begun. The zucchini had to be trimmed be trimmed back – too much miracle grow? We have 3 huge pumpkins, grown from seed! They are amazing! And several small pumpkins. I’d love to have more pumpkins next year. I am most excited to watch my red and orange bell peppers – they are just tinged red and orange. The zucchini feel like I am paying to harvest them. But red peppers feel like someone is handing me crisp dollars along with the yummy vegetables.
We have begun shopping for Miranda’s birthday. And Bella’s will be right behind. Ah, August. School is sneaking up on us. Boo!
You forgot to mention the EXTREME MOSQUITO ONSLAUGHT which is currently gripping our portion of the planet. I send the kids outside to play and they all return 30 minutes later panting, sweating, and missing a pint of blood each. The ‘skeeters are treating the Messerman yard as their own personal Old Country Buffet.
And yet, strangely, we are enjoying our indoor time… lots of interaction, both positive and negative. Since life is out of whack without equal portions good and bad, I have chosen to revel in it all. School begins soon and the volume of the house decreases substantially… and I will miss it so.